Bike Rack Solution for Carbon Frame Bike Transported by 2011 Mercedes E550 Convertible

Question:

Since you have a carbon framed bike you really will need to go with a hitch mounted bike rack that only touches the tires. Also the benefit will be that no painted surfaces on your vehicle will be touched by the rack so you wouldn't have to worry about damage there either. So for a hitch you'd need the Curt # C11340 which is a confirmed fit. For a bike rack I really like the Thule Helium 2 Bike Platform Rack part # TH44VR. This is a platform bike rack that only touches the bike at the tires and comes with an integrated hitch and cable lock for optimal security. Platform racks like this are also very easy to load and unload.

asked by: John

Expert Reply:

Since you have a carbon framed bike you really will need to go with a hitch mounted bike rack that only touches the tires. Also the benefit will be that no painted surfaces on your vehicle will be touched by the rack so you wouldn't have to worry about damage there either. So for a hitch you'd need the Curt # C11340 which is a confirmed fit.

For a bike rack I really like the Thule Helium 2 Bike Platform Rack part # TH44VR.

This is a platform bike rack that only touches the bike at the tires and comes with an integrated hitch and cable lock for optimal security. Platform racks like this are also very easy to load and unload.

expert reply by: Jameson C

John

6/21/2018

Jameson C.

6/21/2018

For your vehicle Yakima does offer the HangOut 2 part # Y02637 as a confirmed fit. This would work well. To lock bikes to the rack you'd want the part # Y07233 and lock core part # Y07202. Then to lock the rack to the car you'd want the passsive lock # TH533 and you'd have as secure of a trunk rack as you can get.