I've owned my 06 coupe for about 2 months now. Top priority for me was protection (clear bra, multiple layers of wax, tint) and a bike carrier that does not touch the car.

Bought the BDI rack product and have some feedback for anyone interested. The BDI system uses a 1 1/4" receiver welded into a sturdy frame that holds the rear license plate. Any holes needed to be drilled is in the rear bumper behind the plate.

With no bike on the car, the bracket is near invisible. But, unfortunately, the pluses stop there. Due to rear bumper geometry, you can not easily fasten 4 recommended bolts on to the bumper.. only two, which would be enough if the rest of the design accomodated for how low the receiver is on the car.

A single strap clips onto the trunk ledge to handle all outward pressure, leaving the bolted bracket to support the downward pressure from the weight of the bikes. This design works well if the plate is mounted relatively high up (like on the miata). Unfortunately, the vertical support bar is not tall enough for the G35, and the strap with metal buckle literally sits on top of the trunk, making sratches likely during transport. Customer support from BDI is near non existent.. no reply from emails or phone calls.

Wished this system worked.. will probably look at the Curt receiver hitch, which requires a small notch to be cut from the rear fascia, just below the license plate area. Will let anyone interested know how that effort goes. If there are other non contact systems out there, please let me know.

CM

 

Thanks for the info Chasman. One of the things i've had on my mind while chewing on the decision to go with the G35c is that I won't be able to bring my MTB with me. I currently go riding with my cousin in his Pathfinder w/Yakima roof rack.

I almost bought a Saris Bones 3-bike rack [ http://www.saris.com/c-15-.aspx ] for my currenlty leased 04.Altima but didn't pull the trigger as I had read that people experienced light to moderate dents on their trunk. While 'light to moderate' is relative to the beholder, I do like riding 'heavier' bikes .. so yeah that fell through. For what it's worth my bike shop stated that the Bones is their top seller. Check out the site and the PDF file for specs; no drilling required, bumper legs optimally rest on the bumper.

That hitch system you mentioned is kinda scary. I own a Santa Cruz Heckler and cringe whenever I think about the numbnut that might rear end me and frak up the ride. Well I guess that risk goes with any mounted system.

I'd be interested in your experience with the hitch system if you test one out.

Peace.
Ed

 

My bike and my car will not see each other. I had to take my Trek apart in order to fit it into the G. Won't do that again. Thanks for the info.

 

Have decided that I'll likely go for the Curt trailer hitch offered on etrailer.com @$129...will require cutting a 2" notch out of the fascia.. but it appears to be fairly obscure. They offer the install instructions on their website for viewing to see the impact or what you need to do and the degree of difficulty. I'm hesitant to do this install on my own (sort of like operating on your own kid) but dont want to drop $100+ on some jamoke installing for me.

Learned my lesson to stay away from strap on racks.. took a bump once and dropped my mtn bike into traffic.. guy behind me didnt really appreciate this either. only other option I've seen is the Bird model, with two poles permanently mounted under the G35.. and a hefty $400 price tag.

I knew going into buying the G that this would be my biggest challenge. But the idea of taking long drives with out my bike, or without my G (I call her Gina) is not an option.

 

Okay guys.. I just got back from a hitch installer here in San Jose. I ordered the hitch which should take about 3 days to get. Then they will install it for me. I know a lot of people will say get another car, "F" that. I love my "G" and I love the outdoors and want to take my road bike with me on road trips. Having been camping with it. That is why we bought the car, not to have it sit in the garage on the weekend. I should have the hitch insalled within the week and will send pictures. Once it is installed I will see if the installer will let me take pictures of it while it is till up on the rack.

 

Paul,

How many bikes can you place on that hitch rack? Will the install require cutting into the bumper?

 

Some pics of the Curtis hitch I had professionally installed earlier this year. This hitch mounted rack is hands down more convienient than a roof rack. The rack itself can be removed in seconds. They do have to cut a 2"x2" notch on the bottom of the bumper but you have to lie under the car to see it.

 

Nice bike Bahuba. Nomad w/smoke powedercoat? Kenda Nevegals? I run my Nevegals tubeless, luvin'it. Your rear rotor is smallish, how does she manage on the downhills?

Looking at how the front end it situated I wonder if setting the fork as stiff as possible would be beneficial. If the wheelbrace compresses the fork about 2 inches worth of travel front wheel may slip out of the brace? Perhaps investing $10 in a hundred pack of these -->



would counter a shift out of the braces.

Nice find.

/edit Bahuba, link the site from which you found that hitch kit, thanks.

 

Anodized gray with Kenetics. I don't DH often but the 6" rotor in the rear is sufficient. I mostly ride trail with a little freeride. The rack is very secure with no chance of the wheel slipping out. Mounting the bike is as simple as placing it the wheel trays and then pushing down on the hook shaped brace. The brace uses a ratchet system so it won't come loose until you release it by pressing a trigger. It is the easiest bike rack I've seen. The trays can handle 3" tires and are adjustable for different wheelbases.

I picked up the rack at MEC (mountain equipment co-op - www.mec.ca).

Mfg. site: http://www.swagmanbikeracks.com/shop...me.php?cat=253

 

Okay the hitch came in today.. Well it was in last week but they ordered the one for the sedan. Got the call that the coupe hit was in and headed down. It took the installer about 45-an hour for the install. Probably would have been faster if he was not stopping to take phone calls.

The hitch looks good. The 1 1/4 in receiver sits right below the liscence plate. It looks like they had about 4 bolts holding it onto the rear bumper. Two behind the liscence plate and two underneath. They did cut less than a two inch notch out of the rear bumper but the only way you would ever see that would be if you crawled underneather the car. They let me took a look at it while it was up on the rack.

I am sorry I did not take pictures of it when it was on the rack. I was half way down there and forgot that I had taken the camera out of the car. But I will try to take some pics this weekend when I take the bike out for a ride.


The hitch and the install look great. I think it is a must do for anyone who wants to still bring their bikes and not have to load it in the car. The hit says it's rate to 1,000 pounds. I cannot tell you if that fits in the jet ski weight or not.. But for bikes, it can't be beat.


I have a black G so I think you really have to look to see the reciever. You guys let me know when you see the pictures this weekend.

The hitch shipped and with tax was a little of two hundred, and the install was $45. I am sure if you had drills a cutter for the bumber you could do it yourself, but I am not a handy man so I think it was money well spent.

The install was done by a hitch guy in Santa Clara on El Camino right next door to the brushless carwash and the adult book store. If you have any questions go ahead and PM me.
__________________

 

damn im looking for one too.. i just purchased my G and go mountain biking... so a hitch is the best way to go?

 

look up hitches on the search, I posted more info and pictures... And yes a hitch is the best way to go.. goes on in about a minute and a half about the same to take off....