Sorry to raise the subject of cycle carriers again but having read many posts I still couldn't Find what I wanted.

Question.
Iis it posible to have a basic rear cycle rack that isn't also a towbar ?

I don't have a trailer and will never ever use a towbar for towing !
My cycle weighs 20kg and I have a duff left arm so the roof is a non starter. http://www.cube.eu/media_ftp/BIKE_Bilder_2015/664200/664200_zoom.jpg
Yes I know that's cheating just like wearing spectacles for bad eyes is cheating lol.
I used a boot mounted carrier on my Mini but now I have the panda, I see its not recomended.

In a perfect world some bright spark could come up with a simple solution similar to this one mounted on a Smart Cars tow eye points.



What do we think folks, do I have my head in the clouds or is this doable.

Carl05 said:

In a perfect world some bright spark could come up with a simple solution similar to this one mounted on a Smart Cars tow eye points.

What do we think folks, do I have my head in the clouds or is this doable.

Click to expand...

I don't think it's doable.

There's only one towing eye point and the bumper is too fragile to carry the load of a cycle rack.

If I were doing this, I'd want to attach to a solid part of the rear structure in the same way as attaching a towbar.

A shame, as the only other practical alternative is to fold the rear seat & take off both wheels.

With a tow bar mounted rack wouldn't you be able to fit it without the actual tow bar and then just bolt on the bike rack.

Yes Klu01dbt that the way it's looking to me.
Probably fit a crossmember from a removable tow bar kit and make a removable cycle mount. Keeping it as low as possible my bike shouldn't obscure thr rear lights and I'll only need to fit a second number plate on the carrier.
I was just hoping someone had an easier solution.
I pick the car up on Monday, but as it's not realy cycling weather there's no rush to get it done straight away

Carl05 said:

I used a boot mounted carrier on my Mini but now I have the panda, I see its not recomended.

Click to expand...

Hi where did you see that a boot mounted one isn't recommended?
I was going to go for the saris bone 2 or 3....

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/saris/bones-3-bike-rack-ec005810

And as for not cycling weather.......isn't it just a case of #rule 5

I used a boot mounted carrier on my Mini but now I have the panda, I see its not recomended.
Hi where did you see that a boot mounted one isn't recommended?
I was going to go for the saris bone 2 or 3....

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/...-rack-ec005810

And as for not cycling weather.......isn't it just a case of #rule 5

Click to expand...

For the first bit, "boot mounted rack not recommend" somewhere in one of the many pages on this forum I read that panda boot hinges are not strong enough to take the weight of a loaded cycle rack, a risk for a 20kg bike !

Second bit, I cycle all year round but in the winter it's local rides of 20 to 30 miles.
In the summer I'll take my bike further afield to explore new countryside.

PS what's rule 5 ?
I know there's a cycling rule somewhere that says cyclists should measure all rides in kilometres so It sound like they've gone further LOL

Carl05 said:

For the first bit, "boot mounted rack not recommend" somewhere in one of the many pages on this forum I read that panda boot hinges are not strong enough to take the weight of a loaded cycle rack, a risk for a 20kg

Click to expand...

Really, I know the gas struts struggle with the extra weight. (You could get stronger ones) but I'm surprised the hinges can't cope. I'll do some research.

Enjoy your biking!

I've been looking for the week hinge quote again but can't find it !
I suppose if a rack manufacture says its suited to a particular vehicle the must know it works or risk prosecution if one should fail.
I'm now looking at this option myself

We've just got three family bikes and needed a cycle rack that would fit the Panda and my wife's VW Passat. We got the Saris Bones 3 bike rack and it's fabulous on both cars. I'll post pics of it on my Panda 1.2 Lounge (can't use a top rack as mine has the sunroof option). Here is a pic that Saris sent me when I asked them if it would fit okay.

samol said:

Hi where did you see that a boot mounted one isn't recommended?
I was going to go for the saris bone 2 or 3....

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/saris/bones-3-bike-rack-ec005810

And as for not cycling weather.......isn't it just a case of #rule 5

Click to expand...

The Saris Bones is the one rear rack I was thinking of. It's had some good write ups on cycling forums and although I've got an older Panda I wouldn't have worried about the weight.

I presume 20kg includes the weight of the rack as my Bianchi hybrid is quite heavy but still only comes in at 12kg

I still haven't goten around to buying a carrier yet.
So far since owning my panda I haven't needed To move my bike around (still cycling localy) but when I do get a carrier, I don't want to obscure the lights or number plate. Im thinking, a towbar & towbar rack may be low enough for my bike not to block my lights, but that's not a cheep solution.

Now with the mention of saris carriers I did a little browsing and found the
Saris Grand Fondo 2, again not cheep for a boot rack (£155) but it dose address my concerns regarding lights & plate
https://www.saris.com/product/gran-fondo
I've never seen one in the flesh but most of the reviews are good, I just need to find a local stockist

From what I've seen on forums and in magazines one of the best hitch racks is made by Thule which is, yup you've guessed it, expensive. It does have one useful extra feature (maybe others do as well) in that it will hinge backwards so you can still get at some of your luggage.

The disadvantage of that kind of rack is that if you don't have a trailer then you're spending a lot of dosh for just one purpose. If you had a caravan or boat then it makes a lot more sense.