Best cycle carrier - but no tow bar

socks_uk

Years ago we had one of the 'hatchbach rear window' type of cycle carrier but it never felt safe so we hardly ever used - maybe we never knew how to fix it properly.
Anyway, fast forward 25 years and we've seen the tow bar carriers and I know we'd take our bikes camping with us if we had one of those but sadly neither mine nor my husband's car has a tow bar.

So, please can anyone recommend a reasonably priced, safe, easy to use cycle carrier? I have a Skoda Fabia hatchback and my husband has a Rover 200 hatchback.
Thanks in advance.

mikey72

I've got the Thule, fastens onto the tailgate with six straps, and has done thousands of miles with no mishaps.

neilmcl

The Saris range ae supposed to be very good, particularl the Bones models, but they can be expensive.

http://www.saris.com/bike-racks/vehicle-racks/trunk-racks.html

socks_uk

Thank you guys... I know the next car either of us get will have a tow bar!

mikey72

You can't open the tailgate with the carrier on then.

spiro

Also you need to check your lights and number plate. Driving on the motorway I see dozens of cars with bike carriers on the back and the bikes obscure some/all of the lights and/or number plate. Both are likely to result in plod pulling you over, not sure what the penalty is.

mikey72

I put a trailer board on mine. (I've got a tow bar as well though)
You can get high level ones that don't hide the lights as well.

rev_henry

I have an older version of this: http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_251011_langId_-1_categoryId_165477#dtab

on the back of my Rover 25 (so same car really). I was also worried about it feeling a bit flimsy but it doesn't even bounce around or anything, athough thus far I've only had one bike on it. Well out of the way of lights etc as well. I wouldn't trust it with 3 bikes though, 2 max.

The best thing is roof mounted bike rack things - for which you also need roof bars so could get expensive.
You do know you can get a towbar fitted don't you?

socks_uk

rev_henry wrote: »

You do know you can get a towbar fitted don't you?

I suppose this is what we should do really. It's not worth thinking about my husband's old Rover as he's thinking of changing his car next year.
Is it the local garage we would ask to supply and fit one?

photome

I caryy mine on the roof, with Thule cycle carriers. I paid about £30 per carrier, they are great, secure with locks and leaves access to the rear.

You do need roof bars to put them on tough, a set of those should cost you around £75 (with fittings)

rev_henry

socks_uk wrote: »

I suppose this is what we should do really. It's not worth thinking about my husband's old Rover as he's thinking of changing his car next year.
Is it the local garage we would ask to supply and fit one?

You could do, but better and probably cheaper a towbar fitter. Look in the local paper. Many will come to you.