This a good Cycle Carrier?

[RabbitFood]

i will be traverling from Essex to the lake District in a few weeks time and dont want to miss the oppertunity of getting out on my bike.

So here goes, I have never had a Cycle Carrier or even used one so I was looking at this one http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...uctId_250983_langId_-1_categoryId_165477#dtab

I have a Foucs Estate and my bike is a Allez 09, is this a good carrier and all round good product, I dont want to spend loads as I only be useing a few times a year.

Thanks

 

[bonj2]

It's not brilliant, no. My mate had one and it bent. it's also a faff getting the bikes on to it, they have to be juggled around so they'll fit together, and they rub against each other.
Whether it'll do the job you want it to do - which is to transport bikes for a cheap price, is another question - to which the answer is probably 'yes', but that's not what you asked. You asked whether it's *good*, to which the answer is *no*.

You get what you pay for, certainly not least with bike racks.

 

[RabbitFood]

thanks for the advice I think its best i go out and test a few out myself, the problem is Halfords staff!!!

 

[Speck]

I bought one of these for my Mondeo, been all around UK and France etc with 2 bikes on:

http://www.roof-rack-supplies.co.uk/bike-carrier-easy-grip-s2.htm

http://www.montblanc.se/attachment/EasyGrip_applications_0611.pdf

Solid mounting, high level above No platers and lights etc.

 

[Wigsie]

So here goes, I have never had a Cycle Carrier or even used one so I was looking at this one http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...uctId_250983_langId_-1_categoryId_165477#dtab

It's always a worry when they advertise a 2 bike carrier and the picture of the product has 3 bikes on it! don't you just love Halfrauds!

My vote would be to get roof bars and stick your Allez up there away from close passing traffic!

 

[monstadog]

I had one, and it was awful. Horrible job to get on the car and never felt secure when on. Its the only thing I've ever seen get a 2 in a Cycling Plus test as well!!!! I gave mine to my father in law

I then bought a Saris Bones 3 which is absolutely the dogs bollox, takes seconds to fit , is lockable and is rock solid on the car. Cost £140 but well worth the money. For a one off trip can you not take the wheels off and stow it in the back of the car?

 

[Wigsie]

I am looking to buy one, so if you do get one for this trip and you won't use it again, I shall give you 65% what you paid for it.

 

[numbnuts]

If you have a tow ball this one is excellent it just clips on and is very strong

 

[RabbitFood]

I cant really put it in the boot, im going with the missis and 3 kids for a week so boot will be full

and not got a tow bar

 

[wafflycat]

Go to www.roofbox.co.uk - that company knows its stuff

 

[oldgreyandslow]

I have this one

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_251011_langId_-1_categoryId_165477

However I only wanted it for short trips, my wife won't ride on the road so we have to load two bikes on this and head for the trees! But on my car the hatch doesn't close properly with the rack fitted, the side clips are a little too thick to enable the hatch to fully shut, with all the remaining straps tied on tight it's OK but the hatch rattles and bumps a bit. Overall it's OK but I do wish I'd spent a bit more and got something a little more secure.

 

[spiro]

If you are not going to use the rack very often for a bike how about an inflatable roof rack? That way you can use it for anything.

http://www.handirackuk.com/?gclid=CLD79uWV5JsCFU0A4wod4SDztg

 

[dellzeqq]

we've got a similar rack, and it takes three bikes. It's a bit of a fiddle to fit, and it moves a tad, but it's never let us down. There are two problems

- the bike triangle should be fitted over two rearward projecting arms - but small adult biks and kids bikes are too small to go round the two arms.
- the bikes are off centre, and very close to overlapping the line of the edge of the car - not good when going down narrow roads with thick hedges to the side.

 

[spiro]

we've got a similar rack, and it takes three bikes. It's a bit of a fiddle to fit, and it moves a tad, but it's never let us down. There are two problems

- the bike triangle should be fitted over two rearward projecting arms - but small adult biks and kids bikes are too small to go round the two arms.
- the bikes are off centre, and very close to overlapping the line of the edge of the car - not good when going down narrow roads with thick hedges to the side.

To get around the problem of the bars going through the frame Halfords sell a bar that clips onto the seat post and just under the handle bars to provide an alternative hanging point.

 

[mr_cellophane]

It's always a worry when they advertise a 2 bike carrier and the picture of the product has 3 bikes on it! don't you just love Halfrauds!

My vote would be to get roof bars and stick your Allez up there away from close passing traffic!

Well it does say

Image for illustration purposes only. Bike carrier holds 2 bikes

Then you have to add another £20 for the lighting/number plate board plus the cost of making the plate. The Halfords 3 bike one works out much cheaper.