Car Boot Cycle Carrier Recommendations

Chip \'oyler

Does anyone have any recommendations for a good cycle carrier that fits on car boots? I'm only going to be carrying two road/TT bikes (without wheels). I've been looking at the Saris Bones - does anyone on here own one of these? Are they any good?

amaferanga

I just bought a Saris Gran Fondo. I haven't used it in anger yet, but have mounted it on the car and had my bike in it and I'm very impressed. Looks like a really smart design. Obviously you need to have wheels on the bike that don't have too deep a rim.

dgstewart

I have Saris Bones 3 bike rack and would highly recommend it. I've used it to carry two bikes (road and MTB), leaving the middle row empty to give a bit of space between the bikes.

The rack is very versatile and fits almost every (if not acutally every) car - I use mine on an Audi A4 estate and a Mazda MX-5 (2-setaer convertible)! My friend has one that he's used on a Ford Focus and Audi A3. Neither of us has ever had a problem with fit or stability.

Setting it up to fit the car takes one minute max, then putting the bikes on only takes a couple of minutes. I always wrap a sock around the frame where it sits in the straps, just to avoid scratching the surface. Also tie up the loose straps to stop them flapping around in your mirror - kill two birds with one stone by using the straps to secure the wheels from moving about (maybe not applicable to you if you're taking the wheels off).

bails87

On the boot is the worst way to carry a bike, but the Saris Bones seems to be the best of the boot carriers.

dgstewart

bails87 wrote:

On the boot is the worst way to carry a bike, but the Saris Bones seems to be the best of the boot carriers.

True, I carry mine on the roof of the estate car as a 1st choice, but if there are too many bikes (also use roofbox on big trips, so can only take 2 bikes on roof) I also use the Saris Bones rack. Obviously on the MX-5 the roof isn't really an option! I actually bought the Saris Bones for the MX-5 as the only option, but it's handy for other cars too.

Chip \'oyler

amaferanga wrote:

I just bought a Saris Gran Fondo. I haven't used it in anger yet, but have mounted it on the car and had my bike in it and I'm very impressed. Looks like a really smart design. Obviously you need to have wheels on the bike that don't have too deep a rim.

That is an innovative design but how does it effect fuel consumption? If I travel to races on my own then the bike goes in the boot with the rear seats folded down - but sometimes I share lifts with team mates - it's this situation where i need a rack and want a boot rack as I believe they don't effect fuel consumption as much as roof racks.

amaferanga

Chip \'oyler wrote:

amaferanga wrote:

I just bought a Saris Gran Fondo. I haven't used it in anger yet, but have mounted it on the car and had my bike in it and I'm very impressed. Looks like a really smart design. Obviously you need to have wheels on the bike that don't have too deep a rim.

That is an innovative design but how does it effect fuel consumption? If I travel to races on my own then the bike goes in the boot with the rear seats folded down - but sometimes I share lifts with team mates - it's this situation where i need a rack and want a boot rack as I believe they don't effect fuel consumption as much as roof racks.

I don't know yet. I suspect it'll be similar to having bikes on the roof. I'll be using mine the same as you so I'm not too bothered about losing a few mpg on the couple of trips a month I'll probably use it.

dgstewart

amaferanga wrote:

Chip \'oyler wrote:

I don't know yet. I suspect it'll be similar to having bikes on the roof. I'll be using mine the same as you so I'm not too bothered about losing a few mpg on the couple of trips a month I'll probably use it.

I'm not sure - based on "aerodynamic speculation" (i.e. it's not full bike straight into the wind, but behind the already large car) I think it's better than a roof mounted rack, but I don't have a fair comparison to back this up. On the estate car I only use it in addition to the roof mounted box/bikes (yes this really kills mpg!) and on the MX-5 I can't compare for obvious reasons.

As Amaferanga says though it's only an occasional use issue, so not worth worrying about a few pounds in fuel.

andy46

I have a Saris bones 3 and it's a great piece of kit, I've not noticed anything different with fuel consumption either. My car does 55-60 mpg so this doesn't worry me.

Some bike frames like my mtb won't fit on the rack without an adaptor bar, something to maybe think about if your TT bikes have odd shaped top tubes.

bigmat

I'd recommend the Thule 9104, very solid boot rack, once initially set up (which takes a few minutes) it can be clipped on and off in seconds. I used to use it on a daily basis on my old car as I used to drop my boy at nursery, leave the car and then ride to work. Holds bikes extremely securely and nice padded holders so no sock required. Also you can open and close the boot as opposed to those nasty cheapo boot racks. Not sure why people dismiss boot racks, its far more economical than a roof rack and also a lot quicker and easier to get bikes on and off.

Enough of the hard sell, it turns out it doesn't fit my new car so I have one available if anybody wants to make me a decent offer! Its in perfect condition so I was thinking around 50% RRP?

bigmat

PS. Chip, I have regularly used it to carry my Viner no less!

Chip \'oyler

andy46 wrote:

I have a Saris bones 3 and it's a great piece of kit, I've not noticed anything different with fuel consumption either. My car does 55-60 mpg so this doesn't worry me.

Some bike frames like my mtb won't fit on the rack without an adaptor bar, something to maybe think about if your TT bikes have odd shaped top tubes.

My TT bike does have an odd shaped top tube so that's something to think about. Thanks for the tip

Chip \'oyler

BigMat wrote:

PS. Chip, I have regularly used it to carry my Viner no less!

Good choice Sir! So I'll expect to see a photo then for the blog!

wiwaxy

+1 for the Saris Bones. I took three bikes right down across France last year without any problems. The securing straps are really secure and stop the bikes knocking into each other. Easy to use as well. New car meant that I protected bodywork using helicopter tape where the rubber mounts were positioned on the car and 1500 miles later, had no problems at all. Somewhat expensive option for a bike carrier but well worth it.

bigmat

Chip \'oyler wrote:

BigMat wrote:

PS. Chip, I have regularly used it to carry my Viner no less!

Good choice Sir! So I'll expect to see a photo then for the blog!

There are some pics in my Flickr account, but will take some up to date ones (new saddle, stem etc.)