Best bike carrier options - Roof v Rear v Tow Bar
Discussion
Changed from an estate to saloon (Passat) and struggling to get the 2 bikes (Soon to be 3) in the back. Don't mind investing although don't want to spend a fortune. Passat is a 16 year plate, i've had it almost 6 months and planning on at least having it until its 8 years old.
Roof bars - Bundle deal from Roofbox.co.uk
Pro's:
-Cost effective (£220 for 2 x Thule 532 carriers and Atera Signo bars)
-Versatile (Can carry add extra bike carrier later and carry roofbox/roofbag etc in future)
-Can still access the boot
-Can move to next car for the cost of an adapter set
Con's
-Not the prettiest due to the lump of black metal sticking out each door
-Looks time consuming to put on. Anyone timed how long they take to put on?
-Storing them might need another wee shed in the garden
Rear bike catter - Thule RaceWay 2/3 bike carrier
Pro's:
-Cost effective-ish. Expensive compared to others but does look innovative and good quality
-Folds down so not much storage needed, sure i could hang it somewhere
-Can move to next car or partners car for no cost
Con's:
-Might be a tad difficult to install on your own
-Can't access boot when this is installed
Tow bar and carrier - Been swaying towards this option but is the most expensive
Pro's:
-Can access boot with this installed
-Seems easy to mount to the towbar then the bikes to the carrier
-Towbar will allow me to purchase trailler/caravan/trailer tent etc in future if needed
Con's:
-Installation cost seems to be around £550-£650 for tow bar and electrics then another £300-£400 for the carrier
-Carrier will need stored in garden area so a plastic shed need
Any opinions welcome. Think i know what i should go for and just need to tell myself to stop being a lazy b
d and install the roof bars when i want to go out 
Roof bars - Bundle deal from Roofbox.co.uk
Pro's:
-Cost effective (£220 for 2 x Thule 532 carriers and Atera Signo bars)
-Versatile (Can carry add extra bike carrier later and carry roofbox/roofbag etc in future)
-Can still access the boot
-Can move to next car for the cost of an adapter set
Con's
-Not the prettiest due to the lump of black metal sticking out each door
-Looks time consuming to put on. Anyone timed how long they take to put on?
-Storing them might need another wee shed in the garden
Rear bike catter - Thule RaceWay 2/3 bike carrier
Pro's:
-Cost effective-ish. Expensive compared to others but does look innovative and good quality
-Folds down so not much storage needed, sure i could hang it somewhere
-Can move to next car or partners car for no cost
Con's:
-Might be a tad difficult to install on your own
-Can't access boot when this is installed
Tow bar and carrier - Been swaying towards this option but is the most expensive
Pro's:
-Can access boot with this installed
-Seems easy to mount to the towbar then the bikes to the carrier
-Towbar will allow me to purchase trailler/caravan/trailer tent etc in future if needed
Con's:
-Installation cost seems to be around £550-£650 for tow bar and electrics then another £300-£400 for the carrier
-Carrier will need stored in garden area so a plastic shed need
Any opinions welcome. Think i know what i should go for and just need to tell myself to stop being a lazy b
d and install the roof bars when i want to go out I mount up to three cycle carriers on my (removable) roof bars and yes agree with your 'pros', but I find the OE rails not only fit best, but also look best (I can't stand to see bars protruding beyond the side rails). I alternate between the cycle carriers (only 2 at present), or a top box, or nothing. I'm happy with the set-up, no load ever shifted, there isn't much wind noise and on a regular height car it's all reachable without ladders. This is on a Mondeo estate with factory fitted side rails btw.
However...a 'con' you've not mentioned (possibly because you've not yet encountered them) is height restricting barriers... on the entrance to car parks... at the beginning of....cycle trails! Really really REALLY annoying!
However...a 'con' you've not mentioned (possibly because you've not yet encountered them) is height restricting barriers... on the entrance to car parks... at the beginning of....cycle trails! Really really REALLY annoying!
Edited by TwinKam on Monday 5th August 15:44
Tried various rear mounted bike carriers over the years and was never happy with them, I was always worried they were working lose. Possible the problem was that I was carrying 4 bikes on them so was a lot of weight, but they were rated for 4 bikes.
I invested in a tow bar mounted bike carrier, never had any concerns about it working loose and it takes less than a minute to mount now I have it adjusted. Also far easier to lift the bikes on/off as its much lower down. The other big upside is that the carrier will work with any other car that has a tow bar, I can't say that for the rear or roof mounted carrier.
I never considered roof mounted systems as I was always worried about clearance/getting the bikes up there, as I carry the bikes on SUVs.
I invested in a tow bar mounted bike carrier, never had any concerns about it working loose and it takes less than a minute to mount now I have it adjusted. Also far easier to lift the bikes on/off as its much lower down. The other big upside is that the carrier will work with any other car that has a tow bar, I can't say that for the rear or roof mounted carrier.
I never considered roof mounted systems as I was always worried about clearance/getting the bikes up there, as I carry the bikes on SUVs.
I've got a towbar carrier - had it long enough for my current car to be the 3rd I've used it on. Has racked up plenty of miles without issue, including a trip to Provence in 2017.
I watched somebody arrive at the Dyfi Enduro (a good few years ago), forget about the bikes on the roof and try to go under the height barrier...
I watched somebody arrive at the Dyfi Enduro (a good few years ago), forget about the bikes on the roof and try to go under the height barrier...
I've been down this road myself a few times.
I've used good and cheap rear carriers and haven't found one that wasn't a complete faf, either because it's nearly impossible to fit 2 FS MTBs without them rubbing each other or a wheel sticking out further than the wing mirror. I had one fail on me at 80mph once, I managed to stop on the hard shoulder with a wheel about 2cm from the road, if it had touched it would have been a real mess.
I had a tow bar mounted one, it was very secure (but still needed work to make sure bikes didn't touch / rub. The weigh as much as the moon, are bulky to store and frankly half the time I looked at the thing and thought "sod it" it was easier to put down the back seats and throw it in the boot (made a bit of a mess of my headliner in the end).
Roof mounts are the best for me, I get to ride 2/3 times a week so they live on there. In 13 years of doing it I haven't driven into a barrier yet (I bound to now aren't I!) get some decent Thules and forget about it. Don't buy 532's I've only known 1 failure from a roof mounted carrier and it was one of those, 'only' smashed a side window and made a bit dent on the roof thankfully. Spend the extra on 598 or even better a 561/565
My bike weighs about 15-16Kgs and I've tested it at 120mph (private track blah blah blah).
I've used good and cheap rear carriers and haven't found one that wasn't a complete faf, either because it's nearly impossible to fit 2 FS MTBs without them rubbing each other or a wheel sticking out further than the wing mirror. I had one fail on me at 80mph once, I managed to stop on the hard shoulder with a wheel about 2cm from the road, if it had touched it would have been a real mess.
I had a tow bar mounted one, it was very secure (but still needed work to make sure bikes didn't touch / rub. The weigh as much as the moon, are bulky to store and frankly half the time I looked at the thing and thought "sod it" it was easier to put down the back seats and throw it in the boot (made a bit of a mess of my headliner in the end).
Roof mounts are the best for me, I get to ride 2/3 times a week so they live on there. In 13 years of doing it I haven't driven into a barrier yet (I bound to now aren't I!) get some decent Thules and forget about it. Don't buy 532's I've only known 1 failure from a roof mounted carrier and it was one of those, 'only' smashed a side window and made a bit dent on the roof thankfully. Spend the extra on 598 or even better a 561/565
My bike weighs about 15-16Kgs and I've tested it at 120mph (private track blah blah blah).
Tow Bar carrier everytime. I have had it now for over 10 years and it's still the best way to travel with bikes for me.
I did have a car that didn't have a towbar and I went and bought a set of Thule aerobars and bike carriers for the roof of the car, didn't like it. I'm not the tallest person so loading up wasn't as easy and the tow bar mounted carrier.
The fkwit factor for me is a concern should I forget and drive into somewhere with height limited access... I do also like the fact I can keep an eye on the bike as I drive. Just incase things loosen off.
I did have a car that didn't have a towbar and I went and bought a set of Thule aerobars and bike carriers for the roof of the car, didn't like it. I'm not the tallest person so loading up wasn't as easy and the tow bar mounted carrier.
The f
kwit factor for me is a concern should I forget and drive into somewhere with height limited access... I do also like the fact I can keep an eye on the bike as I drive. Just incase things loosen off. Roofbars every time for me. I've done all 3 although our rear rack was a Thule ClipOn that used metal bars with no fabric straps. Prefer having them out of the way on top of the car, as mentioned earlier it's easiest option if you're carrying multiple MTBs with wind bars.
But big downside of towbar rack for me was road grime (salt during winter) buggering the brakes on my bikes. Perhaps it was coincidental, but I had a huge amount of reliability issues with my disc brakes when I used a towbar rack.
Thankfully now I've got a van! Still have a suction-mount roof carrier for when I choose to use the car instead.
But big downside of towbar rack for me was road grime (salt during winter) buggering the brakes on my bikes. Perhaps it was coincidental, but I had a huge amount of reliability issues with my disc brakes when I used a towbar rack.
Thankfully now I've got a van! Still have a suction-mount roof carrier for when I choose to use the car instead.
P-Jay said:
I've been down this road myself a few times.
I've used good and cheap rear carriers and haven't found one that wasn't a complete faf, either because it's nearly impossible to fit 2 FS MTBs without them rubbing each other or a wheel sticking out further than the wing mirror. I had one fail on me at 80mph once, I managed to stop on the hard shoulder with a wheel about 2cm from the road, if it had touched it would have been a real mess.
I had a tow bar mounted one, it was very secure (but still needed work to make sure bikes didn't touch / rub. The weigh as much as the moon, are bulky to store and frankly half the time I looked at the thing and thought "sod it" it was easier to put down the back seats and throw it in the boot (made a bit of a mess of my headliner in the end).
Roof mounts are the best for me, I get to ride 2/3 times a week so they live on there. In 13 years of doing it I haven't driven into a barrier yet (I bound to now aren't I!) get some decent Thules and forget about it. Don't buy 532's I've only known 1 failure from a roof mounted carrier and it was one of those, 'only' smashed a side window and made a bit dent on the roof thankfully. Spend the extra on 598 or even better a 561/565
My bike weighs about 15-16Kgs and I've tested it at 120mph (private track blah blah blah).
Nice sportline I've used good and cheap rear carriers and haven't found one that wasn't a complete faf, either because it's nearly impossible to fit 2 FS MTBs without them rubbing each other or a wheel sticking out further than the wing mirror. I had one fail on me at 80mph once, I managed to stop on the hard shoulder with a wheel about 2cm from the road, if it had touched it would have been a real mess.
I had a tow bar mounted one, it was very secure (but still needed work to make sure bikes didn't touch / rub. The weigh as much as the moon, are bulky to store and frankly half the time I looked at the thing and thought "sod it" it was easier to put down the back seats and throw it in the boot (made a bit of a mess of my headliner in the end).
Roof mounts are the best for me, I get to ride 2/3 times a week so they live on there. In 13 years of doing it I haven't driven into a barrier yet (I bound to now aren't I!) get some decent Thules and forget about it. Don't buy 532's I've only known 1 failure from a roof mounted carrier and it was one of those, 'only' smashed a side window and made a bit dent on the roof thankfully. Spend the extra on 598 or even better a 561/565
My bike weighs about 15-16Kgs and I've tested it at 120mph (private track blah blah blah).
I'm probably going down the towbar route, I'm decising on the next car which will probably be a skoda superb estate, and even with the size of the thing, a towbar rack is on the cards. No faffing around with the front wheel or bike when it's covered in an inch of british mud, the Atera Genio pro is top dog at the moment - https://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4_tab.ph... - probably should find a car first!!
Done this equation many times with knobs on
Definitive answer:
1-2 bikes = roof bars. Easy to take on/off, fit/remove in seconds and can store bars/carriers easily
Can leave bars on and just store carriers for less hassle
Cons = lots of wind noise and reduced MPG
3-4 bikes = tow bar carrier. Needs storage room at home/holiday gaff but better MPG and a lot less wind noise
When the kids were cute/little they wanted bikes on holiday so we used the towbar mount
Now they spend mornings unconscious its just me and roof bars are fine for a single bike
Ive still got the ££££ Thule tow bar rack for when they decide to come to Bourg d'Oisons with me
It will appear on Ebay in 20y time
Cheers
Tow bar carrier for me.
I have 2 - one 'hanger' and one Thule platform. The 'hanger' is handy for shorter trips or when I just have my bike with me (I often drive to Wembley, ditch the car there and cycle into Westminster). But for mine and hers, I tend to use the Thule platform.
Only regret is that I didn't buy one with a tilting mechanism so I can get into car boots with it mounted.
(Mind you, current company hack doesn't (yet) have a tow bar, not sure what I'm going to do about that, as there was no official option)
I have 2 - one 'hanger' and one Thule platform. The 'hanger' is handy for shorter trips or when I just have my bike with me (I often drive to Wembley, ditch the car there and cycle into Westminster). But for mine and hers, I tend to use the Thule platform.
Only regret is that I didn't buy one with a tilting mechanism so I can get into car boots with it mounted.
(Mind you, current company hack doesn't (yet) have a tow bar, not sure what I'm going to do about that, as there was no official option)
I haven't been able to use a tailgate-mounted one on my last two cars as they have little plastic spoiler-type things on the top of the hatch. I've used them in the past and was always aware of movement at speed & the extra width what with wheels sticking out each side.
Money no object I'd probably have gone for a tilting towbar-mounted Thule for 4 x bikes. But this would of course entail a tow bar, fitting kit & labour.
As a compromise (and as I carry the bikes very rarely) I bought a couple of Thule aerobars and four roof-mounted bike racks.
I can get the bikes up and down easily enough with the help of a small folding stool.
They are well made, easy to operate and secure.
Once on I barely notice they're up there.
Money no object I'd probably have gone for a tilting towbar-mounted Thule for 4 x bikes. But this would of course entail a tow bar, fitting kit & labour.
As a compromise (and as I carry the bikes very rarely) I bought a couple of Thule aerobars and four roof-mounted bike racks.
I can get the bikes up and down easily enough with the help of a small folding stool.
They are well made, easy to operate and secure.
Once on I barely notice they're up there.
Edited by AC43 on Wednesday 7th August 09:02
Thanks for your replies everyone. Some good points I had to go over.
Thinking i'm settled for the roof bars and carrier option. Roofbox are going a combo deal for Atera SIGNO AS aero-profile roof bars no. AR7313 - 2 x Atera GIRO AF+ bike carriers + Atera roof bars for £265. Doing some googling it appears they make OEM bars for VAG, BMW, Mercedes etc and are a pretty popular and respected brand in mainland Europe.
Means if its a day trip or glamping/static caravan we can take the bikes, if it's tent camping then a roof box can be purchased at a later date so there's ample space for extra gear (and perhaps space for my bike too
)
Thinking i'm settled for the roof bars and carrier option. Roofbox are going a combo deal for Atera SIGNO AS aero-profile roof bars no. AR7313 - 2 x Atera GIRO AF+ bike carriers + Atera roof bars for £265. Doing some googling it appears they make OEM bars for VAG, BMW, Mercedes etc and are a pretty popular and respected brand in mainland Europe.
Means if its a day trip or glamping/static caravan we can take the bikes, if it's tent camping then a roof box can be purchased at a later date so there's ample space for extra gear (and perhaps space for my bike too
)We have electric MTBs (so about 20kg each without batteries).
Previous car (E class coupe with pano roof) we used Thule bars with INNO INA389 bike racks - these are way better than the Thule holders, they hold the bikes by the wheels, are lockable, have built in cable locks and handle up to 25kg each; the Thule prorides are too light duty and also the clamps can't fit around the bottom tube with our intgrated batteries.
Got a new car and got a towbar fitted and a Thule Velocompact - we're 7kg under the 46kg limit with both our (batteries removed) ebikes. Folds up very compact and is a lot less faff than the roofrack. Me driving into a car park or under a height restrictor with the bikes on the roof was a dead cert - I am VERY absent minded. Not being limited to about 80mph on the autobahn is another plus point, as is not getting gouged for an extra £60 for a roof rack on the ferry (Brittany ferries - I'm looking at you!)
The INNO racks are for sale if anyone is interested.
Previous car (E class coupe with pano roof) we used Thule bars with INNO INA389 bike racks - these are way better than the Thule holders, they hold the bikes by the wheels, are lockable, have built in cable locks and handle up to 25kg each; the Thule prorides are too light duty and also the clamps can't fit around the bottom tube with our intgrated batteries.
Got a new car and got a towbar fitted and a Thule Velocompact - we're 7kg under the 46kg limit with both our (batteries removed) ebikes. Folds up very compact and is a lot less faff than the roofrack. Me driving into a car park or under a height restrictor with the bikes on the roof was a dead cert - I am VERY absent minded. Not being limited to about 80mph on the autobahn is another plus point, as is not getting gouged for an extra £60 for a roof rack on the ferry (Brittany ferries - I'm looking at you!)
The INNO racks are for sale if anyone is interested.
We brought sexy Thule wing bars and Yashima bike racks (blimming expensive kit) for my wifes Swift Sport at Xmas, having previously ruined the interior of her old Swift Sport with bikes. None of my cars are bike friendly.
After a decent number of trips from sunny Essex to Wales and various other hilly locations I'm going to buy a Forester XT as a bike wagon as I hate the roof bars so much...HTH.
After a decent number of trips from sunny Essex to Wales and various other hilly locations I'm going to buy a Forester XT as a bike wagon as I hate the roof bars so much...HTH.
Seasucker 'Bomber' rack. I used it across a bunch of my cars, literally takes 30sec to stick it to the roof (and remove it when you get somewhere) so you dont have to drive around all year with ugly roof racks, plus you can use them on pretty much any car!
you can buy attachments for QR, 15mm, 20mm, boost etc depending on the bikes you want to attach.
Driven to the alps twice with DH bikes on the roof, scotland and all over the UK
tested at 120mph on the autobahn (I will admit I lost my bottle at that point), I tried to do a lap of the 'ring with them on, but the lady at the gate stopped me:
Edited by paulmnz on Thursday 15th August 17:05
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