If you want fully integrated then fiamma type is the way to go, but you will probably be restricted to the type of van.

Witter do one that folds up, but then you will block the doors from opening.

Taking the towbar racks on and off varies a lot. Some require a lot of force and tools, where others are light and simple.

Small guide might help. Bike rack options[/url]

Here’s a link from singletrack upride[/url]
Not sure if it is available yet. Inno and Yakima do something for the roof too.
Some more manufacturer’s advise against frame clamping, CUBE,Cannondale,BMC and Canyon.
carbon clamping[/url]

If it is a new car then I wouldn’t really recommend a backpack type rack. It is nearly impossible to avoid some paint damage due to rubbing. I have heard of panel denting too.
Lots of cars have rear plastic spoilers at the top, and the main load goes this way. You don’t want flexible plastic here as it will allow for more movement, apart from the damage to the spoiler.
Remember you also need lights for most installations, see the regulations.
regs[/url]

You also need to consider the bike. If it carbon then you should really fix with a tyre grip type.
carbon clamping[/url]
Yakima and Inno do these.

1/ Skoda Yeti’s should meet the spec, nést pas. I don’t think the Kodiaq has been out long enough. If you go diesel I expect there are a lot of bargains out there. Not an issue for resale if you drive them until they drop.

You may be able to pickup a 2nd hand EMU, but I think that it will need reprogramming to your specification of car. Better than retiring if just a box of electronics.
I think there are some companies out there, who can sort it, for not too many pounds.

@hatter
A – the hitch standard is not legal for towing in Europe.

B- There aren’t any pan European rear cycle carrier standards. I made a summary of UK law here.
UK law on rear carriers[/url]
The main difference is the lights. The Germans have some extra rules.
Some US carriers with additional lights are here, and some European ones without lights over there (Thule)

If you want a tyre grip rack, then can I suggest an Auxtail one. It is available over here with ‘No Frame Touch’
No Frame Touch[/url]

Pretty comprehensive set of responses.

When you have decided on the location you have quite a few more decisions to make.

For example, if towbar, which type of towbar and lights etc.

Please see a guide of some of the options.
Bike carrier options[/url]

@krixmeister
The Hitch is a US legal standard.
The European towing regulations do not allow for single retention system to secure towing device, so the US hitch system is not allowed over here.
The towbar manufacturer’s here have each generated a different removable fix system, so there is no compatibility for the bike carriers.

There is no agreed International or European Standards for rear bike racks.
I have collated the UK regulations below.
UK rules[/url]

I will try to locate European rules for a later post.

@margraylish

but some bikes are a royal PITA to fit into the prongs

With tyre grip racks, this problem goes away. All tyres are similar. Also fast to load as ratchets at all fixings.

Auxtail[/url]

Got mine on Ebay for £75 including 7Pin electrical kit. PF Jones = witter
The towbar took 3 hours to fit. You will need a torque wrench, and need to remove the bumper. You can probably find a tutorial online. I made one for a qashqai bumper. Some brands may differ a bit.
I didn’t fit the electrics as this was a universal kit (ie. no plugin connectors). I am too worried about the electrics been damaged. Big Bill!
Vehicle specific electrics will cost about £70-100. Easier to fit than universal type (plugin). If you can manage to arrange the bikes not to obscure the lights then just add a license plate and daylight running could save you a packet.
I guess you can get a secondhand rack on ebay too, but make sure it is compatible with the type of towbar you choose, see a small guide to explain different towbars. All towbars meet the same regulations, so not much to differentiate. Some may rust faster/look nicer.
towbar options[/url]

I wonder if that damage is caused by clamping on the frame? Best remember Carbon bike manufacturer’s recommend not to clamp the frame.
carbon clamping[/url]

Did my first outing on the Longsdale trail last weekend. My 1st trail riding since I was a kid a long time ago. I was thinking of bringing my boys aged 8 and 9 but too steep in places for me and so no chance for them. I would be interested in an easier trail, with less tree stumps.

The towbar bike rack requires quite a lot of thought too.
There are flange, fixed, removable and retractable towbars.
There are 7 pin and 13 pin electrics.
There are platform racks or hanging type.
and you can spend from £300-1000+.
Remember that towbars are regulated items so the one from the dealer may be a bit nicer to look at, but it should perform the same, so some big savings to be made here. I wouldn’t economise on the electrics. At least get Vehicle specific ones, so that it is plugin not cutting the wires.
cycle carriers[/url]

@cokie @pimpmaster jazz
The rise of carbon frames is forecast by technavio
forecast
I note most of the carbon bikes come with warnings about frame clamping.
carbon clamping[/url]

Not sure about colour being important.
If you are set on the roof fix, then 1st decision is Original equipment or other for the cross bars. If there are no rails on the car then I would want to pay for the original genuine accessory roof bars, because they will be well matched to the vehicle body. The steel is pretty thin on most cars and quite easy to dent if the parts are not well matched. If there are roof rails then you can only damage a small replaceable bit so less risky.
Regarding the bike carrier the options are fork, frame or tyre grip style. All have different costs/benefits. Be careful with carbon bikes as frame and fork mount are not recommended by most manufacturers.carbon frame bike racks[/url]
Finally watch out for low bridges

Could try tailfin.cc
Carbon Fibre

Interesting post. Another similar one about a week ago. The only available one exists for an old Thule rack which fits in a Brink detachable.
The different suppliers have different removable receivers.
The hitch system from US offers a universal under bumper fix.
I am talking to some car and towbar manufacturers to come to an agreement. I used to develop towbars for Nissan. Please follow or support.
universal

BikeBiz.com has jobs.
I think there is some money going into cycling, trying to get people out of their cars. Reduce pollution in the cities. Get a healthy lifestyle, etc.

If you want more of a challenge please have a look at my new product. I am no marketeer.
Auxtail

BikeBiz has jobs.
I think there is some money going into cycling, trying to get people out of their cars. Reduce pollution in the cities. Get a healthy lifestyle, etc.

If you want more of a challenge please have a look at my new product. I am no marketeer.
Auxtail

4 bikes is really pushing it on a towball. In fact the germans have rules against that many (TUV). The problem is the ball fatiguing off. If you need to carry that many please take care to add a safety cable into the safety hole of the towbar and through your frames. One death already in the UK from bike falling off. YOU are responsible for a safe load.
Alternatively you could get a flange towbar fixed bike rack.
Flange Towbar Fix[/url]
Also if you clamp on the towball, the paint soon falls off and then it gets rusty, and becomes poor for towing.

4 bikes is really pushing it on a towball. In fact the germans have rules against that many (TUV). The problem is the ball fatiguing off. If you need to carry that many please take care to add a safety cable into the safety hole of the towbar and through your frames. One death already in the UK from bike falling off. YOU are responsible for a safe load.
Alternatively you could get a flange towbar fixed bike rack.
Flange Towbar Fix[/url]
Also if you clamp on the towball, the paint soon falls off and then it is cr@p for towing, as it gets rusty.

4 bikes on a towbar is not so smart. Depending on the towball material and weight of bikes + rack, there is a chance of a durability failure. The towball can crack. The germans have banned putting 4 bikes on a towball.
Please add a cable through the frames back to the towbar safety hole just in case. One death in the UK and there are no design standards here, so this is your responsibility.
No frame clamps to worry about here. Tyre Holder System.

Completely understand the desire for a nice tucked away fitting as US. We are trying to get car manufacturers to see the benefits.
In the meantime, beware of the nose weight of Fiesta towbar as you may approach the limit if the rack is too heavy.
If you want a carbon friendly rack come and look at ours with no frame clamps.
Auxtail

Regarding reverse light, you want a 13 pin TEK. This is also better sealed than 7 pin type. I would recommend vehicle specific electrics rather than the universal type as no need to locate the correct wires or solder or invalidate your warranty.

Hi Daern,
Must say, I hadn’t really considered it.
No reason not too.
I just think the rear is an better place to access, and less fuel burn. A lot of people leave racks on their cars, which still eats fuel. All that good work on reducing carbon footprint is up in smoke.
We are going to be at the Cycle Show. Please drop in at F69
Craig

With the Thule Upride you will need to hold on until you raise the 2nd loop. I hope the arms are held at specific angles to ensure a safe grip for those different wheel sizes.
With the auxtail rack, 18“-29” wheeled bikes are managed, up to 3″width, and 25Kgs. The ratchet arm has a fixed angle and the 3rd point is also fixed, so there is less chance of an incorrect fitting. There is only the need to ratchet down once on the front wheel, so it’s a bit quicker too.
Auxtail rack comes with a 2nd rail and fixes to a flange towbar at the moment. We will be a the cycle show so please visit and try it for yourselves.
Auxtail rack