Bike rack; advice please

[Smiley]

I would like to be able to take 4 mountain bikes on the w124 estate; what are the pros and cons of putting them on the roof vs on a rack on the rear? And any recommendations for makes of racks or roof racks and where to get them?
I have the original roof bars for the car but thats it at the moment.

 

[Timster]

Much easier to stick them on the roof. I use halfords own bike carriers, think they're called "advanced" and I've driven thousands of miles with them up there, with no problems.

Much better than putting them on the back as you can still open the boot, doesnt' scratch the bikes by them rubbing against each other, much quicker, and more secure as lockable, the bikes and the holders.

 

[A210AMG]

Hello

The Thule range of racks be it roof or towbar are probably the best.

If you have already a towbar I would go for a rear mounted one that swings down so you can still access the boot.

Fitting them on the rack on the roof is harder even with the arms that come down. Hit your MPG big time.

The rear towball mount ones are easy to use and you just lift them and place the on. Lock in place job done.

Also 4 mountain bikes if down hill ones can be very heavy (weight on roof?)

http://www.thule.com/Thule/ProductPage____83131.aspx

 

[A210AMG]

Timster the Thule range lock, the frame itself locks to the towbar and the bikes lock to the arms.

They also swing down to get in the boot.


They don't get sctatched and surely quicker than lifting on the rack even the thule roof racks...

 

[Smiley]

Thanks guys. I don't have a tow bar fitted but have one in the shed that I bought years ago on ebay thinking that it might be handy...

I had never seen one of those Thule type racks although know the name of course. It looks like a good solution - I did not fancy the noise and mpg drag of having four bikes on the roof + the problem of getting them up there to start with?? On the other hand I did not want four bikes hanging off the tailgate either.....

At one point I thought I may have to buy a caravan to put them in

BTW they are not heavy bikes - all mountain or hybrids and quite light (ish).

I bet that Thule device is not cheap?

 

[Timster]

Hi there.

Aye, if you can afford it, then the THule tow bar rack is one of the best, however it's over £300 pounds, plus installing the tow bar seems a lot of money.

You said you already had the roof bars, bike carriers are about £20 - £30 a pop.

Suppose it depends how much you want to spend, how far you'll be driving, and what kind of bikes they are.

I race cross country mountainbikes, and have a nice lightweight hardtail worth a fair bit, no worries about sticking that on my roof.

Let us know what you decide on in the end.

Tim

 

[Dieselman]

I've got one of the Thule towball clamp racks and it's been great. Mine doesn't swing down but the boot does clear, so is OK.

Definitely don't use a webbing strap type on the rear hatch. The straps work loose and four bikes down the motorway is a major problem.

 

[Smiley]

Thanks again

I have just been taking a look through the Thule range of products. It would be a lot easier if I only had three bikes to cart around but we have four altogether.
I am thinking that the best solution is:
one on the roof with a Thule carrier - will this fit to the std MB roof bars or do I need to buy Thule bars as well?
and three more on a tow bar mounted rack.

Would this sound sensible? Either that or dismantle one and put it in the boot - trouble is we want to take them on holiday and there will be the small matter of Mrs S's suitcases.......

 

[Smiley]

Hi there.

Aye, if you can afford it, then the THule tow bar rack is one of the best, however it's over £300 pounds, plus installing the tow bar seems a lot of money.

You said you already had the roof bars, bike carriers are about £20 - £30 a pop.

Suppose it depends how much you want to spend, how far you'll be driving, and what kind of bikes they are.

I race cross country mountainbikes, and have a nice lightweight hardtail worth a fair bit, no worries about sticking that on my roof.

Let us know what you decide on in the end.

Tim

yes the tow bar option is a lot more expensive and it does look good (never realised that it existed until a few mins ago) - on the other hand I have saved so much money over the years by hanging on to the 124........and we will probably be using the bikes for a few years now - the youngest one has just got a "proper" bike. So I would rather do it right first time rather than go and buy a few cheaper bits only to buy the right ones later - been there before and got that t-shirt!!

 

[Timster]

Hello again!

1 on the roof, and 3 on the back?

Seems an unusual solution to me. I can fit 4 on the roof of my W124, 1st facing forwards, 2nd backwards, 3rd forwards, 4th backwards. Occasionally have to move a saddle to make space for a handlebar!

Can pop them up there in seconds. Yes, you lose MPG, I tend to average about 37 and it goes down to about 35 with the bikes up there, but so what, as you say, we're running old cars so what's the worry about a couple of MPG.

(That's just my opinion for what it's worth!)

 

[Smiley]

Just had another look and it seems there are Thule tow bar mounts for 4 bikes.

One is the 9708 "hang on" (£75); another the 9705 "bolt on" (£68)- these seem relatively cheap and then the 909 with a 9081 extender comes in at about £400 altogether.

Whats the downside of the cheaper 9705 / 9708 please?

 

[Dieselman]

Thhang on ones tend to let the bikes swing out from the rear of the car at high speed.
This can be stopped by using straps low down on the frame to the metal upright of the rack.

You also need a lightboard whereas the 9705 has one built in.

 

[Smiley]

Thhang on ones tend to let the bikes swing out from the rear of the car at high speed.
This can be stopped by using straps low down on the frame to the metal upright of the rack.

You also need a lightboard whereas the 9705 has one built in.

Thanks. So the bolt on 9705 is better in use than the 9708 - downside is that you need to bolt it on - not a problem for me.

But then comparing the 9705 at about £70 ish vs the 909 / 9081 combo at about £400?
They are both tow bar mounted 4 carrier racks but I guess I need to take a look at them to see the difference?

 

[wemorgan]

Just be sure if you're fitting the bikes on the rear of the car and your number plate & lights are obscured, then you'll need a number plate board and light, like this. I think some of the premium bike systems come with these intergrated.

 

[Smiley]

Just be sure if you're fitting the bikes on the rear of the car and your number plate & lights are obscured, then you'll need a number plate board and light, like this. I think some of the premium bike systems come with these intergrated.

Thanks - I think both of these Thule systems come with a lighting board. One of the benefits of buying a decent make I guess.

 

[Satch]

All multiple bike carrying solutions seem to end up as a bit of a mess but a mate of mine easily takes 5 away with him.

He puchased one of these:

http://www.all-about-the-home.co.uk/mottez-6-bike--luggage-trailer-135-p.asp

 

[Smiley]

Crumbs a proper trailer with wheels! I guess no choice if you need capacity for more than 4.

I bet this would cost extra on the ferry whereas the tow bar mounted bike rack would not?

I also thought about putting the kids on their bikes and towing them - they would not be able to argue in the back of the car then.....