Bike Racks for cars without towbars

[EbbE]

Hi

 

i would like to know opinions of users who use the rear mount bike racks, i'v got a Golf 6 GTI without a tow bar, i want to know if its possible to use one of these racks without breaking the roof spoiler on the car?

[Klaus]

Get the Thule rack - seems to be put together a bit better than others. I bought one about four months back as I sold the other car. Works perfectly for my new sedan, the girlies polo and my kombi.

 

There is one for three bikes and then the is an american spec one for two bikes (all black in colour with adujstable locking pins) I got the latter on advice from the chap at thule and haven't had any issues. The have a fitting sheet for it to tell you which pin position is best for your car.

[Just Keep Pedaling]

I have the same issue - Ford Focus ST has no hard point for a tow bar and I am selling my Land Rover - but I have read reports of such bike racks bending the boot (hatch?). I would rather try a roof rack (just don't forget about the bikes when you drive into your garage when you get back home).

[Pieter1]

Pretty much all the bike shops I went to advised against these types of racks as the clamps could bend the metalwork of the car where they are clamped on. I dont know how long it would take for that to happen etc.

[D-Mike]

I've got one at home, but I have no idea what make. Bought it at Sportsman's Warehouse and used it on my Golf 5 plenty of times with no problems. I will have a look at home, take a picture and upload it for you later

[KeithW]

Hi Ebbe, welcome to The Hub,

 

I am a Thule dealer based in Durban - The strap-on Thule rack does work to a point but Thule doesnt recomend it on a vehicle with a boot spoiler. I am sure the Golf 6 would have such a spoiler (Boot or Roof)

 

The cheapest option is to put a tow bar WITHOUT the electronics (just the ball) and then buy a 2,3 or 4 bike Thule hang on. No electronics needs for these bike rack models - Send me a private message and I can give you prices.

 

The roof rack option is also good option except it comes with the danger of forgetting about your bike and driving into your garage !!!

[kamikaze]

try the Saris Bones rack (available at cycle lab), i have one and have used it many times on a yaris - i love it!

 

it performs (and looks) way better compared to my friends' thule. the thule is too wide for anything but a large frame, where as the Bones rack is narrower and can also be adjusted infinitely. it is made of plastic so it wont scratch my frame during mounting and dismounting, wont bend or rust, and is stylish and light.

 

thule has dominated the market for ages and i dont really see why - they are over priced and quality is becoming suspect. the saris is real solid and well thought out & designed to fit almost any shape of car from a hatchback to a sedan to a stationwagon because it is so adjustable. it also folds up extremely compact when not in use.

 

read the reviews here:

http://www.mtbr.com/cat/accessories/bike-rack/saris/bones-rack/prd_357577_98crx.aspx

Edited November 1, 2011 by kamikaze

[heed0]

try the Saris Bones rack (available at cycle lab), i have one and have used it many times on a yaris - i love it!

 

it performs (and looks) way better compared to my friends' thule. the thule is too wide for anything but a large frame, where as the Bones rack is narrower and can also be adjusted infinitely. it is made of plastic so it wont scratch my frame during mounting and dismounting, wont bend or rust, and is stylish and light.

 

thule has dominated the market for ages and i dont really see why - they are over priced and quality is becoming suspect. the saris is real solid and well thought out & designed to fit almost any shape of car from a hatchback to a sedan to a stationwagon because it is so adjustable. it also folds up extremely compact when not in use.

 

read the reviews here:

http://www.mtbr.com/cat/accessories/bike-rack/saris/bones-rack/prd_357577_98crx.aspx

 

How much did you pay?

[DangerDave]

How much did you pay?

 

have a look at the home page of the importers: My link

[D-Mike]

I took those pictures last night for you, I just don't know how to upload them. Can anyone assist me with that?

[kamikaze]

How much did you pay?

 

i got mine on the hub second hand for R700, not sure what they go for new.

[EbbE]

try the Saris Bones rack (available at cycle lab), i have one and have used it many times on a yaris - i love it!

 

it performs (and looks) way better compared to my friends' thule. the thule is too wide for anything but a large frame, where as the Bones rack is narrower and can also be adjusted infinitely. it is made of plastic so it wont scratch my frame during mounting and dismounting, wont bend or rust, and is stylish and light.

 

thule has dominated the market for ages and i dont really see why - they are over priced and quality is becoming suspect. the saris is real solid and well thought out & designed to fit almost any shape of car from a hatchback to a sedan to a stationwagon because it is so adjustable. it also folds up extremely compact when not in use.

 

read the reviews here:

http://www.mtbr.com/cat/accessories/bike-rack/saris/bones-rack/prd_357577_98crx.aspx

 

 

 

Thanks for the advice and pic, i noticed you have a roof spoiler on your yaris, did the rack affect this in anyway and how long have you been using this on your car?

[LukeV-2]

There is a method of putting the straps on without damaging the fragile steel or whateva. In the thule instructions it show u, I clip onto glass no problem because its actually fixed inside my boot. so no pressure on the cars parts - long story as to how its fixed, just read the manual.

 

And getting thule is def wort the extra cash, no option on saving cash with this.

[kamikaze]

Thanks for the advice and pic, i noticed you have a roof spoiler on your yaris, did the rack affect this in anyway and how long have you been using this on your car?

 

been using this for well over a year, and wish i had bought it sooner.

i once drove up to far northern botswana without it damaging or chafing the paintwork, spoiler, or bodywork on the car.

the system doesn't suspend the weight of the bikes off the straps, the weight is put on the "feet" of the rack which rest on the bumper of the car, while the straps just secure it in place, so the securing load is spread evenly between all 6 straps which minimizes the pressure on the spoiler quite significantly.

Edited November 2, 2011 by kamikaze