Budget bike racks?

[mikeyr]

Is there an official bike rack section lurking here in pedal power?

Have just bought a car which happens to come with both roof rails and a tow bar (it's a super cool 307 SW for those that are interested ). Seems to be the perfect car for camping and days out on the bikes.

So, based on the facts that:

• We have two adult and one kids bike, nothing amazing but none of them are particularly heavy
• It's a 90hp diesel and a boring shed so won't be setting any high speed records
• Not worried about impact on fuel economy
• Will probably be used once or twice a month
• I'm a cheapskate

What's the best option for cheap bang per buck?

(A long time ago we had a bike carrier which strapped onto boot. It was fine if a little nerve wracking watching bikes wobbling about. The towbar option looks appealing and seems to be more secure? A set of roof bars seem a good idea and I can reach top of car easily enough.)

Recommendations/links/personal experiences welcome.

[croyde]

I have one of those 4 bike racks that straps to the back of the car. Yep it does wobble lol

Bought it as it keeps bikes above the rear plate and lights.

Only used it twice. Sat in my shed since. Happy to let it go for some beer tokens.

[sjg]

http://www.pendle-bike.co.uk/shopping/hang-on-tb-r...

You'll probably want/need a numberplate & light board to hang behind the bikes too - another £20.

[J886ATV]

If you've already got the towbar - I'd go with a carrier that fits on there

I have an Atera Strada, but the Thule ones are just as good I think - simple, efficient & don't limit access to the rear of the car. No worries entering car parks with height barriers too!

[Bill]

I've got one of these: https://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4_tab.ph... and can't fault it. They do a 3 bike version too. You do need a lightboard though.

[idiotgap]

Definitely go towbar if you have one. On the roof they blow about, you might forget and trash your frame on a carpark entrance, they are a pain to load and it costs you in fuel. Make sure you get a tilting one so you can access the boot without removing it, my first witter one didn't and I was overjoyed to part with it eventually.

Some nice bargains here:
https://www.roofbox.co.uk/bargains-sale-clearance/...

Like Bill above, I bought a Buzzrack Buffalo 4 which is a towball mounted rack that has the two arms that stick out, but if I was buying again I'd go for the platform type.

[opieoilman]

idiotgap said:

Definitely go towbar if you have one. On the roof they blow about, you might forget and trash your frame on a carpark entrance,

Yep, first trip out with the bikes on the roof, completely forgot and it tore the rack off the roof. Luckily, minimal damage to the bikes. I bought a second hand Thule towbar rack a week later and it's so much more convenient. It clips on in seconds, is stable and I can chuck it in the boot as it's pretty small (I also have a V70, so there is plenty of boot space).

[CraigBroadbent]

I agree with comments regarding going for rear fix if you have a towbar already.
If your budget is restricted and you don't mind a bit of rubbing of bikes than a hanger type rack sounds the best option.
If you can afford a bit more then the platform racks are a better as they include the lights and numberplate holder etc.
see guide for moe information.
https://auxtail.com/about-cycle-carriers/

[Craikeybaby]

If you haven't got the towbar already it is worth looking for the Thule roof mounted stuff on eBay/Gumtree. Take some time to work out what you would need for your car, then search for the part numbers.

[mikeyr]

Thanks, already car already has a towbar (and electrics) fitted to it so want to go down the towbar route. The car has the option to remove seats in the back so boot access unlikely to be so important - as result am likely to go with a budget V shaped effort on the back.

Do others use an additional method of securing bike to car (e.g. straps attached to rear boot) or is that just my tow bar paranoia?

[CraigBroadbent]

Please buy a long cable lock and secure through the bike frames to the towbar safety hole, then if something goes wrong only some embarrassment and a little financial mistake.

You are responsible for a safe load, and things can break.

[mikeyr]

Sounds fair

[Barchettaman]

€2 on eBay, local pickup only so super cheap, does the job and have used it loads cross-continental.

[bakerstreet]

I've used racks, roof bars and towball racks.

Roof Bars
You have to attach the roof bars and then attach the bike rail and then heave the bikes onto the roof and you will get oil on your clothes and you will end up standing the seat squabs and getting them dirty. Thule make the best bike rails.

Bike Racks
Will mark the paint work and depending on the design of the car, you will have to use a trailer board if it blocks your lights and number plate. Also in my experiance, the aren't always the easiest things to set up and store

Tow Ball Racks
I bought one last year and I won't be going back to roof rack mounts or boot mounted racks. I paid £130 for my three bike version and it tilts so you can open the boot too. Much easier to get the bikes on and quicker to install on the car.