preferred-google-button
log in
register

Bike rack – rear or roof?

  • Creator
    Topic
  • September 13, 2012 at 7:30 am #16817
    sparrow

    I need a new bike rack for my Skoda Fabia… I don’t know whether to;
    1 – invest in rails for the roof and get an upright bike rack
    2 – have a tow bar fitted and buy a tow-bar rack
    3 – opt for a cheap (and quick) fix with a rear carrier that fits to my boot….
    Any ideas? I had a rear carrier previously, it was cheap and perished….but I am on a bit of a tight budget.

    Any advice would be most appreciated!

    Ta!

  • Creator
    Topic
Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 17 total)
1 2
  • Author
    Replies
  • October 1, 2012 at 6:48 pm #700387
    0
    chrismday

    sparrow wrote:Thanks

    sparrow wrote:
    Thanks Chrismday but I’m opting for a roof rack….

    No problem.

    October 1, 2012 at 1:37 pm #700385
    0
    sparrow

    Thanks Chrismday but I’m
    Thanks Chrismday but I’m opting for a roof rack….

    September 19, 2012 at 12:32 pm #700383
    0
    chrismday

    I have an Atera Duro XL
    I have an Atera Duro XL towbar mounted carrier for sale if interested. Carries 3 bikes + 1 via removable piggyback tray. Located in Milton Keynes. £190 (cost £400)

    Chrismday@gmx.com

    September 17, 2012 at 10:37 pm #700381
    0
    andrewleitch86

    I like the look of these.
    I like the look of these. Convenience of a roof rack but able to be put on any car.

    http://www.seasucker.com/product-category/bike-racks/

    September 17, 2012 at 9:55 pm #700379
    0
    zzgavin

    Went the expensive route and
    Went the expensive route and got a tow bar fitted and bought a thule euroride three bike carrier. Then drove 2000 miles to the Pyrenees and back. Didn’t worry about the bikes once and mpg seemed to only be about 1 mile per gallon down, which I thought was ok. Gets used every weekend to take my son to youth cycling club and me to various sportives with mates. Quick to load up too. Still pop my bike in the boot sometimes, but with two kids seats it is harder to fold everything flat.
    Essentially think how much you’ll use it and how far you will drive with it.

    September 17, 2012 at 10:07 am #700377
    0
    Raleigh

    IF you are going roofrack,
    IF you are going roofrack, get an elite san remo.

    They’re well good.

    September 17, 2012 at 8:06 am #700375
    0
    sparrow

    Wow….. Thanks everyone for
    Wow….. Thanks everyone for all the tips and links, very much appreciated.

    Traveling with my wife and two boys means it needs to be carried externally most of the time….

    I think after weighing up the feedback, I’m opting for a roof rack, although the potential security feature of a tow bar is attractive….

    September 13, 2012 at 10:46 pm #700373
    0
    FMOAB

    +1 for tow bar option. Yes
    +1 for tow bar option. Yes they are a more expensive option, but I’ve seen down tubes that have been damaged by the jaws of the roof mounted carriers and getting bikes on the roof may be difficult if the car is tall and the user is short.

    I also like the security of being able to padlock the bikes to a towbar rack, great if you are camping or leaving them in a car park.

    September 13, 2012 at 8:12 pm #700371
    0
    Raleigh

    Tow bar probs, at least then
    Tow bar probs, at least then you can tow other stuff; boats etc.

    September 13, 2012 at 7:29 pm #700369
    0
    Gkam84

    Here is the other thing that
    Here is the other thing that I couldn’t find earlier.

    1 or 2 bikes

    http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Minoura-Vergo-Excel-Single-Bike-Rack_37007.htm

    http://www.discountcyclesdirect.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=31&products_id=10106

    Cheaper still…..make your own

    http://i.ytimg.com/vi/3TSMnRLg9KY/0.jpg

    You’ll need one of these and some wood

    http://www.ukbikestore.co.uk/product/119/dbh1005/delta-bike-hitch-pro.html

    Just don’t go to crazy and end up like this….

    http://ww3.foundshit.com/pictures/cars/bike-rack.jpg

    September 13, 2012 at 7:01 pm #700367
    0
    Stumps

    Unless you know someone who
    Unless you know someone who can fit them it will cost you over £150.00 to have a tow bar fitted plus the 150+ for a decent tow bar itself.

    You then have to get the bike attachment etc etc etc.

    Go for roof bars if you want something rather than putting the bike in the boot (much better option IMHO).

    September 13, 2012 at 6:14 pm #700365
    0
    manoirdelourde

    I have an Audi A6 estate, so
    I have an Audi A6 estate, so plenty of boot space, and have 4 options, preferred in this order:
    1) Two riders and bikes – fold the back seats down and bikes in the boot (with the wheels on).
    2) Three or four riders and bikes but no luggage – bikes in the boot with wheels and seatposts removed.
    3)Two or three riders and bikes plus luggage – towbar mounted Thule rack.
    4) Four or five riders plus luggage – towbar mounted Thule rack and Thule roof mounted carriers.
    Needless to say option 4 hits the fuel economy the most, especially if a roof box is added.
    For your car I would put the bikes inside if possible, if not go for a towbar and carrier if you can afford it.

    September 13, 2012 at 5:04 pm #700363
    0
    Gkam84

    I don’t know what version
    I don’t know what version Fabia you have, But here are a couple of options

    2 bike rear carrier

    http://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4_tab.php/car-specific-accessories/saris_bones_2_bike_carrier_grey_no_sab2_gy/eJgJE%60zLBMrQ%60vx0ICezX5~%60ePEZXq,XwupQxxuemheF3TUAlXpA3bm4RCd%7BlcJ

    Lockable roof bars

    http://shop.grahamgoode.com/roof-rack-bars–locks-skoda-fabia-estate-00-07-with-open-rails-green-valley-trek-156812-68916-p.asp

    But I’m with _SiD_ all dependant on the space you need in the boot for other things. I’d put it in the boot. Not just taking off the wheels though. I’d get a cheap padded bag or box and put it in that way 😉

    Then you always have a box for any other kinds of travel. By bus, train, plane or in the boot of a mates car for going to a race/sportive or whatever :B

    September 13, 2012 at 3:56 pm #700361
    0
    _SiD_

    The cheapest and most aero
    The cheapest and most aero dynamic way to transport a bike is to pop of both wheels and set it in the boot. I just can’t be bothered with the straps, bungees, plugs etc etc. anymore.
    Circling the cafe carpark for 10 minutes to find a spot close to the window so you can “keep an eye on the bikes” or reversing 2cm away from a wall so no one will nick it.

    Boots were made for carrying things like this. You would’t see a golfer driving around with his clubs strapped to his rear window? Carrier bag around the chain set, piece of cardboard underneath.
    Cost = £0.00
    Aerodynamic = 100%
    Pose value = 0

    If cycling really is the new golf (apologies everyone for using that phrase) then let’s take it to the logical conclusion, set the bike in the boot.

    S

    September 13, 2012 at 8:58 am #700359
    0
    dave atkinson

    don’t forget the option of a
    don’t forget the option of a not-cheap rear carrier. there’s plenty of really good ones out there.

    I was talking to the CEO of Thule at eurobike, and they’ve been doing a lot of wind tunnel work to try and find out which method of carrying bikes causes least drag. and it depends on the bike. If it’s road bikes – and especially aero road bikes – then it’s much better to mount them on the roof; they’re optimised to be efficient moving through the air and cause much less drag that way. MTBs and city bikes tend to perform better mounted to the rear, but it depends on the shape of your car.

  • Author
    Replies
Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 17 total)
1 2
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.