Going away on holiday and itching to take my bicycle - car attaching methods

[Light of Aria]

It's summer and I've got a week in Norfolk coming up.

4 of us, will be squeezing in to a 2003 VW Polo to travel. (And this is
probably only the 5th time I've used my car this year thanks to running and
cycling everywhere!)


Please could the group suggest what sort of methods I could consider for
taking my beloved mountain bike with me attached to the outside of the car?


I sort of favour the sort of roof attachment device where the bike goes
cleanly on top of the vehicle as it requires less disassembly of the bike
and does not render the boot inoperable. I can't see how such devices work
or attach to modern gutterless cars though!


May I request the groups wisdom and experience please?

 

[Colin Blackburn]

Light of Aria wrote:
>
> It's summer and I've got a week in Norfolk coming up.
>
> 4 of us, will be squeezing in to a 2003 VW Polo to travel. (And this is
> probably only the 5th time I've used my car this year thanks to running
> and cycling everywhere!)
>
>
> Please could the group suggest what sort of methods I could consider for
> taking my beloved mountain bike with me attached to the outside of the car?
>
>
> I sort of favour the sort of roof attachment device where the bike goes
> cleanly on top of the vehicle as it requires less disassembly of the
> bike and does not render the boot inoperable. I can't see how such
> devices work or attach to modern gutterless cars though!

There are two parts: the roof bars and the bike carrier. The roofbars
clamp on using the top of the door rebate. The clamp bits are bought
separately to the bars and are for specific models of car. Once you have
the roof bars you can then attach one or more bike carriers or other
types of carrier the the bars.

Thule do a wide range to suit almost every model of car but they are
relatively expensive (but built to last). Halfords do an own-brand that
is somewhat cheaper but still has a wide range of clamps. There is
certain to be a clamp set of a 2003 Polo. There are one or two other brands.

Either have a browse around a Halfords or take a look at an online site
like http://www.roofbox.co.uk/

Colin

 

[Light of Aria]

"Colin Blackburn" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Light of Aria wrote:
>>
>> It's summer and I've got a week in Norfolk coming up.
>>
>> 4 of us, will be squeezing in to a 2003 VW Polo to travel. (And this is
>> probably only the 5th time I've used my car this year thanks to running
>> and cycling everywhere!)
>>
>>
>> Please could the group suggest what sort of methods I could consider for
>> taking my beloved mountain bike with me attached to the outside of the
>> car?
>>
>>
>> I sort of favour the sort of roof attachment device where the bike goes
>> cleanly on top of the vehicle as it requires less disassembly of the bike
>> and does not render the boot inoperable. I can't see how such devices
>> work or attach to modern gutterless cars though!
>
> There are two parts: the roof bars and the bike carrier. The roofbars
> clamp on using the top of the door rebate. The clamp bits are bought
> separately to the bars and are for specific models of car. Once you have
> the roof bars you can then attach one or more bike carriers or other types
> of carrier the the bars.
>
> Thule do a wide range to suit almost every model of car but they are
> relatively expensive (but built to last). Halfords do an own-brand that is
> somewhat cheaper but still has a wide range of clamps. There is certain to
> be a clamp set of a 2003 Polo. There are one or two other brands.
>
> Either have a browse around a Halfords or take a look at an online site
> like http://www.roofbox.co.uk/
>
> Colin



Thanks for the start, Colin.

I think they've got what I need although it will cost me about £150!

 

[POHB]

On 26 Jun, 12:39, Colin Blackburn <[email protected]> wrote:
> Light of Aria wrote:
>
> > It's summer and I've got a week in Norfolk coming up.
>
> > 4 of us, will be squeezing in to a 2003 VW Polo to travel. (And this is
> > probably only the 5th time I've used my car this year thanks to running
> > and cycling everywhere!)
>
> > Please could the group suggest what sort of methods I could consider for
> > taking my beloved mountain bike with me attached to the outside of the car?
>
> > I sort of favour the sort of roof attachment device where the bike goes
> > cleanly on top of the vehicle as it requires less disassembly of the
> > bike and does not render the boot inoperable. I can't see how such
> > devices work or attach to modern gutterless cars though!
>
> There are two parts: the roof bars and the bike carrier. The roofbars
> clamp on using the top of the door rebate. The clamp bits are bought
> separately to the bars and are for specific models of car. Once you have
> the roof bars you can then attach one or more bike carriers or other
> types of carrier the the bars.
>
> Thule do a wide range to suit almost every model of car but they are
> relatively expensive (but built to last). Halfords do an own-brand that
> is somewhat cheaper but still has a wide range of clamps. There is
> certain to be a clamp set of a 2003 Polo. There are one or two other brands.
>
> Either have a browse around a Halfords or take a look at an online site
> likehttp://www.roofbox.co.uk/
>
> Colin- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

For a single bike a cheap boot-mounted strap-on carrier is probably
your best bet. Bikes on roofs do bad things to your fuel economy and
you need to be very confident that the roof rack is of good quality
and secure otherwise the wind can just rip the bike and/or rack off.
This happened to a mate of mine, his wife and mates were driving ahead
with bikes on the roof and he was following behind on his motorbike.
He was to say the least a bit worried when he spotted bits of his own
bicycle scattered across the motorway in front of him. Fortunately
nobody crashed into anybody else avoiding the debris, but the bikes
were all completely written off.
Having to remove the rack to get in the boot is a pain but there's no
need to disassemble the bike. Getting a bike on and off a roof rack
takes time too.

 

[Colin Blackburn]

POHB wrote:

> For a single bike a cheap boot-mounted strap-on carrier is probably
> your best bet. Bikes on roofs do bad things to your fuel economy and
> you need to be very confident that the roof rack is of good quality
> and secure otherwise the wind can just rip the bike and/or rack off.

Interestingly that is exactly what I have heard about cheap boot-mounted
racks!

What you do have to be careful with roof-mounted systems is that you
take notice of height restrictions that you'd usually ignore.

Colin

 

[Tim Hall]

On Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:53:52 +0100, "Light of Aria"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>
>"Colin Blackburn" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...

>> Either have a browse around a Halfords or take a look at an online site
>> like http://www.roofbox.co.uk/
>>
>> Colin
>
>
>
>Thanks for the start, Colin.
>
>I think they've got what I need although it will cost me about £150!
>

A cheaper way is to buy the mountings (which are likely to be fairly
car model specific) from The Roofbox people and buy a bike rack on
Ebay. I got a Thule (can't recall the model) for about 15 quid a year
or so back.



--

Tim

I understand very little of what's being discussed
but for some reason it's fascinating.

(Jon Thompson, urs)

 

[Phil Cook]

Light of Aria wrote:

>
>"Colin Blackburn" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> Light of Aria wrote:
>>>
>>> It's summer and I've got a week in Norfolk coming up.
>>>
>>> 4 of us, will be squeezing in to a 2003 VW Polo to travel. (And this is
>>> probably only the 5th time I've used my car this year thanks to running
>>> and cycling everywhere!)
>>>
>>>
>>> Please could the group suggest what sort of methods I could consider for
>>> taking my beloved mountain bike with me attached to the outside of the
>>> car?
>>>
>>>
>>> I sort of favour the sort of roof attachment device where the bike goes
>>> cleanly on top of the vehicle as it requires less disassembly of the bike
>>> and does not render the boot inoperable. I can't see how such devices
>>> work or attach to modern gutterless cars though!
>>
>> There are two parts: the roof bars and the bike carrier. The roofbars
>> clamp on using the top of the door rebate. The clamp bits are bought
>> separately to the bars and are for specific models of car. Once you have
>> the roof bars you can then attach one or more bike carriers or other types
>> of carrier the the bars.
>>
>> Thule do a wide range to suit almost every model of car but they are
>> relatively expensive (but built to last). Halfords do an own-brand that is
>> somewhat cheaper but still has a wide range of clamps. There is certain to
>> be a clamp set of a 2003 Polo. There are one or two other brands.
>>
>> Either have a browse around a Halfords or take a look at an online site
>> like http://www.roofbox.co.uk/

>Thanks for the start, Colin.
>
>I think they've got what I need although it will cost me about £150!

If this is just for occasional use you can do it cheaper by just
getting roof bars and laying a single bike down flat on the bars after
removing a pedal and turning the handle bars.

Also bear in mind the cost of fuel. All that bike waving in the air
causes a fair bit of extra drag.
--
Phil Cook looking north over the park to the "Westminster Gasworks"

 

[Dave]

"Light of Aria" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> It's summer and I've got a week in Norfolk coming up.
>
> 4 of us, will be squeezing in to a 2003 VW Polo to travel. (And this is
> probably only the 5th time I've used my car this year thanks to running
> and cycling everywhere!)
>
>
> Please could the group suggest what sort of methods I could consider for
> taking my beloved mountain bike with me attached to the outside of the
> car?
>
>
> I sort of favour the sort of roof attachment device where the bike goes
> cleanly on top of the vehicle as it requires less disassembly of the bike
> and does not render the boot inoperable. I can't see how such devices work
> or attach to modern gutterless cars though!
>
>
> May I request the groups wisdom and experience please?
>
>
>
>
>

Could always have a towbar fitted and take a trailer - that way you will
have plenty of room for the bike and some luggage.

You may not be as tightly squeezed into the car then.

Dave

 

[mark]

"Colin Blackburn" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> POHB wrote:
> What you do have to be careful with roof-mounted systems is that you take
> notice of height restrictions that you'd usually ignore.
>
Like your own garage door?

mark

 

[Mike the unimaginative]

"Light of Aria" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

>
> It's summer and I've got a week in Norfolk coming up.
>
> 4 of us, will be squeezing in to a 2003 VW Polo to travel. (And this
> is probably only the 5th time I've used my car this year thanks to
> running and cycling everywhere!)
>
>
> Please could the group suggest what sort of methods I could consider
> for taking my beloved mountain bike with me attached to the outside of
> the car?
>
>
> I sort of favour the sort of roof attachment device where the bike
> goes cleanly on top of the vehicle as it requires less disassembly of
> the bike and does not render the boot inoperable. I can't see how such
> devices work or attach to modern gutterless cars though!
>
>
> May I request the groups wisdom and experience please?
>
>
I would counsel against the 'boot mount' or 'hatch mount' option - they
are inherently insecure, and having seen one fail at speed on a
motorway.... I dare say that a well constructed version, carefully
attached, and not overloaded would serve you well, but you still have
the problem that you will need to either get the type that clears the
whole bike of your numberplate and lights, or fit a lightbar, and
connector, or take your chance with plod (and common-sense).
A roof mount is probably your best option, but requires a degree of
fitness to get the bike up and down - and *don't forget it's there* (car
park barriers etc!)
The ultimate solution IMO is to get a tow-bar, light connector and your
choice of towbar carrier. I've opted for the stupidly expensive Thule
'platform' carrier, which doubles as a sort of fixed trailer-type-thing.
Another poster has suggested a trailer - I did try this once - a trailer
bounces around a lot lot more than your car - it did nasty things to my
bike, never again.

 

[chris French]

In message <[email protected]>, mark
<[email protected]> writes
>
>"Colin Blackburn" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> POHB wrote:
>> What you do have to be careful with roof-mounted systems is that you take
>> notice of height restrictions that you'd usually ignore.
>>
>Like your own garage door?
>

I bashed into the carport once when reversing up the drive in a bit of
tired huffy mood. bike was ok, but bent the roofbar
--
Chris French

 

[chris French]

In message
<[email protected]>, POHB
<[email protected]> writes
>On 26 Jun, 12:39, Colin Blackburn <[email protected]> wrote:
>> Light of Aria wrote:
>>
>> > It's summer and I've got a week in Norfolk coming up.
>>
>> > 4 of us, will be squeezing in to a 2003 VW Polo to travel. (And this is
>> > probably only the 5th time I've used my car this year thanks to running
>> > and cycling everywhere!)
>>
>> > Please could the group suggest what sort of methods I could consider for
>> > taking my beloved mountain bike with me attached to the outside of the car?
>>
>> > I sort of favour the sort of roof attachment device where the bike goes
>> > cleanly on top of the vehicle as it requires less disassembly of the
>> > bike and does not render the boot inoperable. I can't see how such
>> > devices work or attach to modern gutterless cars though!
>>
>> There are two parts: the roof bars and the bike carrier
>>
>> Either have a browse around a Halfords or take a look at an online site
>> likehttp://www.roofbox.co.uk/

>For a single bike a cheap boot-mounted strap-on carrier is probably
>your best bet. Bikes on roofs do bad things to your fuel economy and
>you need to be very confident that the roof rack is of good quality
>and secure otherwise the wind can just rip the bike and/or rack off.

Bikes on rubbish or poorly fitted strap on racks are also at risk of
coming adrift (probably more so IMO)

You do of course have to use the things properly.

>Having to remove the rack to get in the boot is a pain

Decent strap on racks should fix just to the hatch, not the bumper etc.
so the hatch can still be opened with rack attached. Though not with the
bike.


> but there's no
>need to disassemble the bike.

No is there with a roof rack unless you use the ones that clamp the
front forks.

> Getting a bike on and off a roof rack
>takes time too.

Well, yeah, all of about a minute. bikes on rear racks will needs
strapping or some such as well. I don't think time is a great factor
here. Lifting them onto the roof for some might be though.

For more occasional use, and for the cheapest option then a strap on
carrier is might be the best option. I'd get annoyed though with not
being able to open the rear hatch though I suspect. Don't forget that it
may well require a lighting board (and a suitable connector mounted in
the car)

I've been happy with the roof bars and a couple of mid price old
Halfords carriers (a copy of Thule ones and made in Sweden - me thinks
they might just be rebadged ones) but will be moving onto a towbar
mounted carrier. Only a matter of time before we want to carry 4 bikes
and that + a roofbox just don't go on the roof.

But I think it's a bit swings and roundabout with towbar and roof
mounted carriers
--
Chris French

 

[chris French]

In message <[email protected]>, Light of Aria
<[email protected]> writes
>
>"Colin Blackburn" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> Light of Aria wrote:
>>>
>>> It's summer and I've got a week in Norfolk coming up.
>>>
>>> 4 of us, will be squeezing in to a 2003 VW Polo to travel. (And this
>>>is probably only the 5th time I've used my car this year thanks to
>>>running and cycling everywhere!)
>>>
>>>
>>> Please could the group suggest what sort of methods I could consider
>>>for taking my beloved mountain bike with me attached to the outside
>>>of the car?
>>>
>>
>> Either have a browse around a Halfords or take a look at an online
>>site like http://www.roofbox.co.uk/
>
>
>Thanks for the start, Colin.
>
>I think they've got what I need although it will cost me about £150!
>


£150?, you can certainly do it cheaper than that. There is no need for
the more expensive options, though there are good reasons for doing so.
--
Chris French

 

[Chris Gerhard]

Colin Blackburn wrote:

>
> What you do have to be careful with roof-mounted systems is that you
> take notice of height restrictions that you'd usually ignore.
>

In particular be careful if you are being collected. Car enters carpark
through the height restriction. You add your bike only to have it ripped
off by the height restriction on the exit.

I had the misfortune to witness it, powerless to stop it, at the end of
the Red Ride. It still haunts me.

--chris

 

[Alan Braggins]

In article <[email protected]>, Mike the unimaginative wrote:
>Another poster has suggested a trailer - I did try this once - a trailer
>bounces around a lot lot more than your car - it did nasty things to my
>bike, never again.

Certainly you would want either a trailer used for other stuff as well
(e.g. tent and camping equipment), or a trailer with suspension designed to
be only lightly loaded.

 

[TerryJ]

> The ultimate solution IMO is to get a tow-bar, light connector and your
> choice of towbar carrier. I've opted for the stupidly expensive Thule
> 'platform' carrier, which doubles as a sort of fixed trailer-type-thing.
> Another poster has suggested a trailer - I did try this once - a trailer
> bounces around a lot lot more than your car - it did nasty things to my
> bike, never again.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...469_crumb_34005-31500_parentcategoryrn_129469

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Roof-Rack-Bar...3579&_trkparms=39:2|65:1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEARLY-NEW-CA...8907&_trkparms=39:2|65:1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

I have several of the very cheap cycle carriers like those above that
attach to roof bars. They are fiddle to assemble, but work well.
recently did 900miles of motorway with two up.It is the easiest quickest
way to mount them if you're tall enough.
If you are all going in a polo you have a case for wanting a roof rack
anyway, and the bike can go to one side.

TerryJ

 

[Marc]

Chris Gerhard wrote:
> Colin Blackburn wrote:
>
>>
>> What you do have to be careful with roof-mounted systems is that you
>> take notice of height restrictions that you'd usually ignore.
>>
>
> In particular be careful if you are being collected. Car enters carpark
> through the height restriction. You add your bike only to have it ripped
> off by the height restriction on the exit.

I did this in a car park in Austria, I had driven through four countries
wathcin out for height limits on the way into car parks/ferries/camp
sites. What I wasn't ready for was a car aprk on the top of a mountain
that was flat and by the side of the road that spiralled into the
mountain on the way out....

 

[Don Whybrow]

chris French wrote:
>
> Decent strap on racks should fix just to the hatch, not the bumper etc.
> so the hatch can still be opened with rack attached. Though not with the
> bike.

I've managed to open our hatch with 3 bikes attached. Mind you I
couldn't get anything out as I was holding it up. That was left to my wife.

> For more occasional use, and for the cheapest option then a strap on
> carrier is might be the best option. I'd get annoyed though with not
> being able to open the rear hatch though I suspect. Don't forget that it
> may well require a lighting board (and a suitable connector mounted in
> the car)

Depends on the height the carrier sits on the car. Ours fits quite high up.

--
Don Whybrow

Sequi Bonum Non Time

Freedom defined is freedom denied. (Illuminatus)

 

[mark]

If you don't already have a trailer hitch installed, you'll have to factor
in the cost and aggravation to install one in order to use that option.

An advantage to the rooftop rack is that you can use it to carry other stuff
on top of your car. I've carried furniture and lumber on the bare crossbars
of my rack, and I have a steel mesh basket that's great for carrying
backpacks/rucksacks or anything too dirty or bulky to put inside the car.

If this is something that you will do only rarely, have you considered
boxing up the bike and shipping it to and from your destination?

mark

 

[POHB]

"Mike the unimaginative" <[email protected]> wrote
> The ultimate solution IMO is to get a tow-bar, light connector and your
> choice of towbar carrier.

That's what I'm in the process of getting for regular transport of 4 bikes,
but it'd be over the top for infrequently carrying just one.