3/4 Bike Towbar rack - Yakima, Thule?

Just to say that you are correct to exclude Atera Strada from your list. Too narrow and too short for LLS with Boost.

Beware that at 4bikes, especially if some are ebikes, then your limit may be the weight on the tow ball rather than what the rack will fit.  3 is likely to be ok but i would still check

I just brought a Buzzrack Eazzy 4 this week. I can’t tell you if it’s good yet but I can tell you it is very well reviewed and people who own them seem to like them. I got mine with 5% off (£332) by going via https://www.roofbox.co.uk/ukc b">this referral link.

I considered the BuzzRack Eazzy, but those pillars to support the bikes seem like they will just clash in all the wrong places. I've used racks with clamping arms before and I like the flexibility

I've got a Yakima just click 3 with the +1

For:

Spacing is boost friendly

It's a doddle to fit to the back of the car (For flange type towbars you'll need a longer necked ball)

Comfortably accommodates longer bikes.

For 2 adult + 2 child bikes it works really well.

Against:

The 3rd position is raised which can make it tricky loading a third full size bike

The anchor points for the wheel straps on the 3rd position are fixed, although you can get longer straps to address this issue.

The wheel supports get gritty underneath really quick, takes more effort sliding them in/out and sounds awful (tbh rinsing out every few wet uses would probably solve this)

I'm not sure I'd buy the same rack again, but I'm happy enough with it for now.

I've got a Yakima just click 3 with the optional 4 bike extender. The build quality is very good and the attachment mechanism is a wonder after years of over tightening Atera racks. It is at the limit with my 1310mm wheelbase bike and boost is tight but doable. I do put some pipe insulation round potential bike contact points when carrying multiple boost bikes. The one thing I don't like is the clamp style vs Altera. Far prefer the style the loops right round frames rather than an open clamp design due to all the weird and wonderful tube profiles you get nowadays.

dmorts
Full Member
I considered the BuzzRack Eazzy, but those pillars to support the bikes seem like they will just clash in all the wrong places. I’ve used racks with clamping arms before and I like the flexibility

I’ve been thinking the opposite. Pillars means no bike Tetris nonsense. Which is bad enough with 2 or 3 bikes, never mind 4

I’ve been thinking the opposite. Pillars means no bike Tetris nonsense. Which is bad enough with 2 or 3 bikes, never mind 4

Yes, could be that too!

Yakima just click 3 with the +1

......(For flange type towbars you’ll need a longer necked ball)

I see this now and you do need a fair bit of space between the bumper and towbar. I have a Westfalia detachable swan neck towball (on a VW Touran).

If you want an Atera Strada DL3, I've got one sitting in the garage I'm going to be advertising in the next few days...

Far prefer the style the loops right round frames rather than an open clamp design due to all the weird and wonderful tube profiles you get nowadays.

+1

And definitely go for a racks aimed at eMTB's - carrying more weight so it'll be a stronger build plus look for 2.6 tyre 29ers, >1300mm wheelbases and a wide enough 'gap' between the bikes.

I use a Yakima Justclick and it has been faultless. Re the open clamps, i bought a couple of Fiamma closed strap arms and clamps and use them as a secondary clamp on the top tubes - they fit onto the standard tubing of the Yakima and provide extra stability and security - very useful addition IMO

Do you have a link to the extra arms you use @iainc

^^^ sure, these ones

https://www.agentfiamma.co.uk/fiamma-bike-block-pro.html

Thanks

And definitely go for a racks aimed at eMTB’s – carrying more weight so it’ll be a stronger build plus look for 2.6 tyre 29ers, >1300mm wheelbases and a wide enough ‘gap’ between the bikes

I'd been using my Dad's Thule EuroWay 921. The wheelbase limit on that is apparently 1250mm and my full sus doesn't fit on it. This rules the Yakima JustClick out as it's 1250mm too. Shame because I have Yakima High Road roof carrier and the quality is really good

Those Fiamma bike blocks just gave me a lightbulb moment. Could you use them to lie a bike flat on the rear luggage rack of an MX5?

What an intriguing possibility.

dmorts

I’d been using my Dad’s Thule EuroWay 921. The wheelbase limit on that is apparently 1250mm and my full sus doesn’t fit on it. This rules the Yakima JustClick out as it’s 1250mm too

My 1324 Wheelbase Geometron G1 is perfectly happy on my Yakima Justclick.

As is my 1310mm wheelbase bike. At its limit a bit, but 1250mm isn't the limit fir a Justclick in practice.

Thanks ^

I've been in touch with the Roof Box Company and they've highlighted another issue. As the car is a VW Touran and has a vertical boot lid I might not be able to open the boot because most racks won't tilt enough

I think they might be being over-cautious, e.g. this is the Easyfold

Not quite the same, but no issues with a Passat estate for me, loads of clearance

Volvo xc60 and no issues with clearance. Bit worried about our new EV as the tow bar attachment is behind the number plate.

Daft question before i get a towbar fitted next week - do the racks come with number plates or do you have to order these seperately?

Order separately. Good chance wherever you’re getting the towbar can do one for you. Failing that a quick google will show you there’s one nearby or you can order from the likes of Fancy Plates

Thule XT and Atera Strada are the best options for using a tailgate if you have a big one

I have an Atera Strada on a E class. Sold when I picked up a transporter. Will be getting another Atera Strada when the towbar is fitted, I have a tailgate

Currently looking for a tow bar bike rack to fit a longish bike. I need a platform type as my new bike didn't fit the dangly one. 2 or 3 bikes as I've only got 1 mate.

If anyone is selling one between Sheffield and Newcastle let me know.

I'm struggling to find a tow bar bike rack at the moment that folds up and is wide enough to fit XL 29ers with 2.6 inch tyres.

Everything I've tried so far is just unsafe. Currently using a Thule non folding rack but struggling to store it in the van when not in use.

Any suggestions? Thanks

@damascus The Thule Easyfold XT 2 or 3?

I think most options are here https://www.roofbox.co.uk/bike-carriers/bike-carriers-racks-range-towbar-mounting.php
Select the "Racks for e-Bikes" filter

If you're going to buy from them search for the 5% discount

benp1
Full Member
Thule XT and Atera Strada are the best options for using a tailgate if you have a big one

I have an Atera Strada on a E class. Sold when I picked up a transporter. Will be getting another Atera Strada when the towbar is fitted, I have a tailgate

Not the DL3 though, nice rack but rubbish if you've got more than one boost bike on it

Atera Strada is a nice rack if you have a big one? Noted.

Looks like my top tier choices are

Thule Easyfold XT3
Thule Velospace XT3

I don't see anything from Atera that matches these? (At least 3 bikes without extra attachments, long wheelbase 1300mm, plenty of space between the bikes and can take heavy bikes if needed)

If I was going for the Velospace and could find the space to store it, then Buzz Rack E-Hornet 3 becomes a better value option too.

I've got a velospace 3, it's a beautifully made bit of kit but it's an absolute pain in arris to load 3 full sus 29ers. Technically you can, I've had 2 large stumpjumpers and an XL megatower on there but I absolutely don't want to do it again in a hurry. The worst part is trying to fit the bars through the bikes to clamp the frames, it's so frustrating and difficult.
It's better with kids bikes but still fiddly as hell.

I also use an old Pendle rack I bought for buttons on ebay, it's WAY easier to load bikes onto. It looks a bit 'simple' compared to the Thule but its so much easier to use.

I've wondered about the practicalities of mounting Thule 591 racks on a Thule easybase. By moving the clamping to the bottom hinge style you eliminate the need to thread bars through complicated frames.

What good is a rack that only takes 3/4 of a bike?

IGMC

@thenorthwind

In all seriousness there is this one

https://www.yakima.eu/forkchop

https://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4_tab.php/car-specific-accessories/yakima_forkchop_8002117/Qx%40w%2C6M42VAwp3%40Rb%7B~cC4ure_CRNj56n1o%60

I have one and it lives in the car (roof bars are almost always on the car too). It's been very useful and used a lot more than I expected. Our car was damaged in an accident last year and while it was being repaired this was one of two racks I bought so we could put bikes on our other car