Bike carriers -Do they damage bodywork?

Jazzy_B

I borrowed a bike carrier to fit on the back of my hatchback(The carrier's never been used). It fixes on the car with plastic clamps. Once the bikes are fitted on, it's pretty heavy. Can anyone tell me if the motion of a long journey (300 miles) causes any rubbing away of the paintwork. Don't know whether it would be cheaper to hire bikes, than pay out to have damaged bodywork repaired.
Thanks for any replies.

culpepper

ours is the hatchback style carrier and doesnt rub the paintwork at all.
If it slips and slides it isnt on right.You should have no play at all.
We bought ours in Halfords and the salesman showed us how to get it on the car,we'd just returned one to another shop as it slid all over the place.Not every hatch back style carrier will fit every hatch back.

skiddy2k

normally, all cycle carriers have rubber like grip's/pads that make contact to the body work and therefore no sharp or metal objects making contact with the bodywork of the car, shouldnt be a problem.

Skiddy

earlofbarrett

The "Daddy" of all bike racks is the "Saris Bones" both in design and quality. Mine has covered the length of the UK at speeds of 100mph and not even flinched!!!

Had it over a year and the rubber grips have not marked my metallic paintwork - but you can always put a cloth around them if your that concerned.

I bought the one that holds 3 bicycles at wiggle.co.uk for just under £100, yeah you can buy cheapies at halfords but as the old saying goes "you get what you pay for."

Garf

Ive got the hatchback 2-3 Cycle carrier from Halford. As mentioned above. Ive driven thousnads of miles over the past few years with atleast 2 bikes on the back and had no problems with movement. If you are worried about how to fit it ask a COMPETENT sales advisor at Halfords. No offence, but there are some muppets working at Halfords in my opinion

g33za

be aware that any bicycle carrier that covers your number plate needs to have an additional number plate after the carrier otherwise you might get pulled over.

Baz-Bee

g33za wrote:

be aware that any bicycle carrier that covers your number plate needs to have an additional number plate after the carrier otherwise you might get pulled over.

And if it obscures your lights you also need a lighting board as well. Not many people bother with this or the number plate but are in fact breaking the law.

Then again, an obscured number plate may be a good thing if Mr Gatso is not your mate!!!