Bike carriers

rev_henry

I've just been given what I think is a slightly older model of this:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_251011_langId_-1_categoryId_165477#dtab

Put it on the car with the bike today and got it at the right angles and everything and it seems fine.

I am just a bit concerned that the whole thing is held together by 6 plastic cog things (zoom in on the picture to see), 2 of which hold the entire weight of all the bikes; up to 3. The Halfords website says it has a max weight of 45kg. I'm sorry but I just don't trust those plastic things to hold 3 bikes, particularly as the thing has been languishing in a garage for years. Its in good condition, nothings broken or anything, I'm just worried that my new bike will fly off on the motorway. Having said that it does seem to have good reviews on the Halfords website.

Any ideas...?

goldspanners

rev_henry wrote: »

Any ideas...?

buy a van!

i saw a guy with one of these on the motorway the other day,doing 70-80 and all 3 bikes bouncing around,needless to say i kept well back.

sillygoose

rev_henry wrote: »

I've just been given what I think is a slightly older model of this:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_251011_langId_-1_categoryId_165477#dtab

Put it on the car with the bike today and got it at the right angles and everything and it seems fine.

I am just a bit concerned that the whole thing is held together by 6 plastic cog things (zoom in on the picture to see), 2 of which hold the entire weight of all the bikes; up to 3. The Halfords website says it has a max weight of 45kg. I'm sorry but I just don't trust those plastic things to hold 3 bikes, particularly as the thing has been languishing in a garage for years. Its in good condition, nothings broken or anything, I'm just worried that my new bike will fly off on the motorway. Having said that it does seem to have good reviews on the Halfords website.

Any ideas...?

I have that one and have no problem with it, done many long trips 3 up (2 adult a large kids bike) on it. It's worth stopping after a while to make sure the straps are still tight. Those plastic brackets are pulled together by metal nuts and bolts so should one fail ultimate collapse is unlikely.

More worrying is the weight it puts on the lower rung that rests on the bumper, a lot of cars now have a strong steel beam clad in a fairly feeble plastic moulding, you need to be sure the top surface is happy with most the weight and the extra load of a tight strap pulling down on it, other wise its more likely you'll see a big bit of bodywork behind in your mirror!

It puts quite a lot of weight on the rear window (on our SUV) and although the bar is padded, you want it tight so it can't no matter what 'slap' the glass and risk breaking it. Finally you can't get in the boot whilst its on and the velcro frame straps are too short for some frames so an extra ratchet or some bungee's are handy.

rev_henry

sillygoose wrote: »

I have that one and have no problem with it, done many long trips 3 up (2 adult a large kids bike) on it. It's worth stopping after a while to make sure the straps are still tight. Those plastic brackets are pulled together by metal nuts and bolts so should one fail ultimate collapse is unlikely.

More worrying is the weight it puts on the lower rung that rests on the bumper, a lot of cars now have a strong steel beam clad in a fairly feeble plastic moulding, you need to be sure the top surface is happy with most the weight and the extra load of a tight strap pulling down on it, other wise its more likely you'll see a big bit of bodywork behind in your mirror!

It puts quite a lot of weight on the rear window (on our SUV) and although the bar is padded, you want it tight so it can't no matter what 'slap' the glass and risk breaking it. Finally you can't get in the boot whilst its on and the velcro frame straps are too short for some frames so an extra ratchet or some bungee's are handy.

That puts my mind at rest a bit. I had thought of the bumper issue as well, though the way the straps are most of the weight seems to actually be held onto the boot. There's a slight ridge just above the bumper, on the boot lid on my car, I might put it there instead...

fadetogrey

Bike carriers,sorry misunderstood that thought katie price was looking for a new car..........

clever_username

fadetogrey wrote: »

Bike carriers,sorry misunderstood that thought katie price was looking for a new car..........

Silence and tumbleweeds rolling past...