Tartan43

With the entire family skiing 20+ days a year a cargo box was a must so I ended up buying the Mercedes Basic Carrier Bars (A 205-890-00-93). Perfect fit, straight forward install, and looks good. Next, I needed to carry bikes and so the OEM bicycle racks (A 000-890-02-93) seemed the most logical choice. Everything fits, and looks part of a set.

When transporting bikes a generic coil lock secures them to the basic carrier, but when the bicycle racks are empty, four fasteners is all that stands between a thief and a $180 bicycle rack. After a quick search there appear to be two types of coil locks specifically made for the bicycle rack – a 3mm thick and a 6mm thick cable, depending on one's outlook on the level of deterrent needed. Here are the part numbers for the various sets:

6mm Coil lock for the new Alustyle bicycle rack theft protection available under B6 685 1712 (single), B6 685 1713 (set of 2, common key) and B6 685 1714 (set of 4, common key)

3mm Coil lock for the new Alustyle bicycle rack theft protection available under B6 685 1705 (single), B6 685 1706 (set of 2, common key) and B6 685 1707 (set of 4, common key)

Unfortunately all these part numbers appear to be discontinued (according to the parts department at the local dealer) and no OEM alternatives are available.

Still not wanting to leave the bicycle racks unsecured, I fashioned my own lockout cables that leverage the locking mechanism on the basic carrier. I used two 18” long plastic coated 2.6mm steel cables and 4 aluminum ferrules.

I passed the lockout cable through the two slots at the rear of the bicycle rack (underneath the tire rail). Crimped a loop on each end using aluminum ferrules.







and made one loop bigger then the other to leave several options for securing the cable to the Basic Carrier bars:

Option 1 - Basic Carrier cap lock




Option 2 - around Basic Carrier fastener




Option 3 - around Basic Carrier cap stays




I went with Option 1 and locked the large loop with the Basic Carrier cap lock




Of course a determined thief will steal anything, but the unprepared opportunist will likely move on. For even greater visual deterrent you can use a green or a red colored plastic covered steel cables.