Thule vs Holdfast vs Saris Bones 3

[BlueMountainBug]

i've been up and down... these 3 different types of bike carriers.

 

i have a toyota runx and need to transport 2 mountain bikes... i don't mind spending more money on thule and saris, but if the holdfast is good then id rather get it and buy some other nifty little gadget for my bike.

 

Does anyone know the comparison between the 3 and which is most secure and suitable for my car.

 

thankx

 

(im moeg of stuffing my poor bike in my car)

 

[Oiltrash]

Howzit BMB... I am pretty new to this stuff but got a Thule for my car on the weekend and I can't believe how simple it is... never heard anyone else complain about them either...

[BlueMountainBug]

thats awesome... what kind of car do you have... the runx is not on any of the websites...

 

my first choice is def the Thule... thanks.

 

Thule 1

Holdfast 0

Saris Bones 3 0

 

thanks

 

[amdretard]

Thule Simple and bikes dont get stratched

[BlueMountainBug]

oh and BTW... i dont have a towbar

[knersis]

If you had to compare the 3, the thule is obvouisly the best quality, but the I think the holdfast sprint cycle carrier is the best value for money. (cheap copy of the thule).

 

http://www.holdfast.co.za/assets/cc/cc29.jpg

Sprint Cycle Carrier     2 Bike (HF2131) - R1295.00 3 Bike (HF2132) - R1555.00

[1skinnyman]

i had a thule as well, for a "bootless" car, no problems, don't thinck it is sold yet, bought a jetta, needless to say i had 2 fork out $$$ again for the holdfast-towbar-type.

[Trispoke]

Get a towbar, otherwise you have to use a rack that hooks up to and presses against the bodywork of the car. Unless I am mistaken, you cannot use any of the racks where the bikes 'stand' on their wheels without a towbar.

 

[Oiltrash]

Oh Ok...  but that changes things quite a bit, you will have to get some opinions for the folks that have used the hatch back clip on thingies...

[1skinnyman]

trispoke, the thule(9105/06) one i've got, the bikes are standing, on their wheels, at the angle of the "boot-lid", can't scratch 1skinnyman2007-09-25 09:23:10

[RobMobius]

Hi Bug,

 

 I have a runx and use the Holdfast 3 bike rack (no towbar). I looked at the Thule but the holdfast seemed just as good for much less.

 

Its super simple to use. I regulary hang 2 MT bikes. I have hung 3 but its a tight fit. But my real concern is the amount of weight hanging on the boot hinges.

 

Just to 1200Km with 2 bikes (K2C) and 150km no problem. My feul consumption was unaffected. For the long trips I take the wheels off and put them inside to reduce the weight on the rack. As I said I am worried about the boot hinges. The rack is plenty strong enough though.

 

The Runx bumper sticks out a fair bit so I don't use the rack closest to the car as its a pain to stop the car from being scratched.

 

 

[Frosty]

Thule is the best 

But seeing that you don't have a tow-bar, I would not recommend the "clip-on" types. I had one and it caused damage to the hatch-door. Not easily noticed unless you're looking along the line of the door.

 

 

Will take a pic tonight to show the damage

Frosty2007-09-25 09:36:16

[GoLefty!!]

Ok I guessi I owe it to the world to reply on this one since I've owned all three brands and still own two of them:

 

In order of purchasing

1) Holdfast

2) Saris Bones

3) Thule BikeOn

 

review:

 

The Holdfast is what I would call fit for purpose but it's agricultural look, weight, ability to rust and lack of security put me off. But for a long time it was the only type of rack available.

 

So one dayy I'm in Halfrods in Chester and I see a Saris Bones for 79GBP, on sale. I grab it and run for the tills vbefore they realsie the mistake they made. They did, it was supposed to be 99.99GBp down from 129-99.

 

Anyway I used that for 3 years and it has been a briallint piece of kit. One disadvantage is that for a Full sus MTB it is a bit ofa pain cos you need the adaptor bar that fits between the stem and the seat mast.

 

enter teh Thule BIke _On,

 

This is he ultimate in bike racks. Nuff said. It's secure in that you can buy lockable knobs for the threades holders. Bike and the bike is supported by it's wheels. You can till access you rboot as well. it's not cheap but it's worth it and 3 years later is still going strong.

 

Soif you don;t want to drop serious cash on a rack but the Thukle is far for you to stretch then I have a Saris Bones for sale.. With adaptor bar.

[BlueMountainBug]

thanks everyone... it does seem that the Thule is going to be the option.

 

will keep it updated !

 

[Ratty]

best system we have had so far is the one that attaches to the roof racks.  So easy to use.  But if you don't have roof racks, it works out expensive.

[GoLefty!!]

of course then you must remember to take bikes off teh roof racks before parking car....