18 replies to this topic

[village idiot]

if you attached a pair of rear towing eyes to the subframe beneath the car and then padded the straps as they pass around the end of the clam, could you mount one of these bike racks to the VX?

 

is the front end of the boot lid strong enough to take the two front straps?

 

the Saris Bones rack doesn't require side straps, hence thinking it might work?

 

has anyone done it?

 

(obviously, it's not going to work with my spacered MMG long diffuser, but that can be changed)

[christhegasman]

fcuk me that's a brave thought 😀

[smiley]

is the front end of the boot lid strong enough to take the two front straps?

 

Not sure, but that flimsy thin part of the rear clam (near the rear window) is bolted to the frame with HUGE M8 bolts.

If you could put an L shaped construction under that between the clam and the rear window, it would be quite solid.

 

They should be hidden somehwere here:

Access to these these bolts however requires to remove the cabin speaker panel (pita when done for first time). 

 

Another option could be to get your hands on a cheap hardtop, and fiber in a mounting construction.

Edited by smiley, 04 January 2014 - 05:10 PM.

[Jason]

Similar rack on Elise...

 

 

http://www.lotus-for...d-in-die-elise/

 

 

Also this solution looks decent though requires some mod to the car..

 

 

 

 

http://www.lotustalk...tml#post1705605

 

 

 

Edited by Јason, 04 January 2014 - 05:11 PM.

[Luke84]

Im currently testing some products for work from a company called seasucker: http://www.seasucker...ory/bike-racks/

 

Ive only got a Talon and Mini Bomber so cant confirm this but im pretty confident that with the the little Falcon mount they do i could mount a bike on the VX in a number of ways

The other 2 have been superb on everything else ive tried them on and at some interesting speeds too! Can fit the Talon and a bike to my car in about 2 mins and remove at the other end in less. Interesting product!

 

 

Edited by Luke84, 04 January 2014 - 05:26 PM.

[village idiot]

Im currently testing some products for work from a company called seasucker: http://www.seasucker...ory/bike-racks/
 
Ive only got a Talon and Mini Bomber so cant confirm this but im pretty confident that with the the little Falcon mount they do i could mount a bike on the VX in a number of ways
The other 2 have been superb on everything else ive tried them on and at some interesting speeds too! Can fit the Talon and a bike to my car in about 2 mins and remove at the other end in less. Interesting product!
 
 

So, have you fitted any of these racks to a VX yet? They do look like they could do the trick, but I wouldn't consider ordering one until I knew exactly which worked and how.

I would love to see if the Hornet could work as it would be nice to keep the rear wheel on, otherwise that will be taking up the passenger seat, in which case I could probably just disassemble the bike and put it in there anyway.

[Ponk]

Im currently testing some products for work from a company called seasucker: http://www.seasucker...ory/bike-racks/
 
Ive only got a Talon and Mini Bomber so cant confirm this but im pretty confident that with the the little Falcon mount they do i could mount a bike on the VX in a number of ways
The other 2 have been superb on everything else ive tried them on and at some interesting speeds too! Can fit the Talon and a bike to my car in about 2 mins and remove at the other end in less. Interesting product!
 
 

I've been chatting to seasucker recently as I've been looking for a way to get my road bike on the VX.

They recommended the falcon on the rear window and the flight deck on the rear clam. My only concern was how securely the rear window is mounted?

[Ponk]

Falcon + flight deck was £225 inc delivery from the states by the way.

[Thealastair34]

I'm intrested, although I need to put Mtb on it not a featherweight road bike

[slindborg]

I hate putting a bike rack on a normal car, let alone a plastic bag of a VX.....

[Ponk]

I'm intrested, although I need to put Mtb on it not a featherweight road bike

Seasucker are confident in the strength of the mounts. I'd be worried about the clam/window giving way before the mounts! Carbon road bike is one thing, 25 kgs+ of all mountain bike is quite another. :s

[oblomov]

I haven't put a rack for my bike on the VX yet but when the rear clam was off in the spring I laid the groundwork for it by reinforcing the inside rear and top using a heavy duty fibreglass twill and two part epoxy resin hardener.  This increased the thickness of the clam from approx. 2.8mm to 6mm+ in the thickest places.  The fibreglass is feathered to spread any load from the most likely areas of contact for a bike rack.

 

This has hugely increased the rigidity of the clam.  Now I'm looking for a suitable bike rack to bastardize or maybe knock something up myself.  I've been given one for free which may or may not be suitable.  Presently it looks as if any rack will be heavier than the bike which is carbon but there won't be that much of a load, it's just a case of spreading the stress points.  Various options are being considered to connect a rear number plate and brake/indicator lights.

[drunknmunky]

I'm a big fan of the homemade jobbie on the red lotus, think its the best solution as you not relying on vacuum pumps in pads or anything else stick on!

[Luke84]

Ill get a Falcon and have a play, sure there are some in the office.   

Rear window with the forks looked into here and rear wheel mount on a clam should work a treat - my other thought was to mount it on the top passenger side of the front screen and then mount a rear wheel support on the top of the roll bar cover. Sure it can be done anyway.

[Luke84]

 

I'm intrested, although I need to put Mtb on it not a featherweight road bike

Seasucker are confident in the strength of the mounts. I'd be worried about the clam/window giving way before the mounts! Carbon road bike is one thing, 25 kgs+ of all mountain bike is quite another. :s

 

 

25KG?! My downhill bike is less than 16 

[Ponk]

Talon on a lotus. Should work if mounted on the windscreen judging by the overhang at the back.

Would you mind taking a few pics if you try the falcon out?

Edited by Ponk, 04 January 2014 - 08:55 PM.

[Luke84]

I'm a big fan of the homemade jobbie on the red lotus, think its the best solution as you not relying on vacuum pumps in pads or anything else stick on!

 

I was worried about the vacuum pumps initially as well but have ragged around with a bike or two on the roof most days with work for 3-4 weeks in Nov/Dec (and tested it on something fruity well in excess of VX vmax) ive been very impressed.

[oblomov]

I'm a big fan of the homemade jobbie on the red lotus, think its the best solution as you not relying on vacuum pumps in pads or anything else stick on!

Yes, I think that looks pretty good too.  I already have a strengthening bar across and to the rear of the rear LED stoplight just in front of the rear screen.  It's left over from a boot rack project I abandoned and it's a much tidier solution than the Lotus one with the bar in the cabin.  There are lugs on it either side I could work from.  Something to consider.

 

I think the Talon would work if reverse mounted with the 3 cups on the boot but it's pretty expensive for what it is.

Edited by oblomov, 05 January 2014 - 11:48 AM.

[Ponk]

Anyone played with one of these yet? I had a look at a talon today but it's too big to fit on the screen without fouling the wiper. Haven't see a falcon close up but I think the overhang of the roll bar cover might be too deep for it to work.