Bike Rack, Roof or Rear?

craig_jackass

Need to buy a bike rack, whats better roof or rear mounted rack?? has to carry 2-4 bikes but DONT want to buy 1 whick will damage my beloved car! Car to fit MK3 Mondeo ST. I have heard horror stories about bikes being damaged and car boot lids being bent etc. if any1 knows of rack type or make to stay clear off let me know it would be much appreciated Cheers..

Stevo_666

Try a search, there have been a few roofrack typ threads IIRC. But for me, roof mounted works better as you it doesn't mess up your rear view and don't have to wait until you've loaded eveything in the boot before putting the bikes on. Thule does good roof bars and the 591 pro-ride bike carriers are top notch kit.

nicklouse

tow bar mounted then a roof mounted one for me.

Chris`I

Agree with Nick, if you have a tow bar get a rack for that, else get some Thule 591s for the roof. Going by the amount of 591's at Swinley the other weekend, there go much wrong with them, and mine work well

Radioactiveman

Got a tow bar monted thule rack and thule 591's on the roof. The thule bars I have are much nicer than the honda official ones.

Hugh A

A friend has a great towbar mounted rack from Thule which holds 3 bikes without touching and pivots forward to let the boot open.The bikes are easier to get at and when driving are mostly out of the wind. The manufacturer says that this rack will take 4 bike mounts but I think they would be squashed together a bit.

Another mate swears by the roof mounted racks but they can be a bit of a sweat to get up there and sometimes there is a bit of wobble going on at high speed which can't be doing the bikes much good. I suspect the ones with fork mounts (remove front wheel) are best from this point of view, but perhaps no good with disc brakes - have not checked if they can interfere with calipers.

With roof-mounted - watch out for low headroom carparks, toll lanes etc.

craig_jackass

cheers guys will defo check out all them, dont have a tow bar so maybe have to invest in 1! provided it can be removed easy

cheers

Briggo

craig_jackass wrote:

cheers guys will defo check out all them, dont have a tow bar so maybe have to invest in 1! provided it can be removed easy

cheers

Is the ST petrol or diesel? Afaik the petrol isn't capable (or legally) allowed to have one fitted but the diesel is, also removable towbars arnt any good for the towbar carriers too, I think they have to be standard towbars which would mean you'd have to cut into the rear bumper to have it fit properly.

Also it'd ruin the look of the ST! (I have a Mk3 Mondy ST too )

I use roof rack and Thule 591 carriers, blinkin awesome they are.

craig_jackass

Briggo wrote:

craig_jackass wrote:

cheers guys will defo check out all them, dont have a tow bar so maybe have to invest in 1! provided it can be removed easy

cheers

Is the ST petrol or diesel? Afaik the petrol isn't capable (or legally) allowed to have one fitted but the diesel is, also removable towbars arnt any good for the towbar carriers too, I think they have to be standard towbars which would mean you'd have to cut into the rear bumper to have it fit properly.

Also it'd ruin the look of the ST! (I have a Mk3 Mondy ST too )

I use roof rack and Thule 591 carriers, blinkin awesome they are.

cool man thanks alot aye its a TDCi ST but i would hate to put a towbar on her (haha) i think after looking around at prices and reviews roof is defo the way for me!..there will be no way on earth i will be cutting into my car either! seems the case has closed on this issue! :P

cheers mate