Date:         Sun, 16 Jan 2005 18:07:07 -0700
Reply-To:     Richard A Jones <jones@COLORADO.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Richard A Jones <jones@COLORADO.EDU>
Subject:      Re: Fiamma bikerack owner question
Comments: To: manikmike@YAHOO.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

> To any Fiamma rear-hatch mounted bikerack owners- can you please tell
> me if (and if so how) the rack attaches to the rear door in such a way
> that it is secure/ not randomly removable by any greedy hands?

There are two bolts that tighten the carrier to the brackets
(clips) at the bottom of the door.  I think they are 8mm heads.
They could be undone in about ten mintues.  I suppose you
could Loctight them.

I lock my bike--U-lock plus a cable around the bike carrier.  A
longer cable could go through the bumper or tow eye; I have
done that in the past.  But, in any case, it would be easier
to clip the cable and take the bike than to unbolt the carrier.
Then they'd have a bike with a U-lock on the rear tire!

You can buy "bike blocks" with locking knobs for the Fiamma that
would make it harder to take the bike off the rack.  Email Steve
and ask about them.  I think this is only with the traditional
bike blocks--the bike block pro, which you want if you have a
large tube bike, doesn't use the knobs....

I advise getting a rack with only the "pro" bike blocks unless you
have a road bike with traditions tube sizes.  Anything bigger,
like a mtn bike, or odd, oval tubes, want the "pro."

                                Richard A Jones
                                Boulder, Colorado