Best cycle carrier - but no tow bar

Arfa__

I would really be tempted to get a tow bar fitted. Last year I picked up one of the posh Thule towball mounted carriers off ebay. Think it was the Euroclassic G6 or something like that. Built in light/number plate board. Can accommodate 3 bikes. Simply clamps to tow ball, and locks in place with key. Same key locks arms onto bikes. Then the best bit, you pull a handle and the whole rack pivots back, so you can open the boot with all the bike in place! Either way, the one I've got, retails for £300-400 odd, found mine on ebay in nearly new condition for £100!

Check out some photos of it here: http://fubaby.com/2010/06/summer-holidays/ All fitted and loaded up to my Zafira.

In my case, roof mounting wasn't really an option, too high up to lift bikes. Its inevitable, you'd scratch the car loading/unloading them. Plus loads more drag when bombing down the motorway.

As for ones that clamp to boot, well yes, as said, you can't get into boot without removing all the bikes. Mates had one of these, ending up scratching all the paint off the top of his boot and spoiler, with the handle bars/brake levers of the bikes as they bounced about going down the road. The tow bar ones, hold the bikes a good distance from the boot, so this isn't a risk.

mikey72

I like those, but I can't use the trailer with the bikes on.
The strap on carrier I still can.

rev_henry

mikey72 wrote: »

I like those, but I can't use the trailer with the bikes on.
The strap on carrier I still can.

I have seen towbar mount ones that leave the towball free. Some screw on between the towball and the towbar, and some friends used to (probably still have) a special towbar with a kinda plate thing that goes on the towbar and the rack clips into. Maybe these are the same type...

mikey72

Mine's a detactable tow ball, no bolts to fasten any carrier to.
But you don't smack your shins every time you walk round the back of the car.

beachbhoy

I use the halfords advanced roof cycle carriers we have 4 of them (2 double packs) and carry 4 bikes no bother this allows us to tow our caravan and have access to the boot as well. my var is a vauxhall vectra. The roof bars were £100 from vauxhall and the bike carriers were around £70 per double pack. No need to worry about the rear lights or number plate being obstructed and the bikes are also locked whilst on the roof. you just need to avoid the multi-storey car parks.

Arfa__

rev_henry wrote: »

I have seen towbar mount ones that leave the towball free. Some screw on between the towball and the towbar, and some friends used to (probably still have) a special towbar with a kinda plate thing that goes on the towbar and the rack clips into. Maybe these are the same type...

I know what you mean. When I brought my car, it had the bracket for one of these already fitted to the towbar. Had to remove it to make room for my Thule carrier though. It was basically two vertical pipes either side of the towball, which some sort of vertical rack could slot into. Actually flogged the plate for around £25, vaguely remember it being Pendle brand one. Yeah, obviously wouldn't work with a detachable towbar.

Seems to be pro and cons which ever way you go. Guess its all down to what car you've got and what other stuff you want to stick to it.

rev_henry

Arfa__ wrote: »

I know what you mean. When I brought my car, it had the bracket for one of these already fitted to the towbar. Had to remove it to make room for my Thule carrier though. It was basically two vertical pipes either side of the towball, which some sort of vertical rack could slot into. Actually flogged the plate for around £25, vaguely remember it being Pendle brand one. Yeah, obviously wouldn't work with a detachable towbar.

Seems to be pro and cons which ever way you go. Guess its all down to what car you've got and what other stuff you want to stick to it.

Yes that's the one.

Gloomendoom

One of my neighbour's has a strap on (ooh err) bike carrier. I noticed that it has actually dented the tailgate of his car where the cushioned pads rest. Something to look out for. It probably wouldn't have been a problem if he'd made sure that the pads were positioned near the edge of the tailgate rather than in the middle of the panel.