looking for a bike rack for the car..whats decent ?

accrington guy
accrington guy Posts: 182
edited April 2009 in MTB buying advice
I am in the market for a bike rack, now I dont want to run to halfrauds and get the first one they offer so I am asking the faithfull on here...

whats pretty decent out there for a couple of decent bikes..

1.are there any specific types to avoid?

2.are the bikes only held on by a strap? and by that I mean could it be nicked easily and if so is there a lockable rack?

3. is there anything I should look for when buying one?

thanks in advance guys.. :P

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    how do you want it to attach to the car?

    back door/tailgate?
    Towbar?
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • nealgs
    nealgs Posts: 44
    What vehicle are you putting it on?

    If going for a towbar mounted one, then well worth checking out Maxxraxx one (www.maxxraxx.co.uk).

    We have had one for 3yrs or so, did a 1200 miles trip without any problem, with 4 bikes on (albeit strapped to a Landrover discovery) - but service is excellent.

    There are plenty of other designs, and prices out there too

    Gary
    Claud Butler - Olympus D2 :)
  • landranger
    landranger Posts: 220
    I've got an Avenir Vermont. I have a saloon and it works great for me strapped to the boot of my 406. It carries 3 bikes and has arms that clamp them in place as well as straps - just in case I guess!
    Steady as a rock it is but - about a hundred quid.

    http://www.bikes123.com/products.php?pl ... mode=print
    Sink the eight ball. Buy the lady a drink. And nobody knows my name.
  • What mountain bike have a review on different racks this month
  • Cheshley
    Cheshley Posts: 1,448
    Stick 'em on the roof. Thule bars and Mont Blanc Discovery Racks.

    A plan with no faults.
    1998 Marin Hawk Hill
    2008 Specialized FSR XC Comp
    2008 Scott Speedster S30 FB

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  • forgot to mention that its a xsara picasso and it would be going on the back door as there is a large roof box..

    cheers
  • JxL
    JxL Posts: 383
    I have a halfords high boot rack, and it does a decent job!

    £35 from ebay :)
  • wrighty43
    wrighty43 Posts: 44
    whilst on the topic does anyone now a good bike rack that i could use .. i drive an 05 clio (so the old shape) and want a boot mountable one... But when i went to halfrauds they reckon my second bike wont work with conventional bike racks .... what do you guys think and what do you recommend ?
  • Saris bones? Fits most cars so will still be usable when you change cars.
    Newbie with a Felt Q720

    A day where you don't learn something is a waste...
  • Pete-C
    Pete-C Posts: 353
    get a hollywood one - ive had mine for years and other friends have them. simple but sturdy and will fit most cars
    "Its all fun and games till someone gets hurt, then its hilarious"
    Pitch Comp
  • grumsta
    grumsta Posts: 994
    I've got a Saris Bones RS - it was pretty damn expensive but is very confidence inspiring and takes 3 bikes fine.
  • rudedog
    rudedog Posts: 523
    All the boot mounted ones I have seen (apart from Saris bones RS) are only held on by nylon straps - therefore, technically all you would need to steal both bikes would be a pair of scissors :oops: .

    How expensive are your bikes?
  • thanks for all the replys guys.. I think I will go for the saris bones one.. :wink:
  • supermonkey
    supermonkey Posts: 315
    Thule Clipon High
  • thanks for all the replys guys.. I think I will go for the saris bones one.. :wink:

    The bones is held on by straps too! I can vouch for the Hollywood, who will recommend a rack based on your car:

    http://www.hollywoodracks.com/
  • jairaj
    jairaj Posts: 3,009
    I might jump onto this thread too ...

    Does any one know how easy it is to wire up the plug for a lighting board. I know how to solder and do most DIY jobs around the house and fix stuff on the bike, so would like to save money and do it my self. many thanks in advance.
  • fwb2006
    fwb2006 Posts: 212
    Thule clip high too, with the metal 'straps' a winner
  • grumsta
    grumsta Posts: 994
    thanks for all the replys guys.. I think I will go for the saris bones one.. :wink:

    The bones is held on by straps too! I can vouch for the Hollywood, who will recommend a rack based on your car:

    http://www.hollywoodracks.com/

    My Saris Bones RS is held on by straps with a steel core on a ratchet mechanism. I'm sure they could still be cut off but not with a regular knife or scissors.
  • evo3ben
    evo3ben Posts: 552
    I have just changed my car so need a new rack. I now have a 2004 Freelander so a spare wheel rack is needed. The spare wheel is offset to the right of the tail gate so adjustability is needed. The three i have seen decent so far:

    Hollywood Racks SR1 Spare Tyre 2 Cycle Rack
    Avenir Ohio 2 Bike Spare Tyre Rack
    Avenir Idaho 2 Bike Spare Tyre Rack

    Any thoughts or someone used one?
  • BeardedDave
    BeardedDave Posts: 1,977
    This is quite a helpful topic. :) Just bought a new (to me) VW Polo that I'm picking up on monday. I've always slung my bike inside the car before but it would be useful to have a rack, as I now have a dog who will be travelling in the boot sometimes. Question is, as I don't have a towbar and can't really afford to fit one, do the boot mounted racks allow you to still open your boot?
    East Anglia Biking Collective!
    http://www.easternbikemonkeys.co.uk/forum/
  • canada16
    canada16 Posts: 2,360
    Found one in tesco for 19.95.

    Looked ok, but hey who knows, I was thinking of buying it.

    I thinks a rear for hatch or saloon
  • grumsta
    grumsta Posts: 994
    You can still open the boot with my Saris Bones RS - think some strap to the bottom of the car though.
  • waddlie
    waddlie Posts: 542
    I have a MontBlanc Easygrip S2. Is a bit pricey but no nylon straps to be seen and its so secure it's like welding the bikes to the back of the car. The bikes sit high up so you need to be careful with height restrictions but you don't need a lighting or reg plate board. Highly recommended.
    Rules are for fools.
  • ski-freak
    ski-freak Posts: 121
    Thought i'd also jump on this topic, looking for a bike rack to fit on my new punto (08 reg). looking for a boot mounted rack not a tow bar or roof rack. any ideas? any with a punto can recommend one?
  • BeardedDave
    BeardedDave Posts: 1,977
    After a bit of looking about, I've ended up ordering a Thule 9103, from these people: http://www.roofbox.co.uk Pretty handy website, as you can put in the make and model of your car and it will tell you what racks they have that will fit.
    East Anglia Biking Collective!
    http://www.easternbikemonkeys.co.uk/forum/
  • weeksy59
    weeksy59 Posts: 2,606
    After a bit of looking about, I've ended up ordering a Thule 9103, from these people: http://www.roofbox.co.uk Pretty handy website, as you can put in the make and model of your car and it will tell you what racks they have that will fit.

    Top link mate :) nice one.
  • turbodog
    turbodog Posts: 246
    I have ordered thule roof rack and bike carrier from http://www.roofracks.co.uk and they provided free one key matching lock system as part of the package. The delivery is quick too.