tow ball mounted bike rack?

[Sunbeam]

Hi,

I'm looking for a tow ball mounted twin bike rack, but here's the catch, I want one that has wheel clamps as it's only clamping!

I was looking at the Thule racks, but it occurred to me that clamping a jaw onto a carbon tube is not the best Idea. I know you can get a tow ball wheel clamp rack in the US as I've seen them on youtube, a Saris Superclamp

Does anybody know of such a rack to buy here in the UK?

Thanks.

 

[Debade]

Saris Freedom. (I am fairly sure it is the Freedom but double check). I use it for my carbon. But, I also bought it because it works on my touring bike with fenders.

Make sure it will fit your car. I had to return another brand when the peddles did not clear the bumper. But that depends on rack and car so each case is different.

 

[robgul]

The Thule racks that hold the bike standing on its wheels exert almost nil clamp pressure on the tube tube (the weight is on the wheels that are strapped to the runners, the tube clamp is just keeping it upright)

My Thule towbar rack has top tube clamps but I keep a short length of large bore thick pipe lagging to fit round the tube before closing the clamp ... the jaws bite into the pipe lagging and apply only a small amount of pressure to the tube. My bikes are all steel or titanium but I would have no qualms about loading a carbon bike if I had one.

If you were really worried I would think you could dispense with the clamp and lean the frame (held by the wheels on the runners) back against the rack's frame that the clamps attach to . . . and use some padding and a strap of some sort.

Rob

 

[Oldfentiger]

The Thule racks that hold the bike standing on its wheels exert almost nil clamp pressure on the tube tube (the weight is on the wheels that are strapped to the runners, the tube clamp is just keeping it upright)

My Thule towbar rack has top tube clamps but I keep a short length of large bore thick pipe lagging to fit round the tube before closing the clamp ... the jaws bite into the pipe lagging and apply only a small amount of pressure to the tube. My bikes are all steel or titanium but I would have no qualms about loading a carbon bike if I had one.

If you were really worried I would think you could dispense with the clamp and lean the frame (held by the wheels on the runners) back against the rack's frame that the clamps attach to . . . and use some padding and a strap of some sort.

Rob

+2

I have a towball rack which clamps the top tube, as well as straps to hold the wheels in their radiused receptacles.
I've transported my carbon bike many times, using the top tube clamp only as a support (i.e. not done up tight.)

 

[Turdus philomelos]

We invested in the Thule towbar bike carrier. Though expensive the bikes sit directly behind the car so in theory this should save with the fuel economy compared to roof or rear racks that stick out from the cars profile.
The other bonuses, bikes can be loaded in a under three minutes, can be stored in the back of our Honda Jazz with the seats folded up and most importantly, very little strain on the back.
We went for the model that allows you to gain access to the boot even with the bikes loaded.

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

Which ever tow-ball mount model you go for, you'll need a lighting bar/registration plate
I've seen drivers with no lighting, having just gone for a ball. & no 12N socket
(that's not forgetting that a 'swan-neck' ball can't have a mounting bracket, it has to be a 'clamp-on')

Also, I used to tie-wrap a couple of old hi-viz vests to the wheels, as extra eyecatchers

 

[Oldfentiger]

My rack has integral lighting and registration plate mounting, although I had to convert it to 13 pin euro plug.
I think most racks have this now.

 

[Sunbeam]

Thank you guys for all your replies.

My car is perfectly set-up for the ball mount type, I tow a trailer all the time for my job, so number plates and lights are the norm for me :-)
Looks like it's back to plan 'A', Thule and foam ring for the top tube.

Once again, thank you :-)

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

Not all thule racks have clamps, mine is a weird support thing with luggage straps.

Simple and effective, its a 9403 or 9503 something like that

 

[oldwheels]

I just got a "Wizard TL" German made with integral lights and adaptor for the UK electrics. Seems ok so far. I also have another rack which depends on hanging the bikes by the crossbar but find that a couple of my bikes do not fit this arrangement so it has to go.

 

[Banjo]

My tow ball mounted thule has rubber straps that hold the top tube. No danger to tube at all.Cant remember the model number, sorry.

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

Many years ago, I had this, on my Chevette
No idea what make after so long?
I can only tell you the year, as it was an 1989 Pine Mountain, & I px-ed it part way through 1990, for a Pace Research RC100




Later on, a metal working friend made me another, that we had on several cars in sucession - again long gone

 

[Flick of the Elbow]

Many years ago, I had this, on my Chevette
No idea what make after so long?
I can only tell you the year, as it was an 1989 Pine Mountain, & I px-ed it part way through 1990, for a Pace Research RC100

View attachment 345532


Later on, a metal working friend made me another, that we had on several cars in sucession - again long gone

Back in the days when mountain bikes still looked like bikes. And I love the two tone Chevette

 

[Sunbeam]

I bought a Thule 925, it came today.
I've fitted to my car and test fitted my bike to it, it's perfect.
I've just got to get a foam ring now to protect the frame.
Thanks Guys :-)