Carrying bikes on your car

duffyshuffle

Hi,
I've got a strap based bike rack for the back of the car, had my new road bike on it earlier and after it seems like the back wheel is a bit buckled - not sure if it was from my last ride or has that happened anyone from transporting on a bike rack?

Going to buy either a towbar or roof rack - have a Volvo V50 with roof rails but no roof rack yet, and don't have a towbar (not a good start here!) - so what are peoples preferences/suggestions for either choice? And suggested racks etc...

I've heard Mick's garage are good, or worth popping to Halfords and asking them?

Thanks!

thejaguar

If you strapped the wheel or bike awkwardly it could have buckled the wheel as you drove. They do hop around a bit so you need to be careful how they're strapped on.

I have a tow bar rack and I think it's the business - so easy to just stick it on and pop the bike(s) on it.

I've never had the bikes on the roof - someone once told me water and dirt can get into places it normally wouldn't if you're driving on the motorway. Not sure how true that is but it always put me off. The tow bar rack is probably the same, but the car itself may offer some protection.

Personally I stay away from Halfords - pretty much any bike shop will give better advice, even if it means paying a little extra.

ednwireland

depends on the halfords but its where i have bought most of my roof rack bits from recently, just changed car needed new footpacks so cost a bit, but the people in sligo always seem to sort me out !

i personally like the thule 598 carrier as the down tube clamp stops you overtightening it

the 561 where you take off the front wheel always feels slightly more secure

fondriest

I’ve always used fork mount roof carriers and never had an issue.
Changed the car last year and got a pair of aero alloy roof bars and 2x Thule 561 for approx €300 . Won’t suit all bike types though but a lot cheaper than fitting a tow bar and buying a tow bar mounted rack , unless of course you were fitting the tow bar regardless.

duffyshuffle

fondriest wrote: »

I’ve always used fork mount roof carriers and never had an issue.
Changed the car last year and got a pair of aero alloy roof bars and 2x Thule 561 for approx €300 . Won’t suit all bike types though but a lot cheaper than fitting a tow bar and buying a tow bar mounted rack , unless of course you were fitting the tow bar regardless.

Yeah, i've no other use for the towbar really, and largely don't know much about either option - thanks for the info, where did you get the roof bars & Thules?

ridelikeaturtle

Another vote for the Thule Outride 561 fork mount roof rack. Very solid and easy to use.

I got mine off eBay; if you're patient you may find one locally.

For the roof bars, do some research and know what model you need, then you should be able to get them from Mick's Garage or eBay. We got a new car 4 yrs ago, so I budgeted in factory roof bars in the purchase. (Apparently Thule makes the racks for Renault, so it all worked out well in my case.)

Hurrache

duffyshuffle wrote: »

Yeah, i've no other use for the towbar really, and largely don't know much about either option - thanks for the info, where did you get the roof bars & Thules?

I've been using a couple of 591s for a good few years, they're pretty good. There's videos on YouTube of lads driving with speed over some pretty rough ground to test them without issue.

I got mine from Cycle Superstore at the time, and roof bars from Halfords. The Thule website has a pretty good calculator which will guide you as to what footpads and bards you should get based on your car.

duffyshuffle

ridelikeaturtle wrote: »

Another vote for the Thule Outride 561 fork mount roof rack. Very solid and easy to use.

I got mine off eBay; if you're patient you may find one locally.

For the roof bars, do some research and know what model you need, then you should be able to get them from Mick's Garage or eBay. We got a new car 4 yrs ago, so I budgeted in factory roof bars in the purchase. (Apparently Thule makes the racks for Renault, so it all worked out well in my case.)

Thanks - for fork mount, i've got disc brakes - do I need to get mounts specific to those for a thru axle or are yours adjustable or compatible for both? Haven't seen the fork mount in use before so may be a stupid question!

ridelikeaturtle

duffyshuffle wrote: »

Thanks - for fork mount, i've got disc brakes - do I need to get mounts specific to those for a thru axle or are yours adjustable or compatible for both? Haven't seen the fork mount in use before so may be a stupid question!

IIRC the 561 comes with an adapter for larger thru axles - 10mm maybe (actually I see it's probably 15mm)? None of my stuff is disc so I tossed it into the glove box (I think) and have never used it.

duffyshuffle

ridelikeaturtle wrote: »

IIRC the 561 comes with an adapter for larger thru axles - 10mm maybe (actually I see it's probably 15mm)? None of my stuff is disc so I tossed it into the glove box (I think) and have never used it.

thanks a lot

corks finest

duffyshuffle wrote: »

Hi,
I've got a strap based bike rack for the back of the car, had my new road bike on it earlier and after it seems like the back wheel is a bit buckled - not sure if it was from my last ride or has that happened anyone from transporting on a bike rack?

Going to buy either a towbar or roof rack - have a Volvo V50 with roof rails but no roof rack yet, and don't have a towbar (not a good start here!) - so what are peoples preferences/suggestions for either choice? And suggested racks etc...

I've heard Mick's garage are good, or worth popping to Halfords and asking them?

Thanks!

A tow bar is your man

corks finest

Had one on a previous car but too expensive to put on my insight,mine went straight on,2 minutes - wheels all secure - off u go ,if near Cork Billy Murray's your man, Bishoptown,across from the cit

ridelikeaturtle

A few more thoughts on this (though I think you've probably been swayed already!) is that a towbar, if you don't already have one, may be expensive; also, roof bars allow you to stick on a top box, which can be very handy for long trips to free up space in your car; finally, the Thule OutRide 561 fits & coexists nicely next to a top box.

corks finest

duffyshuffle wrote: »

ridelikeaturtle wrote: »

Another vote for the Thule Outride 561 fork mount roof rack. Very solid and easy to use.

I got mine off eBay; if you're patient you may find one locally.

For the roof bars, do some research and know what model you need, then you should be able to get them from Mick's Garage or eBay. We got a new car 4 yrs ago, so I budgeted in factory roof bars in the purchase. (Apparently Thule makes the racks for Renault, so it all worked out well in my case.)

Thanks - for fork mount, i've got disc brakes - do I need to get mounts specific to those for a thru axle or are yours adjustable or compatible for both? Haven't seen the fork mount in use before so may be a stupid question!

Thule was the make of the tow bar attachment aswell,do whatever you choose Thule is quality

duffyshuffle

Thanks everyone - Think I can use a mate's https://www.thule.com/en-gb/gb/bike-rack/roof-bike-racks/thule-proride-_-598001 rack - and have an all4one that works on Mick's Garage so will buy this later https://www.micksgarage.com/d/roof-racks-and-bars/Volvo/Volvo-V50/V50-2004-to-2012/products/2345215-5090/aluminium-roof-bars-for-volvo-v50-2004-to-2012-with-raised-roof-rails- and see how I go!

duffyshuffle

ridelikeaturtle wrote: »

A few more thoughts on this (though I think you've probably been swayed already!) is that a towbar, if you don't already have one, may be expensive; also, roof bars allow you to stick on a top box, which can be very handy for long trips to free up space in your car; finally, the Thule OutRide 561 fits & coexists nicely next to a top box.

A top box sounds great too, and don't think the tow bar would have any other use, so seems to make more sense, just need to not become another 'I know this guy that used a roof rack and drove in to XYZ...' story!

fondriest

duffyshuffle wrote: »

Yeah, i've no other use for the towbar really, and largely don't know much about either option - thanks for the info, where did you get the roof bars & Thules?

Think I got the roofbars from either Micks garage or roofbox.co.uk cant remember, got the thules from alltricks.com .

CramCycle

Just to say on the towbar, it's now tested by the NCT so you can't just attach one, it needs the electrics wired up as well as they are tested now.

saccades

Stick a baby mirror on the dashboard so you can see your bikes if on the roof to remind you that they are there.

a148pro

Is it not a pain in the hole getting your bike up onto the roof? Granted if you've a light racer, but I have a chunky hybrid with kids seats which I would like to bring on holidays - it would be a massive pain getting that onto a roof?

My brother had a bar one which kind of folded away. It also swiveled down to allow you to open the boot. Probably more expensive but less hassle. Although it only takes 2 bikes and I'm fast approaching a place where I might want more.

Tigerandahalf

I have a towbar one that is tiltable. So handy when you are on the road with kids. Expensive when you add in the towbar cost. But it supposedly can take 4 bikes.

You also need to be mindful of obscuring your rear lights and number plate with a towbar carrier.

DeepBlue

duffyshuffle wrote: »

Going to buy either a towbar or roof rack - have a Volvo V50 with roof rails but no roof rack yet, and don't have a towbar (not a good start here!) - so what are peoples preferences/suggestions for either choice? And suggested racks etc...

Perhaps factor in how convenient each option is and how often you would use it.
I've the v50 also and went with the towbar and thule option over two years ago.

Previously I'd been using one of those halford frames bike racks that you attach to the car with straps all over the place. I found it stressful driving with them as you often had half an eye on the back to make sure they were still connected. Usually I would arrive to find at least one of the hooks and straps had come loose.

The towbar cost me 300 and another 100 for the thule. Putting on the bikes and taking them off takes no more than a couple of minutes vs maybe 10 minutes or more with the halford's bike rack. I don't know how long it takes with the roof rack but that time saving is great especially when you're already late for the group ride.

boege

CramCycle wrote: »

Just to say on the towbar, it's now tested by the NCT so you can't just attach one, it needs the electrics wired up as well as they are tested now.

I was told this as well but my mechanic said that if you have electrics they must be working but that you dont have to have electrics. If you have them then they will test them.

As my electrics had been cut in the past (chasing a blown fuse) thy were not working so my mechanic just removed the electric socket and tidied away the cabling out of sight. All I can say is that the car passed.

listermint

I've a V60 and bought the G3 roof rack from Mick's garage last year. it's aero style bars with lock mechanism for the volvo roof rails.
They were 70 euro when I bought them and frankly knock the arse out of the Thule ones for weight and value . I've had 2 sets of Thule in the past for BMWs.

Check Mick's garage out

fryup

anyone ever hit a low lying barrier whilst carrying bikes on the roof?

in a moment of forgetfulness/spacing out?

listermint

fryup wrote: »

anyone ever hit a low lying barrier whilst carrying bikes on the roof?

No.

But you should know your roof height with them on.

CramCycle

boege wrote: »

I was told this as well but my mechanic said that if you have electrics they must be working but that you dont have to have electrics. If you have them then they will test them.

As my electrics had been cut in the past (chasing a blown fuse) thy were not working so my mechanic just removed the electric socket and tidied away the cabling out of sight. All I can say is that the car passed.

My electrics were faulty, so I removed the socket. Tester said if the socket wasn't there it would be a visual retest and I'd pass. Different tester came out and said if the bar was there, the electrics had to be(after he went in and double checked). It only took another 5 minutes to remove but I guess it's so new, they are not certain on the specifics yet.

I am tempted to put it back on as I have an aldi tow bar mount but haven't been arsed.

cletus

CramCycle wrote: »

My electrics were faulty, so I removed the socket. Tester said if the socket wasn't there it would be a visual retest and I'd pass. Different tester came out and said if the bar was there, the electrics had to be(after he went in and double checked). It only took another 5 minutes to remove but I guess it's so new, they are not certain on the specifics yet.

I am tempted to put it back on as I have an aldi tow bar mount but haven't been arsed.

Interesting, I just bought a car with a towbar, must check the electrics.

Also bought an Aldi towbar rack, more stable than the straps and good setup is been using

Hurrache

boege wrote: »

I was told this as well but my mechanic said that if you have electrics they must be working but that you dont have to have electrics. If you have them then they will test them.

As my electrics had been cut in the past (chasing a blown fuse) thy were not working so my mechanic just removed the electric socket and tidied away the cabling out of sight. All I can say is that the car passed.

You need the electrical socket in working order if the tow hitch is present. The alternative is to remove the hitch at each NCT.

As can be seen there's still some confusion though. I did ring the NCT help line twice to seek clarification and both times they had to get back to me.

Essentially they said that a working electrical socket has to be present as I did suggest that I'll just remove it otherwise. You could be lucky with a tester and they'll see it differently, but it was a no no for me so I ultimately removed the hitch, passed the NCT, and put it back on again.

Doop

cletus wrote: »

Interesting, I just bought a car with a towbar, must check the electrics.

Also bought an Aldi towbar rack, more stable than the straps and good setup is been using

I assume the Aldi towbar racks were available previously? I cant find them available on the website now...

_Brian

We bring 4 bikes and I’ve a bad back.

Towbar mounted carrier is easy and quickly loaded.

duffyshuffle

Thanks everyone, roof rack from Micks Garage arrived today and i've got two Thule bike carriers for it on loan from a mate that got a new car, so it worked out great

cletus

Doop wrote: »

I assume the Aldi towbar racks were available previously? I cant find them available on the website now...

They were part of an offering from a couple of weeks back. Still a few left in Aldi Naas and Kildare town

loyatemu

I've gone to France the last couple of years with 4 bikes on the towbar and one on the roof. Towbar is expensive enough but I got the bike racks from Adverts. The (Halfords) towbar rack doesn't tilt so you can't open the boot when the bikes are on it, but I can get to the boot through the back seats so not a big deal. Bikehire x 5 is expensive enough so it paid for itself after a couple of trips and it means we can take the bikes around Ireland to greenways etc as well.

duffyshuffle

Thanks for all the info on this - got set up with Thule roof carriers, that hold the full bike with the clamp, not the fork - i'm loading carbon bikes up there and know i've heard not to clamp carbon in a bike stand for example - any tips/worries about clamping the frame? Google seems to say its fine and carbon is strong - the Thule clicks as you tighten the clamp, so would you go until no more clicks or a little less with carbon?
Thanks

Macy0161

Thule sell a frame protector for carbon. I've only ended up using my thule roof mount with aluminium so far.

loyatemu wrote: »

Bikehire x 5 is expensive enough so it paid for itself after a couple of trips and it means we can take the bikes around Ireland to greenways etc as well.

I'm revisiting this now (must have been a different thread pre family holiday), as the day with the hire bikes worked great, but a couple of weeks worth of hire (not to mention the potential charge back) changes the maths for me. I've started pricing around for the towbar.

I also priced a high thule rear rack for my van/ mpv, like you see on campervans, so that the bikes are above the lights and reg plate. By the time you add the fitting kit, the 3rd and 4th bars, it's pushing over the initial quotes for the towbar!

I did see a car in France on the motorway, and they used a "normal" rear rack, with a number plate board, and had removed the bike wheels, which I hadn't thought of before (for using in countries that are actually arsed about traffic law enforcement).

saccades

Halfords are Ireland's Thule distributors - you can occasionally get a minimum wage monkey same as any shop but for something as simple as Thule? Plus they carry loads of bits/spares other places don't.

Generally I stick the bike inside my Volvo - 120 euro for a custom boot cover and the bike is out of sight, no need to remove wheels (unless a FS 29er) so no messing up the brakes.

Otherwise I used to like a rear hanging rack until you needed a lightbar/plate with electrics etc. Now if I have to I put the bike on the top - never had any cause for concern on fork seals etc.

I handy tip is to put a baby mirror thing on the dashboard so you can see your bike as you drive.

cdaly_

Macy0161 wrote: »

I did see a car in France on the motorway, and they used a "normal" rear rack, with a number plate board, and had removed the bike wheels, which I hadn't thought of before (for using in countries that are actually arsed about traffic law enforcement).

Prior to having a towbar, I used a strap-on rack with a number plate board. This plugged in to the towing electric socket that I fitted to the car myself so I had road-legal rear lights for continental* driving.



* And optionally for irish driving...

Hurrache

Bumping this thread, for those that carry bikes on their roof, how many do they carry?

I usually have 2 up there and maybe rent the kids bikes when we need them at our destination, but kids are older now and have their own so I'm going to go with 4 on the roof. I've seen plenty do it, just wondering of people's experiences in doing so.

I've ruled out the tow bar option, car is old enough and there's the expense of a new frame and tow bar, as well as the electrics and then the bike rack itself.

Thule don't recommend the ones that sit on the rear of your car for my model, they do for the hatchback version but I guess the estate will have issues due to the factory fit spoiler and it resulting in either damage or an ill fit.

So I guess that leaves me with getting another pair of Thules, already have 2 591s, 598s are pretty much the same price these days.

loyatemu

how tall is your car - I'd really struggle to put bikes onto the middle of my car roof (car is an MPV)

Hurrache

Good question. I remember this came up in a similar thread a while back. My car is not too tall so it's manageable, I use the door sills as it is when I have the roofbox on but don't need to give myself the extra height for getting the bikes on and off.

Harrybelafonte

Hurrache wrote: »

Good question. I remember this came up in a similar thread a while back. My car is not too tall so it's manageable, I use the door sills as it is when I have the roofbox on but don't to give myself the extra height for getting the bikes on and off.

Four. But I'm six foot one and the car is lowered (and older so lower already). A wee foldable stool would be a help if needed. Sit it in the back.

Hurrache

Cheers Harry. Do you have the bikes facing the same direction, or do you need to say have 2 forward, 2 backward in order to get the 4 together without bars etc getting in the way of the adjacent one?

Harrybelafonte

Hurrache wrote: »

Cheers Harry. Do you have the bikes facing the same direction, or do you need to say have 2 forward, 2 backward in order to get the 4 together without bars etc getting in the way of the adjacent one?

As you say, 2 forward and 2 backward. I used to drive people to races and that was the quickest way to get them in there. Be sure to use straps though, as having to reach over that much means sometimes not tightening properly, but that could be an issue I had (released one of the bikes at 100km/h on the N8(?) and watched it skid after us, luckily it was mine and not that of clubmates).

Hurrache

Cheers again.

I remember similar, behind someone I know with one of those racks that hang off the rear of a hatchback. Heading over some pretty bumpy back roads in Wicklow, bike flew off but landed in the adjoining ditch. It survived without any major damage and was usable for the event we were travelling to.

CramCycle

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

but that could be an issue I had (released one of the bikes at 100km/h on the N8(?) and watched it skid after us, luckily it was mine and not that of clubmates).

You and me have different meanings for the word luck

Harrybelafonte

CramCycle wrote: »

You and me have different meanings for the word luck

Mine was the only alu frame, all the rest were carbon. So the worst damage was to the saddle tbh, which was totally torn, which meant that all the A4s at Summerhill stayed well away from me that year.

Rogue-Trooper

Looking at getting a couple of Thule ProRide 598s but have a query for anyone that has them. They would be used primarily to transport road bikes which all have 2 bottle cages - do the cages get in the way of effective clamping of the bar?
Just looks like the optimum position for the bar is right where the downtube bottle cage sits. Also, in one video I saw on YouTube, when the guy released the spring-loaded clamp, it looked like it struck the underside of the seat tube-mounted bottle cage which is less than ideal.

Hurrache

You can have the clamp fasten just below the bottle cages. One of mine has 2 cages, the one on the down tube leaves enough space, about 6 inches, between the end of the cage and bottom bracket and clamps there no probs. If I release it without restraining the clamp on mine it may pop the other cage, but that cage is nothing fancy, an old style metal one I took from another bike. It's not something that I've ever worried about anyway.

loyatemu

I'd recommend getting straps and using them to secure the frame as well as the clamp. This is the voice of experience - I had a clamp pop open @ 120km/h on the motorway in France. The wheel straps held so the bike swung down from the roof and whacked into the side of the car. Scared the living sh!te out of everyone and I then had to crawl out of the door to re-secure the bike while standing in the hard shoulder. Not fun.

Rogue-Trooper

Yikes!:eek: Was this on a 598? Do you just strap from the bottom of the frame to the base of the carrier?