Thinking of getting a tow bar for the car (Audi a3 sport back), now I already have a Thule 3 bike carrier, but it's going to cost me about £400 for a tow bar, for that same price I can get Audi roof bars and two Thule roof carriers. What d' y think, tow bar or roof carriers???
Bike Forum
Best way to transport bikes...roof or rear carrier
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Posted 3 months ago #
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is that £400 for teh tow bar and the tow bar rack? £400 seems priceyt for just a tow bar to be fitted... is that an audi one? You can buy a none audi one that will fit for £90 odd...
Posted 3 months ago # -
On the roof you can still get in the boot nice and easy, pretty easy to fix each bike on too but.....and its a big butt, you have tons of wind-drag which will make your fuel gauge nosedive.
Towbar mounted you have this less-so, and you can also get into height-restricted carparks...
Posted 3 months ago # -
Inside.
Posted 3 months ago # -
It's at Witter tow bars...can't afford to go to Audi!!!
Posted 3 months ago # -
towbar is better than roof rack
Posted 3 months ago # -
just do some googling you can get one for a quarter of that price. Audi want £560!!!!! megalolz
Posted 3 months ago # -
I've currently got thule roof mounted carriers. If I was picking again I'd get a towbar mounted carrier for the following reasons.
a). It's comforting to be able to see the bikes out the rear window (no sunroof on my car).
b). Easier getting them on and off, My 5' tall partner cannot get the bikes on and off the roof.
c). No worries about height restrictions at car parks, I have had to pull up outside a couple of times remove the bikes then find somewhere to park.
d). Better fuel economy.
e). Looks easier to remove the towbar mounted rack when not in use.EDIT
On the roof you can still get in the boot nice and easy,
I did see one last year that tilted to allow access to the boot, you wouldn't want to be loading/unloading the boot in that position as it was still a little tricky but it solved the occasional 'oh bugger I've forgot to put my backpack in the boot' scenario.
Posted 3 months ago # -
IMHO the heirarchy of bike carrying solutions goes:
1. Towbar mount
2. Roof Mount
3. Boot / hatch rackSo if you can fit a towbar thats the route I would go.
Posted 3 months ago # -
I've had both. I had three Thule roof carriers on (axle mountain and frame mounted) and now I have a Thule tow bar mounted three bike carrier. There are plus's and minus's for both. Firstly the two bar mounted one. Yes you don't have to worry about low bridges etc and most importantly you can still drive through any McDonalds drive through
Fuel ecomony is a bit better, I say a bit as in my car its still affects fuel economy a bit.Roof mounted carriers are quicker to mount, out of the way once mounted so you can easily get in the boot (mine does have a tilt feature to get into the boot but its a ball ache) and lets the car occupy a smaller space when parked.
So, IMO I think the roof mounted carriers are better. Yes the fuel ecomomy takes a dip but more often than not there's a few of you to share that, aside form that I never saw any downsides in the thousands of miles I did with mine*
*regret switching to the tow bar version to be honest
Posted 3 months ago # -
I had a 3 bike towbar rack from Thule that i have just sold, I am going back to roof mount
The reason being that when I had the rack loaded with 3 burly bikes and all of the camping gear in the boot there seemed to be far too much weight over the back wheels and after a few Wales trips I dont think the suspension was lking it.
On a roof mount, the weight is more central so the car looks a lot safer
I have an saloon A4
Posted 3 months ago # -
I always look at bikes wobbling around on the roof of a car and think there's an unnecessary amount of stress going through the wheels - a lot of lateral force. It's probably nothing to worry about but it always looks sketchy.
My bike goes inside. It's safe and warm, and doesn't affect fuel economy.
Posted 3 months ago # -
Steve above you'll still be over loaded, just top heavy instead tail happy.
Tow bar for me now everytime. big difference in fuel comp.
if you think about packing your boot a little, its not a issue. put the stuff you might want in first. then you can reach it with the rear seats down.
Posted 3 months ago # -
is there any substance to the idea of towbar racks leading to very manky bikes and quicker bearing/stanchion wear etc ?
I have 3 roof carriers on permanently and quite like the bikes up there out of the way. The racks on their own reduce economy by about 3 mpg and with bikes on 5-7, depending on speed/route (estate car with roof rails)
Posted 3 months ago # -
I have roofbars and tbh would rather have the towbar mount.
Getting into the back isn't an issue but driving round with the bars on all the time not only reduces the fuel economy - it's noticeable on the performance of the van on the motorway.
Mind you the van is for sale BUT whatever it gets replaced with will have a towbar on it.Posted 3 months ago # -
Two bikes on the roof drops my mpg from 50 to 40, roughly.
Posted 3 months ago # -
Interesting thread and I question I've been wondering about.
To date I always carry the bike(s) inside, takes a little extra time to dismantle them but I would rather that than the bikes get pressure washed by rain and grit. Seems odd to spend £100's if not £1000's on components then do that to them and take a bit in the wallet via increased fuel consumption.
Posted 3 months ago # -
IMHO the heirarchy of bike carrying solutions goes:
1. Towbar mount
2. Roof Mount
3. Boot / hatch rackSo if you can fit a towbar thats the route I would go.
No. 1 is stick em inside....
Posted 3 months ago # -
no, No. 1 is to stick them inside a van
Posted 3 months ago # -
Would love to stick em inside, and if it's just me and the bike it's what I do, but as a family we need the car space.
Posted 3 months ago # -
I have mine on the roof but when i used to carry them on the back i always wondered what would happen if someone crashed into the rear of the car with the bikes on. Will the insurance companies pay for 3 damaged bikes if they cost £6000 for example?
Posted 3 months ago # -
what would happen if you stick the car on it's roof?
Posted 3 months ago # -
My mate had a Nissan Micra fuel miser puddlejumper thing, ten years ago and two bikes on the roof of that, for a 200 mile journey hit the fuel usage for almost a third ! Putting them on the back, with a rack high enough to allow the numberplate to be read and not obscure the lights, only knocked it back about 10%. I'd go for towbar if it were me. But now I put mine in the van, or on the back of it.
Posted 3 months ago # -
Had both roof and towbar; every car I buy gets a towbar put on it. End of.
Posted 3 months ago # -
If you go the tow bar mounted route I've got a Mottez 4 bike tow bar carrier that I've yet to advertise....
Nothing wrong with it, just that I've treated myself to a Thule one...
Drop me an email if you want to know more. alaricdarmon@gmail.com
Posted 3 months ago # -
monkeysfeet
Would love to stick em inside, and if it's just me and the bike it's what I do, but as a family we need the car space.
Bikes in car, wife on roof ?Posted 3 months ago # -
I have a Pendle towbar rack and am fed up with having to move bars and saddles to get bikes in next to one another. Anyone have a solution to that?
Posted 3 months ago # -
Have trouble getting my bike (patriot) on the roof because the down tube clamp can only go above the pivot. Need to wind the forks right down for it to fit. Other bikes simply cannot go on, e.g. whyte, marin, anything with a busy downtube. No problem on the tow bar jobs. Yes I know there are different types of clamps, but downtube is the most common.
Posted 3 months ago # -
If you live in north Bristol, roof is the worst option. It's like driving around with a megaphone shouting "I've got 2 expensive bikes stored in my house, follow me home and nick them at your pleasure!"
Towbar is less obvious, less on display. Mine's on the back on Bongo and folds down to give access to the boot. I can fit 3 bikes inside if necessary.
I also reckon I can secure the bikes more safely to a towball mounted rack than a roof one.
But, I recently had a council dustbin van damage it terminally when taking the corner I was parked on too sharply. that wouldnt have happened to a roof mount
Posted 3 months ago # -
Towbar every day of the week, no downsides as far as I can see unless you need to tow something as well. Our Thule Euroclassic tilts far enough to open any estate or hatchback so would be fine for your Audi. Admittedly it is expensive, but ours was a warranty replacement for one that wasn't welded straight so never sat square on the towball. Immense ease of use and simplicity wins for me, and you can take 4 bikes if you need to.
Posted 3 months ago # -
I would think you get more crash protection from a roof rack....?
Posted 3 months ago # -
I wouldn't put my bike on top or on the back of any vehicle regardless of fuel consumption. If someone crashed into of the car it would be devastating, the driver behind couldn't care less if it's a £40 or £4000 bike.
In the back of a van or ride local only for me.Posted 3 months ago # -
I put mine on the roof and its fine for local journeys, no affect on the economy still getting around 50mpg, but for long motorway trips it knocked about a 1/3 off the MPG at 70-80mph. I also hit a height restriction barrier which cost me a new rim.
I think i'd prefer rear mounted, although mine stay inside 99% of the time now.
Posted 3 months ago # -
I'd go for towbar over roof. Those roof ones always look like the bikes are about to fall off.
In reality I do neither, the seats go down, covered by the tarp that lives in the boot and the bike gets lobbed in the back (figuratively of course).
Posted 3 months ago #
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