I know the subject of cycle carriers has been covered before however, a couple of specifics I am looking for.
I have the new shape Scenic and want to carry 4 bikes. Options seem to be
1. Roof mounted
Pros - could possibly do this quite cheaply with the aid of ebay etc. However cons are trying to lift 4 bikes over my head onto the roof of my car without causing damage to me or the car.
2. Tow bar mounted
Pros - I feel these are a lot stronger and you can also get ones that swivel out of the way to allow access to the hatch. However, at this moment in time, I do not have a towbar though am seriously considering getting one as my dad has a trailer which I would probably use more; trips to dump etc if I had a towbar. (He also has a caravan which I might use)
3. This is the main point, I can't help but think a trailer mounted cycle carrier system would be a good idea. Bikes could stay on this in my garage (help storing) and I could just hook it up within seconds. However, does such a thing exist? I have searched the web and cannot see them. "Cycle" and "trailer" brings up these wee trailers that you pull behind your bike!
Money would be a major factor in all this.
(FWIW, I just wouldn't consider a rear window type arrangement. I just do not think door hinges are made for these and that, together with lack of boot access and safety would put me off it)
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Bobby
The scenic is high, as you rightly say lifting the bikes over your head is a pain, plus with 4 on top of a highish vehicle will seriously upset the balance of the car.
Tow bar jobs, the scenic has a big rear hatch that comes out a long way before it goes up, some of the towbar mounted jobs might hinder boot access.
Given that dont dismiss the hatch moounted ones. I happily carried three bikes on one strapped to my scenic. Givent eh window shape size and postion it was mounted to all metal parts - Alas I canuse it now ont he laaguna as the rear glass goes right to the top of the hatch (plus the snazzy boy racer spoiler gets in the way)!
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Now that Spring is here (almost), seriously thinking about this again. Has anyone out there carried 4 bikes on their car. If so, what did you use, roof, towbar, rear hatch or what?
Any pros and cons to each version. Would be looking at 2 adult bikes and 2 kids bikes, (14 inch frames).
Alternatively, has anyone used a trailer for carrying bikes. You see plenty of "flatbed" trailers used for transporting motorbikes, is there something similar for pedal cycles? Or would it not be stable enough?
Obviously cost would be a big factor in it!
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You're right, it has been done before.
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?v=e&t=26...5
Haven't tested it with the new C8 yet, though.
Hawkeye
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Stranger in a strange land
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my son races bmx and we travel all over the country to race meetings and the most popular carrier system tends to be the towbar mounted or roof mounted systems, dont use the hang off the back on strap systems they really are quite frighening when you see how much they move about. have seen a few small box trailers modified usually using roof rack type systems so you can still use the box for tools and spares . most of us however tend to use a van for multiple bikes only for ease and security we may carry 4 bikes at a value of £1800 each you cant leave them in motorway services etc , however in a van with blacked out rear windows nobody knows they are there ...cheers...keo.ps the drop down ones that fit on the towbar are very good and can take a lot of weight without moving ...cheers...keo
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I use a Thule 903 Pro mounted on a removable towbar on my Alhambra. It can carry 4 bikes (max. load 60kg)and has full vehicle lighting. The down side is the length, so I have fitted reverse parking senses to it!
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I also have a Scenic and used to carry the bikes on the roof. Wouldn`t recommend that at all - all too easy to damage car/bikes. Also had contraption which sat on the towbar, ok but it did scatch the bikes a lot and a pain if you want to get into rear of car with bikes attached. Now have trailer tent with carry rack that goes on top of the trailer. Very easy to get bikes on and off without damaging and by far the most secure and quickest option. I should imagine any decent metal workshop should be able to construct a carry frame specific for your trailer, then you just bolt on the cycle racks available from Halfords etc
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Bobby G, I carry my son's motocross bike on a towbar mounted frame (with lighting board before anybody starts!) and find this far better than having to lug a trailer around, although the point about security is well made, if you have to stop at motorway services etc.
However some of the other people in the club have to transport several MX bikes and they use bike trailers with slots for the wheels, which I am fairly sure are more than capable of transporting x4 push bikes as long as they are well strapped down.
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Most cars are wide enough to carry four bikes on the roof (alternating the directions), albeit after some fiddling to stop pedals and bars/saddles fouling each other. Works well on either of our cars - BX and Xantia estates. As RF says the issue with the Scenic will be height. As a minimum you'd need to carry a step stool so as to be able to reach for loading, but likley stability issues will lead to a roof load limit less than 70kg. You'll not get 4 bikes plus all the racking much below that*, so you are probably stuck with the towbar or trailer routes.
*Say 10-12kg for each bike, plus another 20kg for 2 transverse bars and 4 racks .
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I use the tow bar carrier from these guys
www.pendle-bike.co.uk/default.asp
I've had their four bike version for about five years and travelled all over Europe with it and four bikes. Well made and fast to fit once the base is bolted to the tow bar - I would recommend it. Don't know about the tow ball version though.
Les
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Scotty - any idea what these cost? ideally for a 4 up model?
I wouldn't go for a hatch mounted model for more than one bike. By the time you have two or three onboard the leverage exerted on the straps/mounts when you go over bumps causes them to self destruct.
I had to repair one many times en route home from south west France as even on the smooth autoroute the bumps were pulling it apart. I was down to 50 on the M20 to coax it home, after which it went to the dump v. quick.
currently using roof bars and rack on the mondeo but they scratch the door frames and it's a long lift with a big mountain bike. book a slot with the chiroprator if you want to try that on a Scenic.
Dan
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Prices are here
www.roofrackshop.co.uk/bike/pendle-bike-racks.htm
Might also be worth looking here - I recently ordered a Witter towbar mounted carrier on a Sunday and it was delivered on the Tuesday - quite a bit cheaper than usual quoted price also
tinyurl.com/6bv3q
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Does everyone?s dislike of hatch mounted carriers extend to the high level ones that can be bought for saloon cars?
I have a Halfords jobby that is as solid as a rock once all six straps are in place. The cycles are positioned so the weight pushes them towards the boot and rear window (ie not toward the back of the car).
In addition to the two standard straps supplied I use a variety of bungee straps to secure the bikes together, along with retaining straps that I wind around the bikes, through the carrier, and then through the back doors of the car.
I bet even Houdini couldn?t get out of that one!
Having said that, I am looking at the price of towbar mounted ones!!
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Something like that. At the time I didn't have a car with a towbar - so the alternative was more expensive.
Why do you ask, out of interest?
Cheers,
DB
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I've never used a hatch mounted one as I'd live in perpetual fear of the bikes falling off!
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BobbyG ,
if you can find a dealer have a look at the Rhode Gear range from the US. Halfords used to do them a few years back but no more. I've used a Rhode Gear Ultra Shuttle 3 for nearly ten years without problems . This carries 3 bikes at the boot with the weight on the bumper and secured with straps (so that method can work but choose your brand carefully- its all in the quality of straps/connectors) . Could you not carry two like this (on a more up to date model perhaps) and the kids bikes in the back of the car ? If this doesn't appeal maybe the towbar/hitch option is a good bet.
www.rhodegear.com/hitch.html
I reckon you would quickly get fed up of lifting and securing four bikes on the top of a tall car like the scenic. Not to mention it would ruin fuel economy and be nasty in the event of a collision (heavens forbid).
Also the trailer carrier you mention does exist but can't remember who does it - maybe Thule or Hollywood ?
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Thanks for all your sugggestions so far which I am checking out. The 4 bike carriers seem expensive though! Just debating with myself if I will get value for money by the time I have paid for towbar to be fitted etc.
Will check out all those links now.
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Phil, re the Witter shown on that website, are they any good? Picture seems a wee bit unclear, whats actually separating the bikes? Looks like they are just on a length of steel, or is there foam inserts / dividers etc?
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Not fitted it yet - cycling is a summer activity for us!! rack seems pretty substantial and well made but no separators. Have seen them at Halfords and Decathlon quite cheap (£5??)
By the way, decathlon have bike trailers
www.decathlon.co.uk/ukstore/produit.asp?int_DeptId...8
Witter site not much better (ie worse)for illustration
www.witter-towbars.co.uk/cycle_carriers/witter_cyc...x
but if you want some close ups post your e-mail (or should I do it via mods?? - is that allowed?) and I can send some photos to you.
Phil
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Thanks for that Phil, the bike trailer is exactly what I was thinking of, albeit a bit too dear at £300. Wonder if there are any on the second hand market!
The 4 bike towbar mounted one also looks really good value at only £129 but with separate dividers for each bike. They seem to emphasise the weight on the towball though, I wonder if that is standard towball weight or extra than normal?
Thanks for those links.
Cheers
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Bobby,
Don't know which car you have but this site has data on mx towbar weight for different cars - click ENTER, then Kerbweights on menu on the left and look up your car.
www.clicreports.co.uk/
Phil
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If you're going to fit a towbar anyway, then the trailer idea makes sense. I have an Erde 142 trailer which I reckon would carry 4 bikes although their front wheels would need to be removed first. You could even rig up restraint system and a soft cover with frame is available so the bikes needn't get wet. A slightly larger trailer would be preferable.
However, in my case I only carry one or two bikes, so I either use my Halford's high level carrier or put the seats down and carry them in the car.
Trailer makers include Erde / Daxara, Brenderup, Conway, Franc.
Ebay usually has lots of cheap secondhand trailers which might be suitable for DIY conversion for bike carrying.
cheers, SS
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PhilW
great links - many thanks. The Decathlon tow bar one looks best value to me.
Dan
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Re previous postings, I have now decided to fit a towbar to the Scenic so definitely getting a bike carrier. Someone previously mentioned the Decathlon, and the price looks very competitive for what looks to be a great product.
www.decathlon.co.uk/ukstore/produit.asp?int_DeptId...5
However according to the dealer list, the nearest dealer to me is in Birmingham and I am in Lanarkshire! Before I go down the mail order route, has anyone bought one of these or have any knowledge of them?
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Now looking at converting my dad's 5ft x 3ft wooden trailer to carrying 4 bikes. I have had them all in the trailer and they fit width wise although I need to leave the tailgate in the open position which isn't a problem as I will buy a separate trailer board and mount it on it.
My question is, I was thinking of what is the best way of securing the 4 bikes down. There seems to be a lot of cycle carriers on Ebay, the ones that affix to roof bars.
Can anyone tell me if these would be suitable for just bolting straight onto a wooden base or do they tend to be shaped in such a way that this would not be feasible? If I could pick them up cheaply I could mount them all on a wooden pallet-like base and this would keep all the bikes secure and separated.
Thoughts?
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Just an update to anyone who is interested.
I have now converted trailer to carry 4 bikes, basically by building a wooden plinth to fit inside the trailer and securing 4 roofrack-type bike carriers to it.
Had our first outing today, no more than 5 mins to secure or release the 4 bikes!
For once I have seen through to the end one of my "ideas"!
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cheers bobby always nice to know how you got on. glad it worked out, i am always carrying bikes and your idea may be used by me in the back of my next seasons van, under a false floor so i can still use the van for everything else...cheers...keo.
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