Bike Rack
- Thread starter jrhubott
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palmermd
Well-known member
Electric4Me said:
man, I really like your house too. haha Kit idea is intriguing.
Electric4Me
Well-known member
jrtozer said:
It will require two drilled holes in the frame on the driver's side, and one small hole in the trunk floor for the cable release. Plus the square hole in the plastic under shield. I haven't had time in the daylight to take pictures, but I'll try to get my **** together by the end of the weekend.
Bill
Electric4Me
Well-known member
WLC said:
Of course that can be a good solution for some. I love the bikes that I have (can I even get a full suspension folding bike??) and my initial range testing with the bike on the back has been lower than I suspected (3.2 m/kWh vs ~3.8), though it depends on speed. In my ICE vehicle I still put my bike inside the car if I can on long road trips (and pack the rack for use at the other end).
LEAFer
Well-known member
Link ? Or photos ? Make/model ?WLC said:
A
Anonymous
Guest
jrtozer said:
+1 for the kit, at the right price, of course. Another option would be to sell the plans, listing everything needed, dimensions and whatnot, and how to put it together. Then you're not shipping heavy metal. My neighbor is a sculptor and works with metal a lot, I could pay him to put it all together for me. With detailed plans, any good welding shop should be able to put it together pretty easily and it probably wouldn't cost too much.
jeffd11
Member
Another one here interested in the hitch or the kit or the plans. I like you design and need a hitch before I end up fabing one up on my own. I'd much rather start with you kit or something.
- jeffd11
- jeffd11
1051
Well-known member
DO NOT USE ON THE LEAF!
Just received the following email from Hollywood Racks. Thanks jrtozer
The body panels on the Leaf are too thin to support the weight of the bikes and the rack.
Best Regards,
Rick / Hollywood Racks
Hollywood Racks F6 Expedition 3-Bike Trunk/Bumper Mount Rack.
Just received the following email from Hollywood Racks. Thanks jrtozer
The body panels on the Leaf are too thin to support the weight of the bikes and the rack.
Best Regards,
Rick / Hollywood Racks
Hollywood Racks F6 Expedition 3-Bike Trunk/Bumper Mount Rack.
Kataphn
Well-known member
Thanks, Mitch...very helpful to see the pictures and positioning to avoid strain on the solar panel.
1051 said:
Great to see this can be done - thanks for being a pioneer! But when I looked at the Hollywood web site, they say "no" for this rack (and all their models) on the Leaf. I don't know why - maybe because the rack is resting partly on the glass window? I'll be eager to know how well it works for you over the longer term (including range reduction) - especially since we have only one other (unpalatable) option -installing Yakima racks for each use. Until then, I've found I can fold the rear seats and stack two bikes inside if I take off most of the wheels and use lots of blankets for cushioning. (Just wish I could protect the plastic interior walls from inevitable scratches from pedals, forks, etc.)
-JR
malloryk
Well-known member
LEAFer said:
not sure what brank WLC has but check this out.
http://www.citizenbike.com/catalog.asp?product_category_id=1&product_id=22
There's probably less expensive models out there. I never realized folding bikes existed but now I'm glad they do! This would be perfect for me and would fit nicely in the back of the Leaf.
1051
Well-known member
jrtozer said:
Thanks, Just updated my original post after I sent Hollywood a email
The body panels on the Leaf are too thin to support the weight of the bikes and the rack.
Best Regards,
Rick / Hollywood Racks
dyhopper
Well-known member
Just following up here. I've had my Yakima roof racks on the LEAF for 6 weeks now and they are awesome. Just a few seconds to pop the front wheel off and put the bike on. If you are transporting a bike frequently, I think the roof rack is definately the way to go.
My range has gotten better since getting the racks. Of course this has to do with warmer weather mostly, and maybe a gradual improvement of my driving habits. But, there is no noticeable decline in range with the roof racks. If I ever get the time, I'll try to do a proper range test with/without the racks. What would that test look like?
And, if you know you won't be transporting a bike for awhile, the racks are very easy to remove. I'm leaving mine on permanently so I can identify my car in the vast sea of silver LEAFs around here.
My range has gotten better since getting the racks. Of course this has to do with warmer weather mostly, and maybe a gradual improvement of my driving habits. But, there is no noticeable decline in range with the roof racks. If I ever get the time, I'll try to do a proper range test with/without the racks. What would that test look like?
And, if you know you won't be transporting a bike for awhile, the racks are very easy to remove. I'm leaving mine on permanently so I can identify my car in the vast sea of silver LEAFs around here.
palmermd
Well-known member
LEAFer said:
http://www.bikefriday.com/
The bike folds into its own carry suitcase the doubles as a trailer when you are riding.
Spies
Well-known member
I rode a Dahon folder for a couple of years when I was taking the train to work. Folders are not restricted on the train since they qualify as luggage when folded. Dahon is one of the bigger folding bike manufactures and the manufacturer I would see most on my commute. http://www.dahon.com/
palmermd already mentioned Bike Friday
Brompton is another I would see on occasion http://www.brompton.co.uk/
Swift is one I would see on rare occasions but it is one I have always wanted to ride. Its manufactured by two different companies with a slightly different design and materials.
http://www.swiftfolder.com/
http://www.xootr.com/folding-bicycle.html
palmermd already mentioned Bike Friday
Brompton is another I would see on occasion http://www.brompton.co.uk/
Swift is one I would see on rare occasions but it is one I have always wanted to ride. Its manufactured by two different companies with a slightly different design and materials.
http://www.swiftfolder.com/
http://www.xootr.com/folding-bicycle.html
dyhopper said:Just following up here. I've had my Yakima roof racks on the LEAF for 6 weeks now and they are awesome. Just a few seconds to pop the front wheel off and put the bike on. If you are transporting a bike frequently, I think the roof rack is definately the way to go.
My range has gotten better since getting the racks. Of course this has to do with warmer weather mostly, and maybe a gradual improvement of my driving habits. But, there is no noticeable decline in range with the roof racks. If I ever get the time, I'll try to do a proper range test with/without the racks. What would that test look like?
And, if you know you won't be transporting a bike for awhile, the racks are very easy to remove. I'm leaving mine on permanently so I can identify my car in the vast sea of silver LEAFs around here.
Thanks for the update. I'd really like to have roof racks, but I assumed they'd be a pain to take off and put on every time. If range isn't reduced, I'd probably jump on it too. I don't know if there is a best way to range test, but one idea is to record your range remaining at the end of each day's commute for a week (assuming you have a constant commute). Then do the same thing for another week without the rack and compare the average results. I for one would be interested in whatever results you discover if you ever test it further.
-JR
Electric4Me
Well-known member
blorg said:Well, come on then, where are the bloody pictures! I want to see. Any idea on estimated cost and when they might be available?
I'd really love to get a hitch receiver installed on the Leaf. I have a 2" hitch type bike/ski rack that I use on my SUV and the back of my tent trailer. I'd rather just be able to use that on the Leaf as well, but I don't think my lease would allow me to cut through the rear bumper and weld on a 2" receiver...
Here are the installation instructions for this: http://tinyurl.com/3pd6n44 I need to fix a few of the photos that came out wacky in the pdf...
Price and timing I'm working on and will start a new thread.
Bill
gbshaun
Well-known member
Thanks!Electric4Me said:blorg said:Well, come on then, where are the bloody pictures! I want to see. Any idea on estimated cost and when they might be available?
I'd really love to get a hitch receiver installed on the Leaf. I have a 2" hitch type bike/ski rack that I use on my SUV and the back of my tent trailer. I'd rather just be able to use that on the Leaf as well, but I don't think my lease would allow me to cut through the rear bumper and weld on a 2" receiver...
Here are the installation instructions for this: http://tinyurl.com/3pd6n44 I need to fix a few of the photos that came out wacky in the pdf...
Price and timing I'm working on and will start a new thread.
Bill
Herm
Well-known member
At this moment there is only one way to do an accurate range check.. and it involves using a 120V kill-a-watt meter and the 120V Nissan EVSE. You make a midnight hwy trip, hopefully traffic is light, use the cruise control and drive out 30 miles at a constant speed of your choice.. immediately turn back home and then put the car on charge. Measure the power used to charge the car. The % difference will be your range reduction.
The round trip will cancel out elevation changes and hopefully winds. The hwy will remove stop and go traffic uncertainties.
The round trip will cancel out elevation changes and hopefully winds. The hwy will remove stop and go traffic uncertainties.
