Although the MFT Compact 2e+1 is the most favourably priced Bicycle carrier test it comes well equipped out of the box and also aims to impress with customised design and assembly solutions.
When folded, the curved plastic rails form a practical carrying handle. MFT has also dispensed with a protruding bracket for attaching the grippers. Instead, the holding arms can be rotated and swivelled to allow as many mounting options as possible.
Incidentally, the Compact 2e+1 is clamped onto the clutch without an extra lever, but also using a very special system, but more on this later in the test.
Assembly without tools
You can safely leave the toolbox in the garage for the initial assembly. MFT fully pre-assembles the Compact 2e+1 ex works. However, if you already know that your bike has a rather expansive wheelbase or a bulky down tube with an integrated battery, you should also order and convert the optional longer locking straps for the gripper and wheel holder. All you need is a Philips screwdriver.
Bike rack jamming due to pumping
At 17.1 kilos, the MFT is already one of the lighter carriers in the test and transporting it to the car also proves to be quite easy. You grab the Conpact e2+1 by the practical handle in the rail and conveniently lift the bike carrier onto the coupling.
However, you first have to get used to the fastening method. Open the mount, place the carrier slightly offset to the side, engage the lock - the system is not entirely self-explanatory. In order to lock the MFT securely on the coupling, the right-hand rail wing must be swivelled up and down several times.
Good: The sequence of steps for assembly is printed on the bike rack. However, you have to be on the ball, especially when folding, because the rail can only be unlocked for folding once the licence plate has been folded back into the transport position.
Special gripper arm system with joints
MFT has also gone its own way with the mounting system. The articulated grippers are attached to a rod in the centre. If you open the two knobs, they can be moved relatively freely. In itself, the system would allow various mounting positions and the whole thing works quite well when attaching the first bike.
However, attaching the second gripper arm to the second bike in the right position is not always easy. The handling via two twist locks is also impractical and ensures that the grippers themselves are quite unstable and allow a lot of movement even when tightened.
There is good news for bike travellers who want to take their bike with them to Italy on the back of their car. The regulations on labelling with a warning sign have changed. Find out what's new in the transport of two-wheelers here.
Wheel attachment not for racing bikes & children's bikes
The attachment of the wheels to the bike carrier is also special. Bicycles with a short wheelbase, such as racing bikes or children's bikes, cannot be attached at all due to the special design. Very long wheelbases only fit using the optionally available longer locking straps. Although the straps are rubberised to protect the wheels, there is no ratchet function.
Lashing the tyres is rather awkward. What's more, the short rails only allow a small amount of lateral clearance and the tyres quickly tilt during assembly due to the flat rails. Two e-MTBs or bikes with a long wheelbase are difficult to accommodate here.
Workmanship not on a par with the competition
In terms of workmanship, the MFT cannot keep up with the - admittedly sometimes quite expensive - competition. Operating the ratchets is awkward, the quality of the gripper arms is not quite up to scratch and some of the materials are not very appealing.
The MFT scores points with its stylish LED lights, practical carrying handle, small storage dimensions and, of course, its favourable price. Anyone who owns bikes with standard dimensions will also be happy with the MFT. However, if you want to transport bikes of different sizes - especially small or large bikes - you probably won't find a suitable partner here.
MFT Compact 2e+1 bike carrier - Info & price
- Price: 490 Euro
- Weight: 17.1 kg
- Stowage dimension: 73 x 24 x 65 cm
- Rail length / width / spacing: 128.5 / 8.4 / 24 cm
- max. wheelbase / max. tyre width: 130 cm / 4 inch
- max. pipe diameter: 80 mm (longer latching straps optionally available)
- Carrier / bikes lockable: yes / yes
- Equipment: Secured folding mechanism with manual operation; carrier and holding arms lockable; padded holding arms and latching straps; plug holder; swivelling articulated gripper arms
Rating & conclusion MFT Compact 2e+1 bike rack
The compact MFT Compact 2e+1 is easy to transport using the carrying handle. The independent clamping on the coupling and the articulated grippers take some getting used to on this fairly inexpensive bike carrier. Although they allow many positions, they are awkward to handle and not very robust. The MFT can only handle long wheelbases and thick tubes with longer locking straps (optionally available). Gravel bikes are sometimes not possible due to the fixed wheel holders. The rails offer little room for manoeuvre. No ratchet function on the wheel holders, less high-quality workmanship. The MFT does many things differently to most of the competition, but most of the solutions are not better.
Stefan Frey
Editor
