What are peoples experiences / advice of carrying bicycles in or on a Yeti?

One of the reasons we've bought one is so we an carry bikes (2) inside rather than the fun and games of a roof or tow-bar carrier, there seem to be several options but I'm keen to hear what people find works best.

It depends on what you want.

Carrying inside is the most economical -no extra drag from the roof or behind the car.

Inside is also the most secure. But can only be done if you are using the internal bike carrier if you don't have the spare wheel option installed.

Some people don't bother with the internal rack. But you will need to remove 2 seats to fit 2 full size bikes inside comfortably. Then you will have to strap them in anyway.

But

If the bikes are muddy then behind the car on something like a Strada mounted on the towbar would be best, but it is not cheap! Not sure if it affects fuel consumption much.

I have the internal bike rack, but never used it. I think I would be more likely to use a towbar mounted carrier.

I do not rate hatch mounted carriers at all.

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Ours are folders so we're hoping to avoid anything more adventurous than inside on the back seat in their bags. For full size bikes, another owner I know takes the rear seats out (they need to for their camping gear anyway) and mounts each bike upright down each side with the front wheels removed. Haven't seen the set up but apparently the front forks tuck in neatly ahead of the wheel arches.

Others have used the Skoda internal carriers, roof bars and carriers, and I'm sure, tow ball mounts.

Seach this forum for bike carriers and you'll get lots of hits. Good luck.

Edited 6 April, 201313 yr by Michael G

There have been a few topics about bike carriers I'm pretty sure.

FWIW a rear carrier doesn't affect my fuel consumption at all. Especially compared to roof mounted.

If they're muddy/dusty mountain bikes like mine, I wouldn't ever bother with the hassle of trying to get them into the car.

Arrive back at car, load straight into carrier, dump helmet, goggles, gloves, armour, pack & shoes in boot (my carrier folds down to allow boot access), throw on the thongs (flip-flops/jandals) & a clean t-shirt, head home. I wouldn't imagine 2 downhill bikes would fit inside a Yeti with both wheels on (but I'm happy to be proven wrong).

+1 for the Atera Strada tow ball rack - the state of my bikes after rides means the inside of my Yeti is a no go area!

I can load and lock on within 90 seconds!

There's no fuel penalty, no loss of internal space and no risk of ripping bikes off the roof in car parks!

It's an expensive fix, but if like me you're using it several times a week it makes sense. It also means that when we go out/away with the dog he can be in his cage in the boot and the bike(s) safely carried on the rack.

The rack can be removed in 30 seconds and stored out of sight in the boot under the parcel cover too

Ooh, that looks nice. How do you connect the lighting Merlinman?

Standard 13/7 tow bar socket.

Even have 2 rear fogs on the rack

Sorry Robin, tow bar mount DOH. Didn't have me brain in gear there

Factory tow bar prep + dealer Škoda(Westfalia) detachable tow bar and electrics (coded by Ben @ Shark) £530ish

I would recommend a saris bones.....

Only problem is that you can only seem to get them online, but fit the yeti well.

Br

JeZ

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I have the dedicated internal bike rack and , frankly, am not impressed. I tend not to bother with it now just removing a seat, bike's front wheel and securing with bungees. If you're worried about dirt just use a cheap tarp. Haven't tried with 2 bikes inside yet. I expect in the fullness of time I will get a towbar fitted. Never a problem though if I take my Brompton.

I have the internal rack for long journeys but as of yet not used it.

But for short little hops I use my Thule tow ball mounted rack for our two bikes it just clamps around the ball and snaps closed literally take only 10 seconds to put the rack on and off.

It is important to estimate how often you are likely to carry bikes. Many families carry them twice a year - Easter and summer holidays. In this case a folding hatch fitting rack is probably the best but the straps do loosen during the journey and need to be checked. It is not advisable to try and carry too many bikes - I have seen one fitted to a Cavalier fastback hatch and the 4 bikes had pushed the rear screen in! I've tested many racks (writing for MTB mags) and was involved in the design of the Witter range (I should have asked for royalties not a fee!). If you are likely to carry bikes regularly then I believe that the tow bar fitting racks are best but might not suit if you are towing as well as they might reduce the turning circle. Witter, Pendle (if you want British) or Thule all make good models. We have our Yeti on order (with tow bar prep) so no experience on that particular car yet. Don't forget that you will need a trailer board and simple electrics for a tow bar model but some hatch fitting racks hold bikes above the reg plate.

I think we need a yeti cycle meet :-)

Br

JeZ

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I used to have roof bars and 2 cycle carriers.

As I'm not particularly tall (5ft 6/7inches) I found it a bit of a struggle getting the bikes up there.

As I have a hereditary heart condition I decided enough was enough and sold the roof bars and carriers to my older brother, and invested in a rear mounted system.

I'm MUCH happier with that, and can see the bikes easily in the read view mirror.

In case the straps break and a bike falls off on the motorway, I always pit Kitten's bike on the outside......

Only kidding there, but her bike DOES fit better if it goes on last. :yes:

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I'm interested in a tow bar mount. I have a westfalia detachable. Exactly how do they fit?

I notice there are a few who don't appear to have a lighting board!! :peek: :thumbdown: :thumbdown:

N,

I'm in NW Leics, close to M1 J 23/24 and J13 A42 - happy to demo mine?

Basically it's a ratcheted clamp that grips the tow ball and locks on.

The rack slides back to allow boot access, bikes lock onto the holders via rubber covered steel straps, with ratchet straps to hold the wheels securely into the wheel tracks.

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=atera%20strada%20bike%20rack&source=web&cd=6&ved=0CFUQtwIwBQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DZ0G2fkVQpmI&ei=b5RgUeTECu-r0gXEtoG4Dg&usg=AFQjCNFScmx2MBEdugNgcNUpWk2MkgTuXA&sig2=oy4H0VbX5axgg8N9kp551A&bvm=bv.44770516,d.d2k

I notice there are a few who don't appear to have a lighting board!! :peek: :thumbdown: :thumbdown:

The photo depicts a car with rack fitted on a private driveway so does not need a lightboard at that exact time.

I took this photo to show how my setup is mounted and if it were to have the light board fitted that would obscure the majority of the mounting.

But when I do venture out onto the road I fit a light board that is also attached to the bike rack and not to the bikes as according to uk road law.

Edited 6 April, 201313 yr by Yetigreenline2

Here is a video of how my rack attaches quick and simple and trust me once its on there is no movement on the tow ball no matter how hard you try and budge it.

Edited 6 April, 201313 yr by Yetigreenline2

N,

I'm in NW Leics, close to M1 J 23/24 and J13 A42 - happy to demo mine?

Basically it's a ratcheted clamp that grips the tow ball and locks on.

The rack slides back to allow boot access, bikes lock onto the holders via rubber covered steel straps, with ratchet straps to hold the wheels securely into the wheel tracks.

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=atera%20strada%20bike%20rack&source=web&cd=6&ved=0CFUQtwIwBQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DZ0G2fkVQpmI&ei=b5RgUeTECu-r0gXEtoG4Dg&usg=AFQjCNFScmx2MBEdugNgcNUpWk2MkgTuXA&sig2=oy4H0VbX5axgg8N9kp551A&bvm=bv.44770516,d.d2k

Thank you for your kind offer. The videos are really helpful so for the moment I will continue to work out what's likely to be the best.

Nigel

I already have bike carriers that I used on another car so I'm keen to take the roof mount option. What's the consensus on the best bars to get, I prefer the Aero shaped ones.

It is important to estimate how often you are likely to carry bikes. Many families carry them twice a year - Easter and summer holidays. In this case a folding hatch fitting rack is probably the best but the straps do loosen during the journey and need to be checked. ...

The Thule 973 is an interesting alternative to the common fabric-strapped rear bike carrier: it uses metal straps to the top and clamps to the bottom of the rear hatch and becomes integral with the rear hatch. It's mostly used on VW Transporters and the like (there are dedicated metal strap kits for different cars) but although there is a kit for the Octavia estate I didn't see one for the Yeti...

Looks v similar to Macdemon's kit except it is adjusted per car to keep the bikes close to the back and leaning towards the car at the top. You arrange the bikes (2-4 depending on load capability of the rear door) above the number plate and lights - the car-specific kit instructions explain which configuration options to select for particular vehicles.

Very secure, although IMHO I would recommend the towbar mounted bike mounts if you have a towbar (and its almost worth getting a towbar just for a bike carrier IMHO)...

Edited 7 April, 201313 yr by Totally Square

I reckon the regularity of use and the distances travelled are major factors.

For me that's up to 3 times a week and regular trips to The Lakes, Northumberland, Scotland and The Peak District.

The Atera rack is now on it's fourth vehicle, so the cost/carry ratio is good!

Perfect solution for me

Further things to consider with tow bar racks.

Westfalia detatchable - You can't tow and carry bikes with this as it must be a 'ball' fitting rack. The Thule Xpress 970 (thanks Greenline2)looks a good design and the price (£50-60) is very competitive. I know from experience that Thule produce quality products. Pendle make a 'ball' fitting attachment for their racks and these are also very good. Beware of really cheap ball fitting racks as they can be unstable and can turn on the ball allowing bikes to contact bodywork.

Flange type fixed - these offer far more options as the rack fitting usually fits between the ball and the flange. This means that it is possible to tow and carry bikes although you do have to watch the total weight (towing a camping trailer perhaps?). I have seen camping trailers fitted with 'roof' type racks on the trailer.

If you don't intend to tow then a tow bar rack is an expensive option (tow bar, rack and trailer board) but justified if you are using bikes most weekends.

Road bikes stay much cleaner so carrying inside or on the roof are good options. However, MTBs are usually heavier (unless very expensive!) and mud and dirt will increase weight.