You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Looking to fit a detachable tow bar to the Golf and had a look at what carriers/racks are around and it's a minefield ....
Thule is the default make I guess but look very pricey, which models or other makes come recommended or ones to avoid?
Cheers
Thule are pricy, but VERY good.
I bought mine used about 5 years ago.... still works perfectly... .I'd imagine it's 8-9 years old and has hundreds of journeys on it now.... I rekon it's cost me about 50p a trip.... that's assuming i binned it... i rekon i could sell it for most of the £100 i paid.
Maybe I should also consider 2nd hand as well then.
Does yours tilt and any idea of model number?
Cheers
Atera Strada are also good - just go to roofbox.co.uk for choices
Ok thanks, any particular one you can recommend?
sorry G-R i couldn't say fella.... no idea... I'll google later though. It does tilt yes.
Have had an atera strada for years. Got the 3 bike model with the additional mount so it'll take 4. it's very good and we've been all over europe with it laden. Only quibble I have is that perhaps the spacing between bikes could be better. Moderm boost bikes have very wide forks and rear dropouts.
If you get any rack like this make sure you double up on security as they're all very vulnerable (as i found out). My latest attempt to make it more secure is to fit a 2.5m 13-pin extension lead between the rack and the car. This is also threaded through the frames as kind of security lead. On VW cars this will be monitored by the car's alarm & any attempt to disconnect will sound the alarm. Generally this only works with factory fit tow bars, but i reckon its codeable with VCDS/VAG-COM if you use the OEM equivalent westfalia electrics (certainly was on our yeti).
Whatever that is...
That's a good tip hot.
I have the Thule 9503 its a good rack, but has some niggles, if you have a long-ish wheel base enduro bike with wide tyres its annoying as the rack isnt quite wide enough, this teamed up with the wheel holders that dont take .
Upon recommendations from this forum my buddy picked up a Buzzrack buzzwing and it works really well and overcomes the issues I have had with my Thule 9503.
Buzzrack Buzzwing comes in 2,3 or 4 bike options. Although I dont think you'd get 4 full sized enduro bikes on the 4 bike version from seeing it.
Only thing I'm here to add is that it's worth bearing dropout spacing in mind. if you've got boost, or might go that way, you might find that the bikes are spaced too close together
The tilt function on that 9503 is utter shite, never really used it much tbh, but if you want tilt, I'd go for the more expensive one. Legend is spot on, the biggest issue now is is trying to keep maxles away from rear axle area, it's a right pita on some carriers.
Maybe 9503 is a no go then as want it to be easy enough to use.
Just 142 spacing 29er and 27.5 at the mo.
I have a Westfalia bc70 with a 3rd bike attachment (childs bike only) and its a superb bit of kit, on the car its rock solid and folds up to fit in the boot when not in use.
Ridiculously expensive but works really well. Folds small to go in a boot, or shed.
Arena strada evo here, so far so good
Thule velo compact great bit of kit , even fits in the boot when not in use 🙂
That XT one is lovely but jeez yes ....spendy.. I might have to save up a bit more. Depends how much the tow bar cost as to how much left in the budget.
Thanks for feedback, keep them coming.
Buzzrack Scorpion is worth a look. I've been very happy with mine over the last year.
Folds away (though not as small as that Thule), very solidly built, will take 3" tyres as standard and copes with 1200+ wheelbase.
If you want more space for boost axles I think some ebike racks will accommodate.
Another +1 to being aware if you have boost. I've only got one bike with boost but it does make it a bit tricky fitting 2 other bikes on a velocompact. They do go, but it requires some bits of foam to prevent frames rubbing together
I used to use pipe lagging etc to keep frames apart, but in winter, on a rack at the rear of the car, it gets jet washed by shit, grit ends up everywhere and the bits between the foam end up scratched to **** anyway.
One option is to buy a 3 bike rack, and take the middle one off, or just never use it. If 3 of you do go in one car, a bike can always go inside.
Had a thought.....Ebay have got 10%off at Halfords for a couple of days. Not looked to see if I can do click & collect but if I can then should be able to use the BC card as well as it's a 'cycling related'?
One brand I rarely see mentioned is Bosal. I bought a Traveller II as I realised it would spend more time in the garage than on my car or van and so wanted something that folded up quickly, neatly and took up little space.
http://www.bosal.com/en/bosal-traveller-ii
The only issue I've had with it is that the wheel straps are a bit short for Plus/Fat tyres so I've opted to use additional straps when required.
Easy to use the tilt function on the Bosal?
Now thinking the Buzz racks are more my budget.....and seem to be 'future proof' ?
Easy to use the tilt function on the Bosal?
She manages...