FAO anyone with a bike rack for their car
Discussion
Hi folks,
I've been trying to find out if I can get a bike rack on my car, an Accord Type R. No one in Halfrauds was available to give me any advice and wondered if anyone here could help me.
The issue is the silly spoiler on the back!
I don't know if a boot mounted bike rack will fit with the spoiler - maybe I have to go for a roof rack?
Any help welcome!
I've been trying to find out if I can get a bike rack on my car, an Accord Type R. No one in Halfrauds was available to give me any advice and wondered if anyone here could help me.
The issue is the silly spoiler on the back!
I don't know if a boot mounted bike rack will fit with the spoiler - maybe I have to go for a roof rack?
Any help welcome!
Had my bike knicked while it was on a bike rack on the boot. The swines cut through all the ties and we saw a Vauxhall Nova streak down the road while the passenger held on to the whole lot (quite a feat thinking about it). The BiB caught the people almost by accident (the stolen Nova almost knocked down an off duty policeman) and when they raided the house they were also there trying to break the lock locking the bike to the rack. Did they get done? No 
At least I got it back a few months later, covered in that grey finger print stuff.
But anyway, back on topic, I'd go for a more secure one the next time I need one - shortly, actually. I'm guessing a roof mounted job that locks into the gutter bits is best.
Edited for spelling, grammar, you name it..
At least I got it back a few months later, covered in that grey finger print stuff.But anyway, back on topic, I'd go for a more secure one the next time I need one - shortly, actually. I'm guessing a roof mounted job that locks into the gutter bits is best.
Edited for spelling, grammar, you name it..
Edited by Fetchez la vache on Thursday 22 November 10:33
WildCards said:
thewave said:
Get a range rover and stick it in the back, in fact you'll get two in there easily (maybe three - haven't tried it yet)
Pff, I see your Range Rover and raise you four bikes (wheels off) in the back of a 306 Estate.
Pretty impressive, only mine were standing up with the wheels on....
probably gonna have to get a roof box in the near future so maybe a roof mount is a better option. I'll look into it. Also dawned on me that with bikes on the rack we wouldn't have any access to the boot as it's a 4 door, so roof is looking like the best option, although I'll be wishing the bike was lighter than it is if I've got to get it up on the roof!
Cheers
Cheers
Bramley - I've sold bike racks for ages - you have a number of options here.
As for a boot mounted rack, I'd track down a shop that stocks these -
Saris Bones
When selling bike racks in a store, this was consistently the best choice for people with any type of unorthodox shaped car. Its quite a big spoiler on the Accord R isnt it, - if this doesnt fit, nothing will.
Its very, very adjustable and folds flat for storage.
Wouldnt put more than 2 bikes on it though.
Your next option, is a roof mounted rack. This involves buying a set of Roof bars of your choice, either from Honda, Thule, or another manufacturer. Then you buy the desired rack from Thule - there are different types to account for budget, and bike type. The dearer ones are plenty strong and secure enough, and well built.
You need to buy one of the roof mounted assemblies for each bike you wish to carry - on a Saloon size car you should be able to get 4 bikes on in alternate directions.
The downsides of this method are -
It can quickly add up to a few hundred quid by the time youve bought a couple of racks and a set of roofbars.
It is quite difficult to get the bikes on - I wouldnt attempt this unless your a fit, strong male.
It is all too easy to damage the roof of your car, by dropping, slipping, or straps flapping around in the wind. Very common to get to your destinationm and on unloading the bikes, find a big messy scratch where a loose strap has been beating on the roof in the wind.
Unless you trust yourself to be careful, I'd avoid this method on a new/valuable car.
3rd method - this is BY FAR the best way of mounting bikes on the outside of a vehicle.
Towbar racks. Firstly you need some kind of towbar - however, it doesnt neccessarilly need to have the actual ball on, and needn't be as unsightly as you may think
I THINK this is the kit you would require for your car here
Witter towbar for Accord
Of course I would advise you double check this!
This is the diagram from the fitting guide -
Look towards the bottom of the pic, where the mount for the Towball is shown (marked C-B). This is the only part which need show at the back of the car, you can see in the bottom right there is a minimal cut needed to the bumper.
Now you use this to mount your towbar rack. There are various types available that mount in different ways, but I would recommend one that mounts in this way - in particular I would reccomend
www.aistoncycleracks.co.uk
These are hand made in the UK - and the company can take individual circumstances into account and do custom work to fit your car.
The benefits of this type of rack -
Your bikes are hard mounted to the car. Not by straps or rubber cords - but by a couple of M16 bolts or so. It is MUCH more secure, and in my opinion, the only truly safe way if your taking heavier mountain bikes.
You still have access to the boot - the racks can flip down on a hinge.
Less effect on MPG than a roofrack.
Rear mirror vision not affected too much.
Some general thoughts on bike racks - I would never, ever leave a bike on a rack unattended - it is the same as leaving it up against a lamp-post.
Ignore the supposed safet benefits of locks on racks - they will simply steal the whole lot. 5 Seconds with a stanley knife thru the straps of a boot mounted rack and sling the lot in a van.
Towbar racks offer a little mroe security, but I still wouldnt leave one out of sight.
The final piece of advice I used to give to anyone buying a rack - if you can avoid it, dont.
If at all possible, put the bikes in the car.
It is possible to put 2 bikes and 2 people in pretty much any regular car. I understand its not ideal, but its the safest way.
The best way in your particular car - if its a saloon, is to put 2 bikes across the back seats, keeping your boot free from kit.
If a hatch, you also have option of putting seats down to create a load area.
I prefer the rear seat option though.
If possible, your money would be better spent on flysheets, mudguards, boot liners etc, to protect the inside of your car, instead of an external rack.
If you must though, my reccomendations are up there.
Hope this helps
As for a boot mounted rack, I'd track down a shop that stocks these -
Saris Bones
When selling bike racks in a store, this was consistently the best choice for people with any type of unorthodox shaped car. Its quite a big spoiler on the Accord R isnt it, - if this doesnt fit, nothing will.
Its very, very adjustable and folds flat for storage.
Wouldnt put more than 2 bikes on it though.
Your next option, is a roof mounted rack. This involves buying a set of Roof bars of your choice, either from Honda, Thule, or another manufacturer. Then you buy the desired rack from Thule - there are different types to account for budget, and bike type. The dearer ones are plenty strong and secure enough, and well built.
You need to buy one of the roof mounted assemblies for each bike you wish to carry - on a Saloon size car you should be able to get 4 bikes on in alternate directions.
The downsides of this method are -
It can quickly add up to a few hundred quid by the time youve bought a couple of racks and a set of roofbars.
It is quite difficult to get the bikes on - I wouldnt attempt this unless your a fit, strong male.
It is all too easy to damage the roof of your car, by dropping, slipping, or straps flapping around in the wind. Very common to get to your destinationm and on unloading the bikes, find a big messy scratch where a loose strap has been beating on the roof in the wind.
Unless you trust yourself to be careful, I'd avoid this method on a new/valuable car.
3rd method - this is BY FAR the best way of mounting bikes on the outside of a vehicle.
Towbar racks. Firstly you need some kind of towbar - however, it doesnt neccessarilly need to have the actual ball on, and needn't be as unsightly as you may think
I THINK this is the kit you would require for your car here
Witter towbar for Accord
Of course I would advise you double check this!
This is the diagram from the fitting guide -
Look towards the bottom of the pic, where the mount for the Towball is shown (marked C-B). This is the only part which need show at the back of the car, you can see in the bottom right there is a minimal cut needed to the bumper.
Now you use this to mount your towbar rack. There are various types available that mount in different ways, but I would recommend one that mounts in this way - in particular I would reccomend
www.aistoncycleracks.co.uk
These are hand made in the UK - and the company can take individual circumstances into account and do custom work to fit your car.
The benefits of this type of rack -
Your bikes are hard mounted to the car. Not by straps or rubber cords - but by a couple of M16 bolts or so. It is MUCH more secure, and in my opinion, the only truly safe way if your taking heavier mountain bikes.
You still have access to the boot - the racks can flip down on a hinge.
Less effect on MPG than a roofrack.
Rear mirror vision not affected too much.
Some general thoughts on bike racks - I would never, ever leave a bike on a rack unattended - it is the same as leaving it up against a lamp-post.
Ignore the supposed safet benefits of locks on racks - they will simply steal the whole lot. 5 Seconds with a stanley knife thru the straps of a boot mounted rack and sling the lot in a van.
Towbar racks offer a little mroe security, but I still wouldnt leave one out of sight.
The final piece of advice I used to give to anyone buying a rack - if you can avoid it, dont.
If at all possible, put the bikes in the car.
It is possible to put 2 bikes and 2 people in pretty much any regular car. I understand its not ideal, but its the safest way.
The best way in your particular car - if its a saloon, is to put 2 bikes across the back seats, keeping your boot free from kit.
If a hatch, you also have option of putting seats down to create a load area.
I prefer the rear seat option though.
If possible, your money would be better spent on flysheets, mudguards, boot liners etc, to protect the inside of your car, instead of an external rack.
If you must though, my reccomendations are up there.
Hope this helps
Wow - that's possibly the most helpful reply I've ever seen on any forum anywhere! Thanks very much!
I suspect that the spoiler would be right in the way of the bike rack tbh, as the spoiler is quite high.
I did wonder about the towbar thing but was put off by the cost and issue of lights, no. plate etc, and poss restricting access to the boot when bikes are on it?
I'll probably go for the roof option. Found a guy on the Type R forum selling a Thule roof rack and will probably add one of their carriers to it.
Thanks again!
I suspect that the spoiler would be right in the way of the bike rack tbh, as the spoiler is quite high.
I did wonder about the towbar thing but was put off by the cost and issue of lights, no. plate etc, and poss restricting access to the boot when bikes are on it?
I'll probably go for the roof option. Found a guy on the Type R forum selling a Thule roof rack and will probably add one of their carriers to it.
Thanks again!
snotrag said:
The downsides of this method are -
It can quickly add up to a few hundred quid by the time youve bought a couple of racks and a set of roofbars.
It is quite difficult to get the bikes on - I wouldnt attempt this unless your a fit, strong male.
It is all too easy to damage the roof of your car, by dropping, slipping, or straps flapping around in the wind. Very common to get to your destinationm and on unloading the bikes, find a big messy scratch where a loose strap has been beating on the roof in the wind.
I don't really agree with this. I bought a complete set of Thule bars for my car, which included the bars, fitting kit, foot pack and two bike mounts. I also got a complete set of locks, which work off the same key, and they also chucked in some luggage straps, but this was a special offer and aren't needed to secure the bikes. It can quickly add up to a few hundred quid by the time youve bought a couple of racks and a set of roofbars.
It is quite difficult to get the bikes on - I wouldnt attempt this unless your a fit, strong male.
It is all too easy to damage the roof of your car, by dropping, slipping, or straps flapping around in the wind. Very common to get to your destinationm and on unloading the bikes, find a big messy scratch where a loose strap has been beating on the roof in the wind.
The whole lot came to £156, including next day delivery.
In terms of putting the bike on, its by far the simplest method going. My girlfriend manages her bike fine. You simply pick up your bike, place the wheels in the gulley, and clamp the bracket to your frame. It clamps the bike securely, and there are no straps to flap about in the wind.
You also get the added bonus of your bikes being washed if it rains whilst you're driving back!
bramley said:
Wow - that's possibly the most helpful reply I've ever seen on any forum anywhere! Thanks very much!
I suspect that the spoiler would be right in the way of the bike rack tbh, as the spoiler is quite high.
I did wonder about the towbar thing but was put off by the cost and issue of lights, no. plate etc, and poss restricting access to the boot when bikes are on it?
I'll probably go for the roof option. Found a guy on the Type R forum selling a Thule roof rack and will probably add one of their carriers to it.
Thanks again!
I would go for a roofrack any day of the week having done 1000's of miles with roof, boot and tow-bar mount racks. Roof is just so much more secure and convenient and you dont need to be a strong male to cope.I suspect that the spoiler would be right in the way of the bike rack tbh, as the spoiler is quite high.
I did wonder about the towbar thing but was put off by the cost and issue of lights, no. plate etc, and poss restricting access to the boot when bikes are on it?
I'll probably go for the roof option. Found a guy on the Type R forum selling a Thule roof rack and will probably add one of their carriers to it.
Thanks again!
I also managed to get a pair of thule carriers for £60 delivered from http://www.roofbox.co.uk/ and i got the bars off ebay for £60.
Fourmotion said:
snotrag said:
The downsides of this method are -
It can quickly add up to a few hundred quid by the time youve bought a couple of racks and a set of roofbars.
It is quite difficult to get the bikes on - I wouldnt attempt this unless your a fit, strong male.
It is all too easy to damage the roof of your car, by dropping, slipping, or straps flapping around in the wind. Very common to get to your destinationm and on unloading the bikes, find a big messy scratch where a loose strap has been beating on the roof in the wind.
I don't really agree with this. I bought a complete set of Thule bars for my car, which included the bars, fitting kit, foot pack and two bike mounts. I also got a complete set of locks, which work off the same key, and they also chucked in some luggage straps, but this was a special offer and aren't needed to secure the bikes. It can quickly add up to a few hundred quid by the time youve bought a couple of racks and a set of roofbars.
It is quite difficult to get the bikes on - I wouldnt attempt this unless your a fit, strong male.
It is all too easy to damage the roof of your car, by dropping, slipping, or straps flapping around in the wind. Very common to get to your destinationm and on unloading the bikes, find a big messy scratch where a loose strap has been beating on the roof in the wind.
The whole lot came to £156, including next day delivery.
In terms of putting the bike on, its by far the simplest method going. My girlfriend manages her bike fine. You simply pick up your bike, place the wheels in the gulley, and clamp the bracket to your frame. It clamps the bike securely, and there are no straps to flap about in the wind.
You also get the added bonus of your bikes being washed if it rains whilst you're driving back!
Only two words of caution. Firstly, on a long run, fuel economy really can suffer badly, and secondly you have to make sure that the bike tube is sitting right in the vee of the carrier clamp. I had one scary moment (more so for oncoming traffic than for me) where I'd unwittingly put the bike in the edge of the clamp, and it had swung out on a corner and was hanging at 90 degrees off the side of the roof!
I've certainly never come close to scratching the car, and if you can't lift your bike up to it, you're either extremely short, have a very tall car or probably have a bike too heavy to ride anyway!
In comparison, my old strap secured boot rack actually wore the paint down where the pads were!!
thewave said:
Ladies and gentleman, I believe we have a winner 
I don't see how. When me and my 'squash' crowd used to do the London to Brighton 25 of us plus our bikes and silly costumes used to get into one vehicle and drive back home - well to the curry house.Although the vehicle was one of the trucks from one members haulage firm. Carried our 'picnic' supplies too.
Edited by mk1fan on Friday 23 November 18:51
WildCards said:
Pff, I see your Range Rover and raise you four bikes (wheels off) in the back of a 306 Estate.
I raise your 306 Estate...- I can get three bikes, and three people, into my 306 hatch. (all wheels removed)
- Alternativly two people and two bikes, without taking the wheels off.
Either than or just take the 806, which while take six bikes with two people in the front. Other four following in my mates tiny KA!
Daniel
I used to mount a regular Halfords bike rack to my Accord Type R. The fabric straps fitted under the wing without complaint and the pad fitted nicely without obscuring the number plate. I found the boot metal a bit thin, so I never felt comfortable putting more than one bike on it. It's possible to pile two Specialized Enduros in the boot - wheels off mind.
If you're interested in using roof carriers, I have Thule Roof bars and the fitting kit for the ATR in my shed. I have another car now, so I don't use it and could do with the space. Mail me if you're interested.
Cheers
Phillip
If you're interested in using roof carriers, I have Thule Roof bars and the fitting kit for the ATR in my shed. I have another car now, so I don't use it and could do with the space. Mail me if you're interested.
Cheers
Phillip
72twink said:
I managed to get a Halfrauds jobby to fit over the wing on the Black Excel in my profile OK.
That's an impressive car list 
Did you manage to use the Excel everyday?
Bike wise - I always prefer to have something I can fit the bike inside of. We have a secure-ish car park at work that I don't mind leaving my car parked in with the bike inside under a sheet. I wouldn't want to park it there with the bike dangling off or indeed on top of it for prying eyes to see though.
I suppose it depends where you live, but here in suburbia where you have to drive to decent trails I find it a massive bonus to be able to store the bike in the car during the day and then detour to somewhere on the way back from work.
I am having trouble getting one bike in a passat estate "easily" it's fine stripped down, got some feet for roof rack coming going to try that and see how I get on but can only use that in the dry so I don't trash the bearings on the bike. Used to use a roof rack a lot but got a bit nervous with some of the fittings and the damage they do to bodywork but have roof rails now so that makes a difference. mk1fan has a story about roofracks he loves em.!!
I've managed to get mud all over the roof lining too which isn't great
I've managed to get mud all over the roof lining too which isn't great
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