Cycle carriers - recommendations please.

[Sam]

I have a Passat saloon. It has an immense boot, with the smallest opening known to man making it impossible to transport a bike around. I don't have, nor do I want, a towbar. I therefore need to invest in something.

A quick search gives me two options;

Thule FreeWay 968 for 3 bikes (http://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4.php?emulate=whycar&query=6104&vptype=&prodid=11234&) £48.95 + a lighting board (~£15)

or

Thule Roof Bar Assembly (http://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4.php?emulate=roofbar&query=6104&vptype=&brand=Thule&) £84.86 + Thule Cycle Rack no. 530 (http://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4.php?query=TU530&vptype=&emulate=accgen&qty=1&) £27.95 x how ever many bikes I want to transport.

Putting price to one side, the latter option seems the more sensible move due to the fact that I can use the roof bars for other things.

Any other ideas?

[paul b]

After my experience of bike racks on the back of my old (and eventually stolen) Fiat Punto then never again would I go for a rack which holds the bikes on the boot. It put a bend/dint just above the number plate... and it was fitted perfectly!

Didn't RickT have something like this on the top of his A4? Might be worth having a word with him if you haven't already.

Paul

[Ben]

you will need towing electrics for the number plate board. - didn't think of that now did you?

thats as much as i can contribute to this.

does your bike not have quick release wheels or do you carry a 15mm socket set with you?

[clintyboy12]

I've had both types (though not all on VW Passats).
From my point of view I would always now go for a roof carrier. I was chatting to a cycle mechanic who used to come to our office and he pointed out that if you ever get shunted by someone whilst you have your cycle carrier on, you will most likely incur damage to your bike(s) as well as your car.
Also as someone has already pointed out, even some correctly fitted boot-mounted carriers can damage paintwork / bodywork plus the one I had (not a Thule admittedly) meant once it was on you could not open the boot. The up-side was that it was easy to mount the bikes for my g/f.

For the roof carriers bear in mind that if you run short of space you can also use the roof bars for a roofbox. The only downsides (IMHO!) to roof mounting is:
(a) not easy to get bikes up there
(b) remembering low height clearance (yes I have forgotten once, at least I won't do it again!)

I use Paddy Hopkirk cross bars and Thule Freeride carriers (not sure which ones as bought last year - may be 530 or possibly one previous version).

Hope this helps in your decision!

[Sam]

Paul - I remembered a pic from a while ago, couldn't remember who it was. Thanks! Interesting about the rear mounted carrier too, I can't be doing with more repairs.

Ben - I knew I'd need them, I was planning on tapping the rear clusters, but after Paul's input and Clinty's post, I think they're out of the question now. I carry a toolkit with me wherever I go, but I think the new bike will have quick release wheels

Clinty - The dual purpose of roof bars had practically sold it for me already, the idea of getting shunted and losing both the rear of my car and (up to) 3 bikes doesn't appeal either.

Thanks lads, I think that's me decided unless there's more to come?

[Hex69]

(a) not easy to get bikes up there

If getting the bikes up is a problem try the Atera Bike Lift

http://www.roofbox.co.uk/gal/bkc/Z/AR2212_01Z.jpg

[Sam]

Forgot all about this!

I've now had the bike (quick release wheels!) for almost 6 months and I still don't have a means of transporting it. The weather is just starting to get back to normal so the time has come to have another stab at this.

Bring on the (new) ideas please ;)

[PFJones]

HI there

followed the links both of the prices you quoted seem to have gone up. We can beat ANY ONLINE Thule price. INCLUDING THE SITE PRICES BELOW ,,

"A quick search gives me two options;

Thule FreeWay 968 for 3 bikes £48.95 + a lighting board (~£15)

Rear door bike carrier - 3 bikes: Thule Freeway 3 bike carrier no. 968 £67.85 £75.00


or

Thule Roof Bar Assembly £84.86 + Thule Cycle Rack no. 530 £27.95 x how ever many bikes I want to transport.


Item: Description: Our price: RRP:
Bike carrier (roof mounting): Thule FreeRide cycle rack no. 530 £42.95

Foot Pack: Thule Rapid System gutterless feet (4) no. 750 £49.90

Bars: Thule Rapid System bars: 120cm bars (2) no. 761 £25.00

Adapter Kit: Thule Rapid System adapter kit no. 1218 £24.95
"

We can beat the price on both of these items going off the on screen price,

Please either call 0161 886 5798 ask for Danny or simply pm us.

With regards to the best type of carrier, that a matter of personal preference.

I prefer to use the Westfalia portilio cycle carrier (http://www.pfjones.co.uk/cycle-carriers-/tow-bar-mounted-carriers/westfalia-portilo-cycle-carrier.html)as the design and storage of this carrier are unbeatable, Shame about the price though.

"the idea of getting shunted and losing both the rear of my car and (up to) 3 bikes doesn't appeal either." God if only I was that lucky new bikes all round : )

[hogwash]

I'm a keen cyclist and I've had all sorts of cycle carriers over the years. I think the rear mounted type which rests on the back of the car is unsafe. I read sometime ago that a motorcyclist had been killed by one of these falling off the back of the car with the bikes attached and I know someone whose bikes fell off one of these whilst driving on the motorway.
A bike carrier on the top of the car is a better option but it has its shortcomings. Again I have concerns about safety, as well as car-handling, and lifting the bikes up is a bit of a bind. Also, you can easily scratch your car.
In my experience the best (but most expensive) option by far is to have a towbar and proper bike carrier with ltailboard. These can take 3 and sometimes 4 bikes.
I've had all 3 types over the years and the one which we use most and has stood the test of time is the towbar and bike carrier with tailboard.
hogwash:D

[dickymint]

I would agree, in my experience a tow ball mounted rack seems the most satisfactory. I use a Bac-rak. It's a basic flat load carring rack onto which one can mount roof rack type bike carriers. They can be removed if other loads are needed to be carried on other occasions. Mine does not have a tilt facility but I believe that option is now available. Try www.bak-rak.com (http://www.bak-rak.com).
I should add that I am in no way involved with the company.

[PFJones]

HI we have a page giving advice on the different types of cycle carriers (http://www.pfjones.co.uk/advice-centre-/cycle-carrier-advice/choosing-the-right-cycle-carrier-.html),

We are currently the cheapest on ebay (http://stores.ebay.co.uk/PF-Jones-Manchester) for nearly all the Thule cycle carrier range, as well as the Witter Cycle carrier range,

Hope that helps

[Mike McKinstry]

Any chance of some pics of cycle carrier 88/89 for VW passat estate??

Thanks,
Mike