Cycle rack

[Tin Lizzie]

I am currently waiting delivery of my Cali, hopefully before Christmas (may be). I will want to purchase a tailgate rack for just two bikes. Since I am 76 I would like one low down rather than have to stretch. The bikes are folding, full size but I don't think I will be able to carry them in the van, unless anyone knows differently. Has anyone any suggestions please?

 

[owen_h]

Re: Cycle roack

All the tailgate racks I've seen place the bikes high enough up to clear the number plate and rear lights. I dont think low tailgate ones exist and if they did you would need to get a lighting board as well. A towbar fixed one would be low down, dont know how heavy they would be to put on and off though.
Another possibility would be to get someone (metal fabricator/workshop) to modify a tailgate one and relocate the wheel trays lower down. The Altera Linea one is probably more suitable than the VW one for this as it has vertical bars that fix to the bottom of the tailgate already. The wheel trays and support arms would both need to be moved and a lighting board also fixed and wired into the Cali. Possible but a bit of hassle finding someone who could do it.

 

[Tin Lizzie]

Thanks for your help. I must have a look at some when the Cali gets here.

 

[barry]

We have two folders (Bromptons) which fit between the back shelf and the back seat pulled forward a bit (just over a foot I'd guess). We bought them because we didn't want to be bothered with the back rack hassles (and my wife's BM coupe has enough room in the boot to fit them in too).

There are only two of us most of the times so we're not stuck for space and sleep upstairs.

The longest ride I've done is 33 miles and the missus 16 miles.
But usually our sorties from the van are up to about 10 miles and over gentle stuff (the next beach or a pub or restaurant up the road).
No off road heroics (we're high 60s y'see)

Folders might not be everybody's cup of tea but they suit us van and car-wise.
(although I did fall off mine this morning on the ice on the cycle patch at the side of Loch Lomond :goodone )

 

[beardie]

Hi,
I also have a brompton and am curious how you lift it out from between the shelf and the seat. Assume you remove the shelf as they are a bit heavy to lift with it in place. Also assume this means there is no other luggage in the way
Thanks

 

[barry]

Hi,
I also have a brompton and am curious how you lift it out from between the shelf and the seat. Assume you remove the shelf as they are a bit heavy to lift with it in place. Also assume this means there is no other luggage in the way
Thanks

Either move the seat a bit further forward and lift them over the flat bit of the seat or out the back over the shelf which needs to be empty (and is a bit of a struggle tbh but not impossible). If they're being brought out of the front the seat needs to be moved forward to allow the headrests to be put down. And it's easier with the ceiling up.

Does a lot for upper body muscles :lol: