My wife is looking to get a lease car through work as our trusty old zafira is becoming less and less trusty at 120k+ miles and 13yo. The latest thing being door locks randomly playing up which has been amusing at times.
For financial reasons she'll looking at something fairly small and cheap on the scheme, I think the last one she mentioned was some hybrid Suzuki, anyway certainly not something two bikes will easily fit inside without risking damage to the interior.
I have asked whether we could get a towbar fitted to use our existing towbar bike rack, but she's not sure with the time any change will make to availability, and I think it looked like an additional £1k. Pretty sure the car will be some sort of a hatch back.
Are there any other bike racks that can reliably not damage the car over time or a long drive on country roads with two bikes on? It's maybe only 6-10 times a year we drive to ride somewhere new or take them when we visit family, but some of those could involve several hours drive.
Hatch back racks that hanging off the back have damaged cars in the past, the current zaffy has a dent from the pressure of the bottom bar (with extra padding) from one camping tour with the bikes hanging on the hatch back rack on and off for a fortnight before we had the towbar rack. Any roof top things will need be to be fairly easy to use as she's only 5'1" and I'll struggle lifting bikes up high due to buggered painful wrists. Tbh I struggle at times getting them on the tow at rack with out swearing, maybe I just need a step stool for her 😂
Any ideas for lease car small car friendly bike transport? Cheers.
Roof rack (assuming you don't have e bikes).
Put a hop up / small step in the boot to assist with loading and use carriers that quickly and easily hold the weight of the bike (we have some Atera ones but there will be equally capable Thule ones).
The bike rack bits will be useful for any future cars.
Check the car is roofrack suitable. Some smaller cars are not.
Was going to suggest a Saris Bones as I've never had any damage from mine, but seems like you're not keen on that type. FWIW Saris doesn't have any pressure from a bottom bar; it's two big rubber feet on the bumper and one on the window.
Seasucker?
+1 for saris bones, I’ve got one and never had any damage, the adjustability on them has fit any car I’ve attached mine to nicely
Cheers. Unfortunately one of the bikes is at times likely to be the ebike (conversion) which is 26kg riding weight, but battery, tools etc could be removed to knock it down a good bit.
The three bike saris bones is rated to 45kg though so may be worth considering depending on the car bumper.
but she’s not sure with the time any change will make to availability, and I think it looked like an additional £1k.
Why not ask the lease co? If ordering from stock, it'll be a longer delivery time. If you're ordering out of the factory I bet it doesn't. Might be worth asking on pistonheads lease thread?
Also, last time I ordered a lease, the cost of extras was simply the cost over the term. So 1k over (say) 36 months is £30 per month. But, tow bars were then considered to be a worthwhile extra. In other words, at the end of the lease, the towbar had some value to the dealer who bought it. So the cost wasn't £30 but somewhat less.
It's worth asking.
Yeh I do want to get a tow bar preferably. Will have a look with my wife to see how much delay/hassle it might cause.
I fitted a tow bar to my lease and removed it prior to hand back
Why don’t you just get a tow bar fitted yourself once you take delivery of the lease car? Would be quicker (half a day job for a fitter) and cheaper (I think my last one cost £450) and most least car companies don’t have an issue with it as long as professionally fitted using OEM loom etc. what I’ve done on my last 3 lease cars, just calling them to check it’s acceptable first. I’ve then either had to pay to get the tow bar removed at the end of the lease or just left it on - lease co happy either way
If an aftermarket tow-bar is something you consider, make sure first that it's not a model that requires a hole to be cut out of the bumper. I suspect a lease company may not be so pleased with that!
Just asked my wife and as far as she can remember the base car she was looking at can't have a towbar (she's needs to log on to her work laptop to look at the scheme), only the more expensive cars available you can have it as an option.
I guess we just need to look further into the details and cars, and either get the saris bones, or a towbar one way or the other.
Ta👍
There's a guy at work has a smallish Suzuki hybrid with a towbar (the one that looks not unlike a mini). Looks a nice car and he uses a small trailer with it for moving mowers and building materials about.
Anyone tried the Thule Outway rear mounted carrier - looks pretty sturdy...