How to transport 6-bikes?

[Watchman]

Let's say you have a Q7 or GL, both 7-seaters, how could you transport your family and their full compliment of bikes? I know someone needing to move 6 at a time. Although he doesn't have a towbar, he could get one if it helped in this regard.

I can only think of having 4 on a towbar mount and 2 on the roof but those on the roof are really difficult to reach on cars this tall. But again, nose weight limits for towbars may prevent more than 4 bikes anyway.

[Downward]

I've got 4 on the roof.
You could easily buy a carrier for 2 on the back. Assume they fit these big cars ? I only ever used one on a hatchback.

Weight of 4 bikes is around 30-35kg I'd guess on the roof.

[Barchettaman]

5 fitted on the roof of my Zafira, head-to-tail, pedals off, handlebars turned outboard.

3 more on the tailgate mounted on a Mont Blanc carrier. I've had 4 on this carrier in the past, sticking a kid's BMX on the inside of the 'prongs', but it's designed for 4.

There was also a full-sized Römer kiddie seat in the car!

Edited by Barchettaman on Monday 9th January 13:52

Edited by Barchettaman on Monday 15th February 16:10

[47p2]

[Watchman]

Love the trailer idea. I'm going to think about that a bit more.

The roof is hard for our family as we're all fairly short (5'6") and the Q7 and GL are quite a bit taller. But it looks like it is going to be our only option. We do have decent Thule roof racks and cycle carriers - enough between us to move my brother's family bikes, and I have a 4-bike towbar carrier for my family's bikes.

I wonder if it's possible to get his 6-bikes on the roof of his car? I don't want any on top of mine - I often have a full-roof-sized roof box up there. If we placed three forwards and three backwards, we might be able to stagger the overlapping areas like pedals and handlebars.

Thanks for the examples above. I'm going to look at trailers now.

[Barchettaman]

Take all pedals (15mm spanner) and saddles off and turn the handlebars 90degs, you'll be surprised how 'thin' they go.

The width of the individual bike carriers was the limiter on the Zaf, really. 3x2 was fine, 3x3 would have been too wide for the bars.

[alorotom]

Going to depend on what roof is fitted to the Q7 as well as my Q7 has the full glass with multiple sunroofs and I was told by Audi they recommend not putting bikes on the roof where this is the option over a tin roof.

[JustinF]

4 up top, 2 on back and a step ladder

[Watchman]

JustinF said:

4 up top, 2 on back and a step ladder ;)

That's the key for me

[Watchman]

Had a chat with brother... As we already have enough kit to roof mount 6-bikes between us, we're going to try it out. We'll try using 3-roof bars to stagger the cycle carriers with 3 up front facing forwards, and 3 towards the rear facing backwards. We should only have overlap of the bicycle rear wheels.

We'll definitely need a step ladder.

Thanks for the advice and pictures.

[Silver940]

We do 4 on a towbar rack and 2 on a tail gate rack. Roof isn't an option really as when we go away we need the 540l roof box up there



Have managed it with slightly bigger bikes since but it will eventually become a problem!

[Watchman]

Barchettaman said:

Silver940 said:

We do 4 on a towbar rack and 2 on a tail gate rack. Roof isn't an option really as when we go away we need the 540l roof box up there



Have managed it with slightly bigger bikes since but it will eventually become a problem!

You're both nutters and heroes.

I wouldn't use a strap-attached rack again, not since I incorrectly fitted one and partly dropped (and dragged) a bike on the motorway. It was my own fault but since I bought a Thule towbar mounted rack, I'll never look back.

With the size of roof that either my GL or my brother's Q7 offers, there's clearly enough space for 6-bikes, and with 3-crossbars holding onto the fore/aft roof rails, it should be secure enough (assuming the roof rails are firmly fixed to the car, of course). It's just the height issue presented to us short-arses in getting them up there, and the drag increase.

But clearly from the experience you guys present, it can be done and that's the ticket.

Thanks again.

[cavey76]

Maxxraxx do a 5 bike carrier. I have the standard "premier" 5 bike carrier and very pleased with it too. Survives the Irish roads every year and takes us to Bordeaux on hols with no issues.

Its design means it is easy to secure (lock) bikes on board. Id suggest that plus one on the roof.

[Watchman]

Thanks. I looked at that. If I could get all 6 on the towbar, it'd be worth the investment and effort but if we have to put one on the roof we may as we'll see how we get on with 6 up there.

Nice to hear from a recommendation though, in case we need to consider it in future. Thanks.

[Kell]

I reckon the seatpost on that blue one is set a bit high mind...

[Barchettaman]

10/10!

Took me a while to get that one!

[AWG]