Cycle Carrier Questions

Sphinx

Sphinx

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Hi,

I have a quick question regarding cycle carriers.

I currently have 2 bike carriers mounted to the roof rack, which is fine.

I would like to add 2 bikes so require more carriers. I am wondering if it is :

a) Better to 2 more cycle carriers to the roof
b) Add a rear high mount carrier on the back I have a Accord 4 door saloon (no towbar) - so it may obscure the number plate.

I guess option b will cost a lot more.

My budget is about £100

Which options do you think is best?

Thanks.
 
Do not obscure the number plate, that's illegal. High chance of a stop if your spotted by a police car.

If you go for the roof option, check what the maximum load for a roof rack on your car is. It's typically 50kg.
 
If you go for option B you will need a trailer board as your lights and numberplate wil be obscured, so also a high chance of being rear ended!

How much are your bikes worth?

£100 doesn't seem like much of a budget TBH
 
onomatopoeia said:
If you go for the roof option, check what the maximum load for a roof rack on your car is. It's typically 50kg.
Click to expand...

Good call - will check that when I get home.

onomatopoeia said:
Do not obscure the number plate, that's illegal. High chance of a stop if your spotted by a police car.
Click to expand...

Thats true - I was looking into getting some sort of lighting numberplate holder to go over the top of the bikes - hence more cost though.

How secure are these rear mount ones? Some say that some of the straps are off poor quality .... ?
 
Tigger.ufo said:
If you go for option B you will need a trailer board as your lights and numberplate wil be obscured, so also a high chance of being rear ended!

How much are your bikes worth?

£100 doesn't seem like much of a budget TBH
Click to expand...

Bikes all together are probably worth around £200-300 ish.

A couple of extra cycle carriers on the roof will cost around £100 or so.

- Was looking at something like this for option b :

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3335600.htm#pdpFullProductInformation

3335600_R_Z001A_UC1185315


however I need to add the cost of a number plate board on top of that.

What would you recommend? I dont mind spending a little bit more e.g. £150 ish if its worth the extra.
 
3 x Adult bikes - 26" Wheels
1 x Bike - 24" Wheel

Looks like max load on the roof rack 65kg - Looking at it - 3 bikes could fit quite neatly on the roof - 4 maybe difficult.

Another option I did look at is to have 3 on top and 1 in the boot (1 on the bikes has quick release wheels) - however it is a tight fit in the boot and not to mention a bit of pain to fit the rear wheel.

@ Tigger.ufo - Thanks for link - will check it out.
@ neil_g - I think you are right - the cheap ones are pretty much useless - what sort of rear mount one would you recommend?

Thanks for all the replies so far guys/gals.
 
the best boot mount ive used it the saris bones like Paul says above.

even on a smart roadster (which was interesting) it worked really well. we picked our bones 2 up off ebay 2nd hand for under 100. but that doesnt leave much for light board and wiring.
 
I purchased a second hand towbar of gumtree, which cost me 50.00 then got a second hand 4 bike towbar rack, cost me 100. So much easier, plus can tow trailers etc. Understand its outside budget but well worth the extra trouble.
 
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Depending on the age of the car, I think there may be new regulations regarding the fitting of towbars. (Unlike the old days when you could get one knocked up by a friendly blacksmith/fabricator and fit it yourself!)

I did see a fairly neat way round the need for a trailer lighting board - the bike frames (4) were on the rack behind a hatchback but all the wheels had been removed (presumably in the boot.) All the lights and number plate were clearly visible from behind.
 
I get 4 on my roof no problem. Just reverse 2 bikes and it works fine.

I've only got a 1 series bmw so not the biggest car in the world. Also, frees up the boot should you need to use it for any reason.
 
I think I will try the 3 on the roof and 1 in the boot option over the weekend.

the 24" being the smallest might just work.

Will report back.

Thanks for the replies to everyone.
 
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