Best Cycle Carriers

[DRHysted]

Car Bike racks fall into three categories
(Plus tail gate mounted proper racks only available for flat backed vans)

The string and wire spindly racks that are often seen in the UK ties on over rear windows. I'm amazed they are still actually sold in the UK, should you be caught with on in most of the rest of Europe, you will be removing bikes and rack at the side of the motorway at best, and up before the beak at worst

Roof racks:
The advantage is they can go on most cars
The downside is fuel consumption, height, and the issue of lifting a bike to head hight

Tow ball mounted racks
Having used all four, the tow ball is the way to go, probably the most expensive but ...
It make no difference to your fuel consumption
The bikes are protected from 70mph wind and rain on all day motorway journeys, and even after hours of driving rain and motorway spray are still dry !
Available as 1, 2, 3 and 4 bike carriers
Legal all over Europe
Comes with lights and number plate, so no issues with blocked number plates or lights
Very easy to mount on the tow bar (30 seconds)
Rear boot/tailgate is fully open able (even on a van)
Secure
Easy to put the bikes on, at most you may need to turn the bars, but that depends in number of bikes and their sizes

I'm sorry to say I have had a different experience with towbar mounted carriers. If the weather is inclement all the road muck gets thrown onto the bike meaning it needs a good clean & lube before use. If my carrier didn't have the tilt function I would not be able to open the hatch on my Mondeo.
There are pluses & minuses with all the different racks. The only model I do not use is the tie on version, as I have never got them secure enough for my liking.

 

[mybike]

There is a variant on the towball mounted carrier that seems quite secure.

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bik...ks/exodus-2-bike-towbar-mounted-cycle-carrier

Mine is a Thule but looks much the same. The only problem is that it needs a cross bar so ladies bikes need a detachable crossbar to hang from. You probably need a lighting board as well tho'.

 

[Yazzoo]

by the by, I have a couple of Thule 591s for sale if anyones interested!

 

[DRHysted]

There is a variant on the towball mounted carrier that seems quite secure.

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bik...ks/exodus-2-bike-towbar-mounted-cycle-carrier

Mine is a Thule but looks much the same. The only problem is that it needs a cross bar so ladies bikes need a detachable crossbar to hang from. You probably need a lighting board as well tho'.

I've got a version like that from Thule. It connects to the towbar well and is very stable. But getting the bikes to not rub on anything else I found neigh on impossible. Getting the lighting board to fit level without flapping was a nightmare. So I replaced it with this http://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rb...rier_no_brp113/Qx@w,6M42VAwp3@Rb{~cC4ure5JbA3

I think it might still be in the back of the shed.

 

[mybike]

I've got a version like that from Thule. It connects to the towbar well and is very stable. But getting the bikes to not rub on anything else I found neigh on impossible. Getting the lighting board to fit level without flapping was a nightmare. So I replaced it with this http://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4_tab.php/car-specific-accessories/buzz_rack_brs_easytilt_3_bike_carrier_no_brp113/Qx@w,6M42VAwp3@Rb{~cC4ure5JbA3

I think it might still be in the back of the shed.

I used my son's closed foam camping sleep mat to keep the bikes clear of the bodywork. The lighting board I attached with short elastic straps. When I recently took my old bike to my mother's to use there I managed to get it to sit quite securely. There is a noticeable difference in handling with the Thule 9403 with two bikes that I don't get with this one.