Hi all

New to the forum and Panda ownership. Loving it.
I'm a looking to get a bike carrier for 2 or 3 bikes. I have no tow bar and from reading the forum a roof mounting system rather than strapping to the boot seems a better job....?

But I live in the Netherlands and the bikes I carry are proper Dutch, about 24KG each, and my question is how easy is it to throw a Dutch bike on the roof. My guess is dam annoying.

I would prefer a boot mounted option for this reason. Anyone else carry heavier then average bikes in this way or can recommend a particular system they have used/use.

Wow, 24kg bikes!
I ride a 9kg road bike, probably a bit heavier now as it has a rack and panniers.
Pandas are taller than average and lifting 24kg bikes on the roof would be difficult. Then, with the weight of the roof carrier, you could easily exceed the 70kg weight limit.
On the other hand, I would not like to hang 48 or even 72kg on the tailgate of the Panda, as it is not a very strong structure as it is.
If you must keep those bikes, God help you, then you will need a towbar.

Agreed, for this weight you need a towbar solution.

24kg bicycles? I would also recommend a tow bar...

...and a trailer!

Isn't there a weight limit for tow bars? I used to own a caravan and most cars have a maximum nose weight of around 70 kgs. No idea what the weight limit is for a panda.

Thanks for the replies, Ya good old-fashioned dutch bikes are built to last. Mostly flat in Holland so weight is less of an issue when cycling. Mine weighs 23.5KG and my ladies is a little heavier!

I don't need to carry bikes too often so I can't really justify the expense of fitting a towbar and carrier with lights etc.

If I limit myself to 2 bikes max the roof might be the best solution. It will be a bit more work to get them up there. but I am quite tall...

I've used Thule roofracks before and they fitted directly to the car rather than attaching to rails as is the case with the panda. Any idea how strong/well attached these rails are? I taught roof racks had a 100KG limit? Thule ones anyway...

I've just looked up roof load limit and it is only 50kg, including the roof rack and bike carriers.
I've driven hundreds of miles with a bike on cross bars attached to the roof rails and it's very secure.
I don't see you safely carrying both those bikes on the roof! Can you get one in the car if you take the bike's wheels off?

Thanks doctorchris and all

Maybe a tow bar is the way to go. There are to many issues with roof/backstrap bike carrier systems and weight.

My parents already have a bike carrier for a tow bar with lights etc that I could borrow from time to time.

Will search the forum to see what type of tow bar I can get and cost :yuck:

LeanMeanRacing said:

24kg bicycles?

Click to expand...

.. my bicycle engine would never cope with that!

With bicycles that heavy, no wonder Holland is flat!

I had this in mind:

Ha ha @jrkitching, a two stroke I assume..

@LeanMeanRacing, Nice trailer, Wish I had one of those. Ya flat is good. Have cycled up a few, lets call them hills, and it doesn't go very well. :bang:

In no rush to get sorted whichever type of carrier I go for but will post details here when I do. Thank for the help