question about the bmw bicycle lift.
 

hi, when you're ready to lift the bike on the roof, is it all via human strength or does the bike lift utilize some form of springs to asist the lifting? can't tell from the pic.

http://catalog.niello.com/00003581f.jpg

Strength I think. Though I might be wrong.

thanks. wow it must be awkward to lift a bike on the e70...?

Apparently this makes it do-able!

It isnt easy at all to lift a bike on top of X5... You must have running boards to do that (unless you are 6.5'+ feet tall:)

yea i have running boards. btw does anyone know why it's called "running board"? you dont run on it...

Probably for the same reason you drive on a parkway and park on a driveway....

I put my bikes on the roof (using OEM E70 rails and Thule Bars). I'm only 5'10and use a small step to put them up and can take them off without. I considered the lift but thought it didn't add much ay £250! As the car plus bikes is quite tall I also didn;t want the extra height this loaded gives over the bikes. You can't see it on the pic in this thread but it adds extra height. I think this attachment makes mounting easier but I find the normal way ok.

My 2p worth

Using the bike lift pictured, the bike weight is offset by SPRINGS in the lift, and you simply guide the bike up or down. It locks at either the top or bottom of travel.

How do I know? My wife has them from a previous car. Anyone else have them?

I have never had trouble lifting two bikes onto an X5 (OK, I am 6'4"). They aren't mountain bikes, but one is a full race tandem. I mount two front wheels in the centre of the rack, and if I can't reach them easily I step on the door sill with the door open (no running boards). Note: take your cycling shoes and cleats off before stepping on the door sill.

This bike lift is such a BMW solution. Overengineered. They charge a fortune for it. It doesn't hold the bike as securely as a fork mount. It creates more wind noise, and puts more weight up on the roof.

The better solution is a Thule or Yakima fork mount, and if necessary, a Rubbermaid step stool for $16, as Chester noted above. Just my $0.02.