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we're thinking of getting a bicycle carrier for the car, just for the kids bikes.

Is there anything I need to know about them? I dont have a clue!

are they universal or do you have to get a specific one for your car like roof bars? we've got a saloon car so can you even get one to fit??

Many thanks

gosh it all sounds a bit much just to be able to take the kids bikes.

I think I've changed my mind, we dont have a tow bar and I dont intend to get one. Taking all your comments onboard I think we'll leave it for now.

Many thanks for all your replies, I really appreciate it

Lisa + Lee, you said that you already have a roof box. Is it a full width box or a half width box?

My roof box is the half width size, (looks like a coffin, LOL!) and it is possible to get 2 bikes in cycle carriers either side of the roof box, or 2 bikes on one side & the box on the other.  You have to "top & tail" the bikes to get them on, one forwards & the other backwards, but it is possible. As previously stated, they are quite stable & secure on top of the car.

My boys loved having their bikes on the campsite last year, being able to cycle off round the site with their mates.  We take the bikes out on cycle trails near to where we live as well.

Definately stay clear of the type that "hang" on the back of the car.  Lost my sisters bike on the M25 in the fast lane quite a few years ago. Miracle that no one was injured. Would never have one of them again.

Might be worth a visit to Halfords, or if you have a large cycle shop near to you, to get some advice.

I can only talk from personal experience about the rear mounted carriers, but I'm sure that other people love them & have had no problems with them at all.

Shame that you have got a full width roof box, as that could have been a solution for you. 

The sort that I have got are Thule carriers. I got them from Halfords about 2 years ago.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10151&productId=250961&categoryId=38300#

They are similar to these ones, but mine have a lock at the point where they are connected to the bike frame. I'm not sure that these ones do.

There are different ones, & it depends on how much you want to spend & how much use they will get.  For my vauxhall I could have got ones that load them onto the top of the car, instead of me hoisting them up, but they were expensive & not worth it for the use I would have got out of them.

I bought my cycle carrier from Motor World for £30 and its universal and was surprisingly easy to fit - I found it harder to fit to my Laguna than my estate but its just practice in putting them on and off.

As Teloz says you need to make sure that they are fitted tight (webbing straps) and checked regularly - I check mine each time we stop its usually after you have put the weight of the ikes on that they need slight adjustment - if your bikes hang over your lights and VRN plate then you will need to buy a lighting board and reg plate.

I use mine as a luggage rack when I go camping if we dont take the bikes so it has 2 uses - as for fitting your car - mine had a list of cars and the position that the rack has to be fitted to which was very handy as I would have not had a clue!!

Good Luck