Bike racks for towbars

secretsam

Just about to get a towbar fitted to the family bus

Want to carry 4 bikes and this seems the most sensible way to do it

Am thinking of getting a Thule rack - we have a local dealer - any other recommendations, given that the Thule is £500ish!!!!???

Dippydog2

I have one of these.

Awesome product and fantastic company to work with.

http://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehs ... gD%7E3HHGT

dabber

Dippydog2 wrote:

I have one of these.

Awesome product and fantastic company to work with.

http://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehs ... gD%7E3HHGT

I agree on both counts. A great rack that I'm always happy to recommend. I've had mine for about 3 years and apart from the odd jaunt in the UK is used to go down to the southwest of France (about 640 miles each way for me) 4 times a year. Easy to load and fix to car and bikes safely attached.

alphacharlie

Dippydog2 wrote:

I have one of these.

Awesome product and fantastic company to work with.

http://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehs ... gD%7E3HHGT

We also have one of these, used it for 3+ years now without issue, its better now the kids bikes are bigger as they hold more securely. Also a nice secure way to store them off the car whilst we are camping. Had to change some locks recently as the Mrs mangaged to try the strada key in our roofbox "roofbox.co.uk" used to source the replacement locks and all good again.

Cheers
AC

secretsam

So that's 3 recommendations for the Atera! How good is that 'sliding' thing?

rokt

I also have the Strada and it is very good. Check out the YouTube video by The Roofbox Company it shows just how easy it is to use.

lostboysaint

Another vote for the Atera Strada.

dabber

I've only needed to use the "sliding feature" a couple of times and it seemed to work fine. I needed to open the tailgate on my 4x4 to put in something I'd forgotten. Simple to use and a secure feeling.

oxoman

I have a pendle rack which compared against the thule or the Atera ones is frankly heavy and agricultural as made out of box section. Somewhat cheaper I believe and given I got mine second hand off ebay in like new condition for less than £30 I can put up with it being heavy. Just be aware of towbar nose weights for your car when loading bikes up. I.e 4 average weight adult mtb,s would be about 52kg so just be careful.
Also be careful going over the big sleeping policemen with the rack on as they can bottom out if the car is heavily loaded and going a little bit to fast. Altogether though these type of racks are far safer and secure and easier to use than strap on or roofbar types in my opinion.

kim10

Another recommendation for the Strada. Have had mine for 3 years now and it has been great. The sliding feature works very well and I have never had any issues with it.

agent_buchwald

Halfords one has been really good - lacks a certain style but is really solid and has been over Europe with 4 bikes with no issues. Was a quarter of an equlivilent Thule when i bought it.

Dippydog2

SecretSam wrote:

So that's 3 recommendations for the Atera! How good is that 'sliding' thing?

Very good. You operate it with your foot! Stand on the bar and the bikes slide towards you. Open the boot, do the business, shut the boot. Shove the bikes away from you towards the car and it all clicks into place. A really good feature.

Very robust construction. Mine is new this year, but I expect it to outlast me. Doesn't seem to have much that could go wrong. Unlike me.