Bike Carrier for car

[Adrian Z]

Not sure if this is the right subforum for this, but does anyone know what is the best type of bike carrier for a car. This would be for long distance travel such as from Kent to the south of France and would need to be safe at 80mph.

I was planning on getting a towbar based carrier, but I'm not sure if this is the best.

 

[Kirstie]

Towbar mounted is the best as they don't have such a big effect on fuel consumption. Of those, I would recommend Pendle as the best system. But perhaps this should be in know how?

 

[wafflycat]

Towbar-mounted is excellent.

Have a look at

www.roofbox.co.uk

Has facility to find the correct bike carrier for your vehicle.

The one I have is a Tradekar Silverbike II with third bike adapter. Simple to put on the towbar (even this feeble girlie can do it) and it has a tilt facility, so I can still access the boot of the car when the bike carrier & bikes is on the towbar... It's been all over Europe with three bikes on it, over potholed & cobbled Italian streets & roads - rock solid.

See http://www.rbc-pressoffice.co.uk/press/tradekar/TR424-Anw2-300.jpg

 

[domtyler]

Transporting the bikes inside the vehicle is the best option. If they don't fit, buy something bigger.

 

[Proto]

Recently went to Italy with two bikes roof mounted, one full carbon including the fork dropouts (Look 585). Thule roof bars and Thule bike mounts. Front forks clamp onto a QR skewer type fitting, rear wheel sits in a 'shoe' and is strapped down. No clamps bearing onto the frame itself.

Very stable, we were motoring at 80/90mph or so most of the time, sometimes over 100 and I had no worry at all about the bikes. Lockable too, and very quick and easy to load the bikes. Minute or two at most, each bike.

We had two of these, and the additional wheel carriers for the front wheels.

PS fuel consumption might have suffered 10% at high speed, but would be much less than that you're only pottering about. Didn't notice any significant differenece in noise levels with the bikes on top.

http://www.thule.com/Thule/ProductPage____44282.aspx

 

[Rhythm Thief]

Pendle towbar mounted racks. They're by far the best.

 

[John Ponting]

I sometimes wish I had a car that could have a towbar ...

but then the sun comes out and I drop the hood instead.

 

[Will1985]

You suffer more in the fuel economy stakes by using a roof mounted rack - most people suggest up to 20 % depending on type of car, speed and wind direction.

The bikes on top are themselves cutting into clean air and creating more drag, whereas a rear mounted carrier means the bikes are sitting in already disturbed air which shouldn't affect drag as much. There are plenty of sites on the net where people have done their own tests.

Unfortunately, I think John Ponting's pictures show the exception to the rule!!

I personally wouldn't carry carbon forks on a Thule 561 as you are subjecting them to forces which they aren't necessarily designed to withstand which may damage them internally without you noticing.

 

[Proto]

I personally wouldn't carry carbon forks on a Thule 561 as you are subjecting them to forces which they aren't necessarily designed to withstand which may damage them internally without you noticing.

I've heard this before and at one time Thule didn't recommend their use with carbon forks, but I've never understood why. I can't see how air pressure could exert enough force to damage the forks/frame, when you consider the they are designed to carry a 80kg rider at speeds.
Sounds like bollocks. Can you enlighten me?.

 

[Willow]

so how much would it cost to have a tow ball put on a car?

 

[purplemoon]

so how much would it cost to have a tow ball put on a car?

A lot!!!

I got quoted £275+VAT (I think it was) just for the towbar, then another £150+ for the bike carrier

 

[wafflycat]

In the case of Family Wafflycat it has been money exceedingly well-spent. Within a week of having the towbar & bikerack, we did a three week trip down to Italy, taking the bikes with us. Also been to France & Germany a time or two. Also, each year from February through to October, it's been on the car usually twice a week, taking bikes to & from various time trials up & down England & Wales. Got the car it is on back in 2002 & had towbar fitted the week we got it. It really has been money well spent.

 

[Will1985]

It was my personal opinion but I would say firstly that in normal use, forks are designed to support a downward force of lets say up to 100kg which is more than necessary anyway (rider weight is distributed through both wheels). Forks do not need to be very strong laterally - of course there is a bit of flex when you're out of the saddle, but not too much. Therefore, it you fix them onto the car, the forks have no give and the weak point in the structure is down near the dropouts.

I imagine a problem may occur if you're driving along at 60 or 70 with a strong crosswind. The whole side of the bike offers itself to the wind and should be pushed slightly, just like a leaf. Now I think that the fork closest to the wind will be stretched...and prolonged stress might damage the fork.

As a material carbon is brittle until laid up in sheets where it gains its strength. Same goes for carbon frames - their quality and strength are determined by how well the layers of carbon have been constructed.

A materials engineer might be better placed to explain!! I know one who specialises in carbon but he is on holiday at the moment.

 

[Proto]

Sorry Will, but that does sound like bollocks to me. I'll keep putting my Look 585 on the roof.

 

[Will1985]

Sit on your handlebars, then lay the bike on its side and stand on the forks...that'll show you how carbon is weak in certain directions