Technical Bike rack for Multipla
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Technical Bike rack for Multipla
This summer I've bought a small collection of bike racks in an attempt to get something suitable that I can fix on my trailer which has plastic lid (and so a profile like a rounded car boot). IMHO the best type of rack is the wheel support type - more adaptable to different wheelbases/frame size and shape (e.g Y frames) and holds the bikes firmly apart compared to the hang on type with arms that go under the bike crossbar.
Of course, as I have a trailer I already have a towbar (a swan neck type) so i've settled on a towball mounted wheel support rack from Thule - not the cheapest option, but not bought new.
When I was researching the subject I found a few opinions that the rear panel of the Multipla (below the rear window) would flex too much either for its own good or the good of a strap on bike rack - which I can believe.
If I was starting from scratch I'd probably go for a towbar with a conventional bolt on type towball and get a wheel support rack that fixes to the towball bolts.
Of course, as I have a trailer I already have a towbar (a swan neck type) so i've settled on a towball mounted wheel support rack from Thule - not the cheapest option, but not bought new.
When I was researching the subject I found a few opinions that the rear panel of the Multipla (below the rear window) would flex too much either for its own good or the good of a strap on bike rack - which I can believe.
If I was starting from scratch I'd probably go for a towbar with a conventional bolt on type towball and get a wheel support rack that fixes to the towball bolts.
I bought a Paddy Hopkirk one from ALDI for £25 and it carries my bike and two kids bikes with ease on the back of the Multi. You just clip the straps inside the hatchback door and tighten them when it is closed.
I'm sure you will get something suitable in Halfrauds or similar motor factors.
David.
I'm sure you will get something suitable in Halfrauds or similar motor factors.
David.
If you do go for the Halfords strap on type, then as c&m suggests search out a Paddy Hopkirk version, they are the same as the Halfords ones apart from different shaped knobs and bits
and 10 or 15 quid cheaper if you get them from Argos or Aldi.
and 10 or 15 quid cheaper if you get them from Argos or Aldi.PlanetPD
New member
Hello
Since the last posting on this subject was June 2006, has anyone since found a rear bike carrier suitable for a Multipla?
Preferably one for 4 bikes, but I suspect 3 is all I can hope for, if any.
Thanks
Since the last posting on this subject was June 2006, has anyone since found a rear bike carrier suitable for a Multipla?
Preferably one for 4 bikes, but I suspect 3 is all I can hope for, if any.
Thanks
I looked into this for a long time over the winter. There was a post on here saying that Fiat do not recommend a rear mounted bike rack and after trying an older rear mounted one I had I can see why. In the end I decided on a towbar which will come in handy for trailers as well, and got the Thule towbar mounted one in Halfords, currently a third off. Very pleased with the result.
Dear all,
I'm interested in this - I have an first-style Multipla and am in France. I looked today for a bike carrier (no towbar type) and was surprised that all said not for Multipla. It was looking like it'd have to be a towbar option - prohibitively expensive. I've roof bars fitted so that's an option but for hols I want the roof box on. Any other details on the Paddy Hopkirk model or others? I'd guess it's a standard OEM-type device so probably available here (found a Norauto [Super] Rider [High] and was tempted to try it).
Thx in advance
Richard
I'm interested in this - I have an first-style Multipla and am in France. I looked today for a bike carrier (no towbar type) and was surprised that all said not for Multipla. It was looking like it'd have to be a towbar option - prohibitively expensive. I've roof bars fitted so that's an option but for hols I want the roof box on. Any other details on the Paddy Hopkirk model or others? I'd guess it's a standard OEM-type device so probably available here (found a Norauto [Super] Rider [High] and was tempted to try it).
Thx in advance
Richard
I bought a bog standard 3 bike rear mounted carrier from halfords a few years ago for the mondeo est I had at the time.When I got the multi I just transferred it to that....no problems,whether or not Fiat recommend a rear carrier mine works fine.
Muddyfox_courier
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What you want to do though is get an additional luggage strap ,the buckle ones with a hook on each end are good.With the bootlid up pass it around the hinges and onto the roof .When you close the boot lid and put on the bike rack you will have an extra means of securing it to the car ,not just the hooky clip things.I also slip on a length of inner tube on this to prevent chafing.A belt and braces approach ,you might say.
oh ,also ,the hooks that go under the bootlid at the bottom.Just hold them in place with a bit of gaffer tape.on the inside,you wont see it.These can also unhook. Not disastrous ,but the rack becomes unstable as the weight 'settles'.
I do all this because i once saw a bike rack hooky strap thing snap on the M67. You will be surprised how high a mountainbike will bounce at 70 mph.
I also do this because my bike is worth more than my car . Hmmm
oh ,also ,the hooks that go under the bootlid at the bottom.Just hold them in place with a bit of gaffer tape.on the inside,you wont see it.These can also unhook. Not disastrous ,but the rack becomes unstable as the weight 'settles'.
I do all this because i once saw a bike rack hooky strap thing snap on the M67. You will be surprised how high a mountainbike will bounce at 70 mph.
I also do this because my bike is worth more than my car . Hmmm
Zundapp
Member
On German tv some time ago I watched an ADAC test of various types of bike rack. On the slalom test, the hatch mounted rack and bike came off almost immediately. The roof mounted version lasted about two seconds longer, and the only one to stay in place was the towbar fitted rack.
A couple of years ago I witnessed a hatch fitting bike rack with three bikes on it come adrift on a busy bit of the M6. Very scary and it caused a lot of collateral damage to other vehicles.
My bike rack fits on the towbar - thank goodness!
A couple of years ago I witnessed a hatch fitting bike rack with three bikes on it come adrift on a busy bit of the M6. Very scary and it caused a lot of collateral damage to other vehicles.
My bike rack fits on the towbar - thank goodness!
