BMW Bike Rack

I regret to have to inform my fellow Festers, but my 550 is called to perform mundane duties from time to time. The 335d had bike hauling duties last summer and even this past Memorial Day weekend, but I finally got the crossbars for the F10.

Europeans are so smart. Snap on load bars for when you need to carry something, clean slick top when you don't. Very simple. Who needs roof rails?

Too Funny. I have been holding out and using the trunk. That's why I have the fold-down seats, but the integrated seat post on the bike does not let me use the space, so have to take off the two wheels. May have to break down and get these. Cervelo looks sweet but I don't recognize the other brand

Originally Posted by Saberwalk

Too Funny. I have been holding out and using the trunk. That's why I have the fold-down seats, but the integrated seat post on the bike does not let me use the space, so have to take off the two wheels. May have to break down and get these. Cervelo looks sweet but I don't recognize the other brand

Velo Vie is a small brand based in Arizona and the frames are made in China. The Cervelo is my wife's bike and probably comes from the same factory in China. If you look really close at her brake levers the chrome-look pieces are gone. That's because I recently tried to drive into the garage with the bikes on the roof. So be warned!

Originally Posted by dunderhi

Velo Vie is a small brand based in Arizona and the frames are made in China. The Cervelo is my wife's bike and probably comes from the same factory in China. If you look really close at her brake levers the chrome-look pieces are gone. That's because I recently tried to drive into the garage with the bikes on the roof. So be warned!

Wil have to look them up. Did that once with my wife's old Outback. Went through a bank drive through quite blissfully until the outer chain ring open a gash in the roof. Amazingly, bike was fine. So lucky she has a sense of humour. I would just die if id did that to my De Rosa.

You convinced me to go ahead and get the crossbars, especially since I have the bike holders from my 330.

Where did you purchase your bike carrier? That is an amazing sleek look. Very clean and efficient. Please post where to find as I would buy it TODAY!

Thanks!

The cross rails and bike mounts are standard BMW accessories available at any dealer. I got mine from getbmwparts.com, which as it turns out is my local BMW dealer.

It was a PIA to install for me, but once up its fine

Has anybody tried any bike racks besides the BMW OEM roof mounts? Are the roof mounts a pain to mount and then to get the bikes up there? Are trunk mounted racks easier/better? Any recommendations? I tried looking on craigslist for something, but impossible to tell which ones are compatible with the F10.

Also, anybody try the hitch-mounted bike racks? I looked through the user manual, but did not find the size and weight specification for the hitch. Anybody know for the 2012 528x?

Originally Posted by awesomeo3000

Are the roof mounts a pain to mount and then to get the bikes up there? Are trunk mounted racks easier/better? Any recommendations?

Initial install takes some time, but reinstall takes about ten minutes from the rack hanging on the garage wall to the bikes mounted on the rack. That's assuming I have help. If I did it on my own, it would take another 5 minutes.

I would never, ever, use a trunk mounted rack. Agree 100% with Dunderhi, it takes a bit of time to initially install the BMW cross bars and racks, but once you do the first time, it is about 10-15 minutes tops. I do it myself every season and could probably install faster, but I am extremely careful.

[QUOTE=Saberwalk;6816057]I would never, ever, use a trunk mounted rack[/QUOTE

Is that because it would scratch the car? Or because you'd lose the bikes? How many bikes does the roof mount hold? Do you feel aerodynamic drag or extra loud noise with a couple bikes on the roof (especially if sunroof is open)?

My Pinarello Prince is spoiled. It likes riding in the trunk with folding rear seats down. I may get that roof rack then i can take wifey and her bike for rides. The roof rack looks very nice. thank you for posting.

D!
I can understand the urge to bike.
And am willing to look the other way.
But please do not confront us with these ugly appliances on the car.

That is not done.

Be advised to travel at night with this set up.
You'll be laughed at In the wide surroundings for a very long time otherwise.

Other point, how much drag/torque will this take?
Yet another: can you just not simply put the bikes in the back???
Come on.
Think about it.

Originally Posted by Sophisto

D!
I can understand the urge to bike.
And am willing to look the other way.
But please do not confront us with these ugly appliances on the car.

That is not done.

Be advised to travel at night with this set up.
You'll be laughed at In the wide surroundings for a very long time otherwise.

Other point, how much drag/torque will this take?
Yet another: can you just not simply put the bikes in the back???
Come on.
Think about it.

You haven't seen anything yet! I plan to make a custom center rail to mount our tandem in between the two road bikes.

The good news is that I only put the rack on when we are tavelling for a cycling event (luggage goes in the trunk), otherwise, my bike fits in the trunk and Mrs Dunderhi's bike fits on the folded back seats.

As far as the additional drag/torque is concerned, I've made it clear to Dinan that I am waiting for their Stage 4 tune.

Originally Posted by awesomeo3000

Is that because it would scratch the car? Or because you'd lose the bikes? How many bikes does the roof mount hold? Do you feel aerodynamic drag or extra loud noise with a couple bikes on the roof (especially if sunroof is open)?

Two bikes is the norm, but it wouldn't be too hard to mount three or maybe four if you alternate the bikes front and back. You can hear additional wind noise with the sunroof closed, so I would guess it is pretty loud with it open.

[QUOTE=awesomeo3000;6816440]

Originally Posted by Saberwalk

I would never, ever, use a trunk mounted rack[/QUOTE

Is that because it would scratch the car? Or because you'd lose the bikes? How many bikes does the roof mount hold? Do you feel aerodynamic drag or extra loud noise with a couple bikes on the roof (especially if sunroof is open)?

With the trunk rack you have all the straps flopping around. Second, what many folks don't understand is that you need to adjust the straps to the load. So they may set the rack up for one bike, and forget to further tighten the tension on the straps when another bike is added. Third, I have seen so many folks just back their bikes into walls or posts. Lastly, not all trunk racks are created equal, and the placement of the pedal can create a bunch of problems with the trunk, license and bumper area.

When its just me, I put the bike inside with the seats down. But Mrs. Saberwalk and I ride together every Sunday and you can only fit one bike inside. Note all my bikes have integrated seat posts so unlike Dunderhi, cannot just fit bike in the trunk. I have never put four on the rack, but I have carried three bikes before very comfortably.

The noise is a bit louder with the bikes on the rack, more so with a cross wind, but nothing I notice with the sound system on. I regularly drive with the sunroof open and it is a bit loud, but not so much if the rear windows are down partly, and the front ones all the way as I like to do in nice weather. The rack also is compatible with a Thule fairing if you are so inclined. Gas mileage will be a bit less, but as for torque, this is the best bike system I have used for holding a bike bar none. It is just solid. I have had the car up to 80 mph with the bike, and driven in some pretty strong cross winds and the bikes just are not going any where.

Finally, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and no one is laughing at this car with a De Rosa or Time, or the last three bikes I carried together: De Rosa, Orbea and Colnago. This car is my daily driver so I don't believe in treating it gently, etc. My bikes, on the other hand, they'r e my babies...

Originally Posted by awesomeo3000

Also, anybody try the hitch-mounted bike racks? I looked through the user manual, but did not find the size and weight specification for the hitch. Anybody know for the 2012 528x?

I have a hitch mount and it works well, a shoulder injury makes the roof mount difficult for me and I'm concerned about the possibility of damage from a trunk mounted rack.

The installation instructions for the hitch has the rating as 2500ibs tow, 250 lbs tongue - with a bike rack its the tongue load that you care most about

I have a Thule 2 bike platform rack and a Hollywood 4 bike hanging rack for when one of my wife's friends comes along. Aside from reversing, also need to be careful of steep driveways when I have the platform rack on because its low to the ground.

Originally Posted by Saberwalk

Third, I have seen so many folks just back their bikes into walls or posts. Lastly, not all trunk racks are created equal, and the placement of the pedal can create a bunch of problems with the trunk, license and bumper area.

and don't drive into a parking structure with the bikes on the roof...

Bottom line is any way that you carry bikes you need to be aware of what you are doing

Originally Posted by grwilson

and don't drive into a parking structure with the bikes on the roof...

Been there, done that...twice.

Originally Posted by dunderhi

Been there, done that...twice.

Once, but not in a BMW thankfully.

For the roof mount, you need to buy the base support support and the bike rack separate? Do they come as a package from BMW? Will any standard roof rack fit the bmw base support or do you need the OEM roof rack? Also, the OEM roof rack seems to be per bike based on the pictures (ie. one roof rack for one bike is $125, so if you have 2 bikes need 2 racks for a total of 250). Is that right?

BMW has a Racing Cycle Holder and a Touring Cycle/Mountain Bike Holder. I don't see much of a difference from the pics. Anybody know? And on the Touring Cycle/Mountain Bike they offer some sort of additional rubber insert for the bike frame. What is that?

Originally Posted by awesomeo3000

For the roof mount, you need to buy the base support support and the bike rack separate? Do they come as a package from BMW? Will any standard roof rack fit the bmw base support or do you need the OEM roof rack? Also, the OEM roof rack seems to be per bike based on the pictures (ie. one roof rack for one bike is $125, so if you have 2 bikes need 2 racks for a total of 250). Is that right?

Yeah, it's not cheap. 1 Base + 2 racks = $$. I found my racks on sale for $99 a while back. If you are in the BMWCCA, your dealer may offer a discount on BMW parts & accessories. The BMW rack has a track and insert clamp system which may not be compatible with much else. The older external clamp and tubes won't be compatible.

The racing holder has a fork clamp which is holds the bike very firmly. I haven't seen the touring rack, but I stay away from frame clamps since they don't always do well with carbon frames.