[Parkwood]

Have recently bought a bike and want to be able to go further afield so need a bike rack. Distances are not great poss 50 or 75km max. I have a Mercedes’ factory fitted towbar. The Thule xpress 970 looks ideal apart from the fact it seems to hold the bike close to the car and I am unsure if the handlebars are too long and will foul the rear window or the rear wiper also whether there is enough clearance for the pedals.
Anyone out there using a bike rack with their EQC and got any advice?
I only want a rack that will fit on the towbar I do not want one hanging on the tailgate. It needs to be quick and easy to fit as well.
Buying one that has a platform and will cost more than the bike seems a tad ott🙄

 

[Thedeanetjes]

Hi
We brought one in the Netherlands a few years ago now. It is for two electric bikes.
No issues with the handle bars, but you have to bear but careful with the pedals when loading it up. With the light connector on the side of the tow bar, is easy to fit. So if for an electric bike, make sure it's man enough for the job. If poss, get one that you can swing back from the boot if you have to add something to the boot once you have put the bikes on.

 

[Parkwood]

Hi
We brought one in the Netherlands a few years ago now. It is for two electric bikes.
No issues with the handle bars, but you have to bear but careful with the pedals when loading it up. With the light connector on the side of the tow bar, is easy to fit. So if for an electric bike, make sure it's man enough for the job. If poss, get one that you can swing back from the boot if you have to add something to the boot once you have put the bikes on.

Many thanks, have stick with a traditional bike could not justify an electric one for the sort of use I envisage which will only be local trips. The Thule hanging rack which can be pulled forward seems a tad less easy to fit so given muy likely usage I would probably forgo that option to have the cheaper but quick fitting express. Is yours a Thule?

 

[Thedeanetjes]

It is a twinny

Bike carriers - TwinnyLoad

www.twinnyload.com

But a Thule is a great Mark.
But have to say, an ebike is the way to go!😁

 

[Parkwood]

Just an update after much investigation I bought a Thule Euroway G2 961 bike rack. Really easy to fit and there are no issues with the gap between the bumper and towbar with the factory fitted towbar. I was concerned as the manual indicated a certain gap but was unclear how high above the towball it needed to be and the EQC bumper design dips in by the towball but does protrude higher up. fitting the bike is easy and there are no issues re pedals or handlebars coming into contact with the car. Boot opens fine withthe rack tipped forward.
A pricey option in fact more than the bike which was a basic non electric but worth the money for ease of use and security of the bike fit. Posting this in case anyone comes to the forum to look for any recommendations in the future.
I did not have the confidence in the hanging ones and the act of fixing my particular bike which does not have a crossbar and faffing with a seperate lighting and number plate carrier as well put me off.

 

[B17BLG]

 

[Jeggo]

Here is a short review of the Mercedes bike carrier. sorry it is in German, but you can see its functionality in detail.
Wie montiert man den Mercedes-Benz Heckfahrradträger RICHTIG? - YouTube

 

[Parkwood]

Here is a short review of the Mercedes bike carrier. sorry it is in German, but you can see its functionality in detail.
Wie montiert man den Mercedes-Benz Heckfahrradträger RICHTIG? - YouTube

I would have bought the Mercedes one but for the price 500 euro more than the Thule! There are some better features on the Mercedes inc the reversing lights, France does not require them so the Thule is sold in 2 variants the 7 pin being cheaper of course. Also the Thule back bar does not fold quite so easily but I do not need or bother to fold it so I can live with that. Overall happy with my choice but a shame the Mercedes one was so much more expensive Imight have considered it for a 100 euro more just to use an item I know was selected by Mercedes for their cars.