robalert said:
I am trying to work out the pros and cons of different ways of transporting bikes.. yes, i know, bikes are transport but for some they still need to be moved
i have been using a thule clip on rack for a while... it is great rack that clips onto the hatch of the car... it is only a pain because you generally take it off when not in use...
does anyone use roof rack/bike adaptors?
any opinions before i get a roof mounted syle?
The best solution is personal and everyone's circumstances are different. For me - I have a Suzuki Swift - forget towbar mounted, no one will even fit a towbar onto a Swift - I think the installers assume that all customers are complete idiots who will go out and haul a 30ft caravan behind a 700kg car
I can't use a hatch mounted rack because the bicycle is longer than the width of the car and there would be too much risk of wiping out the front/rear wheels in skinny parking spots or cleaning up pedestrians and motorcyclists.
Roof mounted works for me - easy - the roof is almost low enough to use as a seat
and putting the bike on is a snip.
Now, if you had a tank like a Landcruiser or a high roof van, then you'd need a ladder to get you bike onto a roof mount. Not very practical.
On the roof - bike stays clean (cleaner if it rains). Bike gets wiped out when you drive into the garage/shopping centre carpark and forget it is there. Car roof gets wiped out too - verrrry expensive.
On the back, bike gets dirty (dirtier if it rains). Bike gets wiped out in rear end shunt - verrrry expensive. Driver gets booked if lights/number plate obscured (also expensive).
Most of my club mates buy monster trucks (sorry, 4wd's) and put their bikes inside. All problems solved if you can afford to feed the beasts