Recommend me a car rack for full sus MTB

db3266

I've just bought a Specialised Enduro Comp 650b (2015 spec).
My car is a Freelander II. It does not have a tow bar.

The only thing I have found at a reasonable cost is the Saris Bones 3, I would also need the Saris Beam.

Is this a solid choice, or are there other options?

RockmonkeySC

Good rack but your shock position is wrong for that type of rack.

db3266

Even with the Saris Beam?

RockmonkeySC

I wouldn't use one of them, they aren't too stable.
Roof bars or tow hitch are the best options.

Briggo

RockmonkeySC wrote:

I wouldn't use one of them, they aren't too stable.
Roof bars or tow hitch are the best options.

You wouldn't want roofbars on a Freelander unless you're King Kong.

db3266

I've just been looking at the thule range. I probably need one that carries three bikes.

ilovedirt

Freelander isn't that tall is it? Would be a different story if it was a disco...

db3266

I'm probably going to get a Thule tow hitch carrier. They look very easy to use.

db3266

And yes, the Freelander is quite tall and very boxy, so lugging a bike up and down is going to be difficult.

Briggo

ilovedirt wrote:

Freelander isn't that tall is it? Would be a different story if it was a disco...

They're less than 15cm shorter, not a huge amount of difference.

1887mm vs 1740mm

Bearing in mind you'd have to be able to lift it above that and higher (add on the height of the roof rack + carrier) and be able to adjust the arm while lifting that high.

Ashfish

A Thule Euroway G2 is an excellent carrier although it only hold 2 bikes without buying the adaptor for an extra bike. The Exodus 4 bike platform cycle carrier is as well made as the Thule stuff and in many ways is a better rack.

Just my opinion though, but it is my choice after trying both.

RockmonkeySC

Ashfish wrote:

The Exodus 4 bike platform cycle carrier is as well made as the Thule stuff and in many ways is a better rack.

I would strongly disagree with that after following a mate with my DH bike looking quite unstable on his Exodus rack. The Thule racks are quality.

Angus Young

RockmonkeySC wrote:

Ashfish wrote:

The Exodus 4 bike platform cycle carrier is as well made as the Thule stuff and in many ways is a better rack.

I would strongly disagree with that after following a mate with my DH bike looking quite unstable on his Exodus rack. The Thule racks are quality.

I think he's the Exodus rep.

ilovedirt

RockmonkeySC wrote:

Ashfish wrote:

The Exodus 4 bike platform cycle carrier is as well made as the Thule stuff and in many ways is a better rack.

I would strongly disagree with that after following a mate with my DH bike looking quite unstable on his Exodus rack. The Thule racks are quality.

That exodus rack really doesn't look very well made at all.

Bishbosh10

Ashfish wrote:

A Thule Euroway G2 is an excellent carrier although it only hold 2 bikes without buying the adaptor for an extra bike. The Exodus 4 bike platform cycle carrier is as well made as the Thule stuff and in many ways is a better rack.

Just my opinion though, but it is my choice after trying both.

Thule Euroway G2 for three bikes is also available (I have one). Properly good piece of kit.

http://www.thule.com/en/gb/products/carriers-and-racks/bike-carriers/towbar-mounted-bike-carriers/thule-euroway-g2-923-_-923000

mudsucker

Sorry if this isn't that helpful but couldn't you take the wheels out put the bike inside the car? Be much safer and you can stop without someone easily taking your bike.

Ashfish

Angus Young wrote:

RockmonkeySC wrote:

Ashfish wrote:

The Exodus 4 bike platform cycle carrier is as well made as the Thule stuff and in many ways is a better rack.

I would strongly disagree with that after following a mate with my DH bike looking quite unstable on his Exodus rack. The Thule racks are quality.

I think he's the Exodus rep.

I am not an Exodus rep, I do work as an Auto fitter at Halfords (hold that against me if you wish) and I have fitted countless carriers and then put bikes on them, I have also tried out most of the options Halfords sell. Of the tow bar mount carriers I feel the Exodus is as good as the Thule options and the stand ups between the bikes are more stable and versatile than the top tube mounts that Thule use.

All Cycle carriers will seem unstable if not fitted correctly no matter who has made them.

As I have a Discovery and do not wish to use a tow bar mount (I use my tow bar for towing). I will be fitting Thule Slide Bar roof bars and Thule ProRide 591 roof mount cycle carriers. Realistically I will only be able to fit a maximum of 3 bikes on the roof and I won't be able to use multi storey carparks, but the bikes are out of reach and both the bars and carriers have their own locks. 591's also tighten from bar level rather than at the down tube clamp meaning that I will be able to reach and secure the bikes without the need of a ladder.

Oh and look up Thule Slide Bars if you haven't seen them, they are rather overpriced (unless you shop around for second hand ones) but make using roof bars on a 4x4 far more of an option.

The other option for a Freelander would be one of the 4x4 spare wheel mounted carriers. I'm not keen on these as they can make the back door even heavier and unable to open. With side opening back doors then the tow bar mount options may still not allow for the door to open with the carrier mounted.

Again just my opinion.

Briggo

Ashfish wrote:

As I have a Discovery and do not wish to use a tow bar mount (I use my tow bar for towing). I will be fitting Thule Slide Bar roof bars and Thule ProRide 591 roof mount cycle carriers. Realistically I will only be able to fit a maximum of 3 bikes on the roof and I won't be able to use multi storey carparks, but the bikes are out of reach and both the bars and carriers have their own locks. 591's also tighten from bar level rather than at the down tube clamp meaning that I will be able to reach and secure the bikes without the need of a ladder.

Tightening the clamp up is one thing and doable without a ladder (highly unlikely it's doable with the middle bike one unless you're king kong), getting them on standing upright and within the clamp is another.

Have fun.

Ashfish

Briggo wrote:

Ashfish wrote:

As I have a Discovery and do not wish to use a tow bar mount (I use my tow bar for towing). I will be fitting Thule Slide Bar roof bars and Thule ProRide 591 roof mount cycle carriers. Realistically I will only be able to fit a maximum of 3 bikes on the roof and I won't be able to use multi storey carparks, but the bikes are out of reach and both the bars and carriers have their own locks. 591's also tighten from bar level rather than at the down tube clamp meaning that I will be able to reach and secure the bikes without the need of a ladder.

Tightening the clamp up is one thing and doable without a ladder (highly unlikely it's doable with the middle bike one unless you're king kong), getting them on standing upright and within the clamp is another.

Have fun.

As I explained in the quote I will also be using Thule Slide Bars. If you have not tried these, then do go look at them. Its amazing how much easier they make loading things onto the bars.

step83

Mate I ride with has the Thule one never had any issues. His argument for that over a roof one was he is too short an where we tend to park has low tree branches. If you use a tow bar mounted one and have parking sensors dont forget to turn them off.