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07/8/2009 at 9:32pm
Location: rugby Outfit: Bailey+Pegasus2B642
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Whilst we were in france this year we tried cycling for the first time in well over 20 years. We enjoyed it so much that we have now got our own bikes.
The thing is we are looking getting a cycle rack to fit our Hyundai Sante Fe.
What type ( tow bar or boot fitting ) would you recommend and why?
Thanks
Les
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07/8/2009 at 10:09pm
Location: Devizes Wiltshire Outfit: MWB2BVW2BCrafter2
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Sorry, I can't recommend cycle racks. Just popping in to advise that there is another alternative, which is folding bikes.
Brompton and Dahon are two reputable makes. 20in-wheel Dahons are probably better suited for camping trips as the roads and tracks are likely to rougher.
You should have sufficient space in your car to fit 2 folding bikes inside. Otherwise I would advise get a roof box for some of your gear to make room for the bikes in the car instead.
I would rather have a folding bike which lives inside my car than to have a bike rack, as I take the bike for a short rides with my dog frequently. It would not be wise to have a bike on a rack on the car all the time. Hence the folder.
DK 
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07/8/2009 at 10:57pm
Location: Burnopfield Gods Country Outfit: Bailey Senator Oklahoma & Disco
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I'd go for roof mounted carriers as they don't distract from your nose weight when towing As the 2 types you have mentioned can catch the front of you caravan in extreme situations (ie turning tight to get onto and off pitches )
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08/8/2009 at 9:28am
Location: Outfit:
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i use a high mount boot rack, which gives plenty of room to turn due to sitting high on the car, i dont like roof mounted ones but thats just me, and i wouldnt use a towball mounted one when towing due to the weight on the towball would be to much.
mike
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08/8/2009 at 2:03pm
Location: Cambridgeshire Outfit: Moslty in a Pennine Pathfinder nowaday
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How many bikes? I'm assuming 2 for now?
My persoanl prejudice with cycle racks is against strap on type rear ones - I just don't trust the straps. i know they are mostly ok, but strap on ones are the only ones where I seen one come loose and bikes and car become seperated.
If you want to go for a boot mounted type then the ones I would recommend are the Thule Clip-on or Clip-on high (One or both of these are cuitable for you car depending on the model year acording to above linked to site). Rather than straps these use a clamp system, with all metal fitmets, which is very secure. I use on on the tailgate of a Mondeo Estate.
If just for 2 bikes, then if it would clear the lights & number plate the Clipon High would be the one i'd go for. Might be more compatible with towing a caravan as wel re turning. It is a wheel support rack as well which IME is much quicker to lad as you don't have the issue of worrying about bike rubbing together, strapping them down you do on the Clip-on - which always takes me too long to load.
The disdavantage of these is that if the rear door is a lift up hatch you can really lift it with bikes attached.
I'm not sure about how tow bar mounted racks would go with towing van, not ever towing. Presumably it impacts on the impacts on the noseweight for the car a rack and a couple of bikes would weigh in the order of 40 KG. And either a bolt on towball or a rack that has adpators for swan neck balls is requied. you probably need to use a hanging rack rather than wheel suppport one for clearance with a towing hitch. I'd start by locking at the Maxxraxxrange.
Otherwise, you are looking at roof mounted carriers - I tend to like these, quick toload , secure, out of the way - imapct on fuel comsumption probably not an issue when youi are towing a van, but loading them onto the roof is more difficult with higher cars of course. The better carriers like the
Atera Giro AF or Thule Pro-ride are worth if for the extra ease of use IMO.
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08/8/2009 at 4:03pm
Location: Charente Outfit: Sterling Eccles Jewel Jeep GC
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We butchered an Aldi special to make it sit on top of the spare wheel, it is secured with straps three straps vertical & two horizontal these are only to secure the carrier not the bikes so that if any strap fails there is back up our vehicle is a Terrano 2
Stew
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08/8/2009 at 8:00pm
Location: Telford Outfit: river 240
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I have just bought a Thule 5403 tow bar mounted carrier with light board. It is sturdy and super quick to load and unload. When out and about I just take the bikes off and then undo the cycle rack from the towbar and put it in the boot...easy, alternatively you can lock it to the towbar.
Like other here, i have had strap type carriers which are OK but, if you want to travel any distance over hilly or potholed roads get one of these, I am very happy with mine. In Halfords for £109!!..a bargain to be honest.
Enjoy the cycling!! :-)
Mark and Jacob
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08/8/2009 at 9:08pm
Location: rugby Outfit: Bailey+Pegasus2B642
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dk we have bought the bikes which are not folding ones, as we didn't think they would be suitable. But thanks for the idea.
reedrider the roof ones are out as it would put a lot of strain on my back as the car is high. Saying that if all was well I think I may have gone for that type.
mikecandsarahb the high mounted ones look to me to be the sort I will most probably go for. I need to have a good look at the price and whether they will actually clear the number plate.
scrumble I like the look of the thule clip on high but they look a bit on the expensive side.
stew
Unfortunately aldi don't have them in at the moment, luckily we don't have the problem with the spare wheel.
Mark and Jacob it doesn't look as though I could tow the van with this one.
Thanks to everyone for their input it has been very helpful. I think we will look seriously at the high
fitting ones to make sure they will clear the number plate.
Les
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09/8/2009 at 10:28pm
Location: rugby Outfit: Bailey+Pegasus2B642
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Just to update I have just won a halfords 2 bike rack on ebay. It is costing me £19.55 and pick it up from solihull which is only half an hour away from me.
Les
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