Pics of my Thule T2 bike rack
 

Thought I would do a little write up for all you bikers because this thing fits the X5 like a glove and is solid as a rock.

I used the same rack on my GTO last year and loved it, so I exchanged it for a 2" version right away this spring (thanks REI!)

Pic of the rack tilted up and out of the way.
http://www.nom3rcy.com/X5/t2/t2-8.jpg

Gives good visibility ot the taillights from behind
http://www.nom3rcy.com/X5/t2/t2-6.jpg

Very close profile to the back to fit in regular parking spaces
http://www.nom3rcy.com/X5/t2/t2-7.jpg

The rear tire mount slides along the bracket and is held in place by the arm for the front tire - very well engineered.
http://www.nom3rcy.com/X5/t2/t2-13.jpg

The hatch comes pretty close to the rack but leaves enough space for comfort. Here on the front tire channel
http://www.nom3rcy.com/X5/t2/t2-10.jpg

Close on the arm racheting mechanism, but enough space
http://www.nom3rcy.com/X5/t2/t2-9.jpg

If one were to accidentally open the tailgate with the rack in the up position, the only contact occurs on the plastic trim piece thus avoiding any possibility of damaging the X5
http://www.nom3rcy.com/X5/t2/t2-11.jpg

The rack folded down
http://www.nom3rcy.com/X5/t2/t2-12.jpg

The arm which hold the bike's front tire just ahead of the fork.
It is extremely secure and safe, you can drive very spiritedly with this setup and the bikes are not touching, nor do they even move :)
http://www.nom3rcy.com/X5/t2/t2-14.jpg

Wowza! :wow: nice bike rack, did you just get her detailed?

The rack or the car? lol

I did have the X detailed although it is actually pretty dirty in these pics!

It's SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICK!!!http://www.xoutpost.com/images/smilies/wow.gif

That looks great. I have the Yakima doubel down 4. It suspends from the frames because my mountain bikes tires were too big for most of the "tray-style" racks and I needed room for 3 bikes. Fits great as well and folds down out of the way when not in use.

Yea I suppose a thicker tire may pose an issue, you must be running 3"+ to not fit in the trays. Do you run downhills? Some of those bikes look like a lot of fun.

Nice shots and write up.

I suppose if I had a mountain bike then I would consider a rear rack. I like the road bikes up out of the grit and road spray. I also like being able to keep an eye on them through the sunroof. I am 6'4", to be fair, so I have never had an issue lifting them up.

Just as a counterpoint to your Thule shots, here is my Thule rooftop setup. I have posted this before. There are lots more bike shots posted if anybody is interested. This setup has Thule Crossroad 450 feet and standard loadbars. I like the flat bars as I have a lot of things mounted on them. I don't need aero bars, since there is so much else up there anyway. Two Thule Peleton fork mount carriers, with two Thule wheel holders that swing down flat when not in use. ATOC Tandem Topper rack, which shortens for a 3rd regular bike or extends for the tandem. Fits fine on the X5 or X3, a little easier on the X3 due to the longer roof. That ATOC product has now been acquired by Thule and rebranded. No third wheel holder, as I haven't often carried three bikes, so I throw it in the back. There is room for a third wheel holder up top. Takes less than five minutes to mount, and two minutes to mount the tandem. It is handy to have a second person to lift it over the X3, but one person can do it. The bikes are easy to mount solo.

The Co-Motion race tandem weighs 30 lbs without pedals, so probably around 30 lbs with pedals and no front wheel. The solo bikes are Trek 5200 carbon and a Cervelo R3 for my wife. A Cervelo is on the list to replace my Trek.

Jeff

The bike racks are looking great guys!! I have been folding the seats down and putting the bikes in the back of the X. Always thinking of alternatives for when I am taking more than one or two bikes.
Nom3rcy: What type of bikes are you putting on your hitch rack?? I would be using it for 29er mtn bikes and road bikes as well.

I have a Gary Fisher Piranha (26) and the other spot is for whoever I'm riding with.

I haven't had a 29er on the rack but it should work for it.

Not sure that tandem would fit though! May need a WIDE LOAD sign lol

Yea 8" of suspension front and rear is like riding on a cloud... untill you ride over 3' boulders. :thumbup: