Best bike carrier options - Roof v Rear v Tow Bar

[DJFish]

Towbar for us, there’s no room on the roof!

[BRR]

I use suction cups the same as Paulmnz, tried it for the first time yesterday (on an f-type) and it was very easy to fit though i spent the whole drive nervous that it was going to come off, seemed pretty sturdy though thankfully. I'll be going on a longer drive out with the bike this weekend so I'm hoping it holds up ok, all reports i've seen on forums say they work well and I've not seen anyone mention it failing

[Poppiecock]

Has anyone tried using the suckers to carry a bike transversely across the boot lid of a saloon?

That looks like a great way to do it. Especially if you can tilt it to sit parallel with the rear screen using a sucker on there to clamp the top tube.

[John Laverick]

I generally chuck mine in the boot but I also have a Seasucker which I've been using successfully (i.e. it's never fallen off) for a number of years.

[jonm01]

I did a 400 mile round trip to Wales carrying my road bike on the Saris Bones 2 recently. Quite easy to fit and folds up somewhat for storage.

Originally got a Bones 1 but was not confident in the slightest of going on a long journey with it as it didn't have straps to secure is from lateral movement.

If you can go with roof bars then that would be the best option though.

[TurboHatchback]

Thule Velospace XT3 towbar carrier for me, it is superb (as it should be given the price). Mounted on a 3.5T fixed towbar on my Grand Cherokee and it's just about bike carrying perfection.

[JimbobVFR]

It's a bit drastic but if you have a vaguely van shaped vehicle or an MPV then the tail gate racks like the Thule Backpack or Fiamma Carrybike makes me glad I don't have to bother with removable racks or roof racks anymore.

My Thule rack stays on permanently on my Mazda Bongo.

[John Laverick]

[aberdeeneuan]

We have both.

Tow bar for all 4 bikes (atera strada) and it’s brilliant. Heavy to put on, but works well.

Roof bars are fine for 2 bikes but anymore than that gets a bit of a faff, and when we changed cars my wife’s car is taller so was a right pain to comfortably reach and I didn’t want to use a step. So if you have a normal car, roof bars are ok, but get quiet ones as you will hear some wind noise.