Bikeracks
Rich25
Posts: 231
Does anyone own or know if I can fit one onto my seat leon. I taking the missus away on a trip to wales in a couple of months and dont fancy putting two in the back with all our bags
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A rack for the back or a rack for the roof?
Both should be ok.
Joe.0 -
depends if you have a boot spoiler. i've got a thule that goes on my golf. however my mate who has a civic can't have one due to small spoiler.0
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yeah a rear one. Here is a pic of my model of leon so you can see what I mean. There is a small lip but its hardly a spoiler.
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/ww ... =8521988020 -
I'd go for a roof rack + carrier every time.
Joe.0 -
Joe_Pineapples wrote:I'd go for a roof rack + carrier every time.
Joe.
I'm not sure, ive never really liked the idea of my bike stood up on my roof. This is probably my ignorance of them more than anything though.0 -
Trust me, it's for the best.
It's SOOOOO easy to transport the bikes on the roof.
They are secure, the rack doesn't wreck your paintwork, they don't shimmy from side to side in the wind, you can carry 4, etc etc.
Get a cheap roof rack on ebay and then a decent bike carrier (or two), something like the Mont Blanc Barracuda (I use this) or the Thule ProRide.
It's the future!
Joe.0 -
FWIW if the spoiler is plastic, avoid the Saris Bones. Although it carries most of the weight on the top of the bumper, the Bones relies on a straight path from the upper edge of the tailgate to get it tensioned properly. If the straps have to go over a plastic spoiler, tightening them up just bends the spoiler.Rich25 wrote:yeah a rear one. Here is a pic of my model of leon so you can see what I mean. There is a small lip but its hardly a spoiler.0 -
cheers for that0
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Rich25 wrote:yeah a rear one. Here is a pic of my model of leon so you can see what I mean. There is a small lip but its hardly a spoiler.
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/ww ... =852198802
yes thats similar to what my mates civic is like. i wouldn't go with a boot one if i was you. roof it all the way0 -
Roof has a bigger impact on economy though doesn't it?Uncompromising extremist0
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Northwind wrote:Roof has a bigger impact on economy though doesn't it?
i always thought roof was better for mpg. with my boot rack (and it is a high boot rack) and 2 bikes, i get 30 mpg on the m'way. on a normal run with no bikes or rack. i get 50+
so mine rack really makes a big difference0 -
Fair enough then, I don't drive but it used to be the total accepted wisdom.Uncompromising extremist0
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What's your budget?
If you've got a bit of money to play with, I'd definitely recommend a tow bar and rack to go with it (such as a Thule).
Rock solid and out of the way behind the car, so you know you won't drive under any height barriers or low trees by mistake.0 -
i may well be worng. maybe someone with a roof rack will comment0
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I looked at getting a towbar and towbar mounted rack, but because of the rear bumper style on my new shape Leon FR, it would've involved a cut in the bumper.
I went for a Thule roof rack and carrier. I wouldn't risk a boot mounted carrier with my boot spoiler, and when I used to use a boot mounted carrier on my old car, I was never very confident about it.
Just don't drive under low bridges or height restriction barriers!Boardman Road Comp '08
Spesh FSR XC Expert '080 -
Unlikley, but does anyone know if you can fit a Nissan Micra with a towbar? I've heard that there are some smaller cars, particularly ones from Japanese manufacturers, where you're not legally allowed to fit one because the frame of the car isn't designed to take any towing stress.
I've tried googling an answer, but I just keep finding sites that end up trying to sell me tow bars for different cars!
We've got a cheapish rear mounted rack, but it never feels that secure, and also has the slight downside that despite being described as being able to carry three bikes, can only carry one - normally hubby's bike goes on the back, mine gets taken apart and put in the back. I know roof racks are supposed to be the best option, but they're very expensive, plus totally impractical for someone who's 5ft 2 and has the upper body strength of a sickly kitten. Plus I'm paranoid about driving under a low bridge/trees...0 -
Funnily enough, I saw a micra towing a trailer today! So it apparently is possible, but there's nothing to say it wasn't a homemade bodge-job!
But towbars are NOT cheap - I think it was about £300 to get one for mine, but as I said earlier, it isn't a straight forward fit for my car - involves a bumper cut. Would probably be a bit cheaper on a micra, but not as cheap as a roof rack.
Surely if you're transporting 2 bikes, your hubby can put them on the roof, and if your on your own you can use the boot carrier?Boardman Road Comp '08
Spesh FSR XC Expert '080 -
Funnily enough, I saw a micra towing a trailer today! So it apparently is possible, but there's nothing to say it wasn't a homemade bodge-job!
But towbars are NOT cheap - I think it was about £300 to get one for mine, but as I said earlier, it isn't a straight forward fit for my car - involves a bumper cut. Would probably be a bit cheaper on a micra, but not as cheap as a roof rack.
Surely if you're transporting 2 bikes, your hubby can put them on the roof, and if your on your own you can use the boot carrier?Boardman Road Comp '08
Spesh FSR XC Expert '080 -
Mrs Toast wrote:
We've got a cheapish rear mounted rack, but it never feels that secure, and also has the slight downside that despite being described as being able to carry three bikes, can only carry one .....
You know it is funny you said that. I brought a Halford rear rack few months ago and its supposed to hold 3 bikes. Last week, I have managed to figure it out by putting second bike other way around and position the pedals around first bike's tyres. And it did worked out well.0 -
What year is your Leon?
If it is 2005- then the best carrier is the Mont blanc Easy Grip or Halfords Advanced Carrier:
www.montblancuk.co.uk/products/cycle/red/blueboot.htm
You will need fitting kit number 2 - the best thing about this carrier is that it is vehicle specific and only takes 5 minutes to fit. You can pick one of these up for £70 - £90.
If you Leon is older that 2005 then the spoiler is going to be a problem. If you put any weight on the spoiler it may break! So you only option will be tow bar mounted or roof mounted. Roof mounted will mean buying roof bars and roof mounted carriers again visit:
www.montblancuk.co.uk
To carry two bikes on the roof you are looking at about £150 - £200 for roof bars and carriers.0 -
Rich25 wrote:I'm not sure, ive never really liked the idea of my bike stood up on my roof. This is probably my ignorance of them more than anything though.
Here's my 5¢ worth on the subject as I own a Golf hatchback and a big bad 4WD and have used both roof and bootlid mountings
By law the bike is not allowed to obstruct the tail lights or number plate. We all flaunt that law - I certainly have on numerous occasions when carrying my bikes on the back of my (old/now gone) BMW 1 Series.
Secondly a hatchback mount is great until you need to get into the boot while the bikes are strapped on to the carrier. The carrier itself needs to be stowed upon your arrival. Leave it on the back of the car and it could be stolen - this has happened to a Forum Member
Nowdays I carry two bikes on the roof of my Land Rover Discovery and it's the best way to transport bikes as they're out of the way and it also stops people from fiddling with the bikes if you're away from the car. (I've heard of a saddle being stolen from a bike on a boot rack) Admittedly I do carry a small aluminium step in the back of the Discovery to reach them
I use the Thule aero bar with the ProRide 591 racks. The roof rack and bike racks are all lockable and you can get a matching key set so everything locks/unlocks with a single key. Another advantage of the Thule rack is that they are compatible with most roof mounted luggage boxes too.
Fitting takes minutes and the convenience of the entire Thule package being lockable gives one peace of mind when it's left on the car while out of sight
The downsides are:
Wind noise, yes bikes whistle away when roof mounted
Fuel consumption, you will burn more fuel whilst carrying anything on the roof (or rear) of the car
Height clearance, you have to take the bikes into consideration when thinking multi-level parking or parking under a tree for shade.
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I would tend to agree with Raymondavalon, roof mounting is the most convenient solution. I have carried bikes some distance using roof racks on various cars and have never had a difficulty. You can easily get into the boot when you want to, and they are out of the way. However, I would suggest you put a shackle lock around the bike if you stop and leave the car unattended, as in a crowded motorway service station a nice bike might just be a bit too tempting for some. Some racks are lockable, but many are not.0
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Looking for roof carrier myself as my Civic appears to prevent me from using the boot carrier. Is it better to have a roof carrier that stands the bike upright on the wheels or upside down (maybe with the wheels removed) as I think I've seen some ?
Only problem is I've read that roof bars are hassle on the Civic, according to this: http://www.civinfo.com/forum/general-discussion/4364-thule-roofrack.html. Even the official Honda bars seem hassle as you have to cut the strips on the roof, they're hard to fit and extremely expensive.
Hmm, maybe a tow bar carrier instead.
Or I see if my boot carrier is okay, but Honda advise against them.0 -
You will have no problem putting two bikes in your boot with luggage.
I have taken three in a Golf with Luggage and bikes to the Alps.
Remove both wheels, saddles/posts and you'll have no problems. I did two full sus bikes in a ford puma with luggage for a week!!
Obviously old blankets or dust sheets to save the cars interior.2002 Ellsworth Isis
1997 Santa Cruz Heckler
1994 Cannondale M900
1992 Specialized Stumpjumper
1988 Marin Pallisades trail0 -
After much research I found that roof bars and a couple of Thule carriers (the 961s mentioned above) were the only option I had for my car and frankly I'm converted....
I take the bars off each time we're not using them, but the whole lot only takes 10 mins to disassemble and 20 seconds to put the bikes / take them off... they're really pretty stable too.
No idea what the impact on fuel economy is as the mpg is low 20's at the best of times anyway...
There is a bit of whistling when you go over 50, but it's not that intrusive... the bars are a fortune though - specific to the car and would have cost over £300 if I hadn't had them thrown in when I bought the thing...
Gets a few odd looks having two mountain bikes on top of a 911 but there you go!0
