Your car as transport

[Joey Shabadoo]

What's the best way of moving bikes by car? Roof racks seem to vary in type - some of them leave the wheels on the bike, others have the front wheel off and the forks fitted to the rack. Then there are the contraptions that strap on to the tailgate - all bits of tube and straps flapping around. There's the towbar mount but is that a pain to take off? My car, a Touran has space to put the bike in the back, either laid flat or there's a bar you can buy to fix the forks to.

What are folk's experiences of moving bikes by car?

 

[Heltor Chasca]

Tow bar option is the best for outside options in my experience. Had a bike clipped by a close pass once and of course you need to lock the things.

Now I have a a couple of locking skewers on a rack inside my pick up which I made myself. https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Delta-Bike-Hitch-Pro-In-Car-Rack_46651.htm?sku=122187&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=google_shopping&mkwid=sjlJhcitN_dt|pcrid|43133749973|product|122187|&pgrid=12317363333&ptaid=aud-68421196613la-80805064493&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsLT4yo_E3AIV7bXtCh13FgciEAQYASABEgIIkPD_BwE

You can buy a complete adjustable internal rack for a car. Front wheel off and away you go. Seconds. Good fuel economy too.

 

[Andy_R]

2 on the roof, 2 in the boot (with the rear seats down) and 3 on a towbar mounted carrier.

 

[Spiderweb]

In my new car I can get one inside laid flat. My previous car I used Thule 591 roof carriers, they were excellent.

 

[youngoldbloke]

"....... or there's a bar you can buy to fix the forks to."
This is what I use in my Peugeot 5008

Bolted to a longish piece of 3x1 timber. Other versions available suitable for through axles, and more expensive bar systems with multiple fork clamps for 2 or 3 bikes (the locking provision seems fairly pointless, as you could remove the bike by undoing the knurled nut on the left )

 

[Heltor Chasca]

"....... or there's a bar you can buy to fix the forks to."
This is what I use in my Peugeot 5008

View attachment 421550
Bolted to a longish piece of 3x1 timber. Other versions available suitable for through axles, and more expensive bar systems with multiple fork clamps for 2 or 3 bikes (the locking provision seems fairly pointless, as you could remove the bike by undoing the knurled nut on the left )

And in case it happens to you (like it did to me): if the padlock ever jams, just unscrew the other end

 

[Crackle]

"....... or there's a bar you can buy to fix the forks to."
This is what I use in my Peugeot 5008

View attachment 421550
Bolted to a longish piece of 3x1 timber. Other versions available suitable for through axles, and more expensive bar systems with multiple fork clamps for 2 or 3 bikes (the locking provision seems fairly pointless, as you could remove the bike by undoing the knurled nut on the left )

I've got a 5008 but I just put them in sans front wheel with wheels in between, leaning slightly and the seatbelt around the saddles to stop them falling over.

 

[alicat]

I put my bikes in the car with the back seat folded down. Much the quickest and most secure option imho.

 

[Drago]

Roof racks that allow the bicycle to be carried intact are my favourite option. However, not an option on my Little Tikes car, so I'm working on a design for a rear mounted one.

 

[NorthernDave]

Thule 598 roof carrier here, although it will (just) fit in the car, wheels on, with the back seat folded.

 

[Dirk]

Peugeot 207SW - rear seats down, two bikes in the back; front wheels out, laid on their sides with an old sleeping bag between them to stop scuffing.

 

[youngoldbloke]

I've got a 5008 but I just put them in sans front wheel with wheels in between, leaning slightly and the seatbelt around the saddles to stop them falling over.

I'm usually carrying only one bike so fold just the nearside rear seat to get the bike in, and avoid touching any upholstery.

 

[marshmella]

2 on the roof, 2 in the boot (with the rear seats down) and 3 on a towbar mounted carrier.

So with the seats folded down where do the 5 riders of those bikes sit?

 

[marshmella]

[QUOTE 5330619, member: 9609"]seven[/QUOTE]
Well i'mguessing the 2 on the roof would be the front 2 peoples bikes?

 

[Andy_R]

So with the seats folded down where do the 5 riders of those bikes sit?

In the car following me. It's how I transported quarter of my Scout troop to the start of our last bike ride around Kielder