NukeproofPeanut Posted September 9, 2016 Share I bought a Thule Xpress 970 rack a few years ago (3ish?) and it's been great until I decide to do a trip to KZN and then back home through Lesotho via Sani to Katse dam! We initially tried that grey route, but when we tried to turn off the main road (where the point is) the road basically vanished in to a washed out dongas.. Chatted to the locals and they said to turn back, so ended up taking the blue route to the dam, We left the Sani pub at 2pm, and got to Katse at 9:30pm!! What a drive!!! Pic of me aligning the rack again..Along the way the rack (carrying two bikes) developed some hectic play!! Brake enough and the handlebars hit the rear window.Rack rotates on the ball. Bike forks ended up rubbing paint off the bumper. (Car was so dirty I never noticed this until we got to Katse.The left-right sway developed to a point where it looked like the bikes were waving to all the locals we passed on the route! Like 30cm to either side from middle! On closer inspection the metal that forms the clamp on the ball had been bending out (photos to come). So although the rack wont fall off the play is so bad I don't want to use it! So beside using an old tube on the ball to make a snug fit, any recommendations for a better off-road worthy bike rack? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lerouc Posted September 9, 2016 Share Roof? Trailer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NukeproofPeanut Posted September 9, 2016 Share Roof? Trailer?Got a trailer for the mx bike, but not carting that around to carry 2 bicycles.. And thinking of the roof, but I'm short and i'll probably drive into the car port with the bikes on :/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JXV Posted September 9, 2016 Share Roofrach works ok in Lesotho cos there are no trees or overhead problems. Don't try this for offroad adventures in northern KZN. BTDT! Otherwise need a more sturdy rack that will bolt onto a towbar plate instead of clamping on . You may need to change your towbar/ball for this. Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bikebloke Posted September 9, 2016 Share old style steel L shaped holdfast with a plate bolted to the tow plate (behind ball)I have carried two not so light MTBs over awful rutted roads and just chucked a pool noodle between them ..no problems they go nowhere no bouncing no rubbing (filthy but fine) thule is very popular (and fashionable)but not so great on the rough sometimes and apparently not so theft proofold holdfast is bullet proof and you need a grinder to get the bike off it without keys which is good in some neighbouring dodgy states ( and here in SA) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyMartin Posted September 9, 2016 Share Forget Thule on 4X4 routes. I tried. A disaster. I have a large bakkie so the bike goes in the back in a bag. Never found a rack I trust for 4X4 driving. It can get really rough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJR Posted September 10, 2016 Share For any rough dirt roads I carry the bikes on the roof. In bike racks and tied down with straps as well. The straps are mainly to prevent that side to side movement that will sooner or later destroy something, even if it is just to rub your paint off. On a rear bike rack, your bikes will get sand and gravel blasted and will be caked in mud and coated with dust. Also, driving through deep ditches, thebike wheels will scrape on the road unless the rack is very high. Roof for me. In tight spots, cable tie a little trailer flag on your front bumper to be the same height as the bikes and it will always remind you of the bikes and make negotiating overhanging trees easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NukeproofPeanut Posted September 13, 2016 Share I'm looking at getting something a bit more versatile than Thule roof racks, so thinking of getting a Front Runner Roof Rack with the relevant bike mounts?Anyone used these before? https://www.frontrunneroutfitters.com/en/za/roof-racks/factory-roof-rail-rack-kits/slimline-ii-grab-on-1165-w-x-1358-l.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg_sa Posted September 13, 2016 Share You could consider cutting the tow ball clamp off the rack and welding it to a plate that bolts to the tow bar plate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddy Gordo Posted September 13, 2016 Share Have a look at Tuf Rack. It fits in the square hole of a removable towball. It also doesnt allow for the bike to move like the Thule, buzrack and holdfast types.http://uncrate.com/stuff/tuf-rack/I actually want to make myself a set, but just havent gotten around it to it.http://fcdn.mtbr.com/attachments/car-biker/913979d1407433169-recommend-bike-rack-offroad-use-tuff-rack.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddy Gordo Posted September 13, 2016 Share and then you get northshore racks which are very different to what we get. Such a pity we are extremely limited for choice. To me the thule holdfast racks are all road bike racks. The tuff and northshore are mtb racks http://www.northshoreracks.com/ http://www.northshoreracks.com/Assets/Images/home%20pg%20photos/nsr2homepg.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh0 Posted September 13, 2016 Share SA seriously needs a Yakima agent. I cannot believe we do not have one already..........My Menabo tow ball mounted platform carrier is also falling apart after 3 years use. The dirtroads I drive on destroyed it. I would really love a proper offroad carrier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BicyclePower Posted September 13, 2016 Share Else the Saris Euro Thelma.Lifetime warranty.... https://www.bicyclepower.co.za/product/saris-euro-thelma-3-bike/ R4500 Vat incl - Limited stock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave303e Posted September 13, 2016 Share I don't know how willing you are to go and make a rack, but take the way the Xrad rack goes straight into the square tube part of a 4x4 style removable/adjustable tow hitch.http://www.xrad.co.za/Xrad_Hitchrack_M_Series.html I would weld a simple frame to go into the removable tow hitch square tube and then bolt a few thule roof racks like the proride 591 onto the frame.The square tube mount is easy enough to remove and then will be a lot more sturdy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJR Posted September 13, 2016 Share Have a look at Tuf Rack. It fits in the square hole of a removable towball. It also doesnt allow for the bike to move like the Thule, buzrack and holdfast types.http://uncrate.com/stuff/tuf-rack/I actually want to make myself a set, but just havent gotten around it to it.http://fcdn.mtbr.com/attachments/car-biker/913979d1407433169-recommend-bike-rack-offroad-use-tuff-rack.jpgProvided that square tube is tight as all hell, I like this one because the bikes sit so high. That is essential for bad roads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJR Posted September 13, 2016 Share and then you get northshore racks which are very different to what we get. Such a pity we are extremely limited for choice. To me the thule holdfast racks are all road bike racks. The tuff and northshore are mtb racks http://www.northshoreracks.com/ http://www.northshoreracks.com/Assets/Images/home%20pg%20photos/nsr2homepg.jpgGood for tar roads, but the bikes rear wheels are waaaay to low down for bad dirt roads, I'm not even talking of bad farm roads with middelmannetjies and water bars. Those bikes are going to drag and get ripped off in no time at all on many of the roads I travel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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