I’m going down the towbar route for carrying bikes. I have just got a bike having not had a mtb for ten years. The kids both have bikes (29” and 24”), which is why I now have one 😁
I never did like the roof mounted option back in the day so a towbar setup is my only (and preferred) option.
Please tell me I won’t regret it. It’s going to cost a chunk of money to get a towbar and a carrier.
I am going to keep an eye out for something popping up secondhand but if I but the bullet on a new one I have my eye on the Buzzracks through roof box website. More specifically the E-scorpion 3 and the E-hornet 3. From what I can gather the scorpion is £30 extra but does fold for storage.
I know there’s a few posts regarding these racks so I guess I’m just asking if anybody has any long term use experience and if they’ve been a good buy? Is the folding rack worth the extra few quid - I am assuming so?
Any other carriers to consider? I want to carry 3 bikes (no E bikes)
before I throw money at a towbar, please feel feee to tell me how much better your lives are with a tow ball carrier …. 😁
Been using an e-hornet for 3 years
It does exactly what it's supposed to do, which is securely carry my bikes. It's easy to fit and remove. I can easily access the boot with it. It's needed zero maintenance.
I have one of the previous generation Buzz Racks that doesn't tilt. There's not really much to say about it other than it quietly gets on with it's job.
My only grumble/observation is that there is a very definite knack to fitting them and you must not ignore the proper alignment of the wedge things in the witches hat bit. If they are not in the proper position the rack will not tighten properly and rotate side to side and score the tow ball.
It's not much of a problem but every once in a while you'll find yourself making several attempts of lifting and lowering the rack onto the ball before it all clunks/slides into the right position and your blood pressure reduces to normal levels.
Also check your tow ball load restrictions. 3 bikes + tilting rack is quite a lot of weight.
Thanks. Max Towball weight according to the manual is 100kg (Volvo v60) but Google / AI is saying max 75kg for a cycle carrier. I can’t see that in the manual. Either way three bikes + carrier won’t be an issue .
That’s a benefit to the non folding rack I guess in that it is a couple of KG less to have on the car.
Thanks. Max Towball weight according to the manual is 100kg (Volvo v60) but Google / AI is saying max 75kg for a cycle carrier. I can’t see that in the manual. Either way three bikes + carrier won’t be an issue .
Google/AI is only guessing based on other data it can see on the Internet so I'd trust the manual first. The lower limit for a lot of cars comes from the fact the weight acts further back so I've always preferred to be a bit under. Our last two VAG cars have been more prescriptive than the Ford we had in between so it does seem to vary.
And to reassure you on the pending expense... I have both carrying options and 9/10 times the tow bar rack would be my favoured solution. I only use the roof bars if we need boot access for the dog or mid journey as I wanted to save weight on a non-tilting rack to give enough margin/weight for an occasional fourth bike.
I went down the towbar and rack route just earlier this year. Wish I’d done it sooner as it is much easier than roof racks or loading bikes into the car.
I got a Thule EPOS 2. Works very well. Tilting is very handy for getting into the boot. The carrier’s arms and straps make fastening bikes in very easy. It folds for fairly easy installation and storage. Only complaints are that the rack itself weighs about 20kg and that the 47kg lever push needed to lock it into place needs a strong arm.
Just ordered an e scorpion to replace my aging Aiston bike rack, I dread to think how old that is.
I had the scorpion 2 bike rack. Solid bit of kit.
Roof box company are opening a shop in Farnworth, Bolton so if you're local it could be worth a visit to see the racks in person.
ROOFBOX.CO.UK Get a Buzzrack! They're great, definitely get one that folds up for storage. I got the Scorpion Lite 2 foldy up one and added a couple of brackets on the garage wall and it hangs up out of the way beautifully securely when it's not being used. Very easy to install and load, a real game changer after messing around with tailgate racks for 20+ years. Solid when it's on the car, takes my eBike and my son's bike no bother at all. You don't need to have a tiny orange Panda as a bike car but obviously it helps 🙂
Just chuck them in the back of your van. You have got a van, right? 😀
I've got a buzz-rack scorpion 3.
After years of having roof carriers I swapped to tow bar mounted December last year.
It's great, can pop it on/off in a couple of minutes, folds so I can get I'm the boot and also folds up when stored in the garage.
Also takes long bikes - my 29'er Enduro and Daughter's DH bike.
Wish I'd done it sooner!
Going to get the towbar fitting booked in. Need the dedicated electrics but still have some concerns that I’m going to have trouble. Not sure why. Probably just over thinking it.
buzzrack scorpion looks to be top of the list then 👌🏻
Buzzrack E-Hornet 3 here. It's been brilliant for carrying bikes, but I have one complaint - It's F-ing heavy when I have to carry it from the shed at the end of the garden. Not so heavy that I'd drop nearly a grand on a Thule though.
My only grumble/observation is that there is a very definite knack to fitting them and you must not ignore the proper alignment of the wedge things in the witches hat bit. If they are not in the proper position the rack will not tighten properly and rotate side to side and score the tow ball.
Yep, it's the same with my ancient buzz rack. It works very well but you need to make sure it's fully seated on the tow ball before you tighten it.
I have a buzzrack and it's great, if heavy but that doesn't matter.
My only current headache is that I want to swap cars soon and so it adds on £7/800 to the cost to get another towbar fitted. Not the end of the world, and I don't plan to swap cars often.
Mine has been great. Carries 4 bikes no bother.
I had the issue with it not tightening but that was user error cause be me lifting it up rather than letting it flop down. So to speak.
I store mine on my garage wall so no need to fold it away.
Mine has started to to go rusty, which I guess is due to the salt on the roads over winter and me not cleaning it properly. It not a major issue.
Thanks all. Towbar fitting booked. Buzzrack scorpion 3 ordered. Expensive day!
I already knew about the 5% from an older thread @flyingpotatoes but thanks anyway 👍🏻
Just to bring this to a close - tow bar was fitted today. Put the Buzzrack on and loaded all 3 bikes just to get a feel for the frame holder arm positions. Probably take it out tomorrow morning with just my bike on so that’ll be the first time driving with it on.
very impressed with the Buzzrack. Seems like a really well made bit of kit.
Thanks for the responses.
