After getting rid of my truck I now have a dilema of using the wifes car for bike transport, not good! Just wondering which system is the best for fuel consumption and ease of use, either a roof mount carrier like the proride thule ones or getting a tow bar mount carrier?? Anyone tried both of them and got any ideas, all help appreciated.
Thanks
Rob
I like the tow bar ones as you can hose the bike down whilst on the back of the car - no muddy patio. Also the idea of a 2 grand bike on the roof doesn't inspire me with confidence. Petrol wise the roof carrier is supposed to be heavier on juice.
Had both for years and much prefer the tow bar, both from a practical and economy point of view. The tow bar option has virtually no affect on fuel consumption in my experience, and the bikes are mostly out of harms way (apart from getting rear-ended of course).
tow bar will be better for fuel. Easier and safer IMHO not used roof rack so cant say for certain
tried both. now fully towbar-mount-ist.
roof is good for being able to see your bikes in a car park. Bikes wobble about, and wind resistance is high
Towbar is better for stability, lower wind resistance, easier to put bikes on rack and taking the rack off when you don't need it.
Tow bar-easier to get your bike on/off,
won't dent your roof if you have a mishap whilst loading/unloading,
better fuel economy etc. etc.
I've had both, and always worried I would forget the height...
Tow-bar is best, although on some cars it seems to effect consumption more than others. My 3.0i Omega had no impact on (the lack of) economy nor performance, the petrol Vectra also lost nothing (but the roof bars, without bikes, cost 3mpg). But on my 535i a towbar rack and 2/3 bikes seems to cost upwards of 5mpg...
Have both, roof carrier easier and quicker to secure bike, beware belly prints on door. Tow bar, no worries with height restrictions in car parks.
Another vote for towbar - can't see how one on the roof could be quicker and easier? Maybe depends on the model you have.
Bought a decent Thule rack, and it even tilts (with the bikes on) so I can get into the back of the car.
Currently have roof mounted & four bikes seem perfectly happy on top of car.
But, If I was starting again, I'd proberbly have a serious look into tow bar options.
Chris
Tow bar for me. I had some of those Thule proride efforts and a bike with a square profile downtube was blown off the rack in a strong cross wind. Not good.
Tow bar for me. Though Thule roof mounts are very good aswell.
Got a tow bar one made by atera. really good-can't see myself using anything else now I have tried it. easy to fit, easy to secure bikes, allows access to boot when tilted, no real effect on mpg.
do the tow bar ones lock/secured to the tow mount?
i keep on seeing people faffing with them at car parks, putting them in the boot etc. are they easily stolen?
i think it depends on the model-mine can be locked to the towbar and the bikes can be locked on the rack which gives me peace of mind when I am at service stations etc
edit-no faffing in my opinion. just close the lever and turn the lock and away I go!
Thule ones lock, never had a problem.
Tow bar for me too. I reckon I could get the rack on the car and the bike on the rack in less than 2 minutes if I tried.
Expensive, especially if you've not got a tow bar fitted already, but worth it.
Towball all the way here, better for fuel etc.
Before getting a van I always used to put the rack in the boot when leaving the car in a car park simply because one day someone was bound to clobber it when attempting to park.
Thing that puts me off tow bars is the buying the townar bit!
Thing that puts me off tow bars is the buying the townar bit!
Don't think of it as a towbar, think of it as a reversing aid.
Thing that puts me off tow bars is the buying the townar bit!
odd as this may sound, I believe that having a towbar fitted has saved me money. I used to get a new car every two years but since I had my towbar fitted, I really can't be ar$ed / don't want to lose money on the old one and shell out even more money fitting one to the new one. As a result I've had my current car for over three years and have no plans to sell it just yet
Interesting thread, same dilema here. New car purchase means I'm looking to swap from roof and rear to a tow bar
..can understand all the advantages but I often stick the road bike on the roof to take it to work - I've a fork mounted one - and love the ease and speed.
The tow bar means strapping it on, attaching the lights etc.
In the end I've gone for both - Witter or Pendle tow bar mounted simple straight bars AND two new Thule or Giro roof mounted fork holders.
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