Copyright © Dennis Publishing Limited 2020. A vertical arm clamps to your frame to keep the bike upright – it uses a ratcheting mechanism for easy single-handed operation, and a torque limiter ensures there’s no danger of over-tightening and damaging delicate carbon frames. It tilts to allow access to the boot, although the mechanism isn’t as slick as it is on some of the more costly rivals. Swapping the aeroplane for the car, it also makes for easier transportation of your pride and joy. Fitting the test rack and bikes was certainly quick, but they did wobble worryingly while in motion, although they didn’t actually shift or clash, even on rough roads. Best roof-mounted racks, Pros: Unlike most platform models, some hang-on types allow you to tow a trailer or caravan as well • Bikes easy to mount, even heavier ones • Often has integrated number plate and lighting board similar to platform models, Cons: As with platform models, can be expensive • Can be hard to fit small bikes or those without a horizontal top tube. ‘Strap-on racks used to be thought of as “universal fitting”, but nowadays have very specific vehicle application lists due to the design of modern car tailgates; in any event the risk of car damage is relatively high, most offer little in the way of theft deterrence, and they usually require a lighting board. $279.00 279.00 0 AUD. The rack features a sturdy profile to cater for the extra weight and has been extended widht wise by 25cm catering for longer bikes. The final factor was maker’s and online prices. This nicely engineered rack comes ready assembled, and it slots firmly on to your towball straight away. Almost every bike needs to be carried on a car at some point, whether the riders are roadies, tourers, mountain bikers or active families. The rack itself has six straps, rubber feet and broad spacing on the aluminium frame to keep bikes separate but also your number plate visible too. A tilt option allows the tailgate to still be opened, but because this can only be used when the rack is unloaded, it’s largely pointless. There are various accessories, too. Thule also provides a lock for the bikes to ramp up security while the micro-clip buckle ensures it’s easy to remove your bikes when needed. The maximum load weight is only 40kg but that’s still plenty for ferrying three road bikes around while the included orange strap provides a much needed hi-vis strip to keep the bikes visible to road users behind you. The wheels slot neatly into a single tray and are secured by adjustable straps, each of which has an integrated keyed lock to deter opportunist thieves. A staycation at home or a quick hop on a ferry can take you somewhere offering the perfect replacement for your usual summer cycling holiday. Roof bars are easy to fit yourself, and can be bought for under £100. Price: £474.95 (third bike adapter extra £75)Max load: 60kg (plus 6kg for optional third rail)Rating: 5/5. But, if you want to bring heavier bikes such as e-bikes, we recommend a Thule towbar bike rack. Each bike can be fixed securely to the rack with both adult and childrens bikes able to fit the mounting. A great alternative to a trailer, takes a maximum load of 75kg (tow bar nose weight dependent). The best compact and lightweight bike carrier for everyday use (for 3 bikes). The eBike Store in Durham also have a range of electric bike carriers on display in our showroom so if you're local call in and take a look. With so many different options on the market, picking the bike carrier to best suit your needs can be tricky. We spoke to the specialists at The Roofbox Company (roofbox.co.uk), to ask for some expert pointers... ‘Deciding what type of bike carrier to buy depends on how many bikes you want to carry, what they weigh, how tall you are, and what type of car you have. Trade; Contact; Approved Service Centres; Knowledge Hub; 0; Witter Towbars; Bike Racks; Caravan Movers; Electrical Kits; Roof Bars; GPS Car Trackers; Accessories. It’s a substantial rack, whose 80kg capacity is enough for three heavy e-bikes. ‘Tow-bar mounted carriers are becoming increasingly popular, because they are so quick and easy to fit and load. Best tow bar mounted bike rack? It can take fat-tyred and e-bikes up to 30kg. You can find a wide selection that are able to carry several bikes from two to towbar mounted car racks for 4 bikes. The Xpress Pro 970 is a simple towbar mounted solution that has capacity for two bikes of most frame sizes with a maximum load capacity of 30kg. Our last test winner is back with an improved towball fixing. It arrives ready assembled, folds for compact storage and is easy to fit, with only one lever to secure it to the towball. Cyclist Tours can help. While quite basic, offering no integrated locks, it does the job keeping up to three bikes securely fastened to the rear of your car thanks to adjustable rubber slots that keep your stead still while also offering ample protection. Assembly took us 30 minutes of fiddling, but it’s easy to use, with a foot-operated tilt and a handbrake lever-style towball clamp. All rights reserved. Best bike racks for mountain bikes . Pros: Generally the cheapest and simplest option • No special fittings required on car • Can be removed easily when not needed • Easy to mount and remove bikes, Cons: May not be compatible with some boot/tailgate designs • Can be hard to fit small bikes or those without a horizontal top tube • Pads and retention clips can damage your car's paintwork • Usually prevents access to boot • Separate number plate and lighting board may be required. Thule is a behemoth in the world of car bike racks and this entry-level solution is proof of why it is such a popular brand. The EuroPower is only available as a 2 bike rack and cannot be extended at a later date. Lockable ratchet straps keep the cycles safe, although we found these were slightly fiddly to use. A towbar mounted cycle carrier is one of the best ways to tow e-bikes, as the towbars are mounted at a practical height and will take the weight of two to three electric bikes on the carrier. The EuroRide is quite expensive at £340 but is equally light, practical and stable. We’ve rounded up some of our favourite options currently on the market, looking at the different styles – from roof racks to towbar carriers – and weighing up their pros and cons. This stylish, well-made rack has a keen price, which earns it the runner-up spot. Once it’s mounted on the car, bike wheels are strapped and the frames attach to arched supports. It is a sturdy, high capability rack for an active family because it can withstand up to five bikes with a maximum weight capacity of 175 pounds. While the titular tilt mechanism tips the bikes far enough for easy boot access, and its compact shape means it can be stored in the boot when not in use. The Thule attaches to the towbar via this locking handle. Whatever you choose, you’ll get a secure, sturdy and stylish rack, packed with smart features such as lock systems, wheel holders and fast-click connections. High-end hatch-mounted rack. The ratchet-strap system holds cycles securely, and a built-in cable lock should deter thieves. Most electric bike racks can carry 2-3 bikes with an average weight of 20kg each. Thule has also built in a considerable amount of tilt to the rack so you can access the boot without removing the rack while its positioning on the car also negates the need for an additional registration number. >>> MBR Trail Bike of the Year 2020. Each rack has the option of two different mountings tow bar mountings, so whichever vehicle or tow bar you have, we have the rack for you. Discussion in 'Land Rover Discovery' started by R222RWD, May 15, 2017. The rack is good value, but bear in mind that you will also need to budget for a light board and locks to stay legal and secure. They were recently awarded 'Best tow bar mounted bike racks' from Auto Express. Buy the Thule 598 ProRide rack from Wiggle for £103. This works with the efficiency you’d expect from Thule. Likes Received: 15 Location: Tywyn, Wales. In summary, choose between a cheaper hang on style rack (Best Buy = BUZZ RACK Buffalo) or a more expensive wheel support rack (Best Buys = Atera STRADA DL3 at the top end, BUZZ RACK Eazzy in the mid-market). And lifting a heavy cycle on to a roof-mounted carrier can be tough now that hefty e-bikes are normal rather than a novelty, especially on tall SUVs. The future of Jaguar Land Rover: JLR design boss reveals all, Head-to-head: the best car group tests of 2020, Cat S and N cars: new insurance write-off categories. If you need only a basic carrier to transport conventionally shaped bikes, then the Exodus is simple to use and does a pretty solid job. Unfortunately, due to the rack relying on straps attached to the car's boot, you cannot open the tailgate while the rack is in use, something that is certainly worth noting. Sort by Featured Best selling Alphabetically, A-Z Alphabetically, Z-A Price, low to high Price, high to low Date, old to new Date, new to old +Compatible with most cars+Tried-and-tested … A solid and quality cycle carrier will prevent too much rattling and annoying noise from occurring. Thule is a behemoth in the world of car bike racks and this entry-level solution is proof of why it is such a popular brand. The best bike car racks for mountain bikes will depend largely on what fits your car but here are some features to look out for and reviews of our favourites. The Genio Pro has a 30kg-per-bike capacity, and it easily adapted to our pair. This also means it can be quickly and easily swapped between vehicles, and can even be used on some cars that won’t take roof bars. This classically simple, British-made six-strap car … If your car doesn’t already have a tow ball, installation is straightforward but can be pricey (Halfords offers a fitting service from £350 – see halfordsautocentres.com). This is known as the flangeball mounting carrier. This is great if you have to park in a standard space and don’t want the car to poke out. Points were given for easy storage when not needed, and for extra features such as security locks and a tilt mechanism to allow boot access. Thule HangOn 3. The VeloCompact 925 is no exception. Gerry McGovern’s new role is helping to define JLR brands, not just the look, while encouraging designers to think big and dream... Every month we perform a series of car group tests - these were the best ones of 2020. But the benefits make it worth considering if you’re driving to a lot of cycling events. $749.00 749.00 0 AUD. Depending on what car you have, there are up to 3 types you can choose from, tow bar mounted, roof bar mounted and rear door mounted. When not in use the support arms fold flat to make it easy to store, although it’s heavy to carry. Basic and easy-to-use bike rack (for 3 bikes). Some cars might have all 3 options available, but unfortunately there are some that aren’t suitable for any. As your family grows, you might need a larger bike rack to fit everyones wheels on for that road trip. One of the cheapest towbar bike racks that’s designed … Bike rack accessories It can also take a 45kg load meaning it’ll take pretty much any road or mountain bike, too. Of course, a strap is still required to hold both front and rear wheels in place. Thule ProRide 598: Best single bike carrier for a single bike. Everything about the VeloSpace is big – including the price. I should know because I’ve used this very rack myself to ferry bikes to both Paris-Roubaix and the French Alps. MaxxRaxx Cycle Carriers are available in two mounting styles; The first has a mounting plate which is bolted behind the towball on a flangeball towbar. Ideal if the space on your roof is already taken up with bikes/kayaks etc. ‘Lifting any weight of bike onto a car roof could be out of the question if you’re of average height and driving a big SUV or 4x4. It’s expensive for a two-bike rack, but the Auxtail is suitable for delicate carbon-fibre cycles because it doesn’t clamp anywhere on the machine’s frame. I have a Discovery 2 and I'm looking for a towbar mounted bike rack (Thule most likely) just wondered whether anybody uses one and which they'd recommend? That large and adjustable half-round ‘catcher’s mitt’ securely cradles the front wheel by the tyre alone and so minimises the chance of scratching your expensive rims. https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/accessories-tyres/64845/bike-racks-tested 12 months interest free credit available. Gone is the need for a bike box, all you need now is a simple bike rack for your car. Functional bike rack fulfilling all basic needs. Halfords’ Exodus 4 is a nice surprise. The rubber coated holders not only keep the bike in place but protect your frame from dinks and dents while a pair of reflecting caps will help keep the rack seen by traffic from the rear. Thanks to the height the bikes are mounted at, Gran Fondo should offer better fuel economy than roof-mounted racks, while rear visibility is less compromised and rear parking sensors are still operational – all of which is smart thinking in our book. 01244 284 555. Streetwize 3 Bicycle Carrier Towball Fitting. New Cat S and Cat N insurance write-off classifications have replaced the old Cat C and Cat D groups; we explain all. ‘Tow bar carriers can take two to four bikes, depending on the model, but check the maximum weight your tow ball can carry.’, Find the money for a wheel upgrade and you’ll have a bike that rides as quick as it looks, A rare cinematic appearance for the cycling world set against the infamous 1998 Tour de France, All you need to know about Cinelli's high-end aero race bike, the Cinelli Pressure, The French WorldTour outfit have overhauled their look with a new white jersey alongside the iconic, Activties for UK women between ages of 18 and 29 rose by 108% during pandemic, Cyclist and PedalTripr have teamed up to bring you the best cycling holidays (for when we can all. Atera’s brand-new Genio Pro has a party trick: the sides swivel upwards so it can be loaded into your boot when you are out for a ride. Carry bikes on a towbar with the right bicycle carrier for your needs - towbar cycle carriers which mount directly onto the towball are suitable for carrying bikes on swan neck towbars or on fixed towballs, but cannot be used whilst towing. A great, well thought-through rack. If the idea of attaching your bike using suction cups sounds a bit scary, you’ll appreciate the reassuring Power Band indicator that lets you know when they are securely attached. With current travel restrictions and limitations around flying expected to last through the summer and beyond, the chances of being able to jet off for your usual cycling holiday to the Alps or Mallorca may be looking slim. Our bikes stayed in place during the test but had to be strapped together, so we’d have been nervous with expensive or delicate machines. Carry 2-3 bikes with an average weight of 20kg each a slick that! In a standard space and don ’ t suitable for any sturdy, stable and carries well... 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