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Carrying Bikes On An Rx


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Going on holiday soon, thinking of taking the bikes.

Question 1:

The roof rails on the RX don't actually look the strongest in the world. On the official Lexus website it does show that you can get roof bars to go across the rails, but they don't show those with a bike holder on it. Are the rails strong enough to hold 2 adult bikes? If I got the cross bars I could then just add my bike holders.

Question 2:

Again on the official site it shows bike carriers but the roof rails are removed. Is that easy to do?

Question 3:

If answer to 2 is yes, how do you do it? And will my Thule roof bars from my old IS fit?

Question 4:

How have people found the RX with 2 bikes on top? I had 2 on top of the IS once and that was a bit hairy at times.

Thanks :D

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Hi Damer,

Not sure my experience will help out, but in case it does, I share it with you.

The RX in my opinion has the center of gravity too high (as expected for a SUV) and if you still rise it by adding extra weight on the top of the vehicle, it might be less secure to drive at higher speeds out of towns or on motorways. Think about side winds how they can already make you feel the car unstable even without bicycles on the top. This will be even worst (much worst) when you have your bikes on the top. And surely you do not want to go on holiday based on whether the wind blows or not.

For the same reason I ordered a detachable towing hitch when I got my RX400h delivered. This is perfect for safe bicycle carrying at the back of the car.

One mistake however what I made and learning from it you might avoid it. I ordered the Lexus bicycle holder suitable for the towing hitch that you can find in the catalog. This is manufactured in one of the Northern countries and delivered to Lexus. It is not expensive, but you can only use it with 2 bicycles. On top of that once you mount it you will realize that you cannot put the security cover on it without scratching the paint off from your rear bumper. Seams to be a really cheap solution.

Now, I do not know if the installation of my towing hitch was screwed up at the dealer that it got so close to the bumper or the responsible Lexus personnel was not paying attention to all details when they selected this bicycle holder and branded it with a Lexus logo, but the end result is crap and absolutely not like what you expect from Lexus.

For this reason, after finding out this problem, I went for the Thule EuroWay 947 bike holder which is a bit more expensive, but it has a matching high quality look as your RX has and it functions perfectly. There is enough clearance between the bumper and the bicycle holder, it is for three bikes and you can bank it while the bikes are on if you want to open the rear door. Additionally it is foldable and small enough to put it in the trunk when it is empty if you leave the car somewhere unattended while riding the bikes. Just a few features that the Lexus branded bicycle holder does not have.

Have a nice holiday.

Fe_La

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Thanks I was concerned about the extra height and shifting the centre of gravity.

I don't have a to bar, so the other solution you suggest is out of the window.

I do have a rear mounted bike holder from Decathlon though. I used it on my old Megane, Fiat Brava and a friend used it on her Scenic. However the instructions are long since gone so don't though if it would fit.

I know it would be a pain getting access to the boot, but anyone else used the same before?

Also assuming it did fit would it effect the power boot, obviously I wouldn't use the power boot with it and the bikes on!

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Hi,

Don't know if this helps, I'd got one of these I used on my previous car - I've used it a couple of time in my MK1 RX300

Just in case the link doesn't come out too well its from Halfords and it's a

Halfords High Mount Cycle Carrier

itemcode: 706689-0

Bike Carrier

You can position it just right so the bikes hand ok - not too high as suggested on the web site, but high enough so number plate and lights are still visible.

Hope this helps

Ian

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  • 3 weeks later...

Hi

I am going through this process as well.

The securist, not the cheapest tho, Witter detatchable bar £360, Lexus Electrics £86(LED Brake lights require specialised fitting) and a Thule 903 carrier £240.

This seems to be my answer, hope it helps!!

Regards Martin

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  • 2 weeks later...
Going on holiday soon, thinking of taking the bikes.

Question 1:

The roof rails on the RX don't actually look the strongest in the world. On the official Lexus website it does show that you can get roof bars to go across the rails, but they don't show those with a bike holder on it. Are the rails strong enough to hold 2 adult bikes? If I got the cross bars I could then just add my bike holders.

Thanks :D

Hi,

Just wondering how you got on? I dont like towbars or straps a lá Halfords etc, I am quite keen to try the roof option with my RX400.

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Going on holiday soon, thinking of taking the bikes.

Question 1:

The roof rails on the RX don't actually look the strongest in the world. On the official Lexus website it does show that you can get roof bars to go across the rails, but they don't show those with a bike holder on it. Are the rails strong enough to hold 2 adult bikes? If I got the cross bars I could then just add my bike holders.

Thanks :D

Hi,

Just wondering how you got on? I dont like towbars or straps a lá Halfords etc, I am quite keen to try the roof option with my RX400.

To be honest I gave up in the end and decided if I needed a bike I would hire one, as I didn'y want to unsettle the balance too much and didn't want want anything on the back.

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