Thule G5 towbar carriers - 2+1 or 3?

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I'm looking at getting a Thule towbar bike carrier. Think I've decided on the G5, but not sure whether to go for the 3 bike version (909) or the 2 bike version (908) and extra bike adapter.

Does anyone have any experience of either setup?

I think 50% of time I'll only have my bike on there, so the shorter length of the 2 bike carrier would be nice. Or do I just go for the 3 bike version and be done with it?

Will usually be full-sus bikes. Occasionally a couple of roadbikes.

[superlightr]

funny - we (well I) am thinking of getting the toe bar 3 one with the +1 extension. Go for the biggest you can I would suggest you dont have to fill up all the slots but available if you need to.

[Digga]

I've got a 3 bike 909 and it's excellent - works perfectly with the Discovery's tailgate - although there is an 'art' to getting 3 full-suss bikes on!

Things you/others need to know:

1. Thule do make cheaper versions. Which are (appareantly) best avoided like the plague.
2. If you have wide bars the nearest space on the rack may be redundant on vertical rear-end vehicles liek a van or a Discovery etc.
3. Having the 3 spaces makes it easier to jiggle even 2 bikes around.
4. Only one of the crossbar braces locks - the outer one - so if you need to stop en-route, this is the one you will use most.

[RRS_Staffs]

Buy the 3 bike one and be done with it

Mine is superb if a little chunky however I have spare space in the garage so it doesnt matter
If you are tight for storage then the 2 bike model should be a consideration

I also have a completely unused extra bike adapter which I keep meaning to get around to selling

• cough*

[subsea99]

I bought the 3 bike rack
http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?q=thule+g...
got it for £269 as they price matched as i bought towbar from same company,im gonna get the extra add on for the 4th bike as mines is always full,cant rate them highly enough.....buy cheap buy twice is my moto...this is a quality rack and it shows.

[neil_bolton]

I have the 3 bike version.

I've successfully carried three MTB's - two of which were all mountain bikes.

Bit of jiggery pokery with the seatposts and it all fitted nicely.

Also, with said three bikes on the back, it was tested (in Germany) up to 140mph annoying an Astra Turbo.

I have also seen 150mph with just one bike on it, so I think I can safely vouch that the things are rock bloody solid

[superlightr]

subsea99 said:

I bought the 3 bike rack
http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?q=thule+g...
got it for £269 as they price matched as i bought towbar from same company,im gonna get the extra add on for the 4th bike as mines is always full,cant rate them highly enough.....buy cheap buy twice is my moto...this is a quality rack and it shows.

who did you get it from for £269?

Thanks

[subsea99]

Christ i've just checked the prices for them now ,mines is the g5 909 and cheapest is £344,got mine from pf jones along with detachable towbar around 6 months ago all in was just shy of £490 with rack coming in at £269 i just said that i could get it cheaper on amazon at the time(they had some offers on) and if they price matched i would buy both,he asked his boss and was ok,must be some mark up on them(their web price was £329 at the time)

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Thanks for all the advice everyone. Stuck with the 3 bike version in the end - I'd already ordered it from Amazon when I posted, but they were were out of stock which stated me thinking about the 2+1 option. After telling me it wouldn't come for 2 weeks it then turned up the next day. Serious looking and chunky piece of kit isn't it

Only problem now is the weird bummer protector/backplate that the previous owner had fitted with the towbar. It fowls the carrier and the bolts on the towbar ball are stuck fast. Have drenched them in WB40, so will give them another go in the morning.

RRS_Staffs: spotted the hint about the spare +1 carrier - would have mailed you if I'd switched to the 2 bike version.

[subsea99]

RRS_STAFFS ........YHM

[RRS_Staffs]

So do you