Fiamma Bike Rack

by rgermain Thu Jul 26, 2018 8:52 pm

Thinking of fitting a Fiamma Bike Rack to the Boxer, but have read of damage to the edge of the door where the upper bar fits to the door. Also read that the lower bar can slip. Not really wanting to damage my Warwick, has any owner had any trouble?

I will not be transporting electric bikes, just 2 ordinary peddle ones.

Or would a tow bar mounted type be better suited?

Thanks in advance for any comments.
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Richard

by Gromit Thu Jul 26, 2018 8:59 pm

Hi Richard

Depends if you have a towbar already - they are not cheap and it seems a lot of cash just to carry bikes.

Having said that, even pedal bikes get a bit heavy to lift up high at our age, and the towbar mounted ones make it dead easy to put the bikes on and off - so you are much more likely to use them.

There was an extensive thread on here a couple of weeks ago discussing the types that will drop down (with the bikes still attached) so you can open the rear doors.

I have no interest so I didn't take much notice, but I know Quilter has an excellent but expensive model, and Cymro has a cheaper Fiamma wind up version. I'm not sure if either would be suitable for your van, but they will probably advise, as will the other contributors.

Have a search - it was a very informative thread.

by rgermain Thu Jul 26, 2018 9:17 pm

Thank you Dave, I will have a look. As you say it is not going to be cheap just to carry 2 bikes, as we also have a dog using bikes is not that often and will not be taking them on holidays, just trips to Hayling Beach. I do not have a tow bar fitted, but have noted how much they will set me back! and I would want a detachable one + electrics. Maybe I will just walk the dog.
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Richard

by Toffee Sat Jul 28, 2018 4:37 pm

I went through the same dilemma, I bought the Fiamma and fitted it myself, I would say damage to the door and slipping of the bars is down to incorrect fitting. It is essential the bars are bolted through the doors. And after around 2000miles with two bikes on I have no damage at all.

by rgermain Sat Jul 28, 2018 10:26 pm

Toffee wrote:I went through the same dilemma, I bought the Fiamma and fitted it myself, I would say damage to the door and slipping of the bars is down to incorrect fitting. It is essential the bars are bolted through the doors. And after around 2000miles with two bikes on I have no damage at all.

That's good to hear, I was wondering about how the bars were secured.

I hoped for an answer like this, as at the moment I transport the bikes inside the van, well wrapped in a blanket to prevent damage to the worktops etc. Just a bit of a tight squeeze with the dog also. I think that is the way I will go with the Fiamma and only have ordinary bikes, non electric type.

Thank for your reply.
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Richard

by Tengah74 Sun Jul 29, 2018 7:19 am

Fitted one to our Sussex Duo. Rather than bikes , converted to carry a Fiamma Box. All the junk goes in there !! No slippage after three years, and it clamps well to the door. As a visual indicator, I have marked the door at the bottom of each clamp with a small line with a marker pen, but so far no movement !
Tengah74

by Heanorboy Sun Jul 29, 2018 9:07 am

As an alternative have you thought about getting folding bikes.
We have one each which fold into their own bag have 21 inch wheels and 21 gears they take up about 50% of the room of standard bikes, you can even get electric ones these days
David

by Tengah74 Sun Jul 29, 2018 6:41 pm

We store our folding bikes outside, suitably secured to the Fiamma frame when parked up. No problems so far !

by Paramedic Sun Jul 29, 2018 9:59 pm

Tengah74 wrote:We store our folding bikes outside, suitably secured to the Fiamma frame when parked up. No problems so far !

IMO, just need to be aware how easy it would be for determined thieves to simply cut through the cycle carrier's light construction to remove the bikes. Fortunately we have the space to lock the compact electric bikes inside the van when away from the campsite for the day.

by Tengah74 Mon Jul 30, 2018 4:57 am

Point taken, but if away from site , the bikes go inside.

by Paramedic Mon Jul 30, 2018 8:00 am

Tengah74 wrote:Point taken, but if away from site , the bikes go inside.

Apologies, didn't realize you did that as a matter of course. Regards.

by kenef Mon Jul 30, 2018 11:52 am

We have two dogs so rarely use the bikes now, on our last van we bought a Fiamma box which we used as a 'wet locker'. However recently bought a Kingham without a bike rack, however lurking in the garage we have a Maxrax
which we used with our trailer tent https://maxxraxx.co.uk

Having read the the thread on weights thinking of getting a tow bar fitted for the versatility. In our situation a much cheaper and more useful option than the Fiamma Bike Rack. I did think about a Brompton but even second hand the tow bar is cheaper than the bike.

Another plus is a tow bar mounted rack can of course be used on any vehicle with a tow ball and as a removable item you will get some of your money back when you change the van.

by jacktherussell Thu Aug 02, 2018 5:58 pm

Before purchasing a Fiamma bike rack I would try to get a look at one fitted to the same base vehicle as yours. I bought one for the previous Boxer I had and eagerly fitted it. When it came to putting the bikes on I could lift them up ok but couldn’t fasten them on. Being only five foot six I wasn’t tall enough reach the clamp on the top rail as well as hold the bike in position.
I ended up buying a three tread step,and this was only just big enough! Any other shorter owners had this problem?

by Tengah74 Thu Aug 02, 2018 7:11 pm

One thing to be aware of is the max weight allowed to be loaded on the bike rack. I think it is around 36 kg. Must agree on height, as I am nearly 6 feet and would struggle. At 77 those days are over, so we carry ours inside. Back box in it's place is the best thing we have invested in .

by harrysp Thu Aug 02, 2018 9:03 pm

Tengah74 wrote:One thing to be aware of is the max weight allowed to be loaded on the bike rack. I think it is around 36 kg.

If I recall rightly, the Fiamma Pro C has a limit of 60kg.

by rgermain Thu Aug 02, 2018 9:09 pm

Tengah74 wrote:One thing to be aware of is the max weight allowed to be loaded on the bike rack. I think it is around 36 kg. Must agree on height, as I am nearly 6 feet and would struggle. At 77 those days are over, so we carry ours inside. Back box in it's place is the best thing we have invested in .

Yes Fiamma quote 35kg, 18kg nearest to van and 17kg outermost rail. I do not know the weight of electric bikes as I have no intention of ever owning one, but off the top of my head I would think they must be about 20kg+, I assume that is why some problems have been caused to rear door edges.

I intend to bolt my rack to the van door securely. We will be putting the bikes inside as already mentioned when away from the van. I intend to use the lower mounting with a licence lighting bar.

Thank you for all the help.
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Richard

by rgermain Thu Aug 02, 2018 9:12 pm

harrysp wrote:
Tengah74 wrote:One thing to be aware of is the max weight allowed to be loaded on the bike rack. I think it is around 36 kg.
If I recall rightly, the Fiamma Pro C has a limit of 60kg.

Could be correct, but we are talking about a rack for a Ducato/Boxer Ref No. carry-bike 200DJ.
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Richard

by ymfb1 Thu Aug 02, 2018 9:54 pm

I was going to fit a door mounted bike rack with a Fiamma storage box. Now I’m thinking of fitting a towbar and getting a towbar mounted bike rack which can carry a box or bikes.

Need to upgrade the weight first.

by harrysp Fri Aug 03, 2018 7:40 am

rgermain wrote:

Could be correct, but we are talking about a rack for a Ducato/Boxer Ref No. carry-bike 200DJ.
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Richard

Whoops, sorry, teach me to read the whole thread. scratch head

by rgermain Sun Aug 05, 2018 10:31 pm

Any one actually fitted a Fiamma 200DJ to a Warwick Duo? I only ask as taking a look at the fitting position, the lower bar which bolts to the door due to sods law covers the raised lettering of warwick duo. I assume this can be purchased from the spares dept.
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Richard

by Toffee Mon Aug 06, 2018 8:36 am

Yes the lower bar covered the fairford on our rear door, the only way the edges of the door can be damaged is by incorrect fitting, the top and lower bars most be bolted through the door with spreader plates or penny washers to spread the load. It's then impossible to bend the door edges without distorting the whole door. Mine's fine and it regularly carried two bikes.

by rgermain Mon Aug 06, 2018 2:51 pm

Toffee wrote:Yes the lower bar covered the fairford on our rear door, the only way the edges of the door can be damaged is by incorrect fitting, the top and lower bars most be bolted through the door with spreader plates or penny washers to spread the load. It's then impossible to bend the door edges without distorting the whole door. Mine's fine and it regularly carried two bikes.

Thank you, I suppose the lettering is not that important really. I have sent an enquiry to A/S parts, but so far have not got any reply. scratch head

I do intend to bolt it on as you say.

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Richard

by rgermain Mon Aug 06, 2018 2:52 pm

Toffee wrote:Yes the lower bar covered the fairford on our rear door, the only way the edges of the door can be damaged is by incorrect fitting, the top and lower bars most be bolted through the door with spreader plates or penny washers to spread the load. It's then impossible to bend the door edges without distorting the whole door. Mine's fine and it regularly carried two bikes.

Thank you, I suppose the lettering is not that important really. I have sent an enquiry to A/S parts, but so far have not got any reply. scratch head

I do intend to bolt it on as you say.

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Richard

by rgermain Mon Aug 06, 2018 2:55 pm

Funny things going on with this site at the moment, hence reply posting twice
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Richard

by Guest Sun Sep 23, 2018 9:24 pm

Have only used our bike rack once, (fitted as an optional extra when new) and yes the bottom rail is slipping down. Not at all impressed.

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