Spat Posted July 24, 2009 Posted July 24, 2009 Hi I need to get a bike carrier can I get some feedback from guys that use the roof racks and the carrier that fits on the roof? I dont have tow bar on my car so think this is the best option.
Beenie Posted July 24, 2009 Posted July 24, 2009 Hi, Have you considered the strap on types? They work well and not as costly as the roof racks. They work on hatches and sedans, provided the sedan doesnt have a spoiler.
Spat Posted July 24, 2009 Author Posted July 24, 2009 Hi Beenie Thanks for that, I would not want to scratch my car? How safe is strap on ones? do you have a pic
Spat Posted July 24, 2009 Author Posted July 24, 2009 So far great advise about strap on's and low flying bridges
Beenie Posted July 24, 2009 Posted July 24, 2009 They have rubbering on the areas in contact with the car for protection.http://www.thule.com/Thule/ProductPage____82711.aspxhttp://www.thule.com/Thule/ProductPage____44293.aspx There are other brands available.
droo Posted July 24, 2009 Posted July 24, 2009 So far great advise about strap on's and low flying bridges Not sure about the strapon, but the first time you hit a low flying bridge you'll remember my advice... If I must be serious for a minute, even though it's Friday, bite the bullet and get a towbar and a ride-on. It'll work out about the same money as racks and a roof carrier, and IMO is a far better solution.droo2009-07-24 01:59:59
idrive Posted July 24, 2009 Posted July 24, 2009 Roof mounted are the worst for fuel consumption and also consider the number of entrances into car parks that have a covered area for guards or carports.
Flemish Lion Posted July 24, 2009 Posted July 24, 2009 "Roof racks are great, you don?t have bikes in back where someone can bang into them and they aren?t obstructing your rear view. There are disadvantages you need to remember when using them. This is what I do to help myself remember I have bikes on top of the car. Buy a pack of stickies. Those note pads that have an adhesive edge to stick on a page. Write, ?Bikes on top? and put the sticker on the windshield where you can see it when you transport bikes. They make a gadget that when the car stops a sign comes down to warn you that there are bikes on the roof. Whatever method you use to remind yourself, do so and avoid being one of those people who forgot they had bikes on the roof of the vehicle and drove into a carport or garage, causing serious damage to the bikes, car and building. It comes in handy too when you pull into a fast food place to order from the car. Some don?t have the clearance for bikes on the roof of a vehicle. Make sure you can clear before going under any overhang. If you put wheels in their carriers, they?ll spin while driving. A bungee cord placed through the spokes will stop that. The most common error with placing bikes on a rack is to over tighten the quick release that holds the front fork. It only needs to be snug when the handle is engaged. Tighten the quick release enough to pull the lever back without forcing it to do so. If you bend the arm, the quick release won?t hold and you?ll have to replace it. No matter how careful you are, there will be some nicks in the paint on your car over time. The worse possible thing is that you over tighten the clamps and damage the roof. Remember, just enough to hold it secure, more in this case is not better but expensive repairs."
HowellingWulf Posted July 24, 2009 Posted July 24, 2009 So far great advise about strap on's and low flying bridges Not sure about the strapon' date=' but the first time you hit a low flying bridge you'll remember my advice... If I must be serious for a minute, even though it's Friday, bite the bullet and get a towbar and a ride-on. It'll work out about the same money as racks and a roof carrier, and IMO is a far better solution.[/quote'] I have to agree with Droo here. Towbar mounted is waaay better. Rather go for the Euroway than the Ride-On. http://www.thule.com/Thule/ProductPage____82732.aspx They are quite expensive but worth every cent. Had one of those square tubing pieces of excrement that caused more damage to my bike than I did.
Spat Posted July 24, 2009 Author Posted July 24, 2009 Thanks guys will consider going the towbar route as well, will start doing price comparisons.
L'Bie Posted July 24, 2009 Posted July 24, 2009 Hi Beenie Thanks for that' date=' I would not want to scratch my car? How safe is strap on ones? do you have a pic[/quote'] Loook at Saris Bones. Mostly plastic and aluminium therefore light, foldable and it has an absolute gem bike holding method. The trick is to make sure it is strapped on tightly and then don't forget to have a numberplate and bungee cord to finish off.
L'Bie Posted July 24, 2009 Posted July 24, 2009 So far great advise about strap on's and low flying bridges Not sure about the strapon' date=' but the first time you hit a low flying bridge you'll remember my advice... If I must be serious for a minute, even though it's Friday, bite the bullet and get a towbar and a ride-on. It'll work out about the same money as racks and a roof carrier, and IMO is a far better solution.[/quote'] I have to agree with Droo here. Towbar mounted is waaay better. Rather go for the Euroway than the Ride-On. http://www.thule.com/Thule/ProductPage____82732.aspx They are quite expensive but worth every cent. Had one of those square tubing pieces of excrement that caused more damage to my bike than I did.I have the costly experience to share with you. Towbars are designed to carry just 60Kg. That is 60Kg on the ball. Add three bikes with a lever action roughly a meter from the ball, you get way more than the 60Kg spec jumping and jiggling over our exelent South African roads. The weakest link goes and it was in my case the towbar itself. Trailer gone, Bikes gone! No thank you, the Bones any day for me.
droo Posted July 24, 2009 Posted July 24, 2009 So far great advise about strap on's and low flying bridges Not sure about the strapon' date=' but the first time you hit a low flying bridge you'll remember my advice... If I must be serious for a minute, even though it's Friday, bite the bullet and get a towbar and a ride-on. It'll work out about the same money as racks and a roof carrier, and IMO is a far better solution.[/quote'] I have to agree with Droo here. Towbar mounted is waaay better. Rather go for the Euroway than the Ride-On. http://www.thule.com/Thule/ProductPage____82732.aspx?They are quite expensive but worth every cent. Had one of those square tubing pieces of excrement that caused more damage to my bike than I did.I have the costly experience to share with you. Towbars are designed to carry just 60Kg. That is 60Kg on the ball. Add three bikes with a lever action roughly a meter from the ball, you get way more than the 60Kg spec jumping and jiggling over our exelent South African roads. The weakest link goes and it was in my case the towbar itself. Trailer gone, Bikes gone! No thank you, the Bones any day for me. Think this calls for the supersize font... EISH!!! Thanks for the heads up, lucky I only have a 2 bike one
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