Car bicycle carriers

Couldn't find a specific thread... Feel free to merge.

Any car owners fancy some sort of comparison between different bicycle carrier systems?

I've just change the car. My previous one had a roof railing. The new one has nothing, so I've decided to get a rear mounted rack.
I knew straight away that I need one of those high mounted ones or something different and sturdy.
There were few options like Halfords' own high mounted one, few from Saris and Thule one which unfortunately required and extra reg plate holder and lights (I have had no time to fit either tow bar or a socket).

I needed something which

1. would be solid and reliable to last 2000 miles min. journey
   
2. have no straps going to the sides of the hatch (glass edges)
   
3. would fit a hatchback
   
4. would let me open the boot when mounted
   
5. would be lockable and secure
   
   

The last point were very important. I often stay overnight in hotels in Germany or Belgium and would prefer to leave the rack assembled. Now, most of the ones secured by straps can be taken off the car without the need to open the boot and someone could steal it at night. Also, it would be nice to have access to the suitcases on the back on every stop.

I narrowed it down to either Saris Bones 2 or 3 (rather 3 - I don't need to transport so many bikes, but it has two top legs instead of one). They're fine and solid, but not lockable and you can't run the rear wiper!
Then I looked at the more expensive Saris RS. Nice but bit pricey. To be honest, I'm making so many thousands miles a year across Europe that it almost looked like a bargain (well, not really).
The thing is so easy to fit on. It took me maybe 5 minutes to adjust everything and chuck the bike on top. There are no straps - just a couple of rubberised steel belts with ratchets.

Needs some width adjustments and something to immobilise the wheels.

Cons: it's quite heavy, but has very solid feel. It will not fit if there's an extra spoiler on the roof.

Saris has a lifetime warrenty

It's an company located it the US, so it can be awkward to repair/replace anything. We will see.

atleast the look nice and fit.

I'd advise this or a similar rack (I know that Thule copied a similar design, but it's available in the States only for now) for everyone with a bad back, single ladies etc. Fitting bikes on top of the roof can be bit daunting for some. Also this rack (and also Saris Bones) can be fitted by one person and the instructions are very very simple - even for an English person.

atleast the look nice and fit.

They fit virtually any car. At least most of them out there.

i think its only the one for 3 bikes that fits all cars? im probably wrong

I use a couple of Toe Clip Straps to secure the Front Wheel to the Bikes DownTube.

How is is security wise? I once had a bike and rack removed by some kind soul, they left cut straps hanging though, which was nice.

dent in the boot is unrelated?

Slightly related: Is it ok to have the bikes covering the license plate? I have to buy an extra license plate for ~£60 and have extra lights, if I don't want to put my bikes in the trunk

But that's in Denmark...

1. Rack is fairly secure - both ratchets have locks with keys, so you can't loosen up the straps when fitted. Straps are not made of fabric and can't be just sliced with a pen knife (sure they can be done with light bolt cutters).
   
2. Bike doesn't really obscure the number plate nor lights. It's just theangle and with some fiddling around it'll be ok.
   
3. Dents are related to yoofs.
   

bump

Nobody uses a rack? All reviews welcome - especially roof mounted stuff.

I've done almost 3000 miles @ ca. 80-90mph with the bike. That SARIS rack is fantastic!
I left it on the car overnight when in hotels thanks to the two locks.

I don't have a carrier so can't help with reviews but I am looking to buy one. My first thought was the Thule express 970 sold at Halfords. Did you look into that one?

Also, where did you buy the Saris you are using above?

I got it from Wiggles. You can find it cheaper, but as I was going away few days after ordering, I wanted to make sure it's from a reliable place with next day delivery.

That Thule one looks good if you have a tow bar. It sits so low, that you will need a lithing board with number plates (which is not a problem - if you have a tow bar, you also have a power socket under your bumper).

I got fed up trying to find a decent rack so bought a bigger car. The bike stands up inside, securely locked, ready to roll.

#not helping much
#save the planet another way

Mont Blanc Snowdon Hi-Mount 3-Bike Rack

Picked one of these up for a tenner last week. Quite stable good for 3 lightish bikes i wouldnt hang loads of heavy commuter lumps off it. also bit concerned about it resting on the rear screen but i might be paranoid about its strength and loading, as it is supposed to do this.
Pros.
cheap as chips second hand.
three bikes.
does not cover number plate
fits anything [i have mazda van and a micra]
reasonable/good quality clips and straps and frame
velcro frame straps and wheel stays.

Cons:
fiddly as fuck to fit [have to hit the deck to hook up the lower straps, not great in the rain]
cant open the effing boot on the micra as the straps go under the bumper [ok on the van]

over all.
for a tenner you cant go wrong or if you have two wildly different cars and nice light bikes, however £90 new mmmm.

i would

Yep, those straps are depressing.

I got fed up trying to find a decent rack so bought a bigger car

I had Grand Scenic before and also could fit a couple of bikes inside with their front wheels taken off.
I still needed a rack for the holidays, as my car is always stuffed with luggage.
With the Scenic, the only option was a roof mounted one, because the boot lid has plastic on top and glass edges and couldn't fit anything else on top of the roof bars, because there was a luggage box already, so I swapped the car for something else (I actually went to buy an older A6 estate, but came back home with A3 Sportback - damn salesman's tricks!) :-)

I have a Saris Bones 2, fitted permanently to my little Smart Roadster. I use a cable coil lock, very lightweight with built in combination lock through an air vent for a (little) more security...

Gareth

Yeah, Bones 2 is good as it fits most cars. I chose it, because it fits my "spare" Summer car as well which is also a roadster. Simple Bones for one bike would fit even better.