Racks for an Estate

danhx

I've got a bit fed up of throwing dust sheets and messing about trying to keep the inside of my car clean when putting the bike in after a ride, so can anyone recommend a decent but cheap rear carrier to fit my Focus estate? It will only be for short journeys until I'm fit enough to cycle upto the moors, do my ride then cycle back (approx. 6 miles each way to get to some paths). As I prefer doing the muddy bits over road cycling driving up is best for me atm. Anywhere further afield and I'd probably just throw it in the back (stops anything bad happening like it falling off on the mway!)

OllyUK

http://www.pendle-bike.co.uk/

Pendle makes good racks. Do you have a tow bar? Cos I use this:
http://www.pendle-bike.co.uk/nulldet.as ... Bar%20Rack

Its very quick and easy to remove/install and feels secure.

Edit: Has anyone got experience of putting a rack on a small car. ie a Ford KA?

mattsv

Another vote for Pendle - I have taken 4 bikes to the south of France a couple of times with mine, solid as a rock. It doesn't even bend with me hanging off it - I weigh about 85kgs!.

Very quick and easy to mount once you have the bracket attached to the towbar - just drop the two arms in and connect the securing clip - sorted.

danhx

Ok I'll look into fitting a tow bar.

Did have one that was ready to go on my previous car but managed to roll it over christmas. Anyone know some rough costs on fitting a boggo tow bar? (dont intend to tow much)

littleandy0410

I've been considering this option too, but tow bars seem quite expensive to have professionally fitted. You can buy the kit from ebay for around £70-80, but then fitting (and wiring in the electrics) is not an easy job to do at home.

Oh, and Halfrauds sell a Thule equivalent of the pendle rack:http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_172555_langId_-1_CarSelectorCatalogId__CarSelectorGroupId__varient__categoryId_38306_crumb_33980-31500_parentcategoryrn_38306