rear mounted cycle racks!
Discussion
I've never had any problems with my cycle rack with straps, apart from the first time I used it and managed to put the straps the wrong way through the fasteners. Luckily I thought I'd better take it round the block so the rack and bike only came loose and didn't fall off!
When you go around corners, mine does tend to shift from side to side a bit, but only due to the fact it can slide slightly within the foam protectors.
Just got myself a Thule rack, haven't used it yet, but looks to be rock solid, and doesn't use straps.
When you go around corners, mine does tend to shift from side to side a bit, but only due to the fact it can slide slightly within the foam protectors.
Just got myself a Thule rack, haven't used it yet, but looks to be rock solid, and doesn't use straps.
Put it on. Tighten the straps. Then put the bikes on and tighten the bottom straps again, as the weight makes things move around.
When I used to have a rack like this (I now have roof-mounted Thule bike carriers and they're superb) I would often find that even though I'd pulled them as tight as I could, putting 3 bikes on the rack would pull it so much further down that the bottom straps would have become so loose that they slipped off the bottom lip of the boot where they were fixed.
When I used to have a rack like this (I now have roof-mounted Thule bike carriers and they're superb) I would often find that even though I'd pulled them as tight as I could, putting 3 bikes on the rack would pull it so much further down that the bottom straps would have become so loose that they slipped off the bottom lip of the boot where they were fixed.
Kermit power said:
Put it on. Tighten the straps. Then put the bikes on and tighten the bottom straps again, as the weight makes things move around.
When I used to have a rack like this (I now have roof-mounted Thule bike carriers and they're superb) I would often find that even though I'd pulled them as tight as I could, putting 3 bikes on the rack would pull it so much further down that the bottom straps would have become so loose that they slipped off the bottom lip of the boot where they were fixed.
When I used to have a rack like this (I now have roof-mounted Thule bike carriers and they're superb) I would often find that even though I'd pulled them as tight as I could, putting 3 bikes on the rack would pull it so much further down that the bottom straps would have become so loose that they slipped off the bottom lip of the boot where they were fixed.
I echo the Thule bike rack - its worth the investment - they are rock solid; and I do mean ROCK SOLID - I can drive at serious pace in th twisties with two bikes on the roof, and they don't move at all!!!
They dent your straight line outright speed and mpg a bit, but for the security they are super good
Rear mounteds are ok, sometimes fit really well, and then on other cars they are shite... LIke the advice above, always tighten twice, and then again just for good measure...
In one place, it was actually down to primer!
ing hate them. Bought one for the MX5 - but even tightened down to the point at which everything was deforming to take the strain it was still no good.
When I get around to it I'll weld up a steel frame to bolt to the chassis tie-down mounts behind the rear bumpers. Hopefully that'll be a bit more solid!
alternatively, I could just stop being a lazy git and just cycle the 3 miles up the valley to Cwmcarn instead of driving
If no tow-bar, then the thule roof mounted are defintiely the best option for putting 'on' rather than in the car.
Expensive, but sturdy - enought to use with DH bikes aswell.
Regularly go on long trips 4 up in a wheezing 1800cc Mondeo with 4x 40lb+ DH bikes on the roof. Bit of a bugger getting them up there thought, and your roof WILL get scratched and dented, no matter how careful you are. Really.
The ideal solution though - a towbar rack. Especially one from here
www.aistoncycleracks.co.uk
The safest, toughest way to attach to your car. less lifting. less drag. NO contact with the car bodywork, so no damage.
The Aiston ones are strong as fook, handmade, and the chap will do custom bits of weird cars.
If your bikes wont go in the boot, a tow bar rack is by far the safest way and also the best if your not so keen on damaging your paintwork etc.
Expensive, but sturdy - enought to use with DH bikes aswell.
Regularly go on long trips 4 up in a wheezing 1800cc Mondeo with 4x 40lb+ DH bikes on the roof. Bit of a bugger getting them up there thought, and your roof WILL get scratched and dented, no matter how careful you are. Really.
The ideal solution though - a towbar rack. Especially one from here
www.aistoncycleracks.co.uk
The safest, toughest way to attach to your car. less lifting. less drag. NO contact with the car bodywork, so no damage.
The Aiston ones are strong as fook, handmade, and the chap will do custom bits of weird cars.
If your bikes wont go in the boot, a tow bar rack is by far the safest way and also the best if your not so keen on damaging your paintwork etc.
Posting as im also after a bit of advice on mounting cycle racks correctly.
Ive been carting my bike around a bit of late on a rear mounted rack on the back of my mk2 golf and im not really very comfortable with how secure it is. Its got 2 straps from the top to the top lip of the tailgate and 2 from the bottom securing to the rear valance.
Presently the frame itself ends up with lower bar in the bumper / lower tailgate panel junction, and the upper bar of the frame against the lower edge of the glass.
My friend who saw this suggested I should have the whole arrangement higher up with both bars on the glass. Any opinions on this?
Ive been carting my bike around a bit of late on a rear mounted rack on the back of my mk2 golf and im not really very comfortable with how secure it is. Its got 2 straps from the top to the top lip of the tailgate and 2 from the bottom securing to the rear valance.
Presently the frame itself ends up with lower bar in the bumper / lower tailgate panel junction, and the upper bar of the frame against the lower edge of the glass.
My friend who saw this suggested I should have the whole arrangement higher up with both bars on the glass. Any opinions on this?
Hatchback cars seem to be best with rear mounted racks although I'm always wary of them after one pushed through my rear window on my old Polo. I went over a bump and there was a huge bang and the passenger and I were showered in glass. Luckily I was wearing my full face helmet as a laugh! Towbar or roof mount if you're going to be doing a lot of bike carrying. Pendle make good tow bar ones if I remember correctly from my days working at a bike shop. Hollywood make decent strap ons 
and Thule are the best for roof mount. 
and Thule are the best for roof mount. i never had a problem with rear mounted racks and ive covered thousands of miles and never really driven any differently to when I dont have one on. As many have said it all depends on how they are mounted, try not to have them sticking to far out horizontally and alter the frame so it takes some of the weight through the bottom legs rather than the straps.
I have to echo the thule roof mount option though, i bought two carriers from roofboxcompany and they are brilliant! and the roof doesnt get scratched or dented if you're careful (and my bike is no lightweight either!)
I have to echo the thule roof mount option though, i bought two carriers from roofboxcompany and they are brilliant! and the roof doesnt get scratched or dented if you're careful (and my bike is no lightweight either!)
GHW said:
alternatively, I could just stop being a lazy git and just cycle the 3 miles up the valley to Cwmcarn instead of driving
You live 3 miles from Cwmcarn?
I'm experiencing a fit of unspeakable jealousy. I used to be 25 minutes drive from Afan, which was pretty good, but that last downhill on the Cwmcarn trail is just superb. Lucky git
chris71 said:
GHW said:
alternatively, I could just stop being a lazy git and just cycle the 3 miles up the valley to Cwmcarn instead of driving
You live 3 miles from Cwmcarn?
I'm experiencing a fit of unspeakable jealousy. I used to be 25 minutes drive from Afan, which was pretty good, but that last downhill on the Cwmcarn trail is just superb. Lucky git
There has to be some positives to living near to Cymcarn village
Neil_Bolton said:
chris71 said:
GHW said:
alternatively, I could just stop being a lazy git and just cycle the 3 miles up the valley to Cwmcarn instead of driving
You live 3 miles from Cwmcarn?
I'm experiencing a fit of unspeakable jealousy. I used to be 25 minutes drive from Afan, which was pretty good, but that last downhill on the Cwmcarn trail is just superb. Lucky git
There has to be some positives to living near to Cymcarn village
It's 3 miles from Cwmcarn in the direction of civilisation - nice for keeping free from the slightly feral natives, but not so nice for the uphill ride to get to Cwmcarn.
Theoretically, the canal path runs past the back of my place, and on up towards the bottom of forest drive, so could be a potentially flatter option than taking the hilly road route... but it passes through Risca.
beyond rational said:
I'm thinking of upgrading my current roof rail system, how easy is it for a pikey to take the thule bike rails off of a roof rack? And do they only work on Thule roof racks?
The Thule carriers would work on pretty much any sort of roof bars. The length is highly adjustable, and they grip the bars by means of pincers which you tighten up, so as long as the bars you get don't have a completely weird profile, you shouldn't have a problem.
As for how easy it is to take them on and off, once you've got them set up the first time, it's just a case of tightening and loosening the fixture at each end. On and off in 5 minutes or so.
Thanks, that is useful info - is their fitting/removal tool-less? The problem I've got at the moment is I have to leave the rack on the car when riding (in some pretty deserted places sometimes) and wouldn't want someone rolling up to the car park, taking a fancy to £60 of rail and just taking it off - my current ones have 6 bolts which are impossible to get off with the rack on the car, they are a bit knackered though and from an age when frames were steel
ETA: did some research - says "locks to bike carrier" - thanks for prior help though
ETA: did some research - says "locks to bike carrier" - thanks for prior help though
Edited by beyond rational on Thursday 26th April 15:14
beyond rational said:
Thanks, that is useful info - is their fitting/removal tool-less? The problem I've got at the moment is I have to leave the rack on the car when riding (in some pretty deserted places sometimes) and wouldn't want someone rolling up to the car park, taking a fancy to £60 of rail and just taking it off - my current ones have 6 bolts which are impossible to get off with the rack on the car, they are a bit knackered though and from an age when frames were steel
ETA: did some research - says "locks to bike carrier" - thanks for prior help though
ETA: did some research - says "locks to bike carrier" - thanks for prior help though
Edited by beyond rational on Thursday 26th April 15:14
Make sure you get them with locks though! My bars lock to the roof rails, and my bike carriers then lock to the bars, but with some of the bars you have to specify that you want locks.
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