How to carry a bicycle? bike rack question

cossie1600 · 11-04-2011, 11:39 PM

Removing wheel, clean car, find a spot for it, lifting a bike onto the top of a car. no ability to open trunk. If that's what you want to do, more power to you. I don't have a fancy titanium frame bike, I sure don't want to risk damaging the car by smacking the bike against it as I try to get it onto the roof

ryann.mendoza · 11-04-2011, 11:59 PM

Ah ic. You make a good point. I just wanted to let the other Z drivers know what other options they have. I'll post pics when I get them. The thing that I like about it is that there's no modifications needed and you can remove it when not needed.

takjak2 · 11-07-2011, 09:13 AM

From my old thread

Chupacabra · 11-07-2011, 11:08 AM

Why not buy a rack?? that looks like a massive amount of work to take a bike somewhere...

but just as a tip... usually what I do when i travel with the Bike.. I put black electrical take around the seat post, right where it meets the seat stay... that way when i take the seat out and put it back on.. I know the exact height of my seat, and i dont screw up the fit.

vividracing · 11-07-2011, 11:16 AM

Actually, most road bikes and high end mountain bikes can go from looking like that 1st picture to looking like the 2nd one in under a minute. I could get my bike into my ex's Yaris trunk in under 5 minutes, and that included folding down the rear seats and shuffling all her crap around the trunk.

The suction cup option is a good idea on most cars, but those suction cups don't like curved surfaces. I've used them to mount cameras to cars, and curved surfaces are a deal breaker. Also, if the surface isn't completely clean then you risk tearing the lip of the suction cup, which means no more seal. I learned that the hard way.

slumpey · 11-07-2011, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by takjak2

From my old thread

Looking to get a mountain bike....

How big is your frame?
Are you still able to see out of the back window?

my2004Z · 11-07-2011, 10:42 PM

Bike's have no business anywhere near my Z. That's why I bought a Trailblazer years ago...

davidvasta · 11-08-2011, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by my2004Z

Bike's have no business anywhere near my Z. That's why I bought a Trailblazer years ago...

I was thinking the same thing. Just to haul around the bike and other crap. Good idea!

takjak2 · 11-08-2011, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slumpey

Looking to get a mountain bike....

How big is your frame?
Are you still able to see out of the back window?

56cm, 700c wheels
Yes

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chupacabra

that way when i take the seat out and put it back on.. I know the exact height of my seat, and i dont screw up the fit

If you look in the 2nd pic, my CF seatpost is marked.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vividracing

Actually, most road bikes and high end mountain bikes can go from looking like that 1st picture to looking like the 2nd one in under a minute

^ this ^ With quick releases front and back wheels pop right off.

Quote:

Originally Posted by my2004z

Bike's have no business anywhere near my Z. That's why I bought a Trailblazer years ago...

But then you can't show up quickly and in style.

slumpey · 11-14-2011, 11:42 AM

Will this work?

Saris Bones 2-bike: http://saris.com/en/bike-racks/vehic...&category_id=7

olsen_karl · 01-12-2012, 05:29 PM

Bumping old thread. I'm shopping for a 370Z, but would like to be able to mount a hitch on it, to mount a bicycle rack to it. There still doesn't appear to be any commercially-available receiver hitch for the 370Z.

Could someone who has a 370Z tell me if the underside, by the rear bumper, is similar to the Infiniti G37? There is a Curt hitch for the G37 (fits the coupe and sedan both):

Hitch:
Trailer Hitches, Heavy Duty Hitch, & Towing Accessories Made in America by CURT Manufacturing.

Installation instructions:
http://sitepro12.sitepro.com/masterl..._11499_INS.pdf

Photo of that Curt hitch on a G37 coupe:
MyG37 - Zyal8ter's Album: 09 G37 Coupe trailer hitch installation - Picture

I'm curious if the 370Z has a similar aluminum bumper beam running across the back, and maybe that G37 hitch could be adapted to fit the Z.

cossie1600 · 01-12-2012, 10:24 PM

I don't believe so. The 370 has a lot less clearance and space than the G. You might be able to buy that piece and modify it to fit, but it will definitely stick out of the fog light hole.

Shot at 2011-08-09

Actually I just re-read the instruction and saw the pictures. I believe it will fit as long as you are willing to cut your rear bumper as the hitch bar will probably be right around where the bottom of the fog light hole is. If you can cut that, I believe you will be okay, you will also need to cut that Styrofoam behind the bumper skin and in front of the metal beam.

They rated 200lbs at the tongue, I personally wouldn't put that much weight on it. Also I suggest getting longer bolts to replace the factory ones from the metal bumper beam. The bumper is meant to be pushed in, pulling too hard on it is not such a good idea. Good luck

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

olsen_karl · 01-12-2012, 11:16 PM

Thanks cossie1600 -- is that upper photo that you posted from your 370Z? Custom-fabrication hitch?

Do you think the 350Z hitch would be more likely to fit? It's shaped differently than the G37 hitch:
Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver with Drawbar - Custom Fit - Class I - 1-1/4" Curt Trailer Hitch 11483

cossie1600 · 01-13-2012, 12:55 AM

Yes, that is a custom job. You are going to need some major modification if you want to keep your bumper in one piece. I actually tried to modify the 350 one you listed, but it ended up being more trouble than what it is worth. It was easier to just custom make one. If you want to go to Phoenix, I believe Curt can either custom make one for you for $1200 or they will take your car and use it to make their hitch. You will get the hitch for free.

Yeah the picture came from my car. I also had the old fog-light glued onto a trailer brake light, now I can push the fog light back into the hole and lock it with the hitch pin.

A few months back I had asked if anyone wanted one (price was about $350-$450 depending on options) interested in one, but I didn't get any real interest so we just scraped the project. If you can get 5+ people interested in one, I can probably get the shop to do a batch run. The shop is hesitant to do it because the time to build and have a proper right up will take a day. They just don't think there is enough profit to justify shutting down the shop for a day.

Speaking of bike and hitch, I did notice a strange thing when I threw the bike onto the bike hitch. For some odd reason, the bike and hitch created some crazy turbulence in the back of the car. When I got to around 2800RPM, the car would resonate like a diesel truck with a bad muffler. I just assume the location of the exhaust pipe is too close to the hitch and it was causing a problem as a result.

olsen_karl · 01-13-2012, 09:59 AM

Thanks cossie1600 -

I've contacted Curt about a hitch for the 370Z, but all they would say is that they have no plans to make one. The G37 hitch looks like it's close to your custom hitch, and that it wouldn't take much for Curt to build a hitch for the Z. I guess there just hasn't been much demand from bicyclists or people wanting a track day tire trailer.

I'll have to look closer at a Z rear fascia to see how noticeable it would be to cut out the bottom of the fog light hole. Might not be too ugly...

11-07-2011, 09:13 AM	#63 (permalink)
takjak2 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Sterling, VA Posts: 1,922 Drives: Legit Racecar 370Z Rep Power: 142	From my old thread __________________ Mods \| Stuff \| Things \| Seat Time \| Nismo facebook.com/TeamSparrowSpeed

11-07-2011, 11:08 AM	#64 (permalink)
Chupacabra Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Weston, Florida Posts: 477 Drives: 09 Nissan 370z s M6 Rep Power: 200	Why not buy a rack?? that looks like a massive amount of work to take a bike somewhere... but just as a tip... usually what I do when i travel with the Bike.. I put black electrical take around the seat post, right where it meets the seat stay... that way when i take the seat out and put it back on.. I know the exact height of my seat, and i dont screw up the fit. __________________ Where are my aluminum pedals?

11-07-2011, 11:16 AM	#65 (permalink)
vividracing The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Gilbert, AZ Age: 38 Posts: 7,306 Drives: 350Z,370Z,GTR Rep Power: 39	Actually, most road bikes and high end mountain bikes can go from looking like that 1st picture to looking like the 2nd one in under a minute. I could get my bike into my ex's Yaris trunk in under 5 minutes, and that included folding down the rear seats and shuffling all her crap around the trunk. The suction cup option is a good idea on most cars, but those suction cups don't like curved surfaces. I've used them to mount cameras to cars, and curved surfaces are a deal breaker. Also, if the surface isn't completely clean then you risk tearing the lip of the suction cup, which means no more seal. I learned that the hard way. __________________ Rocky @ Vivid ♦ 480.966.3040 x236 ♦ Rocky@vividracing.com Email, PM, or call me directly for aggressive The370Z.com member pricing!!!

01-12-2012, 10:24 PM	#72 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 30	I don't believe so. The 370 has a lot less clearance and space than the G. You might be able to buy that piece and modify it to fit, but it will definitely stick out of the fog light hole. Shot at 2011-08-09 Actually I just re-read the instruction and saw the pictures. I believe it will fit as long as you are willing to cut your rear bumper as the hitch bar will probably be right around where the bottom of the fog light hole is. If you can cut that, I believe you will be okay, you will also need to cut that Styrofoam behind the bumper skin and in front of the metal beam. They rated 200lbs at the tongue, I personally wouldn't put that much weight on it. Also I suggest getting longer bolts to replace the factory ones from the metal bumper beam. The bumper is meant to be pushed in, pulling too hard on it is not such a good idea. Good luck Uploaded with ImageShack.us Last edited by cossie1600; 01-12-2012 at 10:35 PM.

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11-04-2011, 11:39 PM	#61 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 30	Removing wheel, clean car, find a spot for it, lifting a bike onto the top of a car. no ability to open trunk. If that's what you want to do, more power to you. I don't have a fancy titanium frame bike, I sure don't want to risk damaging the car by smacking the bike against it as I try to get it onto the roof

11-04-2011, 11:59 PM	#62 (permalink)
ryann.mendoza Base Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: sylmar, CA Posts: 67 Drives: 10.370z.PW.M6.sport Rep Power: 15	Ah ic. You make a good point. I just wanted to let the other Z drivers know what other options they have. I'll post pics when I get them. The thing that I like about it is that there's no modifications needed and you can remove it when not needed.

11-07-2011, 10:42 PM	#67 (permalink)
my2004Z Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: New Mexico, USA Posts: 285 Drives: 09' 370Z w/Sport 7AT Rep Power: 37	Bike's have no business anywhere near my Z. That's why I bought a Trailblazer years ago...

01-12-2012, 05:29 PM	#71 (permalink)
olsen_karl Base Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Reno Posts: 6 Drives: shopping Rep Power: 13	Bumping old thread. I'm shopping for a 370Z, but would like to be able to mount a hitch on it, to mount a bicycle rack to it. There still doesn't appear to be any commercially-available receiver hitch for the 370Z. Could someone who has a 370Z tell me if the underside, by the rear bumper, is similar to the Infiniti G37? There is a Curt hitch for the G37 (fits the coupe and sedan both): Hitch: Trailer Hitches, Heavy Duty Hitch, & Towing Accessories Made in America by CURT Manufacturing. Installation instructions: http://sitepro12.sitepro.com/masterl..._11499_INS.pdf Photo of that Curt hitch on a G37 coupe: MyG37 - Zyal8ter's Album: 09 G37 Coupe trailer hitch installation - Picture I'm curious if the 370Z has a similar aluminum bumper beam running across the back, and maybe that G37 hitch could be adapted to fit the Z.

01-12-2012, 11:16 PM	#73 (permalink)
olsen_karl Base Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Reno Posts: 6 Drives: shopping Rep Power: 13	Thanks cossie1600 -- is that upper photo that you posted from your 370Z? Custom-fabrication hitch? Do you think the 350Z hitch would be more likely to fit? It's shaped differently than the G37 hitch: Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver with Drawbar - Custom Fit - Class I - 1-1/4" Curt Trailer Hitch 11483

01-13-2012, 12:55 AM	#74 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 30	Yes, that is a custom job. You are going to need some major modification if you want to keep your bumper in one piece. I actually tried to modify the 350 one you listed, but it ended up being more trouble than what it is worth. It was easier to just custom make one. If you want to go to Phoenix, I believe Curt can either custom make one for you for $1200 or they will take your car and use it to make their hitch. You will get the hitch for free. Yeah the picture came from my car. I also had the old fog-light glued onto a trailer brake light, now I can push the fog light back into the hole and lock it with the hitch pin. A few months back I had asked if anyone wanted one (price was about $350-$450 depending on options) interested in one, but I didn't get any real interest so we just scraped the project. If you can get 5+ people interested in one, I can probably get the shop to do a batch run. The shop is hesitant to do it because the time to build and have a proper right up will take a day. They just don't think there is enough profit to justify shutting down the shop for a day. Speaking of bike and hitch, I did notice a strange thing when I threw the bike onto the bike hitch. For some odd reason, the bike and hitch created some crazy turbulence in the back of the car. When I got to around 2800RPM, the car would resonate like a diesel truck with a bad muffler. I just assume the location of the exhaust pipe is too close to the hitch and it was causing a problem as a result.

01-13-2012, 09:59 AM	#75 (permalink)
olsen_karl Base Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Reno Posts: 6 Drives: shopping Rep Power: 13	Thanks cossie1600 - I've contacted Curt about a hitch for the 370Z, but all they would say is that they have no plans to make one. The G37 hitch looks like it's close to your custom hitch, and that it wouldn't take much for Curt to build a hitch for the Z. I guess there just hasn't been much demand from bicyclists or people wanting a track day tire trailer. I'll have to look closer at a Z rear fascia to see how noticeable it would be to cut out the bottom of the fog light hole. Might not be too ugly...