car bike racks

norekon

Hi,

I'd like to ask u an opinion and experience about car rear door/trunk mounted bike racks.
I have recently purchased a Corolla (2006, 3d, hatchback, no spoiler, no towbar) and I'd like to get ready for the season. I haven't decided yet whether I need a rack to be able to take 2 or 3 bikes.
I'm considering at the moment two racks;

A. Saris Bones
http://www.saris.com/p-300-bones-2-bike.aspx
http://www.saris.com/p-299-bones-3-bike.aspx
B. Thule 9105/9106
http://www2.thule.com/Thule/ProductPage____83154.aspx

And these are my questions:

1. Which one is more solid and robust.
2. Which one is smaller (as I'd have to keep it in my room...)
3. Which one is less painful for the car (paint, rear window, bumper, etc.)
4. Will our bikes fit on it?
a. Cannondale Prophet, size L ( http://www.evanscycles.com/products/can ... e-ec016576)
b. Giant Terrago W, size M ( http://www.giant-bicycles.com/EN-GB/bik ... 445/32820/)
c. potentially Marin Pioneer Trail, size M ( http://www.marin.co.uk/2009/bikedetail. ... No=3940-2F)
d. potentially Specialized SX Trail, size L ( http://www.diaryofamountainbiker.co.uk/ ... 2005_1.jpg)
5. Do I need any additional stuff (lights, registration, "weird frame" adapters, etc.)? Is it required by law? How does it look like in practice?
6. How will they work in practice? Let say that I'm considering travelling on average every second weekend up to 300 miles (but normally lest than a 100) with it loaded. Is it workable?
7. Do u have any other suggestions?

Cheers!

GhallTN6

I got this one from Halfords in the sale for 80 quid, ok... I know it's branded halfords, but it's actually made (or designed), by Mont Blank.

It folds up, haven't had any problems with any bike I've put on it, dead easy to put on the car, no extra light box needed. You might want to put a bit of protection where it contacts with the car but apart from that it fits really secure.

It can take three bikes but I've never had more than two on it.

It's also a "What Mountain Bike" winner..

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... 65515#dtab

norekon

I wouldn't mind Halfords or even no-name but I'm slightly concerned about a quality (see reviews) - I don't want to damage my bike or car...

I'd rather stick to one of two suggested in my first message

norekon

Guys,

I can't believe u don't have any opinion/experiences with car bike racks...
I need to make a decision this weekend...

Cheers,

nicklouse

Yes we do but not on what you are asking about.

tow bar mounted followed by roof bar mounted for me.

Used rear mounted ones in the past and never again.

But that is not what you want to hear.

belugabob

I used to have the halfords rack, but switched to a towbar mounted one (It was well worth the cost, IMHO)

Boot mounted racks:

Bikes rub together, so foam pipe insulation is required in several place
Light board may be required, depending on where your number plate/high level stop lights are.
Straps and hooks rub against your car.
Tricky to mount if your bumper isn't very prominent or has a sloping top to it.
Easy to nick, by cutting the straps.
Try to remember not to turn you rear wiper on, or it could smash into the rack.
Bikes are mounted quite high, so lifting is somwewhat tricky, depending on how tall you are.
Awkward to mount bike that don't have a conventional frame shape.
They are cheap-ish, though.

Towbar mounted racks: (Thule ride-on 9503)

Bikes are mounted with wheels in a 'gutter' and frame strapped to a padded hoop - frame shape is not an issue.
The only point of contact is the towbar - helps to protect your paintwork.
FItted in about 2 minutes.
Come with a lighting board, so you're not tempted to risk not getting one.
Almost impossible to nick unless you have the right tool.
Racks are only slightly more expensive than boot mounted, but the towbar adds to the cost somewhat.


Overall, providing that you're not going to be changing cars for a while, the towbar option is a hands-down winner, and a worthwhile long-term investment.

S_J_P

I'd love a towbar mounted rack, but you can't get towbars for my car (Toyota Aygo)

robertpb

My dearly beloved goes in the car with me.

But if I had to carry 3 bikes it would have to be a towbar mounted or a commodious vehicle.

Graculus

We've got the 3 bike Saris and have been really pleased with it. It's easy to put on the car, and sits very solidly, It also holds the bikes very firmly.

I would say that we have not yet tried it with 3 bikes since my son got his new, bigger bike, but for 2 adult bikes and a kids mountain bike it is great.

frogstomp

I have one of the Thule 9105s.. for a clip on rack it feels very solid and stable - the bikes are tethered through the wheels and with bars (one lockable) clamped onto the top tubes.

The rack is height adjustable so you can set it high enough so as not to obscure your rear lights or number plates. The disadvantage to this is the extra wind resistance generated the higher you go.

I've carried varying combinations of the following with no problems: Giant Anthem X (M), Boardman Pro HT (M), GT Avalanche (S).

Like I say, the rack is very secure and rigid when on.. the main concern is the feet/hooks that clip onto the top and bottom of the tailgate can scratch the paint if you are not careful - although they do come with sticky pads to help avoid this.

For storage it folds down 'almost' flat so could be stored against a wall or possibly under a bed..

If you need to get a clip-on rack I would definitely recommend one..

belugabob

S_J_P wrote:

I'd love a towbar mounted rack, but you can't get towbars for my car (Toyota Aygo)

Good job, really - you'd just end up pulling wheelies (Got a Corolla myself, so having nothing against Toyotas - especially as mine is pre 2005, so not affected by the current problems)

Briggo

norekon wrote:

Guys,

I can't believe u don't have any opinion/experiences with car bike racks...
I need to make a decision this weekend...

Cheers,

Dont bother with rear racks if you're worried about scratching paintwork on your car or bikes etc, been there done that on the many journeys.

Roof mounted or towbar is your only option then.

6. How will they work in practice? Let say that I'm considering travelling on average every second weekend up to 300 miles (but normally lest than a 100) with it loaded. Is it workable?

It is as I used to do this going to the Peak District just as often, however found I had to keep readjusting the straps every so often and I was always worried about going too fast with the ole wind resistance pulling on the straps too hard etc, (overtook a car once and heard an almighty bang on the back, luckily it was just the straps tightening with the sudden extra speed) changed to roof mounted and aint worried since.

dan1502

After looking for a rack (bike) myself I discounted the boot mounted racks and in the end went for a roof mounted rack. The main reason was that I got roof bars and two bike racks for £105 second hand (good quality and aero bars). Also I felt that I would use the roof bars more than I would use a tow bar for things other than transporting bikes. I can take the bars off whereas I can't revmove the towbar. Fitting a tow bar and wiriing it up is a lot more hassle. The bike is further away from road spray, salt etc. However I do hope I don't drive under a low bridge or car park barrier having forgotten what's on the roof!

frogstomp

Briggo wrote:

It is as I used to do this going to the Peak District just as often, however found I had to keep readjusting the straps every so often and I was always worried about going too fast with the ole wind resistance pulling on the straps too hard etc, (overtook a car once and heard an almighty bang on the back, luckily it was just the straps tightening with the sudden extra speed) changed to roof mounted and aint worried since.

For the record, the Thule rack does not have fabric straps - just (soft-coated) metal ones that are tensioned by spring-loaded clamps.

norekon

Ok, so this going be my last question on this subject:

It looks like a tow bar is the way to do it...
Do u know (roughly) how much fitting (+ all parts) of the tow bar (without cost of the bike rack) on my Corolla would cost me?

dan1502

http://www.towequipe.co.uk/

If you use the code REPCUST you should get an extra 5% discount.

You need the bar and wiring loom. A loom that is spliced in is pretty cheap but a bespoke loom is quite a lot more (if available for your car).

nicklouse

norekon wrote:

Ok, so this going be my last question on this subject:

It looks like a tow bar is the way to do it...
Do u know (roughly) how much fitting (+ all parts) of the tow bar (without cost of the bike rack) on my Corolla would cost me?

have a look in the yellow pages and call a few local dealers and see what the costs are.

most now are very easy to self fit if you are that way inclined.

But if not most will offer a fitting service.

but have a good look about as there are a few designs, some that can leave you with an almost invisible set up.