Bike Rack - MCI

Tikvah · July 22, 2015, 07:27:18 PM

Can this be purchased? What does it mount to?
I'd like to do this, but need ideas

LuckyChow · July 22, 2015, 08:15:21 PM

Yes. They are about $750 new. The rack itself can be used on many different bus types. Each bus type has its own bumper mount kit that fits the bus.

http://www.sportworks.com/product/dl2

Sportworks will not sell to individuals, but will to a company if you have one or get a friend with a company to buy it for you.

Darkspeed · July 22, 2015, 10:40:57 PM

Could you mount a 2" receiver upfront and use one of these?

http://www.prolineracks.com/bike-rack-fits-2-inch-hitch.html

Scott & Heather · July 23, 2015, 04:55:48 AM

I would love to do this. Our bikes are usually hitch mounted on the back of the toad and they are black and sooty after a long trip with the bus. Always have to wipe them down. I suppose a cover would help

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Tikvah · July 23, 2015, 11:34:23 AM

I really like the design, but $750 is unrealistic for me.

Some things to consider when building one. A hitch mount can't be installed below the bumper because the bumper needs freedom to swing down. It can't go above the bumper because the defrost blowers are mounted there. Can I mount directly to the bumper? Maybe cut a square hole and go through it?

Iceni John · July 23, 2015, 11:48:23 AM

Quote from: Tikvah on July 23, 2015, 11:34:23 AM
I really like the design, but $750 is unrealistic for me.

Some things to consider when building one. A hitch mount can't be installed below the bumper because the bumper needs freedom to swing down. It can't go above the bumper because the defrost blowers are mounted there. Can I mount directly to the bumper? Maybe cut a square hole and go through it?

I have a receiver hitch at the front, and it's hidden behind the license plate. I attached the plate to a hinge so now it flips up if I need to use the receiver. Easy, and it looks good. Could you do something similar?

John

LuckyChow · July 24, 2015, 05:46:19 PM

Quote from: Tikvah on July 23, 2015, 11:34:23 AM
I really like the design, but $750 is unrealistic for me.

Some things to consider when building one. A hitch mount can't be installed below the bumper because the bumper needs freedom to swing down. It can't go above the bumper because the defrost blowers are mounted there. Can I mount directly to the bumper? Maybe cut a square hole and go through it?

FWIW, here are some pics of the rack mounted to a DL bumper, which also folds down.

belfert · July 24, 2015, 10:39:14 PM

Sportworks used to make similar bike racks for consumers, but they sold that part of the business to Thule or Yakima some years ago. I have a really old Sportworks rack that plugs into a hitch and it didn't cost anything close to $750, but not stainless either.

Do transit companies move these to new buses, or do they sell them with the old buses? If you had a contact at a transit company maybe you could find a used one? There are two on Ebay, but $500 for the least expensive one.

LuckyChow · July 25, 2015, 07:14:51 AM

I believe they sold to Thule and now have a non compete with them. That's why they will not sell to individuals. I think I have one of their original racks in my basement too. They had a plastic lock ring on them (for the rear tire). Don't know if I'd trust it at this age now or not.

Typically, used racks are not put on a new bus. They are placed on other buses that have been involved in accidents or used for replacement parts. Sometimes you can find one sold with the bus, but most systems pull them and use them for parts. You'd be surprised at how many are destroyed by small fender bender accidents with people pulling into the path of the bus.

luvrbus · July 25, 2015, 07:48:30 AM

We use a 2 in receiver on the front and rear with a Thule fold down bike rack,lol now we have another problem the wife has a Cattrike 3 wheeler it has a special rack so now I need to figure out how to carry a real bike and the Cattrike and have 1 carrier instead of 2.

A good thing about a single receiver type you can move it to the towed vehicle