New car 1Q2026. With a towbar.
what towbar-mounted bike racks do folks recommend?
Any particular features I should consider?
Only need it to carry up to 2 bikes, 1 mostly.
After ditching roof bars in about 2017 I’ve popped bikes in the back on a tarp. increasingly not great for my lower back.
A Thule that you can find cheap on marketplace! I bought mine - a velocompact I think the model was....with a number that I now forget. £100 and it was basically mint. Algorithms clearly think I'd like another one or two and I get fed loads of them so they are clearly out there.
A lever/foot pedal to tilt the rack forward to access the boot seems like an essential component.
But seriously, with nearly new one sitting in people's garages across the UK, I'd not be spending out for new.
This one slides the wheel 'channels' in a bit for storage. Fancier ones seem to fold up more. One of the garage storage fake tow ball things makes storing it easier. Mines screwed to the workshop ceiling.
I have an old Atera Strada that I've modded a bit for extra length straps and removable cross pieces that always got forgotten when loading on the 2nd or third bike.
It's not perfect but it folds up small for storage, doesn't weigh a ton, slides down so you can open the boot and goes on and off nice and quick. Those are the factors that really make you wish you'd a different one if yours doesn't have them.
In the Classic recommend what you have….
thule velospace xt2.
tilts, long wheel channels for long slack bikes. Wide channel spacing so even fatbikes with 197mm axles don’t rub together. Rated load carries 2 Levo’s inc batteries with some capacity spare. Folds flat, isnt too heavy and materials are resisting road crap and winter salt really well…
as above, Facebook marketplace or eBay small items is a good place to look.
Thanks for that. I’ll set an eBay search going.
Same as Big John, happy withy Atera Strada I got second hand and mint condition. Guy said he'd only used it twice and then bought a camper van!
Seems to work fine, is not heavy, and tilts/slides so I can open my van tailgate door.
Thule, Astra, Buzz, they are the main players and all good. In addition to points already mentioned, have a think about the clamp type, geometry and how it might fit to your top tube.
Some of them can be awkward. There is always an option to buy aftermarket Fiamma frame clamps which are easy to secure as they have a ratchet strap that goes right round top tube, rather than clamping jaws.
In a similar vein to Iainc, I carry a variety of velcro straps and short locking straps to cater for longer bikes too long for the standard wheel ratchet on my thule, and to backup top tube clamps for extra fat top tubes (my lads mates turn up with some odd frankenbikes and want lifts)
Interested in some of those curved over the top fiamma clamps, those could be useful
Thule, Astra, Buzz,
Atera, not Astra 🤪. Was too late to edit ..
Interested in some of those curved over the top fiamma clamps, those could be useful
Loads of places sell the Fiamma ones, they are well made and good value
https://www.grasshopperleisure.co.uk/bike-carrier-accessories-133-c.asp
Get a Thule. A mate had one and as per all my other experiences with Thule stuff, it was excellent. Easy to fit, easy to use and packed down small enough so it went into the boot of the car when not being used.
I had one of the aforementioned Atera Strada (a DL3) racks at the same time. Massively heavy in comparison to the Thule, fitting +1 bike required serious bike jenga to the point where I had to take photos every time I successfully loaded more than 1 bike so I could refer back to how to do it and it rusted for fun. Maybe I just got a bad one as I don't think I've ever seen a bad review of them but in my own experience from owning it for 7 or 8 years was that I was more than happy to take a bit of cash for it and get it out of my ownership. One of the most hateful POS I've ever owned.
Think about where you'll be storing it and whether or not you need something that folds into a more compact/easily-stored shape. They can take up an inordinate amount of space otherwise..
I’ve just bought the Thule EPOS 2 - yes it’s expensive but it really does fit on the tow bar in seconds and quick to fit bikes. There’s a good review on the Singletrack site by Mark. Might find one on EBay.
I fancied one of those EPOS racks and when my BMW supplied Uebler one failed a few months ago after 2 years I thought I’d get one. However BMW warrantied the Uebler one with a brand new updated version, plus bonus points as it came without the BMW badging as I now have a Kia 🤪