General biycle carrier
- Thread starter tufty
- Start date
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General biycle carrier
no they are all rubbish and persudo illegal if you take it to the nth degree as they do not attach to a load baring part of the car with a rate-able value 
eg roof rack can take say 50kg and the D limit on a tow ball is 70kg (not exact figures)
you could still go roof mounted with a Thule pro 951 ride its tightened at roof level
or get a tow bar on that way you have a secure mount and can put the rack on the towball and have the wiring for a light board
eg roof rack can take say 50kg and the D limit on a tow ball is 70kg (not exact figures)
you could still go roof mounted with a Thule pro 951 ride its tightened at roof level
or get a tow bar on that way you have a secure mount and can put the rack on the towball and have the wiring for a light board
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While I haven't got one for my Evo yet (Luckily we throw the mountain bikes on my friends car!)
I don't like roof rack ones (personal phobia of £3000 worth of mountain bike fully open to the elements & crashing down the motorway)
The boot ones are ok but can be an absolute bastard to put on, and like the above has said, questionable about weight etc but they are a cheap/easy option if your just taking a few cheap bikes to the seaside once in awhile.
My favourite one is the tow-bar by a country mile, you know its secure, the bikes are sooo easy to put on, and its very quick/easy to attach & detach and you can quite easily throw additional chains/straps etc onto it to further secure the load if your really worried.
But, that means getting a tow bar fitted which in my experience has never been cheap & the cost of the rack which can add up depending on what your after (simple like above, or something where the wheels can lock in etc)... but if your a regular cyclist and have a bike or two of real value just bite the bullet and get one fitted cause you'll never regret it.
I don't like roof rack ones (personal phobia of £3000 worth of mountain bike fully open to the elements & crashing down the motorway)
The boot ones are ok but can be an absolute bastard to put on, and like the above has said, questionable about weight etc but they are a cheap/easy option if your just taking a few cheap bikes to the seaside once in awhile.
My favourite one is the tow-bar by a country mile, you know its secure, the bikes are sooo easy to put on, and its very quick/easy to attach & detach and you can quite easily throw additional chains/straps etc onto it to further secure the load if your really worried.
But, that means getting a tow bar fitted which in my experience has never been cheap & the cost of the rack which can add up depending on what your after (simple like above, or something where the wheels can lock in etc)... but if your a regular cyclist and have a bike or two of real value just bite the bullet and get one fitted cause you'll never regret it.
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One thing with a rear rack is if some dopey idiot runs up the back of you at a set of lights it's good bye bike least on the roof they are safe unless you encounter a car park height bar......
Tow bars to buy stand at about 100 quid and fit in about an hour with 6 bolts
The electrics are a bit more fiddley
Tow bars to buy stand at about 100 quid and fit in about an hour with 6 bolts
The electrics are a bit more fiddley
True, although if a dopey plank went into the back of you i'm sure that'd mean his fault / his insurance
if he/ she had insurance
Remember reading an article in some cycle forum that they found roof racks are more fuel efficient than rear racks! that and you can also get into your boot even when the bikes are on the car
both will cost the same my thule rack alone cost £130 ish then add the cycle carrier at £50 - £100 each
Remember reading an article in some cycle forum that they found roof racks are more fuel efficient than rear racks! that and you can also get into your boot even when the bikes are on the car
both will cost the same my thule rack alone cost £130 ish then add the cycle carrier at £50 - £100 each
Opening the boot is certainly a plus, but yikes, having the £££ in bikes hanging onto the roof open motorway speeds etc scares me to death
Also don't roof bars scratch the roof etc?
Also don't roof bars scratch the roof etc?
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If you leave the roof bars in place a long time muck does get under the foot pads and mars the surface but then again strap on racks do far more damage
i have a thule tow bar mount bike rack its great intergrated light board so not cobering lights or number plate can carry 3 bikes and its tiltable so u can still open boot think it was about 120 from halfords last year.
paul100hp
Member
Opening the boot is certainly a plus, but yikes, having the £££ in bikes hanging onto the roof open motorway speeds etc scares me to death
Also don't roof bars scratch the roof etc?
I've used a Thule Roof 591 rack for nearly two years. I was crapping myself the first time i used it, I was sure i could here the bike moving around and i was stopping every other mile to check it but of course it was all ok. All my mates use them and Ive never heard of anyone having any issues with them. My Hardtail is worth about £1500 i guess to replace and i would never put it on a tow bar mount or a chepo back rack. It only takes a muppet van driver to go into you and your bikes a gonner and ive seen bikes fall of chepo bike racks.
If your a short arse like me you could get one of those fold up stools from Argos, it gives you another 12 inches in height, makes it easier to lift the bike up.