we already have a lot of kit for the tent but im needing some new kit for the car, this year i would like to take the kids bikes away with us just to give them that bit extra to do plus we are staying near the new forest so would like to go bike riding whilst there.
i need to get a cycle carrier i dont want to pay silly amounts of money and we dont have a tow bar fitted but there is such a huge range of products available i wondered if anybody has any recomendations on cycle carriers.
also should say i cant have the type that go on the roof as i have roof bars and box full of stuff also.
thank you all so much in advance
xxxxxx
------------- camping sets you free !!!
June - isle of wight
July - devon
and anyway anyhow or anywhere in between
My Son works in a cycle shop as a mech/tech, that mostly sells top end road/mtb's, and they have had numerous, bikes in for repair, due to the strap on type bike carriers, comming loose. I would steer well clear of strap on bike racks.
The best solution is a towball mounted bike rack, and if not I would leave the bikes behind, and hire at the destination.
Plenty will say the strap on types are ok but it depends on the car really. You see some with 3 bikes on with top rail bearing on the glass rear window & they can also damage paintwork. They fit some cars better than others.
Personally I wouldn't want a rack that relies on 2 pieces of webbing hooked onto top of tailgate to keep it in place but certainly people use them successfully & for a cheap rack it is your only choice if you can't use the roof because anything else will involve fitting a towbar unless you have a large people carrier or van which could take the Fiamma clamp on type. These are not cheap tho.
I wouldnt get the strap on type, we used it ok on our old car but on our new car on the first outing with it, it managed to rip the top of the tailgate open like a can opener . Had to claim on the car insurance as the repair was very expensive. We wont use one of that sort again.
ok i have a renault scenic 54 plate, 1.9 diesel i dont wantt o pay to have a tow bar fitted as im happy with the space i have with my roof box and boot
i want to take 3 bikes, one small bike about 14 - 16 inch and two 24inch
it would be a pointless exercise fitting a roof carrier as it would only take one bike
which is why i wanted a rear mounted cycle carrier, i have never purchased one or even looked at them before which is why i was asking for recomendations.
i have spent 6 months convincing my husband that we dont need a tow bar and trailor i dont want to tow anything as i dont feel confident enough driving like that, i had a panic attack at the thought of the roof box flying open whilst driving to cornwall.
tentz you said something about a fiamma type cycle carrier please could you elaborate for me please.
im not a novice camper i am however a novice at cycle carriers
:)
------------- camping sets you free !!!
June - isle of wight
July - devon
and anyway anyhow or anywhere in between
For your specific car this rack should fit & is clamp on but you would need a guarantee it would fit tho & not cheap. Alternatively a better quality strap on would be this one watch the video but again you would need assurance it would fit your specific car & top of tailgate was strong enough.
the strap on one is exactly what we looked at and i have spoken to a seller who lives no to far away who has told me that it definitely fits but if we take a drive he will fit it to the car so we can see how it works and if its the way we wantt it too.
mind you that thule one does look good, and it clamps for extra security, i dont think it was as expensive as i was dreading.
pwatson...i have seen the maxraxx ones but i dont have a towbar as if we had a tow bar OH would want a trailer but my argument for that is if we get a trailer we may as well get a caravan
thank you all for your advice
------------- camping sets you free !!!
June - isle of wight
July - devon
and anyway anyhow or anywhere in between
something which has not been said,is the problem of covering your rear lights and number plate with this type of rack.it does surprise me the amount of cars driving around with bikes strapped to the back with the lights covered over.
I'm still concerned about the weight, especially the rest axle loading. The car is full, the roof is full, it's hard to believe there's spare capacity to carry even more.
Jim
The high mounted bike racks should allow clearance of lights/numberplate & this is why the rack must fit the actual car & some cars are more suitable than others, ie the bearers should not rest on unsupported metal halfway up tailgate.
The more expensive racks with the bike wheels strapped into channels are to be preferred to the type where the bikes hang, particularly with ladies bikes that cannot be hung straight & might obscure lights because of it.
Certainly weight is a consideration but most camping gear is fairly light & the weight of 3 bikes on a rear carrier should be less than most cars' towbar download limit but of course one needs to ensure rear axle weight limit is not exceeded.
We've had four different strap ons, and roof mounted ... now have a MaxxRaxx, which is the best by a long, long way ... but you need a tow bar.
We had a strap on come off two years ago ... luckily going slowly and about to enter a campsite ... could have been awful on a motorway!
Always got marks from straps, however careful I was.
If you are determined to go for a starp on, there are some models with steel top and bottom straps, which are, by and large, safer ... but check the system every hundred miles or so ... and don't get a cheap Halford's rack!
Just a note further to Tentz post re ladies bikes and bike racks. You can buy a ladies/Mountain bike adjustable"adapter" that fits across from the seatpost to handlebar stem. Bought mine from Halfords, but available other places I'm sure.
Have to say that perhaps, just maybe there is a chance that a rethink of the trailer - tow bar idea might be worth the mention.
Modern trailers tow like a dream, OK you have to stick to lower motorway speeds but have you seen the petrol consumption you get when cruising at 55 ! FANTASTIC
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: cycle carrier / rack
. Had to claim on the car insurance as the repair was very expensive. We wont use one of that sort again.
