In need of a bike rack for the car, latest model VW Polo 5 door, no roof rail fixing points. Official VW kit with a couple of bike carriers was scandalous and the Thule kit comes in at best part of £300.

With that in mind, looking for a rear mounted rack for 2 or 3 bikes. Under £100 but as decent quality as possible.

Seen this on Merlin, any thoughts?

Hollywood 3

Any recommendations much appreciated

I had a Hollywood rack, similar but not the same as that.

Quality was good, but I just didn’t get on with the strap to the back of the car style. If you have a plastic bumper I’d reconsider.

I’d also re-consider the approach of going cheap (under £100). I carried > £5k worth of bikes on mine and felt very nervous for most of the trips but nothings ever fell off.

I currently have a Seasucker and am much more confident with it.

I like the Saris Bones models – I think they’re really easy to fit and store.

the bones 2 and bones 3 both fit your polo

Go outdoors have the grey saris bones 3 for £99.99 at the moment
Saris Bones 3, usually around £110. The bones 2 is around £90

Thule. Keep an eye on ebay and you’ll get the feet & rails quite cheap, worst case is you’ll have to buy the appropriate adaptor new.

Thule stuff works, and lasts forever.

I’ve got a Saris Bones Rs 3 you can have for £80.
Its a couple of years old but in perfect working order.
Collection from Croydon. It’s this one.
Whichever rack you buy, I’d recommend heli-taping the boot lid on all points where the hooks go.

With a rack that hangs bikes low over the lights you’ll need a lightboard, and connections, so pricey. I got a Mont Blanc high level rack from Argos that avoids this, but as above was afraid of ‘plopped on’ racks, so added a 5m ratchet strap around the whole lot ,bikes and all, tethered round my roof rails. You could achieve the same through the car doors.

Didn’t consider the prospect of marking the paint/bumpers which wouldn’t be ideal given that the car is on contract hire.

Looks like I’ll be keeping an eye on ebay for the moment – the full pack brand new (excluding bike holder,) is £147 on there so hopefully should get second hand comfortably under £100.

Is the standard bike carrier any good or is the pro the one to go for?