Bike Carrier

BlazingSaddler

Hi all. Could anybody recommend a bike carrier please?, it will need to carry 1 adult bike and 2 childrens (20" & 16"). It is for a C-Max. It is required for a trip to France. As it's a hatchback can you actually open the boot when the bikes are mounted?!

Don't Chute!

If you have a tow bar i would recommend this,http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_751137_langId_-1_categoryId_212359
I know it only takes two but i think they may do bigger ones. I find this really good takes about ten seconds to put on whereas the ones that strap on can be a nightmare to put on and take off! Hope this helps.

cdaly_

Strap on carriers generally mean you cannot open the boot. Mainly because of weight but also because the lower straps may be attached below the bumper (though I tend to attach these to the bottom edge of the tailgate.

I pack the car so that anything needed during the trip is accessed by folding a rear seat. Stuff like cooler box or overnight bag for the boat.

Once you have the strap on rack adjusted for the car, it's pretty handy to mount thereafter.

NBar

Thule do ones that sit on the hitch and tilt to allow access to boot, expensive but can carry from 2 to 4 bikes depending on model

t'bear

I have a Saris bones 3 carrier for sale in the classifieds if you are interested. Boot won't open with the the bikes and carrier mounted.

dragratchet

i have a buzzrack that fits to my focus c-max. straps attach around the top of the hatch, the bottom of the hatch and the sides of it. ive had three road bikes on the back without problem and you could in theory open the boot with a bike(s) on the back, though its a bit of a job supporting the hatch and rooting around

mjsc1970

I have a Thule 9106 that is designed to allow the boot to be opened. It will only carry two bikes though. No idea if it's compatible with a Ford C Max, you would need to check Thule.Com. It's a very well made piece of kit though.

darkvalley

I have a Saris bones 2 bike carrier and and boot opens with the carrier on. Boot will open with bikes attached but won't stay open due to weight of bikes. I attach bottom straps to the boot lid rather than the bumper. I have a saloon car, but should still work with a hatchback.
Good carrier.

iwillhtfu

This is the thule tilt one but they're savage money.

http://www.thule.com/en/ie/products/carriers-and-racks/bike-carriers/towbar-mounted-bike-carriers/thule-rideon-9503-_-950300

I have this one and it is great. it feels rock solid on the back of the car. I can open the door with two bike but obviously it's very heavy and won't stay up on it's own. I wouldn't say it's to good for the actual door either.

http://www.thule.com/en/ie/products/carriers-and-racks/bike-carriers/rear-door-mounted-bike-carriers/thule-clipon-9103-_-910301

I see on another thread you're worried about lights. This one allows for clearance.

http://www.thule.com/en/ie/products/carriers-and-racks/bike-carriers/rear-door-mounted-bike-carriers/thule-backpac-973-_-973002

BlazingSaddler

iwillhtfu wrote: »

I have this one and it is great. it feels rock solid on the back of the car. I can open the door with two bike but obviously it's very heavy and won't stay up on it's own. I wouldn't say it's to good for the actual door either.

http://www.thule.com/en/ie/products/carriers-and-racks/bike-carriers/rear-door-mounted-bike-carriers/thule-clipon-9103-_-910301

Thank you all! The snap on looks the business, will price this up

Rambling Man

Very happy with this yoke which we got in Eurocycles. Its had lots of motorway use between at 100-120kph and the bikes don't budge. Car is a Corolla hatchback with no tow bar. After you set it up the first time and learn how to do it, its easy. The limitations on boot access also apply:

http://eurocycles.com/ie/product/avenir/montana-3-bike-boot-fitting-rack

iwillhtfu

mattb74 wrote: »

iwillhtfu wrote: »

I have this one and it is great. it feels rock solid on the back of the car. I can open the door with two bike but obviously it's very heavy and won't stay up on it's own. I wouldn't say it's to good for the actual door either.

http://www.thule.com/en/ie/products/carriers-and-racks/bike-carriers/rear-door-mounted-bike-carriers/thule-clipon-9103-_-910301

Thank you all! The snap on looks the business, will price this up

It's very secure. I'm not sure i'd trust myself to install correctly or the straps to hold tight going down the motorway or hitting rough ground.

The one above is all metal and has a few different positions but you need to be very sure it fits your car. there's a couple of different models and a 9103 can differ to a 9104 (numbers for example)

Bon Voyage.

cdaly_

Also, have a read of http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=79137481

BlazingSaddler

iwillhtfu wrote: »

I have this one and it is great. it feels rock solid on the back of the car. I can open the door with two bike but obviously it's very heavy and won't stay up on it's own. I wouldn't say it's to good for the actual door either.

http://www.thule.com/en/ie/products/carriers-and-racks/bike-carriers/rear-door-mounted-bike-carriers/thule-clipon-9103-_-910301

I see on another thread you're worried about lights. This one allows for clearance.

http://www.thule.com/en/ie/products/carriers-and-racks/bike-carriers/rear-door-mounted-bike-carriers/thule-backpac-973-_-973002

Can you tell me where you purchased yours please?, do you have the 9103 or 9104. It does look very handy to fit, the guy in the video does it in about 15 seconds! I am very nervous about using a rack for the first time on a trip to France so I need to get my finger out and get it ordered so I can do a fgew dummy runs before we go. Has anybody any experience of how strict the French police are with regards to obscured rear number plates when carrying bikes? If I have to get a reg. plate board are they easy enough to fit over the bikes? Thanks!

iwillhtfu

I picked mine up on adverts.ie for a good price also.

Did you check to see if they fit your car, mines the shorter one I think it doesn't raise the bkes up above the lights or anything.

It does attach in minutes and is very sturdy. I'd have been happy paying full price for it. There's no messing with straps or anything once it's on it ain't moving.

BlazingSaddler

Hi all, I'm dragging this thread up from last year as I'm in the same boat now. I never got round to getting the bike carrier last year but have just ordered the Thule 9104. Basically I'm still interested in peoples experiences of travelling to France with this carrier. Would you recommend travelling with a light board / reg. plate. It'll be fitted onto a Grand CMax. Thank you!

http://www.thule.com/en/ie/products/carriers-and-racks/bike-carriers/rear-door-mounted-bike-carriers/thule-clipon-9104-_-910401

mjsc1970

mattb74 wrote: »

Hi all, I'm dragging this thread up from last year as I'm in the same boat now. I never got round to getting the bike carrier last year but have just ordered the Thule 9104. Basically I'm still interested in peoples experiences of travelling to France with this carrier. Would you recommend travelling with a light board / reg. plate. It'll be fitted onto a Grand CMax. Thank you!

http://www.thule.com/en/ie/products/carriers-and-racks/bike-carriers/rear-door-mounted-bike-carriers/thule-clipon-9104-_-910401

I've a 9106 for sale in adverts as its not compatible with my car. Wish it was though, great piece of kit, I'd have no hesitation using the correct Thule carrier on a long road trip.

BlazingSaddler

Has anybody used the Exodus 3 bike rear high mount cycle carrier? In theory this ticks the boxes as it clips on, doesn't obscure the number plate and takes 3 bikes. http://www.halfords.com/cycling/accessories/rear-mounted-bike-racks/exodus-rear-high-mount-3-cycle-carrier-clamp-fitting#[object Object]

Tigerandahalf

mattb74 wrote: »

Has anybody used the Exodus 3 bike rear high mount cycle carrier? In theory this ticks the boxes as it clips on, doesn't obscure the number plate and takes 3 bikes. http://www.halfords.com/cycling/accessories/rear-mounted-bike-racks/exodus-rear-high-mount-3-cycle-carrier-clamp-fitting#[object Object]

Your view out the rear window would be very restricted with something like that.