Feedback regarding 2/3 bike racks?

[CogitoErgoSum]

Hi all

 

I am looking for new insights regarding 2/3-bike carriers? I have a Polo Tdi hatch. Have been looking at Holdfast and Menabo carrying 2 or 3 bikes, connecting via the towbar ball. What are your impressions/experiences about these two? Are there others available? I don't want to fix something permanently to the towbar.

 

Thanks a mil for the insight

[The MTBer]

BNB bike rack, you can get it at your local Makro amd it only cost R999 for the 2bike rack ( it is a platform rack) and fits on the towbar, it is a bit heavy but it is very stable!

[Grebel]

I just took delivery of a THULE G2 923 3 bike rack. The closest that I saw while doing my "homework" was the Menabo Winny. It is a bit cheaper than the THULE and basically does the same thing, but almost all the people I spoke to said the same thing "Buy the THULE. Spend the money and be happy" THULE have a very large dealer footprint in that if you go on holiday and something on your rack breaks, chances are there will be a THULE dealer or distributor in that or the next town. That is what swayed me to pay the extra.

 

From what I saw this afternoon when I picked it up, I'm glad I spent the extra money. There's a reason that there are so many of them out there.

[Stretch]

I bought a Raleigh platform rack for 2k... been going strong for close on 2 years now. Prefer it to the Thule as well

[DR ◣◢]

Menabo Winny 3. Super happy with it. Good quality. Good price. Good features.

[CogitoErgoSum]

Thanks. A platform carrier is a little (okay, a lot) out of my price range. I have the normal carrier in mind - the one where the bikes are hanging. Something like the Menabo Marius or the Holdfast snap-on. Can't drop the seats everytime I go out with the mtb - want to join a club for club rides, but need to drive there.

[johnpat]

I finally decided to spend an extra thousand bucks to protect my far more valuable bike, and bought a Thule Euroway (platform carrier), after my "hang-bike" carrier got dinged up.

 

Best decision ever.

 

I find myself nowadays wondering how I justified riding a moderately expensive bike, but then just leave it hanging there on my car. Pool tubes, tie downs, whatever you use, there is always going to be friction and abrasion - you're just haggling over how much.

 

Since that day, my advice has been that if there is any way to scrounge the cash, pay it, and get a platform. And more importantly, get the Thule. 4/5 years down the line you won't feel the extra bucks spent, but I reckon your bikes will still be benefiting.