Bike carrying - on top or on the back?

[zhgTubThumper]

I have the 2 litre tdi estate with the bars already on the roof.

Given that, in your experience whats best, carry two bikes on the roof or on the back. I dont as yet have a tow bar and I'm not keen on the strap on solution.

I'll be taking them all over France in the summer.

Thanks

[Gizmo68]

No brainer for me - the roof
On the roof they will create more drag = less MPG = cost more money
but
on the rear, you cant open the tailgate with the bikes on, will probably need a trailer board to be legal (to read the No. plate and see the light unobstructed) and as you say you don't like the strapped idea, you will need a tow bar as well.

Or

take the wheels off, put them in the back of the car and get a lockable roof box for the things that would of been in the boot, this would be more streamlined and less noisy on the roof.

[Sammycarp]

I use the strap on solution without problems. They can be fiddly, and restrict boot access , but I've never had a problem, just stop every couple of hours to check the straps are still tight.

Budget was an issue for me when I got it, but I've used the carrier on at least 3 different cars (currently the Octy II estate), without having to worry about getting a towbar, or specific roof attachments.

[billybskoda]

teams07-lotto.jpg

From my other world...

Billy

[loskie]

you don't want a strap on it'll make your eyes water.
Get a towbar mounted one. mine is maxraxx and drops down to allow rear entry

[PSM]

I have the hatchback and went for the roof option. Paid £200 for 2 carriers and roof bars from The Roof Box Company: sales and hire of Thule roof boxes and other brands of roof boxes, roof bars and bike carriers. The towbar would have been at least £300, would have needed the bumper cutting and then would have had to pay £200 for the carrier to fit to towbar.

[Burnsey]

Originally Posted by PSM

The towbar would have been at least £300, would have needed the bumper cutting and then would have had to pay £200 for the carrier to fit to towbar.

And when you change your car you need to get a towbar for that one as well.

I considered this on my Superb and had a strapped one to start with, however managed to scratch the back of the car with a pedal - d'oh so got a roof one from the roofbox company too.

All in it was about the £200 mark (for feet, bars and 2 carriers), and now that I've changed to the octy estate all I need to do is change the feet for about £50 and the rest of the kit is fine. I have the Thule bars and the Atera Giro carrier. Both are good engineering, and for mountain bikes they have been fine.

You didn't say what style of bike you'd be carrying, as some extreme DH bikes would need checking before you commit to either approach.

Likewise, you should think if you'll be travelling anywhere with a height limit. I have been fine on ferries, but you get put on the same side as high 4x4 and lorries.

If I already needed or had a towbar then it may have been a different story, as it is clearly easier to lift bikes to towbar height compared to roof height, but that wasn't an issue for me.

B

[RobA]

I've got roof carriers too.

I used to carry them on the back, but the carriers themselves have been known to collapse, dropping your bikes all over the road.

[cheezemonkhai]

Tow bar carrier?

Always used these on any cars we have.

The other two leave a quite high risk of damaging the paintwork when putting the bikes on.

[bahnstormer vrs]

I've used Thule carriers on roof bars on several cars (although not my Octy) and IMHO they are quick and easy to use and the bikes are less likely to get nicked when your stopped. It also keeps the flexibility of being able to use the hatch and when you are in France (or anywhere else) on your hols and you fancy taking the bikes out for the day, again, quick and easy to use.

An additional benefit is, you will then have crossbars to use with your OE roof bars for all other manner of items during the year i.e. DIY and furniture?

[billybskoda]

Originally Posted by cheezemonkhai

Tow bar carrier?

Always used these on any cars we have.

The other two leave a quite high risk of damaging the paintwork when putting the bikes on.

Be more careful with the bikes then cheeze, I couldnt bear a scratched frame or rim, or piece of campag componentry.

Some of my bikes use to cost the equivalent of a house up north....

[Dodgy]

Mine go in the boot, plenty of room, even when I've got passengers.

Dave.

[zhgTubThumper]

Thanks everyone thats great advice.

I think I'm leaning toward the roof since for 5 weeks in France last year we had the whole of the rear seats and boot space filled with kit.

It seems cheaper too, distributing the weight better across the 4 wheels.. and after all the bikes were on top throughout the tour de france!

I'm tall as well so getting it up shouldnt be a problem.

[Lady Elanore]

Now that I have a smaller car, I need to be able to mount my Bike/bikes somehow. I looked at roof racks first and even though I am quite tall I don’t like the idea of scratching my paint when mounting the roof bars (always a risk). So when a good friend of mine bought me a towbar and single electrics for Christmas, I was not only pleased but pretty much forced into the rear mounting option. I have seen a nice Thule that does 2 bikes and also drops down on an assisted arm to allow the hatch to open and clear the rack and bikes. The down side and this is a really BIG downside………………..it will take 6 hours labour to fit and the Dealer needs the car for 2 whole days!!!!!!! The mounts for the towbar are already sorted so no drilling is required!!!!!!!! BMW must be mental making this so difficult. I am now searching for someone who can code the electrics of the towbar into the car for me at a slightly lower price than £550 (not including bike rack!!!!)

[bahnstormer vrs]

Just had a thought; buy a new Vauxhall Corsa and get the optional integral 'pull out from the rear bumper' bike rack. As advertised on TV.

[jamesmckelvie]

Originally Posted by bahnstormer vrs

Just had a thought; buy a new Vauxhall Corsa and get the optional integral 'pull out from the rear bumper' bike rack. As advertised on TV.

remember to carry a chock for one of the wheels, the handbrake mechanism releases on them and causes the car to roll off

[timjfw]

Just remember not to drive under any low branches or archways....I nearly drove into a carpark with a metal arch had it not been for my Dad in the passenger seat. Would have made a lovely mess !

[cheezemonkhai]

Originally Posted by jamesmckelvie

remember to carry a chock for one of the wheels, the handbrake mechanism releases on them and causes the car to roll off

Just like on the skodas then hey

[timay]

I went for a Bosal removable tow bar and a Thule Ball mounted bike carrier from Towequipe - Direct sales of Full towbar kits and Mobile Fitting service in the Midlands

I did look into getting a tow bar fitted by Skoda, but they wanted over £300 for it- the dealer even said I would be better going else where.....

I didn't really want roof bars, as I didn't like the idea of having to lift my bike that high & risk damaging the car

[bahnstormer vrs]

Glad to hear you got this sorted; well done. All you need now is an excuse to take the bikes out.

[waterloo]

You get caught by the ferry companies which ever system you use.
Either over 1.8m high or more than 5m long. So you have to pay extra.
I was always told look how the pro.'s do it, always on thr roof.

[gadgetman]

Mate had a rack that would take 2 bikes, and site over the rear window on a hatch, and on hatch and estate would still allow the door to fully open.

IIRC it's a major brand, and he bought from Halfrauds

[cheezemonkhai]

Thule you mean.

[mcreeder]

Problem with carrying them on the roof is that at speed the wheel hubs of the bikes are not designed to take that much pressure and you will end up blowing all the grease out the hubs and then you will need to strip them regularly to stop them from waering out too fast. I have a boot mounted carrier that I know is pretty strong as have had it at 125mph with 2 bikes. (German Autobaun so it was legal)

[madfiddler]

saw the new corsa ad last night...appears they have this built-in pullout carrier that is behind the rear number plate....like to see one of these on skoda cars!