Custom Hitch on my Roadster

[elerner61]

Once I had decided to buy a Z4MR over a Boxster, one last deciding factor had to be researched: how am I going to get my mountain bike on it. Cars have been a passion since... forever, but Mountain Biking has been a major part of my life for 15 years now. Driving to and from a bike ride, blue sky above and good tunes on the stereo was something I refused to give up.

Web searches turned up one person (Scott) in Houston that had a local place "Hitch Masters" custom fabricate and mount a 1-1/4" hitch for his Z4MC. I spoke with the guys at Hitch Masters (great guys, even sent me a quick hand sketch) and was confident I would be able to find someone locally to do the welding for me. About a month after I had my car I tracked down a local auto body guy that is a master welder who agreed to take on the work. I took off the rear bumper cover (a very easy 10 minute job), brought the car over to him and he sized up the job. The rear bumper core of the Z4 provides a stable base that's easy to work with. Plus, because the rear bumper core easily unbolts from the car he was able to do much of the work comfortably away from the car. "Should take about 3 and a half hours labor, but you'll need to leave me the car for the day" he said. After he finished he said it took more like 7 hours (but he stuck with his quote).

The guy (Julio of JV Welding in Bedford Hills, NY) did a fantastic job, truly amazing work. The hitch is rock solid. He only welded to the back of the bumper core in one spot, the rest is pure artistry. I purchased a lightweight rack from Swagman rather than use my heavy Thule T2 and it works just great.

Yeah, a lot of homework to get this one done but in the end...so worth it. The pics show some surface rust, they were taken before I primed the hitch with a coating from RustBullet and then painted it.

[Daemonblitz]

That is pretty cool, wow. And you barely notice it when the rack is off the car.

[Hawkeye]

That looks really weird to me! Haha, why not just use a trunk rack?

Thanks for posting pictures though.

[gcochard]

Trunk racks mar the paint.

[mikeinsf]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

That looks really weird to me! Haha, why not just use a trunk rack?

Thanks for posting pictures though.

I just got the Saris Bones 3 for mine, and like it so far. I considered getting a custom rack like this, but how much does it cost? The Saris was $160. As long as you clean the rubber feet and the the paint before mounting, no paint marring occurs.

[elerner61]

The hitch cost me roughly $400, the rack cost me $180.

I've been toting bikes on cars for 16 years now as a devoted mountain biker riding usually 3 times a week (damn work gets in the way!). Mountain bikes, particularly full suspension models, aren't easily accommodated by traditional bike racks.

For road bikes, trunk style racks are fine...until they aren't. If your trips are short, your chances of the rack moving around are less. However, if you're spending any appreciable time at highway speeds or on "fun" roads where the bike/rack is going to be moving about there is a good chance you'll get some paint marring.

Happy Trails!

[imom]

Hats off to you... I gave up MTN biking when I got my Z4. I'm envious to see your post. Pretty cool!

[elerner61]

Originally Posted by imom

Hats off to you... I gave up MTN biking when I got my Z4. I'm envious to see your post. Pretty cool!

Pick it up again! There's nothing like it for someone who likes riding things with wheels. You're often right on the edge of traction and the worst thing that happens is you land in the dirt or bang a tree a little (I ride cross country, not downhill). The technology that's been ever increasing for the last 10 years is fantastic. I'm turning 50 this year and the full suspension keeps it relatively pain free for me.

[Hawkeye]

I have a road bike so there is not much weight on my trunk rack. I don't go on questionable roads with my Zed (bike will go in the back of the truck for those places) but I have taken my bike ~150 miles on the highway several times. No paint marring or movement really.

[mikeinsf]

Here in Norcal, add a nasty case of poison oak to that list of hazards. It's very common here along the trails.

[imom]

Originally Posted by elerner61

Pick it up again! There's nothing like it for someone who likes riding things with wheels. You're often right on the edge of traction and the worst thing that happens is you land in the dirt or bang a tree a little (I ride cross country, not downhill). The technology that's been ever increasing for the last 10 years is fantastic. I'm turning 50 this year and the full suspension keeps it relatively pain free for me.

I had a Santa Cruz heckler with SRAM X.0 all around and adjustable shock via handlebar...goes from 145mm down to fully compressed. It was a badass bike. I sold it. I don't ride that much...I put a total of a 1000 miles approximately my whole life with my mtn bikes...mostly all mtn trails. I had a superlight knock off before the heckler... it's a fun sport... I think motorcycles are more fun but not practical in the streets of Los Angeles (drivers don't look out and you always have to look out for drivers when riding).

That's why I've been thinking for the longest time to get rid of my M and get back to riding mtn bikes. I only have 1 car.... but have hard time finding something else more fun without spending so much more money.

[inTgr8r]

Nicely done!!