I know the subject of cycle carriers has been discussed many times but I want to know which carrier is best for me?
I have a 306 estate and 2 cycles I want to carry. At the moment I have no towbar so I am open to all 3 options (roof mounted, towbar mounted or boot mounted)
I want to know which is the safest, securest and wont harm the bikes or car
thanks
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Having read several of the other threads on this (here and other forums) the roof mounted option always seems to come out on top (so to speak!). I would say it depends how tall you are. If you're tall then the roof probably wins it, but if you are shorter it could be a pain getting the bikes on the roof and you risk dropping the bikes while trying to put them on. It would help (though not much) if you have lowered the car I suppose (time for the -50mm springs maybe).
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Ok TVMs thoughts based on your criteria
Method, Safety, Security, Harm, (out of 10)
1 Boot mounted strap on bike rack rack, 4, 4, 3,
2 Tow bar mounted kit, 6, 6, 6,
3 Roof rack, 7, 8, 8,
4 Inside rack (remove front wheel and fold down
seats), 9, 9, 9,
------------------------------
TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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I have taken up to five bikes to France and my thoughts are as follows.
A good set of roof bars for two bikes is fine co for Thule or Auto maxi brands. Not cheap I know but both are very stable. Downside is the extra height to the car so be careful in car parks I once saw bikes chopped in two and roof bars on car badly damaged plus roof of car a mess as the driver forgot how much height the bikes added. Also if lockable they are reasonably secure.
Towbar is great but restricts access to boot of car but this method is i think by far the best.Its very stable at motoway speeds and you can get bikes off quickly if required.Do not forget to fit trailer board as plod will pull you up in holiday areas to make up conviction numbers.
Boot mounted too unstable and liable to fall off and trying to pull all those straps tight really is a work of art Also I think this method most likely to damagerthe car.
Hope this helps.
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Don't get a boot mounted job - I scattered three bikes across the M66 once. It was a rather surreal thing to see in the rear view mirror, until reality kicked in.
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ISTR per Which? the most economical method in terms of mpg is on the towbar. Roof mounted worst.
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some great comments - thanks
It seems that roof mounted is the way forward although i am only 5'8 - good job I bought a light mountain bike
as theres only 2 bikes to attatch it shouldnt be too difficult to find a good rack, although i would like one that locks the bikes
thanks everyone
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I would second the opinion on towbar mounted (not least cos I have one advertised in the Classifieds above!).
Seriously with Towbar you can add them on without lifting too high and it is very solid and stable. However you need to account in the price of a towbar unless you have one already.
I have recently switched from a Scenic to an Altea XL, the Scenic had a towbar fitted for under £200. However the towbar for the Altea is over £400.
I can buy a set of Thule roof bars and their own make cycle carriers (for 4 bikes) for about £220 which is what I am planning on doing. Just need to find out how to get them up on the roof!
--
2007 Seat Altea XL 2.0 TDI (140) Stylance
2005 Skoda Fabia vrS
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