4 bike bike rack

[Sheetmaself]

Hi, I’m looking for a 4 bike rack preferably not a tow bar version.

Will be for 2 adult bikes hardtails so reasonably light, and two childrens bikes currently 12 and 9 years old.

Car is a Peugeot 308 hatchback.

Any help appreciated.

If i got a tow bar version would i be able to use it with my eBike?

Any help greatly appreciated.

[MrB.]

I have a Thule TH9708 Hang on 4 bike rack. Haven’t carried more than 3 on it, but no doubt it would do it. My only issue with it is, it needs a tailboard which I have to strap to the bike with spider ropes.

[Barchettaman]

4 on a roof rack, maybe?



5 on the rack, 3 on the tail gate. That was a few years ago prior to leaving for Sweden. Nothing fell off.

[ucb]

I've got a Yakima 3 bike rack tow bar mounted. You can buy a forth bike carrier that clips on.
I think the pin weight of the tow bar is 75kg, the bike rack is around 20kg. Leaves the rest for bikes. The clip-on for the forth bike is rates to 10kg.
I recently took 2 adult and 2 kids bikes on a 500 miles round trip with no issues.
This is the model purchased from roofbox.co.uk who have been excellent

https://www.yakima.co.uk/products/activity/bike/bi...

[Sheetmaself]

I’m assuming that as all the recommendations have been for tow bar racks that there is no suitable non tow bar one.

I was hoping to use one of the ones that sit on the rear hatch as they seem a lot cheaper. What if i went down to two adult bikes and one 24” wheeled kid bike and popped the 9 year olds in the boot?

I can see lots of the non towbar ones state 3 bikes and 1 even says 4 but a bit dubious of all that weight against the glass hatch!

A roof mounted one if not suitable as the car has no rails due to a glass roof.

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

[numtumfutunch]

You really need to read the small print and specs, especially if one of them will be an ebike

Over the years Ive used many systems and the easiest for carrying multiple bikes was a Thule towbar rack
(The easiest for a single bike was taking the wheels off and putting it inside the car)

The towbar rack is heavy and a minor faff to take out the garage and fit plus the reverse if you were on holiday and not wanting to have it follow you around for a week when you got there It was utterly stress free at 'Peage' speeds and has a noise and MPG advantage over roof systems - which you have discounted anyway

Mine was a 3 bike array which was absolutely fine for 3 non ebikes with an adapter that attached to it to carry a 4th as long as the weight was modest eg kids bike or mid life crisis carbon roadie

FWIW I havent used a clip on rack for decades and certainly wouldnt use one for a trip involving significant distance with nice bikes

If you really cant fit roof bars which Ive also used for Alps trips with 4 bikes up top then put your hand in your pocket and fit a towbar and buy a £££££ rack

Cheers - and happy holidays

[Daveyraveygravey]

I've only ever used a 2 bike rack on the back of a Skoda hatchback. This is with two adult road bikes probably weighing less than 20 kg. It has worked fine, but I don't feel able to relax with it.

You have to attach it really carefully and really well. I always stop 10 minutes in and check all the straps, they usually bounce a bit loose, and I check them again every stop. If it moves at all it can wreck your paintwork. I never stop anywhere for long with bikes on, it wouldn't take someone with a sharp knife more than 5 minutes to take the lot. Of course, you can't use the hatchback, so you have to be able to get into the boot by moving the back seats which isn't always convenient.

I've read that two bar mounted racks solve a lot of these problems! If there's only one bike and only two of us in the car, I take the wheels off and put them in bags, and have a purpose built bag for the frame. That lot either goes in the boot or the back seat, and still plenty of space for bags etc.

[Sheetmaself]

Thanks for that, im starting to think that for now at least it might be worthwhile just taking both cars and having the bikes in the car. Lots of places to ride less than 30 min drive away so not too frivolous.

[Lil_Red_GTV]

I've ended up using two cars for family of four cycling trips within a relatively short radius of home. We currently have a BMW 3 series convertible (E93) and a VW E-Up, both of which have difficulties accommodating racks. Put two bikes in the back seats of the BMW (sheets down to protect the beige leather, wheels off - the retracting roof actually makes access easier), the other two smaller bikes in the E-Up with rear seats folded, and convoy to the destination with two folk in the front of each car. Arguably easier and cheaper than buying an expensive rack or changing car.

[Lil_Red_GTV]

[seyre1972]

Sheetmaself said:

Thanks for that, im starting to think that for now at least it might be worthwhile just taking both cars and having the bikes in the car. Lots of places to ride less than 30 min drive away so not too frivolous.

Have you looked at one of these ? Thule 9103/9104 - 3 bikes on a hatchback ?

Thule 9103 or 9104

Edited by seyre1972 on Tuesday 25th April 17:27

[Sheetmaself]

Will have a look at that Halfords say not suitable but the Thule say it is so happy to go with them.

I had a Thule one a few years back, believe it or not the Fiesta one fits over the hardtop rood of an Elise!