Bike rack??

[Matt1280]

Has anyone bought and fitted a bike rack to their is250? If so where was it from and what type is it? 

Im wanting to get one to carry my mountain bike but haven’t a clue where to start

Not sure if I can fit one because of the boot spoiler? 

Any help appreciated 

[Linas.P]

The problem is not mounting the rack, but the electrical connection required for repeater signals. I know some people just ignore them and fit the bikes on the back, but that makes your car technically not road worthy as bikes obscure the real lights.

On IS250 technically you can only mount roof rack (at which point you going to scratch and dent your roof, or something like this (seasucker talon or similar) could be an option as well:

 

[normski2]

 

I have this fitted to my 250. Thule bars with the relevant foot and a Halfords rack that’s probably 25yrs old. Works a treat though. Had it on my IS200 previously but with a different foot pack for the Thule bars. Did a French holiday to Dordogne … worked a treat!

The bars are locked on but I take each bike rack off with each bike and put the rack in the boot for safety as I really don’t want some itinerant to thieve it 

[Vintagesixtysix]

Nice to see a bit of Reynolds tubing aloft. 🇬🇧

 

[normski2]

Aye, we get a lot of admiring looks and comments. A really nice 40yr old pair of his and hers custom built touring/road bikes. As you spotted Reynolds tubing indeed.

I spent the first lock down sourcing and fitting new wheels, tubes, tyres, 6 speed cassettes, chains, derailleur sets and gear selectors. They are an absolute treat to ride now. 

[normski2]

These will be up on the roof again when the weather is a bit warmer.

They are remarkably stable on the roof rack when strapped down tight. I normally poke the oars in through the ski hatch from the boot.

[Las Palmas]

https://www.carid.com/2007-ford-edge-bike-racks/thule-gateway-trunk-mount-bike-rack-2438786869.html

https://www.saris.com/product/bones3

   

 

light from car can be seen through wheels on most bikes, so maybe not a problem. I never had problems and have passed police cars with bikes on the car.

If bikes had been on top of car they should be taken off before going into garage.  Not fun when raining.

 

 

[Linas.P]

54 minutes ago, Las Palmas said:

https://www.carid.com/2007-ford-edge-bike-racks/thule-gateway-trunk-mount-bike-rack-2438786869.html

https://www.saris.com/product/bones3

   

 

light from car can be seen through wheels on most bikes, so maybe not a problem. I never had problems and have passed police cars with bikes on the car.

If bikes had been on top of car they should be taken off before going into garage.  Not fun when raining.

Yeah... these one would be illegal on IS250,  because they would block the number plates on the back - IS plates are mounted not on the bumper, but on the boot lid. 

Now obviously getting spare number plate and attaching it on the bike rack is not really an issue, but one would be playing "russian runlet" with police when it comes to lights.

[Phil0110]

I've found my bike rack https://rackadvisor.org/best-bike-racks-for-suv-no-hitch/ here, the first one. This is a great rack and I feel completely secure putting my bike on it. Just drove 7 hours with a $3000 bike. To some of the reviewers who said it's rather flimsy or wobbly, I don't know what they're expecting for $40. I used two bungee straps as well with this rack, but I'd have done that with a $200 rack. This is a great purchase for the money.

[Linas.P]

If I understand correctly it requires to have roof bars on the car already? 

[T man 545645]

I very rarely use a Saris Bones 3 which doesn't fit exactly, its basically great for transporting 3 cycles on a hatchback, cos of the saloon shape on the is250, it can only take two cycles (you dont use the space for cycle nearest to car).

Have a few different cars so this rack was the best option for me, used on the is250 over the last 8 years maybe 15-20 times - mostly just with my own mtb but sometimes 2 cycles. The lights and plates can be slightly obscured, it really depends how you attach the rack to the car. I've never been worried about being stopped by the police or been stopped. Every day I see 5-10 cars with illegally spaced number plates, they don't stop them?

 

 

[Linas.P]

19 hours ago, T man 545645 said:

I very rarely use a Saris Bones 3 which doesn't fit exactly, its basically great for transporting 3 cycles on a hatchback, cos of the saloon shape on the is250, it can only take two cycles (you dont use the space for cycle nearest to car).

Have a few different cars so this rack was the best option for me, used on the is250 over the last 8 years maybe 15-20 times - mostly just with my own mtb but sometimes 2 cycles. The lights and plates can be slightly obscured, it really depends how you attach the rack to the car. I've never been worried about being stopped by the police or been stopped. Every day I see 5-10 cars with illegally spaced number plates, they don't stop them?

Well illegally spaced number plates are offense in name only, ANPR still can read them and they can still be captured or seen. So yes technically illegal, but in practice they are fine. However, if number plate is behind the bicycle, then nobody sees them... still considering with what motorists can get away in UK this is tiny problem. I have seen idiots going around 3 lane roundabout in outside lane and nearly crashing into police car (police had to stop!), but police still didn't bother to check them. As such I am not surprised to hear you have not been stopped by police, I haven't been stopped once in all 14 years driving in UK either. 

When I was considering bike rack on the back of the car, I was planning to get second plate and plate holder ~£30. So although my lights would be partially obscured, at least my plate would be visible. Then in case I am stopped I could at least argue with police, as offence would not be as clear cut as missing number plate and it does not require any fancy wiring.