platform carrier much easier than hanger?

[Duke Caboom]

When the kids first had bikes I bought a 4 bike hanger-type tow bar mounted bike rack. Which was fine with two adult bikes and two small bikes.

Now that they have nearly full sized bikes I hate it! None of the three bikes have conventional diamond-shaped frames and getting them on and off at various angles and without snagging the various cables is such a pain that it puts me off taking the boys out.

So I was wondering if platform type carriers are significantly easier to use?

My wife has decided she doesn't like cycling off road so we only need 3 spaces.

Thanks

[boyse7en]

I've got a four-bike platform rack, and it is better than a hanger but doesn't completely eradicate clashes of bars/frame/seat. I still have to loosen the bars on the kids' bike and turn them 90deg otherwise they hit something.

I feel a lot more secure driving with it though. Probably psychological but the weight of several bikes hanging down is more worrying than knowing they are secured on a rigid platform.

[Duke Caboom]

Thanks for the reply. I'll keep an eye out then. Maybe I need to start experimenting with loosening handle cards too.

[Throttle Body]

boyse7en said:

I've got a four-bike platform rack, and it is better than a hanger but doesn't completely eradicate clashes of bars/frame/seat. I still have to loosen the bars on the kids' bike and turn them 90deg otherwise they hit something.

I feel a lot more secure driving with it though. Probably psychological but the weight of several bikes hanging down is more worrying than knowing they are secured on a rigid platform.

My experience is exactly the same. I bought a Thule 4 bike platform rack, which is good. One of the reasons was that I was uncomfortable hanging a heavy electric bike by the frame.

[J4rvis]

+1 for the the Thule. Have driven to the Alps on two different occasions with three bikes on the back. You wouldn't even know they were there.