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Do I need a lighting board?

t84t84 Posts: 119
edited May 2010 in MTB general
Just bought and fitted this bike rack, It's a Thule 9105 and it's really good quality, I'm not sure whether the fit's right though? It was recommended for my car...

Do you guys think I need a lighting board?

JVle2anI.jpg

Thanks

Posts

  • nipper9nipper9 Posts: 120
    hi
    i personally wouldnt be happy with that amount of overlap!!!
    it was the same for mine so i made 1 out of angle iron

    and no i wouldnt use a lighting board

    cheers p;aul
    " PERSEVERE B4 U DISAPPEAR "

    specialized rockhopper sl comp 2010
    specialized rockhopper comp 2003?
    trek 800 antelope 1993
    raliegh chopper mk2 1976
    raliegh tomahawk 1973
    raliegh budgie
  • t84t84 Posts: 119
    Overlap?

    It's not actually as bad as it looks in the pic, a lot of it depends on the angle that the photo's taken!

    So I'll be ok without a Lightboard?
  • The Northern MonkeyThe Northern Monkey Posts: 19,174
    What is that rack please?

    Could be spot on for me!
    Santa Cruz Butcher
  • t84t84 Posts: 119
    It's a Thule 9105.
  • The Northern MonkeyThe Northern Monkey Posts: 19,174
    Bloody nora. how much?!

    Can get roof bars and a carrier for less!

    Thanks though :)
    Santa Cruz Butcher
  • t84t84 Posts: 119
    Where are you looking? I paid £118!
  • The Northern MonkeyThe Northern Monkey Posts: 19,174
    I can get roof bars and a rack for £120!
    Santa Cruz Butcher
  • t84t84 Posts: 119
    Christ I wish I knew that, what brand?

    For my 3dr Focus I was looking at about £300 for a Thule Setup

    Does make your car look like a builders though.
  • t84t84 Posts: 119
    Changed topic title as I'm not sure whether I need one!
  • The Northern MonkeyThe Northern Monkey Posts: 19,174
    around £200 for thule for my 206!


    £120-£130 for the automaxi stuff.

    http://www.roofrackshop.co.uk/
    Santa Cruz Butcher
  • nicklousenicklouse Posts: 50,675 Lives Here
    yes you need a lighting board as the wheels cover the lights.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • nipper9nipper9 Posts: 120
    to much wheel hanging over the end of the carrier for me ( overlap; )

    i wouldnt personally use a lighting board just make sure u have a safe and secure load
    cheers p;aul
    " PERSEVERE B4 U DISAPPEAR "

    specialized rockhopper sl comp 2010
    specialized rockhopper comp 2003?
    trek 800 antelope 1993
    raliegh chopper mk2 1976
    raliegh tomahawk 1973
    raliegh budgie
  • The Northern MonkeyThe Northern Monkey Posts: 19,174
    nipper9 wrote:
    to much wheel hanging over the end of the carrier for me ( overlap; )

    i wouldnt personally use a lighting board just make sure u have a safe and secure load
    cheers p;aul

    unfortunately its not a choice.... its the law.
    Santa Cruz Butcher
  • lastwordslastwords Posts: 304
    correct if the bike or rack obstructs the lights or number plate by law you need a lighting board.
  • rusty656rusty656 Posts: 44
    as a police officer i would be happy with the position of the bike in this picture, you have a good view of the lights and number plate. It would have to be a right jobswirth to stop you !!
  • t84t84 Posts: 119
    Thanks for the help guys, it's a fantastic rack I just didn't realise how much sockets cost to wire in :)

    I'm off to Llandegla soon so hopefully it'll be ok!
  • pte1643pte1643 Posts: 518
    nipper9 wrote:
    to much wheel hanging over the end of the carrier for me ( overlap; )

    The channels that the wheels sit in extend quite a bit more than is shown in the picture.

    I have the same rack... VERY secure once fitted to the car.
  • NorthwindNorthwind Posts: 14,675
    I could be wrong here but I was under the impression that the law is that a light board has to be used if the lights are obscured. Those lights aren't obscured by any stretch of the imagination, there'll still be more visible light on both sides than you get on some cars as standard. And could be improved by being in a different gear ;)

    Regardless of legality I'd say you'd have to be incredibly unlucky to be stopped for that, and it's certainly not unsafe from what we can tell in the pics.
    Uncompromising extremist
  • t84t84 Posts: 119
    Thanks for that, there's another bike to go on but hopefully it'll still be ok!
  • alfabluealfablue Posts: 8,497
    Biker, Think :wink:

    As a driver and not a police or a jobsworth, I would be bloody annoyed following the car without a lighting board - at some angles at least one of the brake lights and also the high level centre brake light will be obscured. In poor visibility road conditions this could be further exacerbated. This makes it hazardous for other road users. And I would like the police to be a little more "jobsworth" and maybe they would stop what seems like 2% of all drivers I see on the phone, and also those that use side lights only in fog, or fog lights in clear conditions!

    Just for starters!
  • Muddy1182Muddy1182 Posts: 146
    Only issue i see here with no lighting board is at an angle lower down, i.e. from the driving seat of another car, your lights wouldn't be very visible, espically with another bike on board.

    I have the same rack, but lucky for me my lights are below the rack.

    If you did have an accident and someone went in the back of you, i wonder who would be liable? Normally the person who goes in the back, but they could easily claim your lights were obstructed. I'd put money on it that there insurance company would pick up on it.

    Might be worth the extra? Do you carry your mates bikes too? If so split the cost...... well a few pints should do it. :D
  • t84t84 Posts: 119
    Aye, I'm in a mad rush now to get a 7 pin socket fitted :(
  • Muddy1182Muddy1182 Posts: 146
    :D
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