Cycle rack

[Dishy]

I'm looking to buy a cycle rack for the back of my ford kuga and wondered what people reccomend? I dont want roof bars as I chance my car regularly so looking for something that can be used on more than 1 model of car. Looking to ideally carry 2 bikes

 

[PeteXXX]

Saris Bones.. Job done!

 

[Dishy]

That's what I was looking at, when I look at car type it doesn't recommend mounting on the boot? Is that just a myth?

 

[sheddy]

Some current cars have plastic on the tailgate edge making it tricky to (safely) hook the top straps on.

 

[PeteXXX]

That's what I was looking at, when I look at car type it doesn't recommend mounting on the boot? Is that just a myth?

Not sure about the Kuga, specifically, but they're quite adaptable.

 

[Drago]

Avoid anything that rests on the glass, unless you like buying new glass and retrieving squashed bicycles from the carriageway. Most coppers have been to a few of those.

 

[Dishy]

If that's the case would have to be tow bar mount which I haven't got. Or roof mount but have to buy roof bars! Didnt want to fo this route as had roof bars before but only fit that car so useless when I swapped

 

[Drago]

Does your car have roof rails? Then bars should be easy to swap on to your next car. Buy some of the decent multi fitment ones, not application specific ones.

 

[guitarpete247]

Thule bars are easily sold on via Ebay. You might even keep the bars and just need to swap the fitting kit.

 

[Dishy]

Yes have roof rails but no roof bars, which roof bars do u recommend? Had official ford ones on my focus but they dont fit the kuga so sold them

 

[DCBassman]

There are good aero universals on ebay for around the 40 quid mark. They're sold as general or cut for particular models. Have some holding my Thule roof mount, entirely solid.
Example:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lockable...551537?hash=item3f7e753a71:g:agQAAOSwlY1ZNnsn

 

[graham bowers]

Having had a bike come off a pal's car that had a strap on rack, I'd only ever entertain towbar or roof mounted rack systems.

 

[Pedropete]

In a similar vein to others here, I wouldn't touch a tailgate mounted rack. Even the 'good' ones can be a right pain in the backside and it's too easy to think they're secure when they're not. Getting harder than ever to mount them on modern cars too. Would only consider roof or towbar mounted options, with preference being towbar.

 

[KneesUp]

I had a Saris bones on a hire car once (own car written off, not my fault, couldn't use car for planned trip as it had no tow bar, insurance co. paid for a strap on rack on proviso I sent it to them when I was done) I didn't like it at all. I felt the need to check and tighten the straps every hour or so, and it still felt only semi-attached. In comparison I drove to Bordeaux and back with my own tow bar mounted rack and didn't worry about the bikes at all.

A tow bar needn't be too expensive if you get an indie specialist to fit it - I got mine fitted for £60 by a guy who is a mobile tow bar fitter. You do need to declare it as a 'mod' to the insurance, although it shouldn't affect the cost.

 

[GuyBoden]

I've never used my rack, because I'm not convinced of it's safety, but I did buy two additional car tow straps (Home Bargains), which tie completely around the bike, the rack, the car's boot/hatch and then lock.