Bike rack for car - advice sought

[gsrai]

Hi folks, I've finally convinced the family to go on the odd cycling excursion so with 4 bikes in to carry I thought I'd found the perfect solution in the saris bones 3 bike carrier (one in the boot of the Yeti).

but I don't think its as good as all the reviews make out and my main reason for saying this is that the 2 plastic feet that should lean against the rear windscreen never quite do no matter how hard I pull the nylon straps - what this means is that there is a constant rocking of the carrier as I drive along which scares me as I keep thinking the rear screen will break if I hit a bump too fast :shock:

This means I'm looking at alternatives but I really don't understand them - our Yeti has roof rails but I don't understand which roof rack to buy and how I would get all the bits I need to carry 4 bikes on the roof (I'm not the tallest and can't imagine how I will get them on/off the roof as well :doh: ).

Could you guys help me out on what the best answer is and how much it will cost to pull it all together please

 

[Ward]

gsrai,

IMHO the best solution is to have a tow ball fitted to your car then use a bike carrier that clamps to the tow hitch, there are carriers available that can carry up to four bikes in complete safety and will even lower so you can open the rear hatch of your car, they also come with full electrics. For what it is worth, it is claimed that the turbulence caused by carrying bikes on the roof of a car increases your fuel consumption to such an extent it wouldn't be much more costly to send the bikes where you are heading by train.

If three is enough try something like this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Witter-ZX300-Three-Bike-Tow-Ball-Mounted-Cycle-Carrier-/271056555455?pt=UK_Sports_Leisure_Cycling_Bags_Panniers_SR&hash=item3f1c3acdbf

 

[deggie]

The rear end carrier is the best option, the only problem with the bikes on top of vehicle, is

its very easy to forget they are there....... until you enter somewhere with restricted height,

oooooops crushed wheels.... seen it happen tooo many times. having a day out with family, try the buxton

or monsai old railway trails ... start in ashbourne derbyshire, fairly flat plus great scenery, also a great chippy, corner

of market square in ashbourne.

 

[gsrai]

Cheers guys, the tow bar carriers do sound like the ideal solution - the yeti doesn't have a towbar as standard but my golf does so ill try and find a 4 bike carrier - looks the saris will be going up for sale, it just didn't feel very safe.

 

[gsrai]

Job done, I ordered the Atera Strada - it cost a lot more but I really liked the lack of straps everywhere and it was quite lightweight too

http://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4_tab.php?20384

 

[Jezzer]

I have the Saris Bones and I've never had any problems with it. It seems safe enough to me.

 

[julian2002]

I had a halfords 3 bike own brand carrier, solid as a rock but I used it so much the micro movements of the carrier caused some paint damage. If i needed another one I'd get a towball fitted and go with a towbar jobbie.

Never liked the roof rack ones - they look like a bugger to get the bikes up onto and off of.

 

[gsrai]

I have the Saris Bones and I've never had any problems with it. It seems safe enough to me.

I have the saris 3 jez but it just won't sit flush against the window of the yeti so the movement scares me.

i think it can't really take the weight of the mountain bikes

 

[dan1502]

Good choice. I've been using an Atera Strada for a couple of years or so and it's still functioning perfectly and in great condition.

- - - Updated - - -

Just to add that there are usually discount codes knocking around for roofbox.co.uk in case anyone else is looking. The one I used was supposed to be for caravan club members or some club or other but was easily found with a search and worked for non-members.

 

[gsrai]

Good choice. I've been using an Atera Strada for a couple of years or so and it's still functioning perfectly and in great condition.- - - Updated - - -

Just to add that there are usually discount codes knocking around for roofbox.co.uk in case anyone else is looking. The one I used was supposed to be for caravan club members or some club or other but was easily found with a search and worked for non-members.

thats good to know and I did find that discount code but didn't think to mention it, well done

 

[gsrai]

I just want to say that anyone in need of a tow bar bike carrier for 4 bikes, you MUST get this Atera DL.

we used it today and it was so simple to setup and use - you can clearly tell a lot of thought has gone into making it user friendly, its expensive but what a fantastic solution, and its still cheaper than the Thule equivalent.

little things like it provides an indicator noise when you indicate to remind you that you're towing to the ratchet system on each bike clip to secure the bikes.

a truly brilliant product