Ford Focus & Bike Racks

dragratchet

anyone on here drive a ford focus. im about to buy one and have previously been using a buzz-rack like this

http://buzzrack.com/galleries/beetle-trunk-rack-2-arms-bike-carrier/

focus's have a more sloping rear window. wondering would i get away using the rack on it. or what do any focus owners use.

(cant afford to install a tow-bar right now)

fillup

I have a focus and use a rack similar to yours (mines this Halfords one http://www.halfords.ie/camping-car-seats/bike-racks-cycle-carriers/bike-racks-cycle-carriers/halfords-rear-high-mount-3-cycle-carrier-strap-fitting)

I've only recently got it but it got me up to Sligo and back with one bike


Regarding fitting it, the manual said to put the rest/arm that goes on the glass on either the top third or bottom third but not in the middle

dragratchet

cheers fillup. link aint working though *. i figure if my buzzrack works ill have to rack the bike on the further-most racking points from the body of of the car.. reckon my days of carrying 3 bikes might be over though.

Edit:* you're grand, looked up the rack online

JMcL

I had a pain finding a rack for a focus, and eventually wound up with Saris Bones 3, which while (probably too) expensive, is a great rack. It needed to go on a Renault Scenic as well, which was also proving a bit challenging to find something for. No complaints so far on either car, easy to fit, and very solid

dragratchet

JMcl do both sets of legs rest on the rear window when its set up? bikes suspended up pretty high on the car?

Dipsomaniac

JMcL wrote: »

I had a pain finding a rack for a focus, and eventually wound up with Saris Bones 3, which while (probably too) expensive, is a great rack. It needed to go on a Renault Scenic as well, which was also proving a bit challenging to find something for. No complaints so far on either car, easy to fit, and very solid

Hi JMcL,

What type of focus do you have?

I have a MK2 hatchback. On the saris site it says its not compatible with the saris bones. Hoping they're wrong.

I'm having a very hard time finding one thats compatible.

JMcL

dragratchet wrote: »

JMcl do both sets of legs rest on the rear window when its set up? bikes suspended up pretty high on the car?

No, the bottom legs rest on the bumper, which takes most of the weight along with the straps. The top legs don't really put much if any weight on the glass. The legs have large rubberised pads to spread the load as well. The arms to take the bikes can be set at any angle so they're easy to adjust for any car. We've had two heavyish adult bikes plus a kids bike for trips to France with no problem

JMcL

Dipsomaniac wrote: »

Hi JMcL,

What type of focus do you have?

I have a MK2 hatchback. On the saris site it says its not compatible with the saris bones. Hoping they're wrong.

I'm having a very hard time finding one thats compatible.

It's a mk2 (2010). All the compatibility sites say no, but having spent a long time trawling forums before buying, the Saris seemed to be the one given the nod for the Focus. I think the main problem is the fairing at the top of the boot glass - the top straps do rest on and put a bit of pressure on it, but if you've everything else adjusted properly to distribute the load, it shouldn't be a problem especially if the weight is kept reasonable (I'd typically only be carrying my road bike on the focus - family trips usually involve the Scenic - but it's always seemed rock solid and stable)

torydiver

Would highly recommend a towbar fitting rack if you can.
Used to have strap type rack but was never really happy with securing it, always stopping and checking,
Was so impressed after seeing a towbar rack I ended up fitting a second hand towbar to my car and bought one,
So convenient and secure.
Picked up towbar in breakers for 30 euros.

dragratchet

@ torydiver: yeah towbar and thul towbar rack are the ideal solution but ive been quoted 365 for installation of a new towbar onto the focus and then were talking another 80-90 quid for the rack. what breakers dya mind me asking you got your towbar in. would be delighted to find a second hand one suitable for a focus given it'd be carrying nothing heavier than a couple road-bikes

torydiver

dragratchet wrote: »

@ torydiver: yeah tow-bar and thul tow-bar rack are the ideal solution but ive been quoted 365 for installation of a new tow-bar onto the focus and then were talking another 80-90 quid for the rack. what breaks dya mind me asking you got your tow-bar in. would be delighted to find a second hand on suitable for a focus given it'd be carrying nothing heavier than a couple road-bikes

In Donegal, got mine from local vw/skoda breakers for 30 euros as mentioned,
I am handy with the spanners so was able to fit it myself. Didn't bother with wiring as it's only used with bike rack,
You could ring breakers in your area to see what they have, not a huge job to fit if you like tinkering with cars.
total cost to me for towbar and Thule rack was about 90 euros.
Cannot emphasize enough how convenient and secure it is,
Rack and bike fitted in less than 20 seconds with no worries of loosening straps while driving bumpy roads.

dragratchet

nice one, thanks for the info. did you look for a towbar specific to the make of car to be bolted onto.. ive been led to believe some are suitable only for certain models.

Ive seen the thul rack in action and its brilliant. id love to go down that route if i could avoid the cost of a new towbar.. ill investigate a few breakers in dub-town tomorrow so

torydiver

dragratchet wrote: »

nice one, thanks for the info. did you look for a towbar specific to the make of car to be bolted onto.. ive been led to believe some are suitable only for certain models.

Ive seen the thul rack in action and its brilliant. id love to go down that route if i could avoid the cost of a new towbar.. ill investigate a few breakers in dub-town tomorrow so

You will need a towbar specific to your car,
Ring around your local breakers and ask for example if they have a towbar for a 2010 Ford focus,
Happy hunting, can guarantee you won't be disappointed with Thule rack.