MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: Sharman on March 11, 2010, 07:30:19 pm

Title: Anyone reccomend a decent cycle carrier?
Post by: Sharman on March 11, 2010, 07:30:19 pm
The kids bikes x2 used to fit in the boot, now they're older and their new bikes won't fit! I've got VW Genuine aero bars, but I may be better with a tailgate one. Just worried that the tailgate ones might scratch/dent  :scared:
Title: Re: Anyone reccomend a decent cycle carrier?
Post by: Eccie on March 11, 2010, 07:35:34 pm
I use Thule proride 591 on the roof got three of them - top quality  :wink:

Free up the boot!
Title: Re: Anyone reccomend a decent cycle carrier?
Post by: SO8 on March 11, 2010, 07:39:35 pm
I used a Saris Bones 2 with my Edition 30 .... top bit of kit.  Well made and good for the bikes. 

You need to be careful though setting it up as any undue pressure dents the tailgate.  Mine was fine but I set it up wrong once and got a small dent in the top of the tailgate as a result which couldn't be removed as it was on double skinned area :(
Title: Re: Anyone reccomend a decent cycle carrier?
Post by: Golfgirl on March 12, 2010, 02:28:24 pm
I've got a Halfords one.  Not had any problems with it except the bottom straps coming off because I didn't tighten them enough :ashamed:  I don't really like bikes on the back though unless I'm going somewhere local-ish, so have a bike bag to put the bikes inside the car for when we go further afield.
Title: Re: Anyone reccomend a decent cycle carrier?
Post by: Eccie on March 12, 2010, 09:06:00 pm
The kids bikes x2 used to fit in the boot, now they're older and their new bikes won't fit! I've got VW Genuine aero bars, but I may be better with a tailgate one. Just worried that the tailgate ones might scratch/dent  :scared:

You have the roof bars - stop messing around and get them up top - it takes me 20mins to get the roof rack + 3 cycle carriers + 3 bikes on top, and you can get use your boot, with kids + gear that's a must. I also use them on the Audi A4 (most of the time if i'm honest :innocent:)

It's a no-brainer  :stupid:
Title: Re: Anyone reccomend a decent cycle carrier?
Post by: JPC on March 12, 2010, 09:38:40 pm
A tow bar mounted cycle carrier is the way forward. I've got one and it's bloody brilliant. It only attaches to the car on the towbar ball but it's solid. I can stand on the carrier and I'm 15st!!

Btw the towbar is detatchable.
Title: Re: Anyone reccomend a decent cycle carrier?
Post by: Eccie on March 12, 2010, 10:02:29 pm
A tow bar mounted cycle carrier is the way forward. I've got one and it's bloody brilliant. It only attaches to the car on the towbar ball but it's solid. I can stand on the carrier and I'm 15st!!

Btw the towbar is detatchable.

I'm 11st and 5'11" - J are you 6'8"  :grin:
Title: Re: Anyone reccomend a decent cycle carrier?
Post by: gobbleplease on March 12, 2010, 10:17:54 pm
A tow bar mounted cycle carrier is the way forward. I've got one and it's bloody brilliant. It only attaches to the car on the towbar ball but it's solid. I can stand on the carrier and I'm 15st!!

Btw the towbar is detatchable.

Agreed tow bar mounted all the way !, although i chuck mine in the boot, its safer there, not really an option for your self if you use the seats for the kids though
Title: Re: Anyone reccomend a decent cycle carrier?
Post by: JPC on March 12, 2010, 11:25:49 pm
Nope, just over weight!!
Title: Re: Anyone reccomend a decent cycle carrier?
Post by: Merlinman on March 13, 2010, 05:45:13 pm
Here's mine! (http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/Steelgreygti/AteraStrada3BikeRack?authkey=Gv1sRgCJTz7-iPkuX7GA#)

Atera Strada from Roofbox (http://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4.php?query=AR2602&vptype=&emulate=accgen&qty=1)  :happy2:

Stable at all speeds; locks onto tow bar and bikes lock to rack. Easy access to boot without disturbing bikes.
Title: Re: Anyone reccomend a decent cycle carrier?
Post by: ub7rm on March 13, 2010, 07:01:09 pm
How much are we talking for a towbar?  Is the brakcet already there?  Is it an easy DIY or does it involve welding and the suchlike?
Title: Re: Anyone reccomend a decent cycle carrier?
Post by: Sharman on March 13, 2010, 07:19:30 pm
OK Guys,
Thanks for all your advice! I've bought and used the Thule 591 probike roof cycle carrier today. Absolutely brilliant, top quality. Got a bargain as well, Halfords sell it for £129. Got it brand new from Ford for £62  :grin:
Title: Re: Anyone reccomend a decent cycle carrier?
Post by: ub7rm on March 20, 2010, 02:15:06 pm
I've got a Halfords one.  Not had any problems with it except the bottom straps coming off because I didn't tighten them enough :ashamed:  I don't really like bikes on the back though unless I'm going somewhere local-ish, so have a bike bag to put the bikes inside the car for when we go further afield.

Golf Girl (or anyone else with a rear mount carrier I guess) where do secure the chassis hooks to?  Only place I can find is the bottom of the bumper?

Secondly I assume you need the dumbells for both the top and side fixings for the golf?

Just bought the halfords rack and these questions have come from a trial fitting ...
Title: Re: Anyone reccomend a decent cycle carrier?
Post by: winrya on March 20, 2010, 02:45:48 pm
Here's mine! (http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/Steelgreygti/AteraStrada3BikeRack?authkey=Gv1sRgCJTz7-iPkuX7GA#)

Atera Strada from Roofbox (http://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4.php?query=AR2602&vptype=&emulate=accgen&qty=1)  :happy2:

Stable at all speeds; locks onto tow bar and bikes lock to rack. Easy access to boot without disturbing bikes.

looks great that does but I'm pretty sure you can't put tow bar on an ed30 rear :confused:
Title: Re: Anyone reccomend a decent cycle carrier?
Post by: JPC on March 20, 2010, 05:27:14 pm
Here's mine! (http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/Steelgreygti/AteraStrada3BikeRack?authkey=Gv1sRgCJTz7-iPkuX7GA#)

Atera Strada from Roofbox (http://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4.php?query=AR2602&vptype=&emulate=accgen&qty=1)  :happy2:

Stable at all speeds; locks onto tow bar and bikes lock to rack. Easy access to boot without disturbing bikes.

looks great that does but I'm pretty sure you can't put tow bar on an ed30 rear :confused:

he who dares wins rodney! With a bit of plastic welding Fitting a detatchable one, it's possible!
Title: Re: Anyone reccomend a decent cycle carrier?
Post by: Golfgirl on March 20, 2010, 07:51:11 pm
I've got a Halfords one.  Not had any problems with it except the bottom straps coming off because I didn't tighten them enough :ashamed:  I don't really like bikes on the back though unless I'm going somewhere local-ish, so have a bike bag to put the bikes inside the car for when we go further afield.

Golf Girl (or anyone else with a rear mount carrier I guess) where do secure the chassis hooks to?  Only place I can find is the bottom of the bumper?

Secondly I assume you need the dumbells for both the top and side fixings for the golf?

Just bought the halfords rack and these questions have come from a trial fitting ...

The dumbells hook through the top of the tailgate, there's two hooks that clip onto the side of the tailgate (it looks like they hook over the edge of the glass but they don't) and two that hook under the bottom of the rear valance.
Title: Re: Anyone reccomend a decent cycle carrier?
Post by: ub7rm on March 21, 2010, 04:03:15 pm
I've got a Halfords one.  Not had any problems with it except the bottom straps coming off because I didn't tighten them enough :ashamed:  I don't really like bikes on the back though unless I'm going somewhere local-ish, so have a bike bag to put the bikes inside the car for when we go further afield.

Golf Girl (or anyone else with a rear mount carrier I guess) where do secure the chassis hooks to?  Only place I can find is the bottom of the bumper?

Secondly I assume you need the dumbells for both the top and side fixings for the golf?

Just bought the halfords rack and these questions have come from a trial fitting ...

The dumbells hook through the top of the tailgate, there's two hooks that clip onto the side of the tailgate (it looks like they hook over the edge of the glass but they don't) and two that hook under the bottom of the rear valance.

Thanks for that, I got some extra dumbells for the side as well; the less chance of paint damage the better!  Yeah the only place I could find for the chassis hooks was the bottom of the valance - I was worried that its not a metal part so not strong enough but I guess its not an issue?
Title: Re: Anyone reccomend a decent cycle carrier?
Post by: Golfgirl on March 22, 2010, 09:10:16 pm
If you hook them near the corners you'll find that they actually hook onto metal.  I had the same dilemma so had a fumble around  :happy2: