Hi !

Can anyone recommend the best cycle rack for my Multipla, please?

Also, I don't have a tow bar, so how do I wire up a number plate and lights board for the back if I use a rack?

Many thanks

Sunny Brighton!

Hi welcome to the forum
you can just have a socket for the light board bolt it under the car some where, it will come with wireing instructions, i did the sane to a volvo i once had. Glad you are getting the light board so many people dont bother.
sorry i cant help with the type of rack as ive never had a multipla.

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Thanks! I didn't know about putting a socket under the car .... will get that sorted!

I love my Multipla We got one by accident as a car rental, and found that my daughter, who is renowned for not feeling well in cars, didn't feel sick once! It is fantastic to drive, my 2 kids love it, and also love that they can each take a friend! Now we'd like to be able to take the bikes too!



Multipla JTD 105 ELX W/2000

Saris Bones. I've used this rack on my Multipla, Cinquecento and Punto. It fits the Multipla well without contact to the rear screen or hindering the rear wash/wipe. I also think it looks rather smart (for a bike rack).

http://www.wilstow.co.uk/sarisbones.html

That looks cool - thank you!

Does the Saris require you to have a lighting bar? I am looking to mount 2 adult & one child bike on the Multipla and not have a light bar, any suggestions?

Hi :wave:

Yeah I think that rack will block the lights and maybe the number plate. Anyway not having a lighting board just gives the police an excuse to stop you Id get a system for the roof of the car, im sure Fiat will sell the roof bars and mounting feet and then you can buy some bike racks from Halfords or wherever. This just gets the bikes out of the way, youve got access to the boot and no need for a lighting board but you just have to remember about height restrictions I had a close call with one!

Thanks WRP, but I don't think I could reach to put bikes on top of a Multipla! Could manage it on the Mondeo when I was younger but now looking for a tailgate or even internal solution. Going to spend some time on it this weekend

Thats a good point! I forgot the Multi was quite tall. My Dad had a Nissan Terrano 4x4 with bike roof racks and he had to carry ladders around to mount them and take them off.

How about a high mounting bike rack for the rear? They would be above lights/numberplate then Like this one -

http://www.roofrackshop.co.uk/bike/thule-973-backpac-bike-carrier.htm

Bit pricey though.........(and just read it only carries two bikes )

Hi there

I'm also looking for a bike rack for a multipla (old style model) and have been told Fiat say no rear mounts are suitable and that you must use roof mount or towball.

Also all the main manufacturers - Thule, pendle etc - say that their carriers aren't okay for multipla's.

As I don't have any other use for a towball I really don't want to add £200+ to the price of getting my bikes around. I don't really want a roof mount just because of the height issue.

Is this just Fiat/rack manufacturers being overcautious or should I really not get a rack like saris bones.

Any advice greatly received!

Thanks

adee

Hi adeL

Hmmm not sure. Pop in at Halfords and see if they will let you try fitting a rack on the car, if they might get a sale out of it im sure they wont complain

Re roof mounted rack - Is the height issue really that important?! I think the good things outweigh the bad. And you could always lower the car

Looks like we are going for the tow bar solution. Tried the £30 Paddy Hopkirk from Argos yesterday and there is now way that is going to work. We would be picking up bikes from the road after a few miles. Like the look of the Thule 9403 at £100 from Halfords, comes complete with built in lighting board. Getting quotes for tow bars now.

Fiat Driver said:

Looks like we are going for the tow bar solution. Tried the £30 Paddy Hopkirk from Argos yesterday and there is now way that is going to work. We would be picking up bikes from the road after a few miles. Like the look of the Thule 9403 at £100 from Halfords, comes complete with built in lighting board. Getting quotes for tow bars now.

Click to expand...

Fiat main dealer is fitting a Witter swan neck tow bar and electrics for £200 inc VAT. Plus another £100 for the rack means a £300 spend to cart the bikes around - but the Multi stays in good condition

Will post some photos when it is done

Thats pricey!! But as long as it does the job properly you dont mind paying Looks like a good rack anyway.

wolfracepunto said:

Thats pricey!! But as long as it does the job properly you dont mind paying Looks like a good rack anyway.

Click to expand...

We have looked at racks from £30 to £90 so £100 is not too bad in the scheme of things. Whatever rack we end up with we would have had to pay £13 for the lighting kit and fit it, £20 for the lighting board and another £15 for a number plater. At least this is 'all in' with the £300 and I don't get my hands dirty other than assembling the cycle rack. Still hoping to get the cycle rack for less than £100 by negotiating with the manager....watch this space

The tow bar and electrics are now fitted and looking good. Next stop Halfords to get a discounted rack to mount on it. Photographs coming soon...

Thule 9403 from Halfords: list price £130, thier price £100 - how much did we pay (with free fitting) - £49.99. Another piece of superb negotiationby Mrs Fiat Driver.

Halfords Horsham, you have to love them. Just need to get a number plate now...

See attached pictures of a successful bike rack for the Multipla. It takes about tem minutes to fit the rack on the tow bar and another ten to load up the bikes

it this the one that tilts? if so, does it give enough clearance for multipla boot?
How have you got on with it since fitting etc
thanks

ok, just checked date of previous posts - guess its a while now, so people may still not be around. However for anyone interested, i built up a Thule 9503 on Wednesday and am getting a tow bar fitted today.
£175 for tow bar & £140 ish for rack.