Car Bike Racks

[Maxf]

I had a tailgate mounted rack for my old clio, but after only a few journeys it had mullered the paintwork, wherever it had to touch the car - possibly because of the harsh ride (clio 200).

I now have a nicer new car (BMW 140) and want to transport the bikes again. What is the current best option? I can clip roof bars on, but this seems like a faff. Are there any tailgate mounted options which don't damage the car? Are roof bars and thule racks the best option (arent they horribly noisy and a pain to put on and off)?

What do other people use? It's just for 2 bikes.

[J886ATV]

Towbar mounted for me.

Detachable towbar on the last car I bought already so made life easier. Carries up to 4 bikes (but often with only 1 on it) - best thing I ever invested in.

[Craikeybaby]

This is something I need to sort out for the new year. I'm thinking Thule roof bars and bike racks for my BMW, as no tow bar and will want to access the boot.

I was hoping to do it on the cheap by getting the car specific parts second hand - is it possible to get the locks all changed to be off the same key? Or can that only be done when new?

[Longers]

I got this... http://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4_tab.php...
...after reading recommendations in this forum. The recommendations were right, it's superb

[J886ATV]

Longers said:

I got this... http://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4_tab.php...
...after reading recommendations in this forum. The recommendations were right, it's superb

See the picture above - exactly what is on my Audi

[ALawson]

I did want the additional expense of a tow hitch so use the aero Thule bars and front wheel of bike rack. The rack is on the roof all the time but can be removed and refitted very easily in 10mins.

Putting a bike on the roof and off takes like 30's.

Various companies can sell you bars and bike rack all with the same key.

[Maxf]

I dont really want to put a towbar on - rather expensive exercise I think as I wouldnt use it for anything else.

[Fluffsri]

I messed about with racks for ages and gave up and went roof bars. So much easier! I left them on permanently, I know a lot of people wont but I had no where to put them If I took them off. I had 3 racks, so 3 dirty bikes on the roof was a lot better than 3 in the boot or 3 on the boot lol.

[ian996]

Fairly expensive option for two bike set-up, but I use these:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/sea-sucker-talon-qr-1-bike...


Downside is that they are only rated to 70 MPH , but very quick and convenient to get on and off car

[Barchettaman]

Cost €2 on eBay, takes 3 minutes to mount on the tailgate.

It takes 3 bikes but I have had 4 on in the past, a kid's BMX fits on the inside of the prongs.

It never scratched the paintwork - fortunately I have my wife for that.

::EDIT:: I have mounted the top two blue straps incorrectly on the photo. They should go further along the top of the tailgate, either side of the top brake light, parallel to the prongs.

Edited by Barchettaman on Friday 9th December 12:34

[ALawson]

Barchettaman said:

It never scratched the paintwork - fortunately I have my wife for that.

[idiotgap]

I tried roof bars on my e-class w124 estate, but found the fuel consumption went through the roof at motorway cruising speed with bikes on. I pretty much managed to chew through a tank of fuel between London and Birmingham once on the way to Wales. Added to that the paranoia of forgetting they are up there and swinging into a car park with a height restriction and switched to towbar mounted which was so much better.

When I changed the car for a later 211 e-cass estate I fitted my own detachable towbar which was pretty easy really. Electrics were plug and play and the hardware was all pre-drilled with captive bolts etc.

Bosal detachable towbar was £190 including shipping from PF Jones
Electrics (dedicated and plug straight into the car) were £104 from towequipe (ebay onlytowbars)

I got the rack from roofbox, they have a clearance/returns section which is worth a scan: http://www.roofbox.co.uk/bargains-sale-clearance/b...
Mine is a BUZZ RACK Buffalo 4 which cost me £120 including delivery

[Maxf]

Ive ordered a 'whispbar' and 2 thurle 598 roof racks; hopefully that will be a decent solution. I'll probably leave the bars on the car through laziness if they don't look too terrible!

[MOBB]

I went with one of these, superb;

https://www.seasucker.com/

[CPK]

Another vote for SeaSucker - does the job.

[Kell]

Barchettaman said:

Cost €2 on eBay, takes 3 minutes to mount on the tailgate.

It takes 3 bikes but I have had 4 on in the past, a kid's BMX fits on the inside of the prongs.

It never scratched the paintwork - fortunately I have my wife for that.

::EDIT:: I have mounted the top two blue straps incorrectly on the photo. They should go further along the top of the tailgate, either side of the top brake light, parallel to the prongs.

Edited by Barchettaman on Friday 9th December 12:34

Please note - it's also illegal unless you have a light bar. Because you can't see your lights or number plate.

A friend of mine has been stopped and fined for using one although, rather puzzlingly, was then told to carry on on his journey without removing them. And then last year, I came within inches of running into the back of a stranger's car because they were running a set up like this and I couldn't see their lights when they braked and indicated to make a turn.

Edited by Kell on Friday 9th December 13:07

[Barchettaman]

Kell said:

Please note - it's also illegal unless you have a light bar. Because you can't see your lights or number plate.

Edited by Kell on Friday 9th December 13:07

The lights and numberplate are perfectly OK, the bikes are really high up. Thanks for the warning though.

[47p2]

Towbar mount for me

[Markbarry1977]

FYI, the BMW m140i (I have a m135i and there near identical chassis) is not rated for a tow bar, you will struggle to find someone to fit it as it's illegal unless you do the job yourself.

I just fold the back seats down take both wheels off, put a tarpaulin in the back and put the bikes in.

I have seen companies that do custom but liners that are padded and clip to the front headrests etc to make a better fit but there quite pricy, my tarpaulin and some old towels around the forks and other pointy bits takes 5 mins top to sort out.