I've alway put bikes in my car, as generally enough room.
However, I'm planning an alps trip later in the summer where there will be 4 people and 2 bikes. My car is a golf MK VI and doesn't provide enough room inside, so the bikes are going to have go outside.
The way I see it there are pros and cons to both boot rack and roof rack, but I can't decide which I should get. I suppose my main 2 concerns are bike safety whilst travelling and effect on fuel consumption. I feel the bikes may be safer on the roof, but this will likely have a much bigger impact on fuel consumption.
Anyone help me deicde? I've been looking at both thule roof and bike racks.
cheers
Do you have a height limit on the ferry?
That cold clinch it for you!
It's easier to get bikes on and off with a boot rack but a major PITA if you want to get something from the boot.
Towbar rack (assuming you have a towbar!) I wouldnt get a roof rack - some carparks have those pesky frames to the entrance and its very easy to forget you got £1000's of bike on the roof!
Tow bar mounted is the way to go
Don't have a towbar and as company car I can't get one fit.
I did wonder about the height resrictions, but I wonder if this was any worse than the increased width your car becomes with bikes on the back?
It is extra cost I believe to take roof mounted bikes on the ferry or eurotunnel.
I'm also in the same situation and have opted for the cheaper bootrack. Means I don't have to buy specific car rails for my car and then seperate bike mounts. And the effect on fuel consumption to the alps will be -10ish mpg less from my experience. Only downside is access to the boot is a pain - so pack so you can reach needed luggage from the drivers/passenger side if poss.
As for security - I put my seat/post and wheels in the car - makes the bike a much less nickable target, but still will use a chain around frames/rack. If you're really security conscious stick some tape over the brand/name etc to hide any obvious 'bling'. IMO if someone was gonna take them then they'll have em - roof mounted or not....so make sure your insured and then forget about it!
I would suggest a boot rack, easier to get bikes on and minimal effect on fuel consumption. Try to find one that doesn't prevent you opening the boot.
Just got a roof rack.
With my old mountain bikes, I was happy to put them on the boot mounted carrier as I wasn't bothered about the bikes getting bashed about. I've used the foam pipe lagging to try and stop them banging together, but it never stops everything. I also noticed that the first time I used it, the rack put 2 small dents in the boot lid and rubbed the paint where the pads moved when the rain got underneath them.
Got the roof bars and carriers to use with mine and the gf's new road bikes. The bikes are kept completely separate and do not touch one another. The only problem I have noticed is the front wheel on my bike wobbles in the carrier. I think it's due to the rim being deep section, but a couple of better straps will sort that out.
If I could have afforded it, I'd have gone for the tow bar route, but that was not within my budget.
If you've not got a tow bar, I'd definitely go roof mounted. There's no guarantee that boot mounted will be better for fuel consumption - I think I read some study that showed that the high mounted boot racks were actually the worst for fuel consumption.
Roof mounted is very convenient. Doesn't block access to the boot, and it's very easy to get the bikes on and off.
If you're going across the channel, Eurotunnel definitely don't penalise you for height - you've just got to tell them when you book and they put you in a tall carriage. I think the ferries may be similar.
If you go rear mounted make sure you can still see the number plates and lights. I've always used a light board. Not really an option for you.
So I think its on the roof for you. Yes it'll hit mpg but I don't see any way rond it
I've just returned my company car for a new one and had £300 worth of paint damage to pay because of the boot rack so I'm going for a roof rack with the new one.
Can't you get a towbar fitted and just remove it before returning the car. They'll never know if you don't need a visible bumper cut. Thats what my Dad did, he was allowed to get one fitted officially when he ordered the car but it would have cost a fortune as it would have been taxable several times over or something, so he just got one fitted once he got the car. If you do need to cut the bumper, ask if its OK as long as you forfeit the towbar when you return it?
Even if you go for boot mounted, you will need to get the electrics side sorted out for the lightboard anyway, if you go for a hi-mount strap on like I had, you still have height restriction issues. I could just scrape under a 2m barrier by holding the handbrake whilst driving under as it made the car squat down about 5cm's. The paint will also suffer, though a bit of T cut will usually sort it out.
I'd get a towbar rack........but then I'm not off to the Alps 😥
When we went to Wales, Ed had a towbar rack and it was really easy to use and looked nice and stable.
Was out looking at cars yesterday and Fords have detachable tow bars - if you had one of those they'd never know!
For every story of someone driving into a car park with bikes on the roof there is a story of someones boot rack falling off on the motorway. Most of them just clip on.
Depending on your car, if its mounted high then 3 bikes on the boot can be over the ferry height restriction anyway. On the other hand if its mounted low then you obscure the number plate and lights. And you won't be able to open the boot.
Tow bar mounted are OK but expensive (esp if no tow bar), it can be a bit of a puzzle to fit the bikes on, and you need to watch out for them rubbing together. And you won't be able to open the boot.
I prefer to live with the extra fuel and go on the roof.
Roof every time for me.
Taking 2 x bikes to Spain/France later this week on Bilbao ferry. When booking, there's an overheight option for roof mounted bikes and the like.
My £0.02
[i]Don't have a towbar and as company car I can't get one fit.[/i]
I've worked for loads of companies and had lots of company cars, never had a problem having a tow bar put on.
Ive been using a Saris Bones RS for the last couple of years. The rack is built like the proverbial, and holds the bikes (up to 3) very securely. Its not the cheapest by a long way but then neither are our bikes!!!!
Not sure if it would fit a Golf MK VI but it fits my old Citroen ZX very nicely and they are a similar shape. Cannot recommend this rack enough 😀
PS, the rack sits on the back of the hatch via rubber coated steel ratchet straps. These lock! A thief would have to make a good effort to get the bikes off. I also use a steel cable.
Is the company problem really with towing rather than the bar itself? A bar fitted with no ball can't tow but can take a rack. Speak to the boss?