Bike rack for a convertable.

[JumboBeef]

Hello,

I have searched (the search thingy is rubbish) but found nothing.

I own a 2001 Volvo C70. Can anyone recommend me a bike rack to carry one bike?

Thanks.

[JumboBeef]

Convertible damn it!

Arrrrrrrrghhhhhhhhhhhh......

[bakerstreet]

Have you even tried Google?!?

Some of the halfords universal ones work well. Saris Bones is worth a look too.

[JumboBeef]

I've looked at the universal ones on-line.

I don't know how much faith I put in one of these holding my pride and joy up at 60mph when you read some of the feedback which include the words flimsy and cheap....

[JumboBeef]

Found this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Saris-solo-trunk-simple-st...

Anyone here got one? Any good? Will it fit my car?

[Watchman]

There are basically 4 types of bike rack:

1. Strap-on - these are the least securely mounted
2. Bolt on - you've seen these with clamps that mount onto the tailgate of T5 vans etc. They're solid enough. Not sure whether you can open the tailgate once they're attached though.
3. Roof rack - solid mounting
4. Towbar - solid mounting

So, unless you get/have a towbar, you're probably stuck with a strap-on. Just take care fitting it to your car and your bikes to it, and "heft" it a bit left and right to check how secure it is. Then just take it easy. Despite my understanding how these things work/are held on, I have had a bike come loose on one (the rack was secure - the bike not so) and drag along the motorway until I could get to the hard shoulder. I wouldn't use one again but I have alternative options. That said, I see hundreds of them quite happily transporting several bikes at a time seemingly without issue.

[PomBstard]

Used to use a Hollywood rack to carry my Yeti on the back of the MX5 when I had it. Didn't look pretty and needed a bit of extra padding, but was secure enough for a 100km trip up the motorway several times.

[Soop Dogg]

If you're really worried about the bike being secure, then a towbar mounted rack is the only way to go.

[Usget]

Saris Bones </Thread>

My mate uses one on his S2000 and I've got one for my F20. Fits both equally well and feels solid as a rock.

[bigdrew]

http://www.mx5nutz.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=6...

See the picture towards the bottom of this post. It is way more secure than hanging it off the back, doesn't cover the number plate and you can open the boot.

Its a Hollywood F1 rack

[JumboBeef]

bigdrew said:

http://www.mx5nutz.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=6...

See the picture towards the bottom of this post. It is way more secure than hanging it off the back, doesn't cover the number plate and you can open the boot.

Its a Hollywood F1 rack

So, one of these?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hollywood-F1-Deluxe-Rack-B...

Interesting....

[JuniorD]

I occasionally use a saris bones rack on an A4 cab. Solid as, even with three road bikes mounted. Though I've discovered the bike fits in the boot with wheels and saddle off so no real need for the rack anymore.

[billzeebub]

Saris Bones 100%. The design means they can be used around spoilers etc. The only drawback being getting access to the boot. But with a Convertible, aside from a towbar rack you will have that issue. I have used my 3 bike Bones on various BMW/Saab Convertibles. One thing to note is that the Single Bike cheapo Bones rack did not fit my BMW Convertible as the legs are none adjustable. You should be fine with the 2/3 bike version for most cars though

[Smartboy]

We used to borrow my mate's mum's car to transport our bikes around using a strap-on cheap-o Halfords one 10yrs or so ago.

Wobbled around a bit, but never came loose despite driving like a 17yr-old drives, around bumpy country roads in the Mendip Hills!

We used to cover key parts of the bikes with plumbers water-pipe insulation while travelling to protect our precious cargo. Not as careful with his mum's car though!

Car suffered from scuffs and scratches from the metal clips and from bike bars and pedals.

If one of those coped with our heavy steel MTB's then a modern one (Saris Bones) will surely be able to cope with no problems with a nice light modern bike or three without issue.

[fandango_c]

You could take the wheels off and put it on the front/rear seats.
That's what I down my Z4.

[bigdrew]

JumboBeef said:

So, one of these?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hollywood-F1-Deluxe-Rack-B...

Interesting....

I've had two bikes on mine mounted like that and it really is rock solid. I also much prefer the nuts, bolts and tube of the Hollywood rack over the plastic Saris one, it feels indestructible. It is also half the price of the equivalent Saris. Saris.