Bike Racks

[Highland Elgrand]

Hi @erichmond - a few points for your consideration regarding the Thule 973 (Thule also refer to this model as the BackPac):

• you can find an instruction manual for this rack here
• in these instructions you will see that the rack alone weighs 15Kg
• although the Nissan Elgrand isn't specifically listed, other Nissans are and the instructions indicate each bike carried should be no more than 15kg with a maximum of 3 bikes allowed at a total bike weight of 45Kg.
• I have personally carried my wife's eBike at 21Kg on the innermost position plus my 12Kg steel framed bike in position two without any apparent damage to the rack or Elgrand, but there again I haven't dropped down any large pot holes whilst so loaded either, and it is in such situations that any overloading might make itsself known!
• Removing the ebike batteries before loading is the obvious thing to do here and makes the lifting of the bikes into position easier anyway

Bike Frame Adapter (for step-thru frames) - Thule item# 982 - typically priced around £25 plus p&p

• this adapter connects between the handlebar stem and seat post on a step-through bike frame to allow the rack's securing arms to hold the frame securely
• as indicated in the pics below, the rack's securing arm head swivels and I have used the arm, without the frame adapater, to hold the wife's bike directly on the handlebar stem (indicated by red 'X' in the pic). To be able to do this is going to be bike layout dependant.

View attachment 43912



View attachment 43914

View attachment 43916

hi, do you know how far you extend the arms on the 18 fitting kit and the hook that clips on the top of the boot? there's a choice of A or B then 1,2,3,4 for the arms and then 12 options on the strap that reaches back to where the hooks connect at the top. and is it the 04 or 06 feet for the Elgrand? thanks

 

[AlanM]

hi, do you know how far you extend the arms on the 18 fitting kit and the hook that clips on the top of the boot? there's a choice of A or B then 1,2,3,4 for the arms and then 12 options on the strap that reaches back to where the hooks connect at the top. and is it the 04 or 06 feet for the Elgrand? thanks

I don't know the specific answer to your question and I know that some Elgrands have bigger air deflectors than others. Below is a pic of mine I took a couple of minutes ago with the tape measure to give you an idea of dimensions - my vehicle is an E51 S1 XL - I think it it the Highway Star that has a bigger air deflector.

hope that helps?

 

[Highland Elgrand]

Thanks for that. How far extended are the extended sets from metal curved arms do you know? Guess it’s a bit of trial and error! Do you know if that’s the 04 or 06 feet pads?

 

[AlanM]

Do you know if that’s the 04 or 06 feet pads?

I'm afraid I do not know the answer to that - I bought the rack 2nd hand off ebay and it came without paperwork so I've no idea what the purchased spec was.

Cheers, AlanM

 

[Highland Elgrand]

No worries, thanks!

 

[ellie_downunder]

Un8versal amazon job 30 quid

Hi Kenzie,

How is this Amazon cheapie holding up?

 

[ellie_downunder]

Hi @erichmond - a few points for your consideration regarding the Thule 973 (Thule also refer to this model as the BackPac):

• you can find an instruction manual for this rack here
• in these instructions you will see that the rack alone weighs 15Kg
• although the Nissan Elgrand isn't specifically listed, other Nissans are and the instructions indicate each bike carried should be no more than 15kg with a maximum of 3 bikes allowed at a total bike weight of 45Kg.
• I have personally carried my wife's eBike at 21Kg on the innermost position plus my 12Kg steel framed bike in position two without any apparent damage to the rack or Elgrand, but there again I haven't dropped down any large pot holes whilst so loaded either, and it is in such situations that any overloading might make itsself known!
• Removing the ebike batteries before loading is the obvious thing to do here and makes the lifting of the bikes into position easier anyway

Bike Frame Adapter (for step-thru frames) - Thule item# 982 - typically priced around £25 plus p&p

• this adapter connects between the handlebar stem and seat post on a step-through bike frame to allow the rack's securing arms to hold the frame securely
• as indicated in the pics below, the rack's securing arm head swivels and I have used the arm, without the frame adapater, to hold the wife's bike directly on the handlebar stem (indicated by red 'X' in the pic). To be able to do this is going to be bike layout dependant.

View attachment 43912



View attachment 43914

View attachment 43916

Thanks Alan great informative post.

I'm in Australia and the 973-18 fitting doesn't seem hard to come by, so looking at taking the plunge. I have s big heavy ebike though so might need to find out its weight before making. purchase.

 

[AlanM]

Thanks Alan great informative post.

I'm in Australia and the 973-18 fitting doesn't seem hard to come by, so looking at taking the plunge. I have s big heavy ebike though so might need to find out its weight before making. purchase.

Once you know the weight of your ebike then maybe an email to the manufacturer but given that the rack can take up to 4 bikes, and let's be on the conservative side and say each bike is 12Kg, then 48Kg is a reasonable total weight I'd have thought?

On some ebikes you can remove the battery easily - that'll save a bit of weight.

 

[Kenzie (Mary Poppins)]

Hi Kenzie,

How is this Amazon cheapie holding up?

Yeah used it loads I just put fresh microfiber under the feet each time and just check straps every time I stop (normally roll up n duck tape )

 

[icanseeu]

View attachment 43774

Awesome.

Un8versal amazon job 30 quid

Very Nice. !