Car Bike Rack - Roof or Boot mounted

[cj_eds]

What are peoples experiences of car bike racks? In the past I have used a roof bar mounted one, but considering getting a rear mounted one. I'm not sure for a couple of reasons - first being rear visibility. Also how secure are they? Appears they just strap around the boot-lid so depend on how tight you strap them up?

It seems uncommon to see the roof mounted ones these days as well, far more people despite having roof rails seem to have bikes hanging off the backs if their cars. Is that down to them being cheaper or better (or both)?

[pdV6]

Rear racks are more convenient, cheaper and impact less on fuel economy.

However, they are also less secure, obstruct visibility and let the bikes hang wider than the car.

You pays yer money and takes yer choice...

[option click]

If you value your paintwork, go for a roof rack

[mat205125]

I've used a boot rack up until now (or just slung it inside the car if space / numbers allows), but only on my cheap daily run about. Movement in the rack has marked the paint where the pads touch the boot, and also where the straps attach. Cranks spinning DMR pedals also grazed the paint. No big deal on a POS runabout, but certainly not good for something that you take pride in, or has some significant value attached.

Sure the roof systems effect fuel economy, but when I get my new car I'll be going for one of these straight away. Far more stable and secure, plus causes zero damage to paint ..... Good to have a "spotter" present when putting on and taking off just in case you or one of the bikes loses balance.

[cj_eds]

Since I value my paintwork, visibility and having the bike secure, and tend to pass through more narrow gaps than short ones, then sticking to the roof one sounds better!

[groomi]

I have a roof mounted bike rack (a few years old now) which has a cantilevered mounting system meaning you stand the bike alongsode the car, strap it onto the arm and lift it with your littl efinger onto the roof. Just strap the wheels on and hey presto!

[BOR]

I use a roof rail mounted rack. Pretty straight-forward once you have set it up for each particular bike. Slightly awkward to get the "middle bike"on if carrying more than two bikes. Can't say I've noticed a big impact on economy.

One disadvantage would be that you are over the height restriction for the faster gates on the french peage.

If(when) I get a new bike, I'll have to investigate some method of protecting the bike from insect splatter when the bike is travelling at 100mph plus ! Cling film perhaps ?

[Moose.]

I use a boot mounted one on the Polo which works great. I tend to take the wheels off for longer trips so there's no additional width to worry about.

The thing I like about a boot mounted one you can see if something's working it's way loose and pull over before the disaster. With a roof mounted one you have no idea until you see your bike bouncing down the road. Although I must add I've never needed to adjust the rack once on

[mat205125]

BOR said:

Slightly awkward to get the "middle bike"on if carrying more than two bikes.

Try putting the middle one on first

[rex]

If you have a tow bar try www.maxxraxx.co.uk Does not touch the car at all except for the tow bar. Had one fitted the other week and is the best built bike rack I have ever used

[cj_eds]

roof mount sounds best for me for now. My last car had the advantage of a sun roof so I could keep and eye on what was going on above me. This time I'll have to put up with not knowing!

[BOR]

You can sometimes see the shadow of the bikes from the driver's seat, so you know they're still up there.....

[cone]

Just swopped my A class for a vw Touran(2.0 140bhp woo hoo), had towbars on both cars and a Thule bike carrier clamps on that , dead easy/quick and very sturdy. Also have roof bars and Thule carriers on them - but they screw mph and speed (now not too bad on the Touran).Depends on whether a towbar would spoil the look of your motor but that s the way i'd go , if i had to choose.

Edited by cone on Wednesday 4th July 13:34

[snotrag]

www.aistoncycleracks.co.uk for the best made, best value racks you'll find!

Towbars mounted - which is the ONLY way you can use a rack with NO risk of damage to paintwork.

[LRdriver II]

But how are people hustling a 30lb full suspension rig up onto a roofrack without dinking anything on the car?... I looked at the roofracks and figured it would be a chance everytime I needed to pop the Orange 5 up there.

[snotrag]

LRdriver II said:

But how are people hustling a 30lb full suspension rig up onto a roofrack without dinking anything on the car?... I looked at the roofracks and figured it would be a chance everytime I needed to pop the Orange 5 up there.

Exactly - see my previous post. No matter how careful you are, at some point you are going to slip and put a crank through your roof. I've seen it done many, many times and its messy - A mate that uses a Thule roof rack to carry 3 DH bikes now has a mondeo roof that is scratched and dented to hell.

If you have to use a rack, and you dont want to risk any damage - you have to use a towbar rack, simple as. They make no contact with the body work, and are the most secure and safe type.

Most also allow access to the boot aswell without removing the bikes.

Course, the best option is to put them in the boot. Then you can have fun in the car on the way aswell

[DanH]

snotrag said:

www.aistoncycleracks.co.uk for the best made, best value racks you'll find!

Towbars mounted - which is the ONLY way you can use a rack with NO risk of damage to paintwork.

I think I'd rather risk damaged paintwork than defacing my cars with a caravan pulling device

[pistol pete]

DanH said:

I think I'd rather risk damaged paintwork than defacing my cars with a caravan pulling device

Race car pulling device