Bike Carrier
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Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 32
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Bike Carrier
I am about to take the plunge and purchase a bike for triathlon training. I could use my wife's Jeep for trips out of town with the bike, but I would rather take my car (2005 E-500). What are some options for a bike carrier that others on the forum are using? Is there anything that can be installed (short of a trailer hitch!) that will receive a carrier and allow me use when needed? Thanks in advance!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,191
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From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
Roof rack seems most likely solution.
Thule (in USA) doesn't have a W211 solution, so it's dealer for Mercedes parts unless you order Thule parts from the UK.
I wouldn't chop up rear bumper to install a trailer hitch if not going to actually pull a trailer.
Thule (in USA) doesn't have a W211 solution, so it's dealer for Mercedes parts unless you order Thule parts from the UK.
I wouldn't chop up rear bumper to install a trailer hitch if not going to actually pull a trailer.
Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 87
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From: Seattle, WA
'06 Porsche 997 Black Sport Exhaust, '06 Mercedes E350 4MATIC Iridium Silver Apper+Prem Package
I have a Mercedes ski rack on my wife's w211 and it works great. Installing the rack on the roof is super easy. You only need to tighten four screws. I believe that you can easily attach the bike carrier to it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,586
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From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
Yakima has roof racks and bike carriers for the W211. Their basic roof rack (two towers and wind deflector) for the W211 is $255, and then they have a variety of bike-carrier gear to use with the basic rack. I don't know how their prices compare to the Mercedes prices.
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 216
Likes: 1
From: Albuquerque
2003 E320
I have the Mercedes rack for my car. It costs too much but I think it might be worth it. Based on my experience with it, it is the best. I do not have a bicycle carrier--just the ski rack. However, I am not sure I would ever risk putting a bicycle on top of my car. I would always be afraid of what might happen. Maybe I am just aware of how clumsy I am sometimes.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 29
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From: Virginia
2003 E500
A friend of mine has the MB load bars on her S500. She had our local bike shop rig Thule fork mount trays on the MB bars. It is super sturdy and looks really slick. The only thing missing is a wind deflector which would reduce wind noise.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 625
Likes: 82
From: Germantown, MD
'07 GL450
Originally Posted by chemsales
Is there anything that can be installed (short of a trailer hitch!) that will receive a carrier and allow me use when needed?
Originally Posted by pfphipps
I am not sure I would ever risk putting a bicycle on top of my car. I would always be afraid of what might happen.
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=102316&highlight=trailer+hitch
For me, the hitch was the ONLY way to go.
GL.
Last edited by Miguk_Saram; May 10, 2007 at 08:05 AM.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,139
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Tesla Model S P100D
The following post provides detailed information and pictures of a w211 with a trailer hitch installed (starting at post #15):
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=102316&highlight=trailer+hitch
For me, the hitch was the ONLY way to go.
GL.
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=102316&highlight=trailer+hitch
For me, the hitch was the ONLY way to go.
GL.
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Super Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 625
Likes: 82
From: Germantown, MD
'07 GL450
I'll take various pics of my [behemoth] bike rack this weekend (with and without the bikes attached) and post them by Monday.
Keep in mind, the rack I ended up purchasing is.. ha-hem.. overkill.
I'll post the pics anyway.
Keep in mind, the rack I ended up purchasing is.. ha-hem.. overkill.
I'll post the pics anyway.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,139
Likes: 41
Tesla Model S P100D
Look forward to seeing the photos. What a great weekend in the DC area for biking! I hope you got to use your bike rack!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,923
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Mercedes Benz
I went with the MB roof rack since I had 2 MB bike carriers already. I must say it works well and I have never had an issue. I know many cyclists love the rear hitch idea but I just cant bring myself to have a to hitch on my cars. Also I have several W211's around right now and I can put the rack on any one of the cars depending on where I am going etc and wich car is available.
I have used the MB kit to take my Cannondale SystemSix all over California and it has treated me extremely well.
Several months back a friend and I took our bikes to death valley for the Ultra Cycle Death Valley Century and the rack was great. The drive to and from (on totally deserted roads) was at a very brisk pace and the rack was never an issue. Cornering at speeds most people would never do in a normal car did not seem to cause any issues for stability (in an 2004 E500). The car stayed stable at VERY high speeds.
Call me crazy but I like the look of the MB rack on the car better than say the third party versions. I know a skewer mount is more stable in cross winds but what I currently have works really well for me.
Good luck with the training. Cycling is addicting!
I attached a photo of the car sitting on the side of the road in death valley during a brief photo stop.
I have used the MB kit to take my Cannondale SystemSix all over California and it has treated me extremely well.
Several months back a friend and I took our bikes to death valley for the Ultra Cycle Death Valley Century and the rack was great. The drive to and from (on totally deserted roads) was at a very brisk pace and the rack was never an issue. Cornering at speeds most people would never do in a normal car did not seem to cause any issues for stability (in an 2004 E500). The car stayed stable at VERY high speeds.
Call me crazy but I like the look of the MB rack on the car better than say the third party versions. I know a skewer mount is more stable in cross winds but what I currently have works really well for me.
Good luck with the training. Cycling is addicting!
I attached a photo of the car sitting on the side of the road in death valley during a brief photo stop.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
'06 E55
I realize this is an old thread but I'm in the market for a bike rack for my 2006 E55. Any feedback on how your roof racks are working out? Do you leave them on there full-time? Have they developed rattles? Anything you'd do different? Anyone find a foldable trailer hitch? Thanks!
Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 164
Likes: 1
From: Grand Prairie Texas
'24 GLE53 AMG Coupe
I'm looking for a bike rack as well. I just got a PK7 and need a trunklid-mounted rack to transport it around.
I've been looking locally but have no idea what's a good deal or not.
Is there anybody out there with racks on their E??
I've been looking locally but have no idea what's a good deal or not.
Is there anybody out there with racks on their E??
Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Walnut, CA
2003 E 320, 2005 CLK 320
I just bought the Curt Hitch #11701 for my 2003 E320, as someone else here suggesed. I installed my self and took only about 45 mins. The hardest thing was to fit it in-between the exhaust tips and the bumper. I didnt even need to lift up the car.
Got the hitch from Amazon for $172 including shipping. I then got a Saris T-Rax Sport Bike rack for $94 online.
Got the hitch from Amazon for $172 including shipping. I then got a Saris T-Rax Sport Bike rack for $94 online.
