- This topic has 40 replies, 29 voices, and was last updated 1 year ago by DickBarton.
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Towbar mounted 3 bike rack that isn’t crap
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reeksyFull Member
Considering getting rid of the 4×4 and replacing with an suv. Probably an X1. Ideally I’d have liked a hitch mounted vertical rack but can see that they’re too heavy for the towball download rating* once bikes are added.
So, what 3 bike racks are out there which are relatively light, tilt away to allow boot access but also won’t lead to scratched up bikes?
*X1 is 80kg, but I’ve been advised to consider 60-70% max due to lever force
DickBartonFull MemberAtera do some decent racks. I was looking at a new rack 2 years ago and couldn’t find anything with wide spacing on the Thule range other than a 2-bike-only ebike rack (that was incredibly heavy on it’s own). I ended up with an Atera rack – not the Strada, but an e-bike friendly 2+1 carrier. The ebike friendly meant there was more space between the bikes so boost frames/forks also had plenty space. I tend to carry 2 bikes and a 3rd occasionally so this seems to work for me, but the 3rd bike carrier isn’t as well spaced as the main frame mounts are, so a bit of padding is needed when 3 bikes are on.
Other than that, afraid I can’t really help, but I suspect most rack manufacturers now have more space between the carriers so the choice is likely to be much bigger.
failedengineerFull MemberI wouldn’t call the Halfords one I’ve got as ‘crap’. I’m sure much more expensive ones are available.
Garry_LagerFull MemberBuzzrack 4 will carry three bikes with zero scratching (4 bikes needs some padding between 2 of them), well designed fits with no tools and tilts easily, and are well priced. Buuuuut I think it would be too heavy for your vehicle – it’s quite substantial. They have a lot of variations though so worth looking at their stuff.
Is 80kg typical for SUV tow bar noseweight? Sounds like nowt – thought my car was 140kg but should maybe check that…
mashrFull MemberSounds like nowt – thought my car was 140kg but should maybe check that…
A4 estate 80kg
Older Mondeo estate 90kg140kg sounds very handy!
FWIW, I’ve got an Atera Strada DL3. It’s crap for modern bikes, particularly with boost spacing
ads678Full MemberI’ve got an Atera Strada and its great, nice and light and tilts well out of the way of Merc Vito boot.
AlexFull MemberAtera here. Solid attachment to tow-bar, decent arms and clamps. well sealed electrics and secure at motorway speeds. But I can only really get two MTBs on there as the gap between rails is too narrow. Prob be okay with road bikes although as arms all come from the back (ie nearest the car) there is some faffing required.
Tilt is great. Works fine even with bikes on.
SuiFree Memberif you’ve got the tow ball with the horizontal lugs, you can put more weight on (fix4bike) – there’s no clamping mechanism, though i think you are very limited to the racks.
Anyway, i borrowed a Thule XT foldable job (3x), very good rack!
superfliFree MemberI have an Atera E-Bike XL as well. Loads of spacing between bikes and plenty wide enough for all the bikes I have put on it. I dont have e-bikes, but bought the biggest/most spacious one I could after owning a Thule std bike rack which was a PITA with padding needed. The Atera holds the bikes far better than my old Thule as well. It clamps the wheels with a ramp/wedge and wheels are solid on there. As mentioned, the 3rd bike addition is not as well spaced, but its not too much bother and not used often.
5labFull Memberif you’ve got the tow ball with the horizontal lugs, you can put more weight on (fix4bike) – there’s no clamping mechanism, though i think you are very limited to the racks.
most of the limitations appear to be based on the vehicle rather than the ball itself (which is why every car has a different load rating). I can’t see the attachment mechanism (which does look neat on that fix4bike thing) will make any difference to that
phil5556Full MemberI had a Thule Velospace XT for my last van, if I needed another towbar rack I wouldn’t hesitate to get the same again.
Mine was a 2 bike one and had plenty of space been for fat bikes.
BillOddieFull MemberThule Velospace XT 3 bike here too.
Very solid, very secure, not light. Would buy again.
Fat-boy-fatFull MemberYakima just click 3 here. Significantly better than previous Altera Strada racks but also more expensive.
binmanFull MemberAtera owner, unreliable electrics are infuriating!
Looks interesting!
DaveyBoyWonderFree MemberGot a Strada DL3. Weighs as much as the moon and its an infuriating game of jenga whenever you want to load more than 1 bike. A hateful thing… For sale if anyone wants one…
reeksyFull MemberThanks for all the suggestions.
Seems all of these weigh about 20kg, which is about what my preferred vertical rack weighs, and that has the advantage of being very quick to load.Three bikes and the rack comes to ~65kg and the recommended 60% of 80kg is 48kg 🤯
5labFull MemberWhat are you concerned about being an issue if you put more load on the rack? I’m pretty certain no damage will occur, and any affect on the handling is noticeable but no where near dangerous imo
SuiFree Member5lab
Free Member
if you’ve got the tow ball with the horizontal lugs, you can put more weight on (fix4bike) – there’s no clamping mechanism, though i think you are very limited to the racks.most of the limitations appear to be based on the vehicle rather than the ball itself (which is why every car has a different load rating). I can’t see the attachment mechanism (which does look neat on that fix4bike thing) will make any difference to that
Ordinarily I’d agree with that, but my ovlov manual states different and from reading some blurb it’s because it can’t rock sideways.
reeksyFull MemberIt’s also specified where I live as a legal requirement that you do not exceed the towing/tow ball limits. So I’m concerned about those kind of implications.
matt_outandaboutFull MemberOrdinarily I’d agree with that, but my ovlov manual states different
Our Galaxy 2.0tdci had 75kg limit, V70 D3 had 80kg limit, the Leon 75kg.
All took a four bike Thule clamp on rack, all swan neck bar, many thousands of miles over the last 9 years with upto 4 bikes on. From motorway to west coast Scotland skinny.
I can notice the weight in handling – but I would not say on any of them that I felt it was unsafe. That includes a few emergency moves.Agreed there are limits which you should stick within, which manufacturer states. But upto that limit IMO is fine.
rickmeisterFull MemberVelospace XT here and very happy. All year user and its holding up well to winter roads.
Got some small metal kitchen fittings from IKEA and extended the tilt in under 2 mins. This now gives access into the back of the Caddy using the tailgate which now clears the 780mm handlebars on the bike.
Simples.
igmFull MemberThat vertical mount style rack looks really good, especially in a four rider family, but I can find one with the right fitting for a current UK standard tow ball.
As bikes go wider and heavier, tilting the rack back to load it then straightening the rack sounds sensible and wider bike separation looks possible. Also keeps the weight closer to the car.
5labFull MemberIt’s also specified where I live as a legal requirement that you do not exceed the towing/tow ball limits. So I’m concerned about those kind of implications.
right but those limits are the full 80kg, so you’re not breaking the nose limit rules?
some cars have different limits for using a cycle carrier (skoda I think?) – if the car you’ve got doesn’t, I can’t see that the manufacturers care that much,.
tur80Free MemberThule Velospace.
Thule are the No 1 rack brand throughout Europe for a reason – they are the bestreeksyFull Memberright but those limits are the full 80kg, so you’re not breaking the nose limit rules?
I suppose a crash scene investigator might calculate the downforce incorporating the overhang leverage? But given the horizontal systems look to stick out further anyway I might just get the vertical rack.
thisisnotaspoonFree MemberIt’s also specified where I live as a legal requirement that you do not exceed the towing/tow ball limits. So I’m concerned about those kind of implications.
It’s definitely sensible to keep well within the nose weight as it’s quite a significant cantilever compared to a trailer, especially on cars that already have long overhangs. But if there’s no stated limit then I wouldn’t lose sleep over whether you’re arbitrarily at 60% or 70%.
Is 80kg typical for SUV tow bar noseweight? Sounds like nowt – thought my car was 140kg but should maybe check that…
50kg used to be the default, but cars have gotten bigger.
It’s the lowest of the car, towbar/ball components or trailer (bike rack) components (the chassis and coupling might have different weights on them).
E.g. a fairly typical car and trailer might be something like:
Car – 75kg
Towbar – 150kg
Towball – 100kg
Trailer chassis – 100kg
Trailer Hitch – 150kgSo the answer in that case is 75kg.
kelvinFull MemberBuzzrack here. It is “substantial”… I can’t fit it myself without a helper or two.
matt_outandaboutFull MemberI suppose a crash scene investigator might calculate the downforce incorporating the overhang leverage? But given the horizontal systems look to stick out further anyway I might just get the vertical rack.
I assume you’ve calculated the significant extra windage of the upright rack levering on the towball….
I really do think you’re over thinking this and self imposing restrictions to justify that vertical rack.
reeksyFull MemberI really do think you’re over thinking this and self imposing restrictions to justify that vertical rack.
No, that’s absolutely not the case. And not just because the vertical rack doesn’t use a towball 😉
The reason i was looking into it was because of the following from the Shingleback website:The total weight of the rack and load must not exceed 60% of your down load rating for your vehicle. Refer to your vehicle manual supplement to understand your maximum down load rating.
I came here thinking I might track down an alternative rack that mounts transversely but weighs less than the 21kg of the vertical rack. It looks from here and my searching that anything that’s worth using is going to weight about that much. Also, given the vertical rack ‘may’ have less overhang it could be a better option anyway.
ratadogFull MemberCurrently got an Atera but it does date from some time ago. It is fairly light and has worked on long journeys and short.
Although I am sure that other vendors are available, the roof box company at https://www.roofbox.co.uk/bike-carriers/ has numerous options and good advice. Last two times I bought bike racks I agonised over the options and prices and then went with their recommended option at a price I was prepared to pay and I haven’t been disappointed.
Cue lots of people who haven’t had the same experience.
robertajobbFull MemberAnother vote here for the Thule Velospace XT, 3 Bike rack.
I’m using it on a Kuga that has a 100kg rating.
Used it up to Northern Scotland with 3 bikes (not E bikes) a few weeks ago. Rock steady,
It itself isn’t light. But that’s what makes it robust ! Infinitely better than the previous (mich less spendy) Thule ride-on.
And the simple pedal to get it to tilt is great- we travel with a big hound in the back of the car, and being able to get to him and get him in and out easily is a godsend compared to what we had before.nedrapierFull MemberAnother Velospace XT here.
Don’t know if I’ve got a wrong-un, but the spacing isn’t very spacey. Quite a bit of rub between my Boost and my wife’s non boost hardtail. First thing we did with it was to drive 2000 miles on a big trip round scotland, so we weren’t really in a position to return it.
Anyone found similar?
iaincFull Member+1 on the Yakima Justclick. I have the 2 bike version with 3rd bike extender. I previously had Thule Velospace and Atera Strada and the Yakima is miles better – takes big ebikes, very easy on off, good clamping system for odd shaped frame tubes, and quite compact when off the car. Expensive though.
matt_outandaboutFull MemberI came here thinking I might track down an alternative rack that mounts transversely but weighs less than the 21kg
You’re right to look at weight. It’s about the only criticism of my Thule – and I’ve never seen a lighter rack really. Apart from the £1k Thule Platform rack that’s mainly alloy.
mashrFull MemberCue lots of people who haven’t had the same experience.
From memory I’m sure past threads are pretty much universally full of praise. They were absolutely amazing at helping me out with an issue that wasn’t even under warranty. I’m not even considering going elsewhere when buying another rack in the next year
reeksyFull MemberWell I seem to have solved the problem by discovering the diesel Alfa Stelvio is preferable to the bimmer and has plenty of capacity.
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