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hi there all you lovely people happy new year

we already have a lot of kit for the tent but im needing some new kit for the car, this year i would like to take the kids bikes away with us just to give them that bit extra to do plus we are staying near the new forest so would like to go bike riding whilst there.

i need to get a cycle carrier i dont want to pay silly amounts of money and we dont have a tow bar fitted but there is such a huge range of products available i wondered if anybody has any recomendations  on cycle carriers.

also should say i cant have the type that go on the roof as i have roof bars and box full of stuff also.

thank you all so much in advance

xxxxxx

My Son works in a cycle shop as a mech/tech, that mostly sells top end road/mtb's, and they have had numerous, bikes in for repair, due to the strap on type bike carriers, comming loose. I would steer well clear of strap on bike racks.

The best solution is a towball mounted bike rack, and if not I would leave the bikes behind, and hire at the destination.

Does your roofbox cover the complete width of your car roof?

If not then it would be easy to put a bike carrier either side of your box.

Nathan

ok i have a renault scenic 54 plate, 1.9 diesel i dont wantt o pay to have a tow bar fitted as im happy with the space i have with my roof box and boot

i want to take 3 bikes, one small bike about 14 - 16 inch and two 24inch

it would be a pointless exercise fitting a roof carrier as it would only take one bike

which is why i wanted a rear mounted cycle carrier, i have never purchased one or even looked at them before  which is why i was asking for recomendations.

i have spent 6 months convincing my husband that we dont need a tow bar  and trailor i dont want to tow anything as i dont feel confident enough driving like that, i had a panic attack at the thought of the roof box flying open whilst driving to cornwall.

tentz you said something about a fiamma type cycle carrier please could you elaborate for me please.

im not a novice camper i am however a novice at cycle carriers

:)

I had a Halfords clamp on one for a while:

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/redirect.asp?redir=http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_251029_langId_-1_categoryId_165515

seemed reasonably secure and probably stronger than a strap on one but I only carried a couple of children's bikes.

I've now got a towbar and a Maxxraxx carrier which is very secure!

the strap on one is exactly what we looked at and i have spoken to a seller who lives no to far away who has told me that it definitely fits but if we take a drive he will fit it to the car so we can see how it works and if its the way we wantt it too.

mind you that thule one does look good, and it clamps for extra security, i dont think it was as expensive as i was dreading.

pwatson...i have seen the maxraxx ones but i dont have a towbar as if we had a tow bar OH would want a trailer but my argument for that is if we get a trailer we may as well get a caravan

thank you all for your advice

hi

something which has not been said,is the problem of covering your rear lights and number plate with this type of rack.it does surprise me the amount of cars driving around with bikes strapped to the back with the lights covered over.

Just a note further to Tentz post re ladies bikes and bike racks. You can buy a ladies/Mountain bike adjustable"adapter" that fits across from the seatpost to handlebar stem. Bought mine from Halfords, but available other places I'm sure.

Have to say that perhaps, just maybe there is a chance that a rethink of the trailer - tow bar idea might be worth the mention.

Modern trailers tow like a dream, OK you have to stick to lower motorway speeds but have you seen the petrol consumption you get when cruising at 55 ! FANTASTIC