How do you transport your bike?

[awp0]

I don't really have a vested interest in debating whether a 4-bike platform hitch rack is safe or not, but here's the photo and thread I referred to earlier:


That guy's riser contributes to the added torque on the frame mount points, but of course the same would be true with a longer 4-bike platform. In the comments the OP mentions that the rear mounting bolts were even beginning to punch through the frame (!).

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[GreaseMonkey]

Funny you mention this. I measured and after 200km @ 115km/hr average highway speeds the range dropped by about 2%. So not a significant impact. Can't say I killed any wildlife though. Never even thought that might be a possibility. Also, I don't ride e-bikes so this is with a standard bike's weight.

I speculate that something changed in the environment for you to only notice 2%. Just consider than Ford eliminated the handle on the rear doors due to the aero impact. Mind you that four bikes are four times the impact. When we drove, it sounded like we were driving through a storm, especially in a Prius that is more aerodynamic than a Mach-E. I abandoned the idea of hauling bikes any distance and only ride locally.

 

[Trielectric]

I have a Curt 2" receiver hitch. I have a single bike rack and a dual bike rack that are both 2" inserts. When I need to carry more, I have an aluminum 8'x4' flat bed trailer with aluminum rails on the side, and I can carry a number of bikes on it. If you put more than 2 bikes on a rack, you may get cited on license plate and plate light & brake light laws, especially if someone rear ends you. In my state we also have a maximum of 4 foot anything behind your tail lights and plate.

 

[silverelan]

Thule roof rack. I really hate it since it’s a PITA compared to a hitch rack solution. Whatever I get to replace the MME will have the ability to elegantly have a hitch receiver.

 

[silverelan]

I have Thule roof cross bars that I paid way too much for through the Ford dealer, and have Yakima bike holders that connect to the Thule cross bars. Had to purchase a little step ladder to get bikes on and off.

I got some PPF strips to put along the door frames to protect the paint. Two bikes on trays on the roof absolutely kills the range. I’d guess 20% or so.

 

[Meljfry]

For those that cycle, how do you move your bike?

Prior to getting the MME i had a F150 and it was simple with a hitch rack.

I have been putting in the back which is fine. Just not used to it. I assuming it is what you all do as well

Not sure I want to install a hitch on my MME

Thanks

I have a hitch on mine and use my Kuat rack that I've used with all of my vehicles. This is the one I got: Hidden Hitch by Draw-Tite Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 2"

 

[mkhuffman]

The hitch was my third favorite mod. I used it all the time. So worth the money and effort. Why not put one on?

 

[Draco]

President of my local bike club...most times I toss my bike in the back with the seat folded down, but also have a Thule aero bar and racks for the roof when my wife and I both have our bikes. Super cautious with the glass roof when loading the bikes, but so far no issues at all.

 

[MrLoganRoss]

For those that cycle, how do you move your bike?

Prior to getting the MME i had a F150 and it was simple with a hitch rack.

I have been putting in the back which is fine. Just not used to it. I assuming it is what you all do as well

Not sure I want to install a hitch on my MME

Thanks

Don’t laugh but I bought a truck for outdoors and truck stuff, and to keep the Mache looking good . Headed to Indy Portland this weekend and efficiency says I should take the Mach-e, but I don’t want it to get banged up! Truck to the rescue! As it was when there was a garbage strike recently and we needed to bring the garbage to the local elementary school.

 

[bbulkow]

I put my bike in the back.

In fact, my primary purchase criteria was that I could fit two road bikes in the back without taking wheels off.

Several reasons.
* it's easier than putting or keeping a rack on the car
* It's better for range / milage
* it's not illegal

Most racks I see block the license plate. That's illegal. Cops tend to use it as a discretionary stop.

 

[ThatGuyLando]

Any hitch recommendations that don't require to cut the bumper?

 

[mkhuffman]

Any hitch recommendations that don't require to cut the bumper?

I don't think it is possible to add a hitch without cutting the bumper. It was the hardest thing I had to do to my brand-new MME. I measured 50 times and then cut away. LOL.

 

[MellowJohnny]

I throw it in the back, but only if I'm doing an out-of-the-way charity ride or Grand Fondo, otherwise I ride the meet up spot. But if I did need to transport my bike a lot I'd go with SeaSucker. A guy in my club has a 911 with a full pano roof like the Mach-E and he swears by them.

 

[KDub]

Hitch with 1UP rack

 

[DCC233]

No engineer here, but I have a hitch rack on my Tesla Y and MME and would recommend exploring the manufacturers vertical load vs tongue weight ratings. The Tesla is only rated at 160lbs of vertical load, which according to a bunch of engineers on a variety of forums I visited while researching this is different than the tongue load rating of the hitch.

I had a RockyMounts WestSlope 3 bike platform hitch rack and tried it out after installing my hitch and nearly had a heart attack at highway speeds watching the rack bounce. Never had a problem when I used it on my Nissan Rogue, but Ford's amazingly squishy shocks coupled with the design of that rack put the fear in me that the frame would bend. Replaced it with a Hollywood 4 bike hitch rack and never loaded it with more than 3 bikes, but weight location was much better.

TLDR; stick to 2 bikes and no more than 3, check the vertical load rating, and not all rack designs are created equal. Stay away from extenders unless you have some light bikes and a light rack.

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