Rear Bike Rack For Car With Spoiler - (Astra / Saris)

Klis

All,

I’m in the process of buying a new car (oh noes!), its most likely going to be the new shape Vauxhall Astra or GTC if I get my way :P
Anyhow, both have a rear ‘spoiler’ or overhang on the back, as pictured below and id like to know if it’s still possible to stick a bike rack on the back with out damaging it?



(Images are representations/ examples only)

I’m looking at getting the Saris Bones 2 OR the Saris Gran Fondo – Which admittedly is a rather big expense, but it looks damn cool and I have store credits to splurge

So, has anyone had any experience with combining bike racks with cars that have said anti air-movement devices attached? And perhaps with the new shape Astra’s & Saris rear products in particular?

skisunday

Any particular reason you wouldn't go for a roof rack? I've always thought my bike rack is a bit of a faff. Retrospectively I would probably for for a roof rack. I wonder if a spoiler would make things tricky. BW

sporttourer

Rear mounted bike racks and modern cars do not normally work.
Most modern cars have a plastic "spolier" or lip at the top of the tailgate & you cannot attatch any form of rear mounted rack to these, without risk of damage to the car and in turn bikes falling off & causing mayhem behind you.
To securely mount a strap rear mounted rack you need to attach to a metal tailgate.
If you are buying a new car, negotiate a free detachable tow bar & buy a tow bar mounted bike rack. This is the easiest and one of the most secure ways of carrying bikes, unless you put them inside. The next best is roof mounted racks, although these do affect mpg drastically and cause a lot of drag in windy weather.

Klis

Thanks for the responses guys

I think I will now try and get the Tow bar arranged, as although the carrier for it would be more expensive, it is most likely my best option.

Skisunday - As Sportstourer said, for me it really is an issue with extra drag and therefore reduced MPG.. I'm tight like that lol
But also the sound created and the inability to drive into covered carparks and even some open air carparks which have barriers restricting the height of entrants

Such as: Street View example

Its a shame though, as I really liked the look of the below carrier