bike carrier for a car

tom_tarbucket

I recently opened a thread on bike child seats and now that's done and dusted im moving on to bicycle carriers.........which i know flip all about.

A few points: i have a saloon car, wife has an suv type car (no roof rack or spare tyre on back ) neither car has a hitch. I would ideally like to use the bike carrier on these 2 different cars.

To start off with id be using the bike carrier to transport 1 x adult bike, but further down the line this will be 1 x adult bike, 2 x kids bikes.

Can I buy a bike carrier that will work on both cars ?

Are there any bike carriers or brand names that people her can recommend ?

Can the bikes be locked in to the bike carrier ?

Can cheap ones cause issues like chipped paint on car ?

Anything else im missing ?

cython

I've a Saris Bones 3, and would find it hard not to recommend it, assuming it fits the 2 cars you have in mind. It's very flexible in its adjustments (though not once mounted, thankfully! Take a look at it and you'll see what I mean), and it's pretty easy to adjust to fit different cars. You could mark the 2 configurations to suit your different vehicles, for example. I've used it a couple of times to carry 3 bikes on 2 different (saloon) cars without issue, and thus far they have been pretty secure. Bit more expensive than some of the other options for a boot-mounted one, but worth it, IMHO given the flexibility and security. If you want to lock the bikes to it there isn't a lock point or anything, but I suppose you could run a cable through the frames and the centre tube to offer some security/anchoring.

Maidhci

cython wrote: »

I've a Saris Bones 3, and would find it hard not to recommend it, assuming it fits the 2 cars you have in mind. It's very flexible in its adjustments (though not once mounted, thankfully! Take a look at it and you'll see what I mean), and it's pretty easy to adjust to fit different cars. You could mark the 2 configurations to suit your different vehicles, for example. I've used it a couple of times to carry 3 bikes on 2 different (saloon) cars without issue, and thus far they have been pretty secure. Bit more expensive than some of the other options for a boot-mounted one, but worth it, IMHO given the flexibility and security. If you want to lock the bikes to it there isn't a lock point or anything, but I suppose you could run a cable through the frames and the centre tube to offer some security/anchoring.

Totally agree here - I have a Saris Bones 2 for some years and could not find fault with it - it is stable, strong and secure for carrying bikes.

Check out the Saris website, there is a facility to check compatibility with different cars etc.

tom_tarbucket

Thanks for replies.

So the Saris seems to be a decent brand, saucy enough though, hopefully I can get one second hand, but f3ck all of them on adverts.

Buchaill_Mor

Just make sure that what ever you get it is quick and easy to get on and off, and don't leave it on over night.

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/bike-thieves-target-houses-with-cycle-carriers-on-cars-parked-outside-176643

tom_tarbucket

yeah, thats another thing that woudl be nice, a handy install, dont want to spend ages taking them on and off.

Which is where I think the hitch ones come in handy

xebec

tom_tarbucket wrote: »

yeah, thats another thing that woudl be nice, a handy install, dont want to spend ages taking them on and off.

Which is where I think the hitch ones come in handy

The Saris ones are handy for that too, once you have the initial settings it's less than two minutes on and shorter again taking it off. Plus cheaper than installing a hitch on both cars and buying a carrier...

Buchaill_Mor

Or as mentioned in the "Putting a bike in the boot" thread, which I cannot find to link to, buy a Skoda Octavia. I have an Octavia Combi (or Estate in non marketing speak) and once I take the wheels off, never have a problem putting in 3 bikes.

tom_tarbucket

Buchaill_Mor wrote: »

Or as mentioned in the "Putting a bike in the boot" thread, which I cannot find to link to, buy a Skoda Octavia. I have an Octavia Combi (or Estate in non marketing speak) and once I take the wheels off, never have a problem putting in 3 bikes.

what a great idea, ill just buy a Skoda Octavia, why didnt I think of that all along :rolleyes:

What if you have the boot packed up with other stuff !

Buchaill_Mor

Most racks will go on and off in 10 mins in practice and come with rubber bits to protect the paint work though an old tube cut up and put over the hooks will work very well. Most adjust for estate, hatch and saloon cars unless otherwise stated but hatches with a glass lid like Renault Laguna will need adaptors, but this will be stated in the cars owners manual.

tom_tarbucket

for the people with the Saris racks, where did yee buy them ? on-line etc

Seems to be an american company, not sure of much presence here

xebec

tom_tarbucket wrote: »

for the people with the Saris racks, where did yee buy them ? on-line etc

Seems to be an american company, not sure of much presence here

Some available through Chain Reaction: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/saris?term=saris&cat=brand

Bought my Saris Solo from Eurocycles on Long Mile Road: http://www.eurocycles.com/shop/accessories/car%20racks?Keyword=&f_Brand=saris

cython

tom_tarbucket wrote: »

for the people with the Saris racks, where did yee buy them ? on-line etc

Seems to be an american company, not sure of much presence here

I was fortunate enough to find a second hand one on here, made it sting much less in the pocket, admittedly!

tom_tarbucket

cython wrote: »

I was fortunate enough to find a second hand one on here, made it sting much less in the pocket, admittedly!

jays, you were lucky, what site - adverts ?

and what rack and price if you dont mind me asking ?


edit: I see you found on boards

cython

tom_tarbucket wrote: »

jays, you were lucky, what site - adverts ?

and what rack and price if you dont mind me asking ?


edit: I see you found on boards

I got the Bones 3, for (I think) €90. It was missing a thumbscrew at the time, but picked one up for a couple of euro from wiggle.co.uk (cheap enough that I'd nearly think they lost money on it with postage, and it may be one of many orders driving their more recent minimum order value for free delivery!). Believe me, I counted my lucky stars in getting it, and anyone that has seen it is seriously impressed by it, and even more so at me getting it for that.

BikeRacer

I think the cheapest place for the Saris Bones 3 is on Evans cycles for €150 with free delivery
Don't have enough posts to post a link.

Maidhci

BikeRacer wrote: »

I think the cheapest place for the Saris Bones 3 is on Evans cycles for €150 with free delivery
Don't have enough posts to post a link.

Unfortunately, I have found Evans Cycles to be totally unreliable for online purchases. I ordered items on two occasions and did not have delivery of either order. Obviously, there was no problem whatsoever in processing the refund after I had come to the conclusion, after a wait of 4 weeks, that the items were never despatched by Evans. I remeber I posted a question on here at the time and found several others who had similar experiences with Evans.

BikeRacer

Maidhci wrote: »

Unfortunately, I have found Evans Cycles to be totally unreliable for online purchases. I ordered items on two occasions and did not have delivery of either order. Obviously, there was no problem whatsoever in processing the refund after I had come to the conclusion, after a wait of 4 weeks, that the items were never despatched by Evans. I remeber I posted a question on here at the time and found several others who had similar experiences with Evans.

Really? Sorry to hear that. I've used them a lot over the past few months as their prices and delivery times are a lot better than some competition who I've found have really dropped in standards lately but I'll mention no names *cough* wiggle *cough*. I've nothing but good things to say about them.

Maidhci

BikeRacer wrote: »

Really? Sorry to hear that. I've used them a lot over the past few months as their prices and delivery times are a lot better than some competition who I've found have really dropped in standards lately but I'll mention no names *cough* wiggle *cough*. I've nothing but good things to say about them.

Certainly, their prices were extremely competitive at the time that I ordered- I do not actually remember at this stage what orders I placed at the time. I thought it was an unfortunate experience on the first occasion but on the second, I definitely ruled them out. That said, this was during 2014, perhaps things have changed. I do not have loyalty to any particular online store, price is the determinant for me.

tom_tarbucket

What do people think of the Saris Sentinel as a more affordable option ?

Amprodude

tom_tarbucket wrote: »

yeah, thats another thing that woudl be nice, a handy install, dont want to spend ages taking them on and off.

Which is where I think the hitch ones come in handy

I know someone with Thule 943 that mounts onto hitch. Buy a second hitch in good condition, get it put on one of the cars and look into Thule bike carriers. They are probably the best in the business. Secure way of transporting bikes.

wuzziwig

I have a Hollywood rack that carries 3 bikes. I hate it. It's such a pain to put on and take off. I have a hatchback and I have to get the kids to stand at either side of the boot to hold it steady while I fiddle with getting the straps on. I find it next to impossible to put on if I'm on my own. Now I will freely admit that it could just be me and someone else could have it on in minutes!

Would the Saris Bones rack work ok on a hatchback?

Banjaxed82

wuzziwig wrote: »

I have a Hollywood rack that carries 3 bikes. I hate it. It's such a pain to put on and take off. I have a hatchback and I have to get the kids to stand at either side of the boot to hold it steady while I fiddle with getting the straps on. I find it next to impossible to put on if I'm on my own. Now I will freely admit that it could just be me and someone else could have it on in minutes!

Would the Saris Bones rack work ok on a hatchback?

Yeah.

tom_tarbucket

Amprodude wrote: »

I know someone with Thule 943 that mounts onto hitch. Buy a second hitch in good condition, get it put on one of the cars and look into Thule bike carriers. They are probably the best in the business. Secure way of transporting bikes.

Do you mean buy a 2nd hand hitch ?

Maidhci

tom_tarbucket wrote: »

Do you mean buy a 2nd hand hitch ?

Wouldn't it be alot better to buy two different carriers and two hitches, if neither of your cars are fitted with one? That way, your options are endless!

tom_tarbucket

Maidhci wrote: »

Wouldn't it be alot better to buy two different carriers and two hitches, if neither of your cars are fitted with one? That way, your options are endless!

Well said !

Amprodude

tom_tarbucket wrote: »

Do you mean buy a 2nd hand hitch ?

Yes.