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I want to fit a tow bar/bike rack to the rear of my car. Anyone got any recommendations for what works well? Also, is there any problem with the rear parking sensors with bikes on...I have heard about a retractable tow bar - do these come off completely when not in use, or fold back some where?

Any comments much appreciated.

Hi, and welcome to LOC.

This thread relates to the old model IS, but the rack will fit anything with a towbar, which in my case is a Brink but a quick web search reveals that they don't one for the new IS. However, Witter do.

The parking sensors go mad with the bike rack on – just ignore them!

I saw a bmw the other day with a bike rack attached to the rear of the bootlid- no tow bar and no fittings on the vehicle and looked very neat. I think they are called strap-on cycle racks- something like this

http://www.pendle-bike.co.uk/nulldet.asp?R...rap%20on%20Rack

I had a Witter detachable tow bar fitted to mine. Don't have one fitted through your Lexus dealership as if they are anything like mine they will try and charge a 100% mark up. I got the very same tow bar fitted down the road from the dealership, (the very same place the dealer would have used as it turned out!), for £360. It involves a very small cut to the bottom edge of the rear bumper, but you would struggle to see it unless you went looking for it. I have a two bike rack the just secures to the boot lid that is a universal fit and bought from Halfords. I also have roof bars from the tow bar fitter for a Thule roof box that can be adapted to take cycles on the roof.

Or turn them off

I have a "Thule 970-3" bike carrier. Bought it some years ago, looking at their website the current equivalent appears to be a "Thule Hang On 3B 974", mine is designed to carry three bikes although have only ever had two on it. If you prefer the flexibility of using a detatchable tow ball then it's ideal as it grips the ball and is locked on.