So I bought a cycle carrier

[Onthedrops]

Bought a Atera Strada 2 towbar mounted cycle carrier for days out with the Mrs. Also got a new towbar fitted to the motor today.
Perfectly set up with good quality gear.................. or so I thought. I'm struggling to get the carrier to lock onto the towball.
Watching the video online and reading the instructions supplied with the carrier it's simply a case of pulling down the back lever until it clicks. The lever on mine pulls down a wee bit but fails to click. I don't want to force the lever down and damage it but it just doesn't seem right. Anyone else had the same problem or do you think I've bought a dodgy carrier? Surely the Thule towball is a standard size????

 

[Broadside]

So, is a 50mm tow ball always a 50mm tow ball? Probably "no" due to use/wear-and-tear and manufacturing tolerances. As you use a tow ball more it will wear away very slightly so the two Thule tow bar carriers I have used have a micro adjustment which you need to set correctly before the main clamp fixes on properly. If you only ever use the tow ball for the cycle carrier then it will probably not need adjusting again, however ambient temperature may make a difference so light adjustments might still be necessary.

Have you got a photo of the clamping mechanism (or have you checked the instructions) so that we can help? I wouldn't trust it if the mechanism fails to fully engage and click. It is probably something simply once you know what to look for.

We have got a detachable tow bar on our car and it took me a while to work out how to fully engage it to the 'click', but once you have worked it out it is really simple. Perhaps the same for your Atera cycle carrier?

 

[Onthedrops]

Thanks for the reply Broadside. Sussex it out!
Found a bit of a nobble on the carrier clamp. A bit of fine adjustment with emery cloth and alls well now. 2 clicks tight and secure.