[$lim$hady]

Hey Guys,


Do any of you have bike carriers?

I have the following
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3331178/Trail/searchtext>BIKE+CARRIER.htm


And when I have 2 bikes on them, it looks very scary and I am scared to the driving the car with the bikes on the back of it...

How safe are these things???

Also one of the support bar rest on my back window, would that not break under any driving circumstances.

Look forward to your comments!

[njp]

I've only used towball mounted racks and roof mounted racks, so I can't comment from experience. That type always looked a bit dubious to me!

As far as the possibility of breaking the window is concerned, I suspect that the kind of deceleration that would be required for that to happen would mean that you had more important things to worry about! I'm assuming that it doesn't actually flap around in the breeze...

[Mac Man]

Originally Posted by $lim$hady

Hey Guys,


Do any of you have bike carriers?

I have the following
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3331178/Trail/searchtext>BIKE+CARRIER.htm


And when I have 2 bikes on them, it looks very scary and I am @#$%ng driving the car with the bikes on the back of it...

How safe are these things???

Also one of the support bar rest on my back window, would that not break under any driving circumstances.

Look forward to your comments!

They need to be really well tied down, basically. I had a cheapy one once and that didn't feel any where near as safe as the one I have now from Halfords. So yes... quality does make a difference. I've carried 3 on the back through France and Spain with no problems on the back of a Nissan XTrail.

But I check it regular when I'm driving to make sure the whole thing is still tight.

[Setenza]

A bike carrier? Is that a euphemism for a stretch limo

[Nimby]

I can't see the image (and Google can't either) so I can't comment.
I use a ball hitch bike carrier all the time as do probably millions of Danes.
Almost every car has a ball hitch for their trailer and a bike rack stowed in the boot.
These carriers manage a racing trike or two bikes without problems.
Note: One is supposed to have a second registration plate visible if you obscure the one on the car.

[stevefish69]

Back in my younger years when i was into mountain biking, we used to have a very similar bike carrier.

The carrier itself used to fit to the car very securly, but we used to use about 6 or so bungee cords instead of the cheap and cheerful stuff supplied with the carrier.

Once secure a trip from London to the Lake district at 70mph was a doddle (apart from stopping people from robbing your £1000 pride and joy in the services )

[$lim$hady]

Thanks guys,


If the one I have is crap, would anyone recommend me a good carrier, I have a Peugeot 206.
I want to take my bike everywhere in 2008!.

[njp]

I currently use roof bars plus Thule bike carriers. Fairly straightforward to mount, and no fiddling around with random bungee cords, number plates and lights when you put the bikes on. They are also lockable!

Not an especially cheap option though, especially once you've factored in the roof bars, if you don't already have some.

[sim667]

ive got one of those fine for short journeys but wouldnt want to take it across europe etc...

it doesnt fit my new car either ....... sport spoilers look good but they is impractical innit?

[Nimby]

Putting a bike or two on the roof must add horrendously to the fuel consumption.
You have to be a weight lifter with stepladder to get them up there too.

[njp]

Originally Posted by Nimby

Putting a bike or two on the roof must add horrendously to the fuel consumption.
You have to be a weight lifter with stepladder to get them up there too.

Anything that interferes with the air flow over the vehicle is going to affect the fuel consumption, but bikes are at least quite thin! I certainly get more drag with a load of kayaks on the roof. I try to compensate by driving in a more leisurely fashion. I'm sure that bikes at the back have some effect too - especially when they are mounted high.

Lifting them on to the roof is all part of the exercise! And of course it's another good reason to have a lightweight bike...

I have seen a system where the bit that you attach the bike to swings down from the roof, which would make the whole process a lot easier.

[Kevo]

I got a good one from Halfords a couple of years ago.

It's a high rise one so your reg plate isn't obscured.
It carries three bikes and uses two rigid straps rather than multiple fabric straps like the cheapo ones. You have to buy the straps sepertaly and custom lengths to specific makes of cars. It's very quick and easy to put on and take off.

It also folds flat and you can store it in your boot if you don't trust leaving it on when out on your bikes.

Used on many a biking trips and never had a problem with it.

[$lim$hady]

So when you’re on the motorway with bikes, what speed do you drive at?

I think I am silly and need to start going placed with the bikes, they seem safe proving you tie them properly?

I bought it from Argos so has to be safe to an extent?.....

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Produc...KE+CARRIER.htm

[njp]

Originally Posted by $lim$hady

So when you’re on the motorway with bikes, what speed do you drive at?

At less than 70 miles per hour, of course. That's the law.

But actually, if I drive more slowly than I would otherwise, it's for reasons of fuel economy, not because I think the bikes are likely to be ripped off the roof...

[$lim$hady]

Originally Posted by njp

At less than 70 miles per hour, of course. That's the law.

of course.. good to know bike wont rip off at say 60mph.. for 150 miles?