Cycle carrier for the car - let down by Halfords

HurdyGurdy

I have a Mazda5 people carrier. I went to Halfords earlier this week and asked if they could fit a carrier to it. I opted for the more expensive version and it was to be fitted today.

I went to the store and they then decided it wouldn't fit. Something about the size of the boot / door. They said they could do the cheaper version with straps, but that you have to keep stopping every 30 minutes to check the straps, which didn't appeal at all.

Another suggestion was one that required a number plate thingy but then it involved getting electrics sorted, and it sounded a bit of a faff, so I discounted that one.

They also suggested a roof carrier. Erm - I am 5ft 2ins and my head barely reached the roof of the car, never mind having to try and lift a fairly heavy bike above my head and fix it!!

So - where would you suggest I try to get a rear fitted carrier put on the car. Does anyone know if it is possible to get one on a 57 plate Madza 5, or where I should go for advice.

Really gutted - I have next week off work and had all kinds of nice rides planned!! I *can* get the bike into the rear of the car with all the seats down, but it's not the easiest thing to do.

brat

I've used roofbox.co.uk for cycle racks. They give you a list of what you can use for your car. I bought the Atera Linea 3 bike rear carrier for my Touran, but I don't think that'll be available for the Mazda.

The 'Saris Bones' looks good, and it may well fit your car.

molerat

HurdyGurdy wrote: »

I have a Mazda 5 people carrier. I went to Halfords earlier this week and asked if they could fit a carrier to it. I opted for the more expensive version and it was to be fitted today.

I went to the store and they then decided it wouldn't fit. Something about the size of the boot / door. They said they could do the cheaper version with straps, but that you have to keep stopping every 30 minutes to check the straps, which didn't appeal at all.

Another suggestion was one that required a number plate thingy but then it involved getting electrics sorted, and it sounded a bit of a faff, so I discounted that one.

They also suggested a roof carrier. Erm - I am 5ft 2ins and my head barely reached the roof of the car, never mind having to try and lift a fairly heavy bike above my head and fix it!!

So - where would you suggest I try to get a rear fitted carrier put on the car. Does anyone know if it is possible to get one on a 57 plate Madza 5, or where I should go for advice.

Really gutted - I have next week off work and had all kinds of nice rides planned!! I *can* get the bike into the rear of the car with all the seats down, but it's not the easiest thing to do.

You don't need to stop every 30 mins, you need to stop and check about 30 mins after fitting and loading to ensure the straps have settled.

Nebulous2

If you are talking about having to fix electrics I'm assuming you don't have a towbar?

A towbar mounted one might well be your best option, but it wouldn't be cheap if you need a towbar as well.

One with straps would work fine. You haven't said which ones Halfords offered you, but I have tried most types and have a hollywood one a bit like this, which I've used for years.

I must admit my preference is roof mounted though. I have a trailer for camping / holiday gear and have racks for four bikes on top of it.

vikingaero

I owned a 59 plate Mazda 5 and I'm fairly sure it has a plastic tailgate that precludes most/any boot mount carriers.

I used roofbars and bike racks and at 5'7" used a folding plastic step to help. Maybe see if you can get hold of a discontinued Atera bike lift or google "mini cooper/audi/bmw/mercedes bike lift".

Keep_pedalling

Nebulous2 wrote: »

If you are talking about having to fix electrics I'm assuming you don't have a towbar?

A towbar mounted one might well be your best option, but it wouldn't be cheap if you need a towbar as well.

One with straps would work fine. You haven't said which ones Halfords offered you, but I have tried most types and have a hollywood one a bit like this, which I've used for years.

I must admit my preference is roof mounted though. I have a trailer for camping / holiday gear and have racks for four bikes on top of it.

I hate those things mounted with a load of straps, so have until recently used roof mounted racks, but have recently fitted a tow bar to my golf to take a bike carrier, takes 5 minutes to fit and another 5 to load 3 bikes, and I can still get the hatch open. Expensive solution but I ain't never going back.

PS anyone want to buy 3 Thurl bike carries for a roof rack?

Norman_Castle

Really gutted - I have next week off work and had all kinds of nice rides planned!! I *can* get the bike into the rear of the car with all the seats down, but it's not the easiest thing to do.

I've removed the wheels and seat post at times to fit the bike in with other things. Removing just the front wheel and seat post is simpler and less messy and protects the rear derailleur. It also makes the bike lighter.

xHannahx

vikingaero wrote: »

I owned a 59 plate Mazda 5 and I'm fairly sure it has a plastic tailgate that precludes most/any boot mount carriers.

It does and as a result would not be suitable for fitting a bike carrier. The plastic construction will not realistically take the added weight. The only sensible option is either roof mounted or tow bar mounted for a Mazda 5.
With a roof mounted you may need to be cautious of the overall height on a MPV, and low bridges / Trees.

Mr xhannahx

HurdyGurdy

Thank you all. I think I am going to bite the bullet and get a towbar fitted and then go for one that attached to that. I do like the Saris Bones one that Brat gave me the link to and will look into that first, before going to the expense of a towbar.

Thank you all for your replies. I do appreciate it

vikingaero

HurdyGurdy wrote: »

Thank you all. I think I am going to bite the bullet and get a towbar fitted and then go for one that attached to that. I do like the Saris Bones one that Brat gave me the link to and will look into that first, before going to the expense of a towbar.

Thank you all for your replies. I do appreciate it

I looked into a lot of information when choosing a towbar for my 5. I 've never had a towbar on any car before this and it was confusing and a steep learning curve. Google is your friend and lots of towbar company sites have very good info on the types of towbar and the advantages and disadvantages of each.

It's going to be expensive - £250 to £400 but it is is the best way forward. I found that my fuel consumption would decrease by 1/4 to 1/3 if I had bikes on the roof.

First advice is to look at the type of towbar that you want. The most common is fixed or detachable. Fixed is cheapest, detachable more expensive and you can get electric ones that swing out of the way but cost £££.

If you have parking sensors then go for a swan neck type - the thinner profile is less likely to interfere.

Then there is the choice of a 7 pin UK electrics or Continental 13 pin - you can get an adaptor if your bike carrier is the opposite but choosing the correct one for your bike carrier at installation time is best.

Some sites will try and sell you ECU interface/approved manufacturer electric kits. If you only plan to use the towbar for a bike rack then you do not need one - the electric kit supplied with the towbar is adequate. You only need a higher spec vehicle electric packs if you plan to tow a trailer/caravan as this alters the settings of the ESP system on the car.

But the biggest advantage of having a towbar rack is not having to remove the bikes from the roof at car park height barriers!

Brand_X

I bought a cycle carrier a few years ago, brand new from Halfords. After reading the instructions and carefully inspecting the straps I realized that there was no way the straps were going to stay in place, the hooks just slide off. The design simply does not work and I can't understand why they are still on sale or even legal.