Tow Ball mounted bike rack - Again!
Discussion
I'm off down to Burgundy in France soon, and I wanted to take my bike. It's about 4.5 hours from Calais. I like the Thule 9502 because it seems to do what I want at a price point that seems OK to me.
1) Any reason why I shouldn't get this one?
2) Are there any others I should consider around this price point?
Cheers all.
1) Any reason why I shouldn't get this one?
2) Are there any others I should consider around this price point?
Cheers all.
Got that one.
Bad points:
There is no locking mechanism on the rack for the bikes so you'll have to use normal bike locks to secure them - plus some extra straps to keep them tight on the upper U arm.
The ball mount is a bolt-tightened fit, so again no lock there (in effect someone could nick the whole rack complete with bikes if they have a spanner) - this might have changed since I got mine, but can't tell from the photos. Having said that, I've left my bikes on it overnight in a hotel car park and they've been fine.
Good points:
Easy to drop bikes on and off, nice hinge on the rack allows you to access the boot easier without taking the bikes off. Once strapped up the bikes feel very secure and the rack is totally solid. I've used mine to go down to France a few times with a couple of bikes on, no problems
Bad points:
There is no locking mechanism on the rack for the bikes so you'll have to use normal bike locks to secure them - plus some extra straps to keep them tight on the upper U arm.
The ball mount is a bolt-tightened fit, so again no lock there (in effect someone could nick the whole rack complete with bikes if they have a spanner) - this might have changed since I got mine, but can't tell from the photos. Having said that, I've left my bikes on it overnight in a hotel car park and they've been fine.
Good points:
Easy to drop bikes on and off, nice hinge on the rack allows you to access the boot easier without taking the bikes off. Once strapped up the bikes feel very secure and the rack is totally solid. I've used mine to go down to France a few times with a couple of bikes on, no problems
Towbar racks are great and I've had Thule and continue to use them, but the point above about security is worth making again......
I had a SantaCruz Superlight locked to a thule towbar rack and secured with a hefty chain, armoured cable and U-lock so instead of tackling that, thieves nicked the thing by jumping on each end of the rack before the mechanism broke away from the towball and they nicked the whole thing wholesale.
Have since bought another Thule but never leave it unattended and certainly not overnight.
I had a SantaCruz Superlight locked to a thule towbar rack and secured with a hefty chain, armoured cable and U-lock so instead of tackling that, thieves nicked the thing by jumping on each end of the rack before the mechanism broke away from the towball and they nicked the whole thing wholesale.
Have since bought another Thule but never leave it unattended and certainly not overnight.
Spuffington said:
Towbar racks are great and I've had Thule and continue to use them, but the point above about security is worth making again......
I had a SantaCruz Superlight locked to a thule towbar rack and secured with a hefty chain, armoured cable and U-lock so instead of tackling that, thieves nicked the thing by jumping on each end of the rack before the mechanism broke away from the towball and they nicked the whole thing wholesale.
Have since bought another Thule but never leave it unattended and certainly not overnight.
My Mottez towball-mounted rack has got a hole in it to allow a padlock to secure the release handle. If they really wanted the bike and rack they cold just unbolt the ball hitch from the towbar, but they'll need to carry two 22mm spanners!I had a SantaCruz Superlight locked to a thule towbar rack and secured with a hefty chain, armoured cable and U-lock so instead of tackling that, thieves nicked the thing by jumping on each end of the rack before the mechanism broke away from the towball and they nicked the whole thing wholesale.
Have since bought another Thule but never leave it unattended and certainly not overnight.
I wouldn't trust bike security from any bike rack. Also you are wrong, in that you can get a lock for that carrier. I know I have that carrier and the lock. Lock was £12 or so, so nota price point breaker. I am away with our bikes next Monday ( 1000 mile trip in a week) and have big cables and locks to lock to the towbar.
The rack is very good. As stable as they come. Not as easy to click forward to allow access to the boot like more expensive ones, but works very well. Ours has been through years of abuse and I have considered stripping and repowder coating the frame, as its mechanically fine. The only thing I may change is the lights for LED's but they are a bit corroded and tired, but they aren't especially made like more expensive racks, so all trailer lights will fit on the board.
The rack is very good. As stable as they come. Not as easy to click forward to allow access to the boot like more expensive ones, but works very well. Ours has been through years of abuse and I have considered stripping and repowder coating the frame, as its mechanically fine. The only thing I may change is the lights for LED's but they are a bit corroded and tired, but they aren't especially made like more expensive racks, so all trailer lights will fit on the board.
Justin S said:
Also you are wrong, in that you can get a lock for that carrier. I know I have that carrier and the lock. Lock was £12 or so, so nota price point breaker.
Cool, got a link? Will get one - I was looking at running a chain around the towbar and through the rack but my towbar is attached via a solid bit of metal so there's not really anywhere to wrap it.
. Very cosy.I've got one of these http://www.roof-racks-uk.co.uk/cycle-carriers/xpre...
My tow bar is the type that has two bars running back to the plate which the ball mounts too so I can pass a lock between them and secure that way.
My tow bar is the type that has two bars running back to the plate which the ball mounts too so I can pass a lock between them and secure that way.
Got the Thule 9502 on order now, with the thing that locks it to the towball with a key. Also a lock to lock the bikes to the rack. I don't anticipate having to leave the car with the rack for any protracted period, which is a good job as I don't think the lock gadget thing looks that sturdy. I'll find this thread on my return and let people know how I got on.
IroningMan said:
I've got the 4-bike version of the Atera Strada that 47p2 has above, Spec says max 1200mm wheelbase, but it would be easy to line the wheel clamps with something to push that a little wider.
It's a very good piece of kit:
I have that one as well. My two problems with it are:It's a very good piece of kit:
> the latch mechanism for sliding it backwards is a bit flaky - I'm usually cursing by the time I've managed to free it and it's awkward to get back into place (securely so that the green button sticks up as it should).
> the fourth bike bit is impossible to fit using the bolts provided - one of the bolts simply can't be put in place as the "green button" catch is in the way. How did you manage to get yours bolted in to place? Also, I notice you don't have the straps fitted to keep it more stable (as advised by the manual) - presumably you've found they're not needed?
Zigster said:
I have that one as well. My two problems with it are:
> the latch mechanism for sliding it backwards is a bit flaky - I'm usually cursing by the time I've managed to free it and it's awkward to get back into place (securely so that the green button sticks up as it should).
> the fourth bike bit is impossible to fit using the bolts provided - one of the bolts simply can't be put in place as the "green button" catch is in the way. How did you manage to get yours bolted in to place? Also, I notice you don't have the straps fitted to keep it more stable (as advised by the manual) - presumably you've found they're not needed?
To slide backwards I take the weight of the unit by pushing it and then press the green button with my foot - seems to work. It goes back cleanly if you employ a little momentum and lift/shove the thing firmly forward.> the latch mechanism for sliding it backwards is a bit flaky - I'm usually cursing by the time I've managed to free it and it's awkward to get back into place (securely so that the green button sticks up as it should).
> the fourth bike bit is impossible to fit using the bolts provided - one of the bolts simply can't be put in place as the "green button" catch is in the way. How did you manage to get yours bolted in to place? Also, I notice you don't have the straps fitted to keep it more stable (as advised by the manual) - presumably you've found they're not needed?
I remember one of the bolts being a pain, but not impossible - maybe I threaded it through the bracket before offering up the fourth bike rail? Sorry, can't remember exactly.
Roofbox Co say the following about the stability straps:
Folk who supplied it said:
The 4th bike adapter: Most of our customers also buy the 4th bike adapter. This includes two straps which were suggested by TÜV before they tested this carrier, the aim being to prevent any side to side movement. Be assured that these straps are not required, and that the carrier does not move from side to side! The same self adjusting tow ball fitting is used on other STRADA models (e.g. EVO), without any requirement for straps. In due course we hope that Atera will retest the STRADA DL, without straps, so that they are no longer included. To show the overall strength of the STRADA DL we have had two heavy people standing on the 4th bike adapter in the slid out position (maximum leverage) with no adverse effects noted. Don't try this at home because an extra 185kg may damage your tow ball mounting!
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