Cycling UK Forum

i have a bike rack on the back of my ford escort and its been okay
as long as the straps securing the rack to the car are tight no problems arise
and the bike is secured properly with the straps supplied the bike wont move i also use a couple of elastic hook bungees to secure the forks and handlebars to stop them waggling about
the number plate is mounted on a bit board with brackets with toe clip straps to secure it to the rack
ive travelled various distances including a two hour trip to kelso and didnt use excessive fuel according to my sat nav the mpg averages 45-48mpg(the engine is a 1.4 injection)

Anyone reccomend one for a BMW Z3 ?

Lots of recommendations for Pendle and Thule in this thread, but I'd advise anyone looking into buying a towbar carrier to consider the Atera Strada



I have one of these and have been very impressed by it. It's big advantage is that it can slide away from the car to allow the boot or tailgate to open without removing the bikes first.

I have no connection with Atera, or The Roof Box Co (from whom I bought it) other than being a satisfied customer

tooley92 wrote:I have had one of these http://www.maxxraxx.co.uk/home.html for the last 5 years or so.

It is very secure in use and easy to fit and load, I particually like the number plate hanger. In all a top bit of kit

They usually have a stand at the caravan/camping show at the NEC and do some good discounts.

+1 for the MaxxRaxx, I have the four bike carrier version with the additional height extension so it clears the caravan drawbar. It is a tad heavy but from what I could tell, apart from the aformentioned rear hatch-mounted models and roof bar type, this was the only carrier which would still let you tow a trailer/caravan with it fitted, as many of the other makes sit on the towball itself. Nice and secure but a bit heavy whilst fitting, can be swung/sropped out of the way for access to the boot if needed, though not if the caravan's hitched on.

yakdiver wrote:if you have a tow ball very cheap and it works
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-SJSC ... -11412.htm

I'm inherently sceptical about that style - but then my tow ball normally has a nice coating of grease from trailers...

[XAP]Bob wrote:

yakdiver wrote:if you have a tow ball very cheap and it works
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-SJSC ... -11412.htm

I'm inherently sceptical about that style - but then my tow ball normally has a nice coating of grease from trailers...

I was also sceptical until I bought one, thinking that it relied purely on the friction betwwen the ball and the clamp to stop it moving about. In fact the two cups have cutouts at the base to fit snugly around the neck of the towball so the whole rack is immovable anyway, even without the clamp being mega-tight. It's a very useful accessory, folds small and stores in the boot in an instant, but you do have the hassle of mounting a number plate board if you want to remain legal.