Menabo Merak Eco towbar bike rack for 2 bikes and Merak Eco Plus for 3

In this post we show you the Menabo Merak Eco towbar rack for 2 bikes, and the Merak Eco Plus version for 3 bikes. We do the fitting and the test in the SuportBicicleta.ro showroom at Drumul Lunca Corbului 2, Sector 3, Bucharest, Romania.

About the car: any car with a towbar

The original post does not say which car model the rack was used on, so we are not giving you a make or generation that we cannot confirm. For the Menabo Merak Eco, the rear of the car is what matters: the rack attaches to the tow ball, so the shape of the roof or the presence of roof rails does not affect the fitting.

Because the rack has its own rear lights, powered through the 13/7-pin plug, the car also needs the towbar's electrical wiring in working order. Whether you have an estate, an SUV or a hatchback, the check is the same: towbar, socket and the load the towbar accepts, as stated in the car's documents. If you are not sure, bring the car and we will look at it together.

What we fitted on this towbar

The Menabo Merak Eco bike rack for 2 bikes is a platform rack in silver aluminium, bolted onto the towbar. The bikes sit on the platform, held by the frame, and each can weigh up to 25 kg, so electric bikes fit too. The Merak Eco weighs 10.8 kg, is TÜV certified and comes with approved rear lights. It has no tilting function, which is good to know if you often open the tailgate with the bikes on the rack.

When you need one more place, Menabo Merak Eco Plus for 3 bikes is the same Merak Eco with the Menabo Merak extension kit added. It keeps the 25 kg per bike limit, the bolt-on mounting and the 13/7-pin plug. The bike lock is optional, item code 000026400000, and the product page states that the rack is not compatible with a towbar cargo box.

On the pages of both products you will also find the Menabo Merak Eco presentation video.

Video: Menabo Merak Eco towbar bike rack – video

Technical details and what to watch for

• Menabo Merak Eco: 2 bikes, maximum 25 kg per bike, own weight 10.8 kg, bolt-on mounting on the towbar.
• Dimensions from the Merak Eco product page: 121 cm long, 35 cm wide and 18.5 cm high.
• The weight of the rack adds to the weight of the bikes and presses on the towbar: for the Merak Eco, 10.8 kg plus two bikes; compare the total with the permitted vertical load of the towbar in the car's handbook.
• Compatible with e-bikes, not with fat bikes; the mounting type is platform, with the bikes held by the frame.
• The rear bikes can cover the car's lamps, so connect the 13/7-pin plug and check the rack's rear lights and indicators before you leave.
• The fitting instructions for the Menabo Merak and the specifications are on the product page as PDFs; for the Plus version there are also instructions for the extension kit.

Instructions and documents

• Fitting instructions Menabo Merak (PDF)
• Specifications Menabo Merak (PDF)
• Fitting instructions Menabo Merak extension kit (PDF)

Frequently asked questions

How many bikes does the Menabo Merak Eco rack carry?

The Menabo Merak Eco carries 2 bikes, of maximum 25 kg each. The Menabo Merak Eco Plus, that is the Merak Eco with the Menabo Merak extension kit, carries 3 bikes, with the same limit of 25 kg per bike.

Can I carry an electric bike on the Menabo Merak Eco?

Yes, the Menabo Merak Eco and Merak Eco Plus are compatible with e-bikes, within the limit of 25 kg per bike. The rack is not compatible with fat bikes, so for very wide tyres you need a different model.

What does my car need for me to fit the Menabo Merak Eco?

For the Menabo Merak Eco the car needs a towbar, with the rack bolted onto its tow ball, and a working electrical socket for the rack's rear lights through the 13/7-pin plug. We also describe the steps for fitting a bolt-on rack to the towbar in the article M-Way FoxHound, a towbar bike rack.

Does the Menabo Merak Eco rack tilt so I can open the boot?

No, according to the product page, the Menabo Merak Eco and Merak Eco Plus have no tilting function. Keep this in mind if you often need the boot while the bikes are on the rack.

We are waiting for you in the showroom

You can see the Menabo Merak Eco in real life, and we can check your car's towbar together, in the SuportBicicleta.ro showroom at Drumul Lunca Corbului 2, Sector 3, Bucharest, Romania. All towbar bike racks and the rest of the bike racks are on the site, and for questions you can reach us through contact us through our contact page or at [email protected].

You can also message us on WhatsApp.

Sources: SuportBicicleta.ro guide: M-Way FoxHound, towbar-mounted bike rack · product pages on suportbicicleta.ro