Help please - towbar-mounted bike racks.

unclemalc

Good people - anyone have a recommendation for a good quality towbar-mounted bike rack, for ball-shaped towbars (as opposed to the swan-necked type). I have a different car and it isn't happy with a load of bikes strapped across the rear window... :?

heavymental

The Thule ones are good. Used one this summer and it was solid.

unclemalc

Is this the one that sort of clips over both sides of the ball?
Saw some pics of it and wondered how the weight was held up as there didn't appear to be any retaing strappage...

heavymental

Not sure as it was a friends but it was very solid and easy to load and secure the bikes. I think it just fitted over the ball and then you tighten a screw to hold it on. Think it cost him £100 and that came with a light board. Didn't have any troubles on a total mileage of about 1300k

unclemalc

Thanks for that Sir - will see if I can borrow one....

hammerite

I was in the same market last month, and got a Thule Euroway. I've been to France and back with it on, and various places in the country and it's been excellent, the thing doesn't move and neither do the bikes (unless you go too fast, or on a road that is too bumpy).

It's one of these - http://www.bikerackshop.co.uk/thule-947-bike-carrier-racks.htm

and I got it from here: http://www.roofbox.co.uk/

El Gordo

The Pendle one is a quality bit of engineering. The mounting bracket is permanently bolted behind the ball and then the rack just slots in and out. It's rock solid all steel construction but does cost £180!!

unclemalc

Thanks for this - like the Pendles, although one of my bikes is a heavy beat and make be too much for the recommended weights.
I supose you get what you pay for, like anything else.