Why Cycle? Impartial advice for potential and new cyclists in the UK.
Boot Mounted Cycle Carriers
General Description...
This is probably the most common method of transporting bikes.The cycle racks are pretty easy to use. They simply rest on the back door or your car, straps securing the rack to the boot lid and then the bikes either hang from the rack's arms OR on some models the bikes rest on runners (less common).
Most racks are for 2 or three bikes, but 4 bike cariers are available.
Pros...
Simple to use.Relatively easy to store (most fold down relatively flat)
Suit a very wide range of vehicles.
Relatively inexpensive.
Can be used whilst towing and/or with a roofbox on the roof.
Cons...
There is no such thing as a universal rack; check any rack you intend to purchase is suitable for your car.Many of these types of rack obscure the rear number plate and lights.
If your vehicle lights and/or number plate are obscured by your bikes, you are required BY LAW to replicate them with an auxilliary lighting kit.
Potential damage to your vehicle; incorrectly fitted, this type of rack can lead to dents in your car or worse, broken glass. In extreme cases, poor fitting means that the rack and any bikes on it become a hazzard to other road users.
CAUTION
Not all vehicles can use these strap on type racks.
It is not recommended that they be fitted to vehicles with Aluminium boot lids, or those which have glass edges.
CHECK WITH YOUR VEHICLE MANUFACTURER BEFORE FITTING THIS TYPE OF RACK.
CHECK THE FITMENT GUIDE FOR THE RACK TO ENSURE THE RACK MANUFACTURER STATES IT IS SUITABLE FOR YOUR CAR
Not all vehicles can use these strap on type racks.
It is not recommended that they be fitted to vehicles with Aluminium boot lids, or those which have glass edges.
CHECK WITH YOUR VEHICLE MANUFACTURER BEFORE FITTING THIS TYPE OF RACK.
CHECK THE FITMENT GUIDE FOR THE RACK TO ENSURE THE RACK MANUFACTURER STATES IT IS SUITABLE FOR YOUR CAR
Expect to Pay...
Entry level racks should cost from about £40 but depending upon your vehicle, you may need to spend more.If the rack and bikes obscure your lights, you will also need an auxilliary lighting board and towing electrics adding to your car which as a DIY job would add around £50 (board and electrics kit).
Image Copyrights
Images depict products manufactured by Thule.Car boot mounted cycle carriers are available from a number of other manufacturers and use of Thule images is in no way an endorsement of their products for this purpose.
Permission for use of the images has been sought from Thule UK via Madison and copyright over these images remains with the respective supplier.
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