Bicycle carrier

[Scott J]

Has anyone fitted one to an Elan ?

[Jamie N]

I'm sure it could be done Scott but im thinking with the shape of an Elan at the back and where the number plate sits it may be quite obscured by the bike/bikes ?.

[Fredjohn]

I'm sure it could be done Scott but im thinking with the shape of an Elan at the back and where the number plate sits it may be quite obscured by the bike/bikes ?.

This is overcome by the legal requirement to fit a tailboard if any of the rear lights and/or no. plate are obscured by anything, especially bikes. There are a lot of motoring cyclists out there who don't know this!!

You would therefore have to fit an electric towing socket to power the tailboard.

[Jamie N]

Or do what I have done in the past, take it apart and put it on the passenger seat / boot. Means you got to go on your own though.

[lotuska]

I've been trying for ages to find a couple of pictures we took when hanging bikes on the back of my Elan, but as they were taken on a film camera its taken a while....

Anyway I finally found them and scanned them in, here they are, not the best quality, but I think you get the idea.

lotus bike3.jpg

lotus bike4.jpg

The main weight of the bikes is spread between the flat part in front of the number (effectively the top of the bumper) and the flat of the boot lid....imagine if you can an "A" frame type arrangement, tilted backward to clear the trailing edge of the spoiler. Then there are two sets of straps, two going to the front edge of the boot lid and two to the side. Finally the bikes hang on two bars that stick straight out from the top of the "A" frame. Tried to draw it....

frame.jpg

Thule was the make of rack used, and this image from them might better explain the arrangement

thule.jpg

Finally the electrics are simply wired into one of the rear light clusters, to make life easier I installed a standard trailer coupling so I can unplug it.

[ShaunM]

I've been trying for ages to find a couple of pictures we took when hanging bikes on the back of my Elan, but as they were taken on a film camera its taken a while....

Anyway I finally found them and scanned them in, here they are, not the best quality, but I think you get the idea.

Good photos and a good writeup, thanks Lotuska.
I've now ordered the carrier and assuming I've got the right one, I'll put the details on here for others who might be interested.

[GeoffSmith]

As the rear deck is horizontal, you could try mounting them horizontal (a la Dico's overnight bag) and avoid the need for new electrics.

[lotos]

Someone have a go at this style:

[Scott J]

I have an old halfords carrier used on focus. I wasn't sure about using the straps on the boot lid, strength of fibreglass etc, worried about cracks appearing.

[chrisP]

Having taken a boot lid and spoiler apart recently, I would be quite worried about hanging bikes off of them, The fiberglass is not that strong on the boot lid and the spoiler is only held on with 4 bolts..... It is not really designed for that kind of loading and I think the potential for stress cracks (Which might not show up initially) is high.

Just my thoughts

Chris

[Rambo]

Scott - just remove the passenger seat and put the bike in the space. At least the bike won't nag you like Minda You might have to keep the top down or remove a wheel but it works and no need for a number plate and no more cracks in the fibreglass. Bit of a bugger if it rains though

[Scott J]

Problem solved, a Saris Bones 2 fits a treat on MX5

[ShaunM]

Having taken a boot lid and spoiler apart recently, I would be quite worried about hanging bikes off of them, The fiberglass is not that strong on the boot lid and the spoiler is only held on with 4 bolts..... It is not really designed for that kind of loading and I think the potential for stress cracks (Which might not show up initially) is high.

Just my thoughts

Chris

I tend to agree with Chris on this. I bought the "Thule Freeway 968 3-Bike Rear Boot Bike Carrier" which matches the one that Lotuska used on his car. It fitted fine, cleared the spoiler and rested on the horizontal black "step" below the number plate. However when I put the bike on (triathlon bike, very light) and then applied a little force to test it was on tight enough (and to simulate 60mph buffeting by wind) the straps that held on the to fore of the boot lid (next to the hood, red lines in Lotuska's picture), I could see the lid flex. I tried the straps wide apart, close together and near to the hinges, but in my mind I would not risk driving it, let alone worrying about going over a speed bump. I took the carrier off and sold it on eBay.

People who know me know I'm ultra careful with the car, so I may have been over cautious, I know Lotuska used his bike carrier for a few years, but for me it was too much of a risk.

Just my thoughts

[theelanman]

Get a Brompton and stick it in the boot......lol

[theelanman]

They mountain type bikes now too.....

http://m.evanscycles.com/products/bicke ... e-ec065996

[Scott J]

sad to say my carbon road bike probably worth more than my fibreglass Lotus.

[HJ2]

[Megwenda]

worth more?

maybe cost more, but my Elan is priceless

[lotos]

worth more?

maybe cost more, but my Elan is priceless

Nicely done

[ShaunM]

worth more?

maybe cost more, but my Elan is priceless

Nicely done

Ha ha. I did my first triathlon on an MTB, the look on riders faces as you pass them on their £5k Wiliers and Colnagos is worth more than the medal at the finish!

That being said, some of the carbon bikes are gorgeous, pieces of art that you could hang on the wall. Or in the case of my cheap aluminum bike, the ceiling... http://flic.kr/p/pYuBKn