Bike rack for a ford focus

dav56

Hi,

I have just bought my first mountain bike for 25 years and need advice on how to carry it on my car. I drive a 2009 (59 plate) Ford Focus hatchback. I have been told that you can't fix a rear rack to a 59 plate Focus. I have also been told that carrying a bike on the roof greatly increases the fuel consumption.
I will be carrying the bike to local trails but I also want to take to Scotland with me at least twice a year. This a round trip of 700 miles each trip so fuel cosumption could be an an issue.

Any advice on the best way of carrying a bike and which specific model would be most suitable will be much apreciated.

Thanks
Dave

cooldad

Who has told you? Probably best to check the handbook, or a Ford dealer.

Pudseyp

Who ever told you that you can't buy a rear rack is talking horseshit....

Saris do two
http://www.saris.com/en/vehicle-racks.html

and so do Mont Blanc
http://www.montblancuk.co.uk/applicatio ... ycle/ford/

and that's the first two that came to mind so there must be others....

Briggo

Putting the bikes on the rear (either a rack or towbar) also increases fuel consumption, the only way to carry them without increasing fuel consumption is put them inside the car.

Pudseyp

Briggo wrote:

Putting the bikes on the rear (either a rack or towbar) also increases fuel consumption, the only way to carry them without increasing fuel consumption is put them inside the car.

A rear mount rack will not increase full consumption that much as the bikes are below the roof line so the aerodynamics of the car wil push air over the roof (hence F1 cars having clean air following the car in front) roof racks will effect fuel burn by around 5-10 mpg...

Briggo

Pudseyp wrote:

Briggo wrote:

Putting the bikes on the rear (either a rack or towbar) also increases fuel consumption, the only way to carry them without increasing fuel consumption is put them inside the car.

A rear mount rack will not increase full consumption that much as the bikes are below the roof line so the aerodynamics of the car wil push air over the roof (hence F1 cars having clean air following the car in front) roof racks will effect fuel burn by around 5-10 mpg...

Did I say that its the same as on the roof?

He's concerned about fuel consumption full stop.

Pudseyp

Briggo wrote:

Pudseyp wrote:

Briggo wrote:

Putting the bikes on the rear (either a rack or towbar) also increases fuel consumption, the only way to carry them without increasing fuel consumption is put them inside the car.

A rear mount rack will not increase full consumption that much as the bikes are below the roof line so the aerodynamics of the car wil push air over the roof (hence F1 cars having clean air following the car in front) roof racks will effect fuel burn by around 5-10 mpg...

Did I say that its the same as on the roof?

He's concerned about fuel consumption full stop.

Yes but you said rear racks increase fuel consumption....and I am saying that they will not as long as the bikes don't exceed the roof line...and I clearly expessed that above...as aerodynamics maybe new to you...this may help
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fySDCXrY0e4

Also maybe he doesn't want shite all inside his new (ish) car.....

dhobiwallah

A sheet of industrial strength plastic from a DIY shop/builders merchants and you can totally line the car with no worries.

I had a load left after I had to dispose of some asbestos and used a bit as a boot liner for my car. Take the front wheel off and in the bike goes - haven't used the bike rack since. doesn't matter how muddy it is - it forms a bowl - just drop the end over the tailgate - lift the far end and let the sludge run out.

frankspencer1979

I bought a halfords advanced rear rack for my corsa for a ton. Didn't want to spend that much but the rack has been good so far. The fitment guide says it'll fit a mark 3 focus (08 plate onwards.)

I admit when I opened it I thought what a piece of crap. I nearly had a nervous breakdown on my first journey up and down my street coz I'd fitted it badly. However, now I've got the hang of it, it takes 5 mins to fit, its rock solid and the bike doesn't move at all. It has 4 clamps that fit around the edge of the boot lid, so when the bikes off, the boot still opens.

It's much better having the bike out of the car, less mess, no assembly, can fill the boot and the back seat with crap, qnd it'll take 3 bikes. Feel dirty recommending halfords, but I 'm happy with me new rack!

Simon430

Pudseyp wrote:

Briggo wrote:

Putting the bikes on the rear (either a rack or towbar) also increases fuel consumption, the only way to carry them without increasing fuel consumption is put them inside the car.

A rear mount rack will not increase full consumption that much as the bikes are below the roof line so the aerodynamics of the car wil push air over the roof (hence F1 cars having clean air following the car in front) roof racks will effect fuel burn by around 5-10 mpg...

Sorry, but this is completely untrue as when following the car in front this creates less downforce for the car behind, as the air has been thrown upwards. That's why it's difficult for F1 cars to overtake as they throw back dirty air the car following has lots of understeer.

IME of using a roof rack, it considerably drops the MPG, around 10-15%.

Pudseyp

Simon430 wrote:

Pudseyp wrote:

Briggo wrote:

Putting the bikes on the rear (either a rack or towbar) also increases fuel consumption, the only way to carry them without increasing fuel consumption is put them inside the car.

A rear mount rack will not increase full consumption that much as the bikes are below the roof line so the aerodynamics of the car wil push air over the roof (hence F1 cars having clean air following the car in front) roof racks will effect fuel burn by around 5-10 mpg...

Sorry, but this is completely untrue as when following the car in front this creates less downforce for the car behind, as the air has been thrown upwards. That's why it's difficult for F1 cars to overtake as they throw back dirty air the car following has lots of understeer.

IME of using a roof rack, it considerably drops the MPG, around 10-15%.

Err no...the car behind has less drag as the car in front has resistance of the air..that's why thy tuck in behind the car infront to take advantage of the slipstream..

I do know what I am talking about as I worked for TWR for two years....here is a sumarry from wikipedia...also look up slipp streaming..

In single seater, open wheel racing series such as Formula One and the IndyCar Series a technique known as slipstreaming is used. Along a long straight a car following close behind another uses the slipstream created by the lead car to close the gap between them, hoping to be able to overtake the leader under braking for the next corner, or if he has a straightline speed advantage, to pass on the straight. However it is very difficult for cars to follow each other close together in fast corners as the "dirty" (turbulent) air that comes off the lead car unbalances the trailing car as its aerodynamic devices provide less grip. However, on the straight this effect is much less of a detriment due to the lower levels of grip required.

Simon430

Pudseyp wrote:

Err no...the car behind has less drag as the car in front has resistance of the air..that's why thy tuck in behind the car infront to take advantage of the slipstream..

I do know what I am talking about as I worked for TWR for two years....here is a sumarry from wikipedia...also look up slipp streaming..

In single seater, open wheel racing series such as Formula One and the IndyCar Series a technique known as slipstreaming is used. Along a long straight a car following close behind another uses the slipstream created by the lead car to close the gap between them, hoping to be able to overtake the leader under braking for the next corner, or if he has a straightline speed advantage, to pass on the straight. However it is very difficult for cars to follow each other close together in fast corners as the "dirty" (turbulent) air that comes off the lead car unbalances the trailing car as its aerodynamic devices provide less grip. However, on the straight this effect is much less of a detriment due to the lower levels of grip required.

We're not talking about slip stream here are we. We're talking about the effects on MPG of bike racks mounted onto the boot of the car, which DO affect MPG.

andy46

Without getting into the whole mpg thing (I've not really noticed any difference, although my car does 55-60 mpg) you'll not go far wrong with the Saris Bones, I have one and it's a doddle to fit and if done correctly solid as a rock. The only other option I would consider would be a tow bar mount.

Pudseyp

Simon430 wrote:

Pudseyp wrote:

Err no...the car behind has less drag as the car in front has resistance of the air..that's why thy tuck in behind the car infront to take advantage of the slipstream..

I do know what I am talking about as I worked for TWR for two years....here is a sumarry from wikipedia...also look up slipp streaming..

In single seater, open wheel racing series such as Formula One and the IndyCar Series a technique known as slipstreaming is used. Along a long straight a car following close behind another uses the slipstream created by the lead car to close the gap between them, hoping to be able to overtake the leader under braking for the next corner, or if he has a straightline speed advantage, to pass on the straight. However it is very difficult for cars to follow each other close together in fast corners as the "dirty" (turbulent) air that comes off the lead car unbalances the trailing car as its aerodynamic devices provide less grip. However, on the straight this effect is much less of a detriment due to the lower levels of grip required.

We're not talking about slip stream here are we. We're talking about the effects on MPG of bike racks mounted onto the boot of the car, which DO affect MPG.

No it doesn't....if you read all my posts you would understand....take a look at the youtube video which shows the effects of a cars aerodynamics...you can clearly see the air passing over the car so if the rack was mounted to a hatchback it would have no effect on drag so any increase in an increase in fuel consumption would be negligible.

If you stick your head out of a sunroof you will feel air resistance...if you had an imaginary hole in the hatchbacks rear window you would hardly feel anything...hence why a rear mount rack as no or at least very little effect on performance..

Read this:
http://ezinearticles.com/?Roof-Top-Or-R ... id=2184048

allen.coulson

You can fit a towbar on this model of focus for about 250 with 'single electricals' and buy a towbar rack for another 150.

That is my recommendation because there is less faff at the trail centre refitting a rear mounted rack and less risk of you damaging the car by dropping the bike on to the roof.

I also hate putting my bike into the back of mine because it it difficult to get the bike in and out without scraping the top of the bumper.

bails87

PudseyP wrote:

no or at least very little effect on performance..

A very little effect, so it might affect it?

OP: In terms of security, Towbar is best, followed by roof rack, then boto mounted. Obviosuly inside the car is best (what I do with my Focus) but you might get the car dirty/need the space for passengers + luggage.

Pudseyp

bails87 wrote:

PudseyP wrote:

no or at least very little effect on performance..

A very little effect, so it might affect it?

OP: In terms of security, Towbar is best, followed by roof rack, then boto mounted. Obviosuly inside the car is best (what I do with my Focus) but you might get the car dirty/need the space for passengers + luggage.

But it will be tiny, much the same as putting you bike plus all your gear in the boot...it's all weight..

If you can be arsed looking for reports on tinterweb...you will see that most rear mount carriers have no effect on MPG

bails87

I'm not really fussed! If the bike can't go in the car then the towbar rack is going to have no effect, or the smallest effect, so it's the best option in that respect. It's also the one I'd trust the most. But it's the most expensive.

Raymondavalon

I used a Halfords brand bike boot lid mounted rack on my 2010 focus with no issues at all.

timpop

Pudseyp wrote:

Who ever told you that you can't buy a rear rack is talking horseshit....

Saris do two
http://www.saris.com/en/vehicle-racks.html

and so do Mont Blanc
http://www.montblancuk.co.uk/applicatio ... ycle/ford/

and that's the first two that came to mind so there must be others....

+1

I use the Saris rack on my honda civic and have used it with my friends Ford Fiesta too. Not sure what year his Ford is but it is quite new and probably around the same age as yours if not a year or two newer. The Saris website has a function to find the right rack for your car too. Have a look there and stop going on about slipstreaming etc. everyone. Yawn!

louthepoo

I've got one of those towbar rack thingies and glad I got it, its so much easier and quicker to fit than the rack I used to have. I already had a towbar on the car. Which swayed me. Not sure I'd have paid for the whole thing if I didn't have the towbar though!

stev68

My rack makes a nice airer for wet bike gumph,hardly use it on my focus except taking the sprogs bikes out.boot every time, get two bikes in and all the gear too.