Bikes on car options??

[400bhp]

We've currently got a tow bar carrier, which is my OH's preference. TBH I've never fitted it, it seems a bit of a faff but is by far the easiest to get the bikes onto when it's fitted.

Prior to that we had a roof mounted carrier, but I found it almost impossible to lift bikes up there and have dropped a bike on more than one occasion trying (once on my head, ouch!)

When I was a single woman with only one child to worry about I had a rear mounted carrier, which seemed like the simplest solution, but I still found it quite difficult to lift the bikes up.

If you use a trailer you could fit a roof bar carrier onto the top of it.

This is pretty much the way we are going. Previously bikes on roof, but in future will be on a rear tow bar carrier.

The other consideration we accounted for was that the bikes can be forgotten when on the roof, as I have discovered twice.

 

[XRHYSX]

This is pretty much the way we are going. Previously bikes on roof, but in future will be on a rear tow bar carrier.

The other consideration we accounted for was that the bikes can be forgotten when on the roof, as I have discovered twice.

This is the very reason I don't like them, The wife on the other hand wont drive with the bikes hanging off the car it all, only just got her to drive it with a roof box fitted

 

[Sara_H]

This is pretty much the way we are going. Previously bikes on roof, but in future will be on a rear tow bar carrier.

The other consideration we accounted for was that the bikes can be forgotten when on the roof, as I have discovered twice.

Yes, we have a broken bike on our conscience that was driven into an anti-campervan barrier.

 

[XRHYSX]

Yes, we have a broken bike on our conscience that was driven into an anti-campervan barrier.

I once saw a car drive in to one with four bikes on the roof took the whole lot off damaged the roof and then dumped everything in the middle of a busy car park(sorry couldn't help it) the passengers all men started shouting at each other before dismantling the expensive looking bikes and squeezing everything in to the boot, and promptly left

 

[Sara_H]

I once saw a car drive in to one with four bikes on the roof took the whole lot off damaged the roof and then dumped everything in the middle of a busy car park(sorry couldn't help it) the passengers all men started shouting at each other before dismantling the expensive looking bikes and squeezing everything in to the boot, and promptly left

We were carrying the bike as a favour for a friend! I'd completely forgotten it was up there. Friend was very cross, but it turned out the bike was undamaged, unlike our car roof which had about £800 worth of damage. I don't carry bikes for friends as a favour any more!

 

[XRHYSX]

We were carrying the bike as a favour for a friend! I'd completely forgotten it was up there. Friend was very cross, but it turned out the bike was undamaged, unlike our car roof which had about £800 worth of damage. I don't carry bikes for friends as a favour any more!

an expensive lesson! that's what I think will happen to me so just wont do it, I'm a lorry driver so used to height restrictions but in the car with the wife talking and kids fighting in the back, I might just forget

 

[fossyant]

Been carrying bikes on my roof now for about 25 years. Dont like the off the back carriers because if an idiot doesnt stop in time it damages not just the car but all the bikes. We have 4 full size bikes on the roof with the Halfords Pro carriers, which are Thule 531s without the badge. The upside is Halfords often have them on offer.

Down side could be the height of the Zafira

 

[hobbitonabike]

So basically I'll be ok as long as I don't drive into any barriers lol. Have to say that I am very concerned about getting bikes into a Zafira when I am only 5ft 1 lol. Shoukd be entertaining for anyone watching lol. Will we better with all four on the top do you think? Or two on top and two on the back?

 

[fossyant]

My rack takes two of us to lift on the car as it is heave. I then put the bikes on. I still need to stand on the door sill to secure the middle bikes, and thats on a normal car. You might need a step.

 

[Licramite]

I have a roof mounted bike rack, - only used it a couple of times - do you have to take the bikes off if going on the ferry to france ?
being a short arse I carry a folding step to get at the bikes on the roof rack - got a Kia cead - (about to become worthless if kim nutty song has his way)

 

[hobbitonabike]

Step??? I may need a full set of ladders lol!!!

 

[XRHYSX]

Step??? I may need a full set of ladders lol!!!

sorry

 

[hobbitonabike]

sorry

Lol...its funny cos it's true!!!

 

[XRHYSX]

We have a roof box on trailer lol. We have a boxer dog whose crate takes up most of the boot so we need a trailer and roof box. Am seriously considering trading in for a transit van then we can take kids, dog, camping stuff, bikes and kayaks with us lol lol

could you not put the roof box on the car and the bikes on the trailer? would bring the height issues down a bit!

 

[hobbitonabike]

could you not put the roof box on the car and the bikes on the trailer? would bring the height issues down a bit!

It would when we were camping..not taking trailer when we're not though