Car Bike Racks

Lex Luthor

Anyone here have themselves a rear car bike rack?

I was looking at this one on Halfords http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_251011_langId_-1_categoryId_212359

Its the strap type, decent price and gets good reviews.

I'm not familiar with them so can you open/close the boot with the rack on but the bikes removed?

-Chris-

Check out this thread:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055647058

My recommendation is to buy a Hollywood rack - it's a great brand.

My second recommendation is to not buy a cheap rack. I bought a cheap rack a few years ago and one of the protective pads split. It damaged the paint through to the metal and meant that I had to nurse the car home at about 15mph.

PaddyFagan

-Chris- wrote: »

My recommendation is to buy a Hollywood rack - it's a great brand.

+1. I have one of these - http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=28383 and @ €60.67 including delivery it's cheaper than the one you orignally posted :D

Paddy

Lex Luthor

Thanks Paddy & Chris.

Paddy, this one has straps and I was told they can wreck the paintwork. How do you find the straps on the Hollywood one?

Whats the best to do? Put the smallest or biggest bike nearer the car?

-Chris-

The straps should have some protection on the hooks - if it wears off you just put a bit of gaffa tape on it. It's the metal on metal that'll damage the paintwork.

I put the heaviest bike closest to the car, and then when all are on I'll wrap straps around all the bikes and the rack.

Lex Luthor

PaddyFagan wrote: »

+1. I have one of these - http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=28383 and @ €60.67 including delivery it's cheaper than the one you orignally posted :D

Paddy

Paddy, looking at this link the car in the pic has a small spoiler. I would imagine this is not ideal as the pressure from tightening the straps could dislodge it??? What are your views on that?

Berty

Do you have a tow bar?

I purchased an extremely sturdy tow bar mounted bicyle carrier. Simple to install.

Just put around the tow bar and click down into place. I was amazed how sturdy it was. Holds two bikes.

€55 in any good bike shop. I cannot remember the make. John in Siopa Rothar in Limerick was the guy I bought it off.

(061)419695

If you do not have a tow bar then discount everything I have said.

Although, Hollywood seemed to be the brand of choice for the bikeshops when I was out looking for a rack for the car.

I was surprised with the Halfords website. It did not tell me that their racks did not fit certain cars. Check the manufacturers website for whether or not your car can take that rack.

It said something like "mounting points not sufficient for this type of car"

PaddyFagan

Lex Luthor wrote: »

Thanks Paddy & Chris.

Paddy, this one has straps and I was told they can wreck the paintwork. How do you find the straps on the Hollywood one?

Whats the best to do? Put the smallest or biggest bike nearer the car?

As Chris mentioned there is protection on the clips, and I didn't have any problems with them. I put the biggest bike nearer the car - the old law of the lever is stuck in my mind....

Lex Luthor wrote: »

Paddy, looking at this link the car in the pic has a small spoiler. I would imagine this is not ideal as the pressure from tightening the straps could dislodge it??? What are your views on that?

My car (Golf plus) has a similar spoiler - I set the rack up so that it was higher on the back of my car than shown, so the top straps don't rest on the lip of the spolier.

Hope this makes sense -

Paddy

Top Dog

I got a Mont Blanc setup for putting the bikes on the roof. Means I can still use my towbar if/when needed, and can always open the boot too. Whole setup cost me somewhere in the region of €150 shipped from the UK (cross bars and 2 individual bike carriers).

Lex Luthor

PaddyFagan wrote: »

As Chris mentioned there is protection on the clips, and I didn't have any problems with them. I put the biggest bike nearer the car - the old law of the lever is stuck in my mind....



My car (Golf plus) has a similar spoiler - I set the rack up so that it was higher on the back of my car than shown, so the top straps don't rest on the lip of the spolier.

Hope this makes sense -

Paddy

ya got that Paddy, thanks.

I have to go with rear mounted as my wife wouldn't be able to lift the bikes to a roof unit
Right now I have no use for a tow bar so I don't need the expnse of one

Top Dog

Lex Luthor wrote: »

I have to go with rear mounted as my wife wouldn't be able to lift the bikes to a roof unit

Thats fair enough. I find it awkward enough sometimes and I'm a 6 foot tall bloke

Lex Luthor

PaddyFagan wrote: »

+1. I have one of these - http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=28383 and @ €60.67 including delivery it's cheaper than the one you orignally posted :D

Paddy

got one of these and tried it out yesterday...works great. Thanks for the recommendation and a good price aswell...:D