Bike rack for Ford Focus

curium

Hi I'm hoping to bring my Specialized Tricross Sport with me to the South of France this summer so will need to fit a bike rack to my Ford Focus.

I've never used one before so have no idea about the different types, how they fit to the car and how secure they are.

Can anyone give me an overview and make a recommendation?

Cheers!

Pross

There's basically 3 types:-

1. Roof fitting - these are basically standard roof bars with fittings that hold the bike and you can get them that hold the fully assembled bike either on its wheels or on the saddle and bars upside down or you may have to take the front wheel off. In my experience they are secure providing you tighten everything properly!

2. Boot racks - these are probably the most common these days and in my experience are fairly secure on hatchbacks so should be fine on a Focus. If you go for this type spend time making sure it is set up properly and they can slide around if not. However, you would need to ensure that when the bikes are mounted on the rack they don't cover your lights or number plate. If they do you will either need a trailer light board (requires electrical fitting etc.) or to take off the wheels and put them in the car.

3. Toe ball mounted - I haven't used one but assume they would be secure. You would need a toe ball and associated electrics so would be expensive if you don't already have them.

Mike67

Hi

Just a word of warning about Ford and rear mounted racks.

I have the new model Mondeo Estate and unbeknown to me the bottom half of the tailgate is not metal (some kind of plastic I think).
Only realised when my magnetic GB plate wouldn't stick
This means I could not mount a tail rack either as it would rest on this non-supportive part of the bodywork.
I then went for a roof system instead.

You don't say which model Focus you have but worth checking this out first.

keef66

@ Pross: I'm hoping you mean tow ball!

Cheapest option would be a high level boot mounted rack, so you don't obscure lights / number plate.

On second thoughts, the rear lights on a Focus are fairly high, so you might still need to whip the wheels off.

Quite tricky opening the tailgate with the rack / bike attached.

Roof rack is dearer but less hassle, but will increase your fuel consumption significantly unless you drive like a pensioner

Pross

keef66 wrote:

@ Pross: I'm hoping you mean tow ball!

Cheapest option would be a high level boot mounted rack, so you don't obscure lights / number plate.

On second thoughts, the rear lights on a Focus are fairly high, so you might still need to whip the wheels off.

Quite tricky opening the tailgate with the rack / bike attached.

Roof rack is dearer but less hassle, but will increase your fuel consumption significantly unless you drive like a pensioner

Oops, can't believe I wrote that once let alone twice :oops: I think it may have been Freudian in relation to a special type of club