Member Since: 05 Sep 2006
Location: Hradec Kralove
Posts: 1095
Atera-Strada 3
Does anybody have this bike rack?
It looks interesting since it seems to offer the possibility to open the top AND bottom part of the trunk dor without removing the bike rack (by sliding away from the car).
Is that correct? Does it work well with the rack loaded with bikes?
Now I have a thule bike rack which is just tilting and does not allow me to open the bottom. And the tilting is not so commfortable as one might hope, esp with the bikes loaded.
Thanks in advance for your comments.
CS
17th Apr 2007 3:05 pm
captain_sugar
Member Since: 05 Sep 2006
Location: Hradec Kralove
Posts: 1095
Member Since: 04 Nov 2006
Location: Lausanne
Posts: 395
Hey CS,
This looks neat ! I've seen other Atera stuff and it looks good but never seen this yet. Any clue on prices ? I may be up for purchasing 1 but it looks like it will have to be from UK or Germany (shipping charges !).
Let me know if you get any more data
Thanks
PS: I also want to be able to lower the bottom tailgate so that the dogs can get in/out.Mrs Jones ? We've come for your Liver
17th Apr 2007 11:02 pm
captain_sugar
Member Since: 05 Sep 2006
Location: Hradec Kralove
Posts: 1095
That is awesome! (and being a fellow kayaker, love the canoeing hedgehog!) Life is what you make it.
24th Apr 2007 6:42 pm
Nigel Tracey
Member Since: 04 Nov 2006
Location: Lausanne
Posts: 395
CS,
How's the Atera going ? As good as expected ?
Could you do me the great favour of measuring the distance from the D3 bumber to the furthest part of the rack, ie how far does it stick out ?
Many thanksMrs Jones ? We've come for your Liver
6th May 2007 10:05 pm
captain_sugar
Member Since: 05 Sep 2006
Location: Hradec Kralove
Posts: 1095
Nigel Tracey wrote:
CS,
How's the Atera going ? As good as expected ?
Could you do me the great favour of measuring the distance from the D3 bumber to the furthest part of the rack, ie how far does it stick out ?
Many thanks
74 cm (without the bikes) for the carrier for 3 bikes.
I didn't use it yet, just tried it with fitted bike on it.
Advantages:
- soft rubber where the arms grab the bike frame (with thule I had to put cloth between the bike and the bike carrier)
- It's possible to open both parts of the trunk lid
- To move away the carrier from the car, you operate the bike carrier from behind the bikes. It means one person can activate the tilting and hold the weight of the carrier plus bikes safely and predictable. The hever from thule was between the car and bikes (first I had to unscrew a bolt by sticking an arm through the bike frames. Than I had to loosen the lever by standing between the bikes and the car. When the carrier was loaded, it meant a second person was needed). The same when erecting the carrier again.
- The carrier remains fixed on the tow hook. Which means it doesn't rotate as Thule's and there is no risk of damaging the car. When you tilt thule carriers, it is moving loosely on the tow bar. With the weight of the bikes it was quite risky. The same when erecting the carrier again.
- Wheel holders can be moved left/right to fit the bikes and to fit the best setting of 3 bikes on the carrier. Adjusting is easy and does not requires any tool
- quality straps for the wheels
Disadvantage:
the cable with the connector could have been a bitt longer...
7th May 2007 2:45 pm
captain_sugar
Member Since: 05 Sep 2006
Location: Hradec Kralove
Posts: 1095
some more pics:
7th May 2007 6:31 pm
Nigel Tracey
Member Since: 04 Nov 2006
Location: Lausanne
Posts: 395
Thanks CS
Looks like I'll be ordering 1 ASAPMrs Jones ? We've come for your Liver
Hey, Nigel, how we stand out here in Cheese Land concerning the obstruction of the license plate by the bikes?
The reason I ask is that this excellent bike rack has a position for a license plate on it and I note it is the long version as opposed to the square version we have on our cars. So, I would want to get a spare plate for the bike rack.
Will the authorities issue a spare plate? Or will they see it as a trailer and demand you buy a new plate I bet they will say because it goes on the tow bar it is a trailer or something just as stupidly beaurocratic.
For the benefit of other readers, here in Swtzerland the license plate is your "tax disc" and "proof of insurance". If you have a caravan or trailer they are treated as separate "vehicles" and need a separate license plate (different number) which you pay for.Life is what you make it.
8th May 2007 9:07 am
captain_sugar
Member Since: 05 Sep 2006
Location: Hradec Kralove
Posts: 1095
Dont bother about it. My 3rd plate in an unofficial one. In CR number plates come only in 2 pieces and absolutely no possibility to get an official 3rd one. If you damage one you get 2 completely new ones (with different number).
Since the carrier has no axis or wheels, it's not a trailer (be happy, if not you'd have to insure it seperately). It's clear that it is not a vehicle.
I had a metal plate cut to measure and painted in black in my factory and asked a company specialized in traffic signs to stick a white reflective foil with the letters/numbers cut out on it.
As long as it is reflective, no reasonable police officer will make a problem out of it.
good luck!
8th May 2007 10:17 am
Nigel Tracey
Member Since: 04 Nov 2006
Location: Lausanne
Posts: 395
Scolliss,
Whilst Captain Sugar is totally correct I bet our anully retentive friends here see it as a chance to tax you some more.
I might get a knock off plate made when next in UK, can only cost £10ish ?
I can't even register my Ifor Williams trailer here, as I have no proof that I am the legal owner. I have no receipt and bought it 2nd hand in UK. Le Controle des Automobiles want me to prove that I brought it in with all my other goods and seeing as the removal company didn't itemise it on the import list I'm in the smelly stuff.
PS: I have seen loads of people with bikes etc covering rear number plates and really no one bothers, weird. In UK the old bill would have you over in no time.Mrs Jones ? We've come for your Liver
9th May 2007 7:24 pm
captain_sugar
Member Since: 05 Sep 2006
Location: Hradec Kralove
Posts: 1095
I just returned from a trip to the belgian coast with two bikes and can only recommend this rack.
It's a huge advantage how the rack, with bikes loaded, slides back and the trunk can be completely opened.
2nd Sep 2007 1:33 pm
innominate
Member Since: 26 Dec 2007
Location: On the move
Posts: 153
I have just bought an Atera Strada from roofbox.co.uk. They had a return, so I got it for £95 less than list price. I can recommend the rack and the supplier
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That is awesome! (and being a fellow kayaker, love the canoeing hedgehog!) 
I bet they will say because it goes on the tow bar it is a trailer or something just as stupidly beaurocratic.
