Towbar carrier for 4 bikes, 2 of which are kids bikes...
Discussion
I've got one with the 4th carrier but no pics in that configuration.
Your problem with the smaller bikes is that you ideally want to put the bigger bikes on first, so that they're nearer to the car. It seems logical this way but then you have problems with the arms from the upright frame to the small frames of the kids bikes. The arms need to pass over or through the big bike frames, and it all becomes a bit of a Krypton Factor puzzle making that happen whilst also keeping enough separation between the bikes that they don't rub against each other in transit.
This is only really a problem for the first 3 bikes because the 4th bike carrier comes with an arm that grips the 3rd bike's frame, rather than the upright frame next to the car.
Unrelated note: The 4th bike carrier is a work of genius. They appear to have made the extruded alloy connector pieces in such a way that they can be slid onto the 3rd and 4th bike carriers, then when you screw it up, it actually bends/deforms in order to grip those carriers. Very clever use of the materials.
Your problem with the smaller bikes is that you ideally want to put the bigger bikes on first, so that they're nearer to the car. It seems logical this way but then you have problems with the arms from the upright frame to the small frames of the kids bikes. The arms need to pass over or through the big bike frames, and it all becomes a bit of a Krypton Factor puzzle making that happen whilst also keeping enough separation between the bikes that they don't rub against each other in transit.
This is only really a problem for the first 3 bikes because the 4th bike carrier comes with an arm that grips the 3rd bike's frame, rather than the upright frame next to the car.
Unrelated note: The 4th bike carrier is a work of genius. They appear to have made the extruded alloy connector pieces in such a way that they can be slid onto the 3rd and 4th bike carriers, then when you screw it up, it actually bends/deforms in order to grip those carriers. Very clever use of the materials.
I have a good pic somewhere, i'll have a look on other computer
As per post above, the logical thing to do is put the larger bikes on 1st in terms of torsional force, but this is a mare so I do resort to putting the smallest bike on 1st, largest last, alternating facing left/right and alternating cranks up/down. The arms and the wheels chocks are all adjustable and the chocks themselves reversible. I put smallest bike on 1st, then 2nd bike on and put the arm over the frame of the smaller bike and repeat. It looks ungainly having the smaller bike nearer the car, but so much easier.
Its worth spending an hour or so well ahead of your first trip messing about with combinations, sliding each bike left/right by moving/reversing the chocks rather than leaving it to the morning of your trip. Once you have your system sorted, you can lock the chocks in place and its a 5 min job thereafter
Combinations I have tried (kids have grown since I bought it)
12"/16"/26"
12"/20"/26"
16"/20"/26"
20"/20"/26"
and now 20"/24"/26"
I did once take 12/16/20/26 as well but only once
I'll look for photo in a bit
As per post above, the logical thing to do is put the larger bikes on 1st in terms of torsional force, but this is a mare so I do resort to putting the smallest bike on 1st, largest last, alternating facing left/right and alternating cranks up/down. The arms and the wheels chocks are all adjustable and the chocks themselves reversible. I put smallest bike on 1st, then 2nd bike on and put the arm over the frame of the smaller bike and repeat. It looks ungainly having the smaller bike nearer the car, but so much easier.
Its worth spending an hour or so well ahead of your first trip messing about with combinations, sliding each bike left/right by moving/reversing the chocks rather than leaving it to the morning of your trip. Once you have your system sorted, you can lock the chocks in place and its a 5 min job thereafter
Combinations I have tried (kids have grown since I bought it)
12"/16"/26"
12"/20"/26"
16"/20"/26"
20"/20"/26"
and now 20"/24"/26"
I did once take 12/16/20/26 as well but only once
I'll look for photo in a bit
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff