Cycle Rack ....

[paul_y3k]

Looking for a cycle rack now so that we can take the bikes further afield, but have a Mazda6 which has a boot spoiler.
Asked the chap in Halfords who said 'it might be ok' and asked another chap who said definitely not.

any ideas chaps ?

[tjdixon911]

Depending on how big the spoiler is, something like a Saris Bones may bridge over it.

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-racks/rear-mo...

Otherwise Roof / Tow bar mounted.

[snotrag]

For the love of god, not a Saris Bones again.

Every time someone asks about a rack people recommend them. They are ste. Soft, plastic rubbish. Plasticy thumbscrew fittings.

I used to sell them. And then have supply many, many spare parts for them.


There are umpteen other racks available that do the exact same job but manufactured from steel tubes nad durable hardware.

Take the car to a decent bike shop and they will let you try them.

My personal is a Hollywood F1.

[tjdixon911]

snotrag said:

For the love of god, not a Saris Bones again.

Every time someone asks about a rack people recommend them. They are ste. Soft, plastic rubbish. Plasticy thumbscrew fittings.

I used to sell them. And then have supply many, many spare parts for them.


There are umpteen other racks available that do the exact same job but manufactured from steel tubes nad durable hardware.

Take the car to a decent bike shop and they will let you try them.

My personal is a Hollywood F1.

I agree the Saris Bones fixings can be a bit poor, I had one for a few years but never had any issue with it, I never used to fold it down though and kept it fixed in the position applicable to my car, on the other hand, my brother had one and the plasticy thumbscrew broke on the first outing... they are a neat design for fitting a wide range of vehicle shapes and maybe the build quality does let them down a bit.

I only ever really carried 1 or 2 bikes on my Bones 3, the odd time I did need to carry 3 it was very difficult to actually get them to fit and normally involved the removal of wheels which then took up space in the car!

I don't trust any of the rear mounted ones not to scratch the paintwork / windows, my car suffered a few scratches (Paint work and Glass) as a result of using the Bones, I now use a Tow bar mounted one which eliminates any contact with the car.

[Fluffsri]

I used to own a Hyundai Scoupe (I know) and it has a spoiler on it. I had one of halfords own steel framed high level racks. It was great, didn't look pretty but worked! I used to carry 3 full bouncers on it and I didn't used to hang about (my mate was always late lol). It was very stable, easy to fit and didn't require a number plate board. I think they are only £60 at the mo.

[mikecassie]

Whichever Thule rack suits your car best will probably be the best. Cheapest, not a chance. I've had a tow bar mounted and now roof mounted racks and both are excellent.

[anonymous-user]

Consider a towbar, makes lugging bikes around so much easier.

I've got a 3 bike Thule carrier for weekends away and then a cheap Amazon single bike jobby (£16) for just chucking my bike on when I'm commuting etc.

[JQ]

go here - roofbox.co.uk and they'll tell you accurately what carrier will fit your car. Very helpful on the phone in my experience.

As above, the simplist method is to get a towbar fitted. We have an Atera Strada DL3 and it's superb.

[bakerstreet]

CoinSl0t said:

Consider a towbar, makes lugging bikes around so much easier.

I've got a 3 bike Thule carrier for weekends away and then a cheap Amazon single bike jobby (£16) for just chucking my bike on when I'm commuting etc.

If the OP decides to get a tow bar mounted rack, its worth getting a rack which has a built in light bar with number plate holder. That way you stay legal

I have just bought a three bike tow bar rack with light bar and number plate holder for £134 on Ebay. OK I have had to assemble it myself, but I've just used it for the first time and it worked really well.

[anonymous-user]

bakerstreet said:

If the OP decides to get a tow bar mounted rack, its worth getting a rack which has a built in light bar with number plate holder. That way you stay legal

I have just bought a three bike tow bar rack with light bar and number plate holder for £134 on Ebay. OK I have had to assemble it myself, but I've just used it for the first time and it worked really well.

Agree, I've got a light bar for my cheapy Amazon carrier, it was about £20 on Ebay and I just hang it on the bike.

[paul_y3k]

cheers all,
will defo try the bike shop route first .... no tow bar on the car, so thats an additional expense. Also consider using the wife's swift as the back is a lot more vertical with no pesky spoilers to worry about. (just not much comfort)