bike rack

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Permalink Reply by SATO on April 8, 2008 at 11:14pm

they sell a fugly one from smart but I think any that lay on the glass/rear door and strap down will sufice. think about it the smart is just a shrunken minivan or suv in the basic shape of its rear. (I know I'm going to get alot of replies to that coment...)

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Permalink Reply by SATO on April 15, 2008 at 3:38pm

found one made by a smartie using the same bolts on the rear of the smart and he fabricated some suports to hold a thule aluminium v channel and the arm that holds the bike upright. really nice.. I'll find it again and post.

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Permalink Reply by SATO on April 15, 2008 at 6:25pm

got em, have a look

Attachments:

• bike rack, 307 KB
• bike rack2, 276 KB
• bike rack3, 268 KB

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Permalink Reply by Vincent on May 22, 2008 at 3:20pm

Here is my own solution

Attachments:

• bike rack.jpg, 487 KB

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Permalink Reply by Ian Pellant on May 23, 2008 at 4:13am

Hi Vincent,
Brilliant! Bravo!

I have two of the same Yakima tracks that I used in the US on my Honda Passport (aka: Isuzu Rodeo). I brought them to Australia, but couldn't fit them on the Subaru Forester (elliptical bars) and was about to donate them to the local bike shop.

Your photo has given me inspiration... I came close to tossing the Yakimas and paying $500 ? for the smart solution.

In reserve, I have the Yakima rear hatch rack with glass hooks... not sure about that on the smart coupe (any month now...)

Cheers, Ian

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Permalink Reply by Vincent on May 23, 2008 at 10:26am

Ian,

Credit where credit is due, my brother in law brainstormed the idea. Two bolts from smartie parts pipe capped on both end and I get to take my bike along.

Vince

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Permalink Reply by Ian Pellant on May 25, 2008 at 3:41am

Vince,

It looks a simple and effective solution for those of us that already have the Yakima SteelHead carrier.

How much of the bike rear wheel projects from the side of the car? Here; if it goes past the mirror, the men in blue will object.

Yakima do have Q Towers and Q Clips for the 2008 forTwo. Comes to around US $200 for them alone. If you have bars, etc, it makes a good combination; cheaper than a whole new system. Roof bars provide a lot of versatility. (I'm currently asking Yakima about an Aussie dealer, or a US one that will ship International. Moosejaw, maybe. RackAttack and others only ship USA and Canada.)

I'd rather carry the bikes on the roof than on the back where the local bush bashers can tailgate me. Already have grooves in the rear of my current car caused by a fool at a red light drifting into me. Those rednecks can't conceive of a bicycle worth more than $60... so try getting the $2,000 back if they write my bike off.

For Australian bush conditions, a rear bull bar on the smart, with the bike(s) safley behind the bar maybe an idea. Could scare off the tailsniffers (LOL).

Ian

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Permalink Reply by DALE CHRISTENSEN on June 6, 2008 at 2:19am

Vincent

Your rack looks great. Can you send me some details of its construction? Thanks

Dale

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Permalink Reply by Jim Mottin on June 29, 2008 at 12:13pm

Vincent;
Could you please explain "two bolts from smartie parts pipe capped on both ends..." I have the Yakima rack and would like to adapt it as you have done, but need some clarification on instructions so as to duplicate your efforts and brother-in-law's brainstorm. Your help would be very much appreciated, as I hope to carry two bikes ASAP.

Thanks,
Jim

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Permalink Reply by Bruce on June 23, 2008 at 9:32am

Where did you get the bolts?

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Permalink Reply by Seth Levy on April 15, 2008 at 6:38pm

I ordered the Smart branded one but it has been on backorder since Feb. 13th!

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Permalink Reply by SATO on April 15, 2008 at 6:44pm

YOU CAN MAKE 2 FOR WHAT YOU PAID! OPPpps sorry.. Cancel your ordered one and make one like the pics.. it wont be hard. Make it out of aluminium and that sucker will weigh in at 4 pounds!

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