Bike Racks for heavier bikes?

[Bloodrayne]

Hi all,

I found this excellent thread about bike racks and thought that I could get a Saris Bones for my VW Golf - seemed like a fit, could fit three bikes, etc, etc.

The only issue is bike weight, between the family we are very much casual bikers so more about Carrera than light-weight things that cost much more - not normally a problem, but looking at the weight limit on the Saris it's 45kg (15kg max. per bike) the issue here is that my wife has a 15.4kg bike (according to the Halfords spec), my son has a junior bike that is towards 11kg and I am between bikes but imagine that any new version would sit around the 14kg mark from previous experience (these bikes never feel that heavy to me, but I am basing this off the weight given in the specification). So, does my wife having a bike that is over the limit (slightly) but me in dubious territory?

So, are there any alternatives? Not keen on a tow fitting as that would require bolting something on-to my car that is probably near the end of it's lifespan, but does anyone have experience with roof racks as an alternative to those that sit on the back of the car?

Previously I used to stick my son's bike in the back of the car and we'd hire a couple where ever we went to, but obviously that limits venues, and now he has a bigger bike it takes up too much room for this to be an option (no additional space in the back).

Cheers

 

[Armageus]

Roof bars would be my preferred option (although I still haven't got round to it), at least there's no chance of obscuring the number plate or tail lights

 

[radderfire]

You appear to be under the 45kg limit??

 

[Bloodrayne]

You appear to be under the 45kg limit??

Yes, but my wife's bike is (slightly) over the bike specific limit - and I may just be being overly-cautious/paranoid about that given that it's just over...

 

[radderfire]

Yes, but my wife's bike is (slightly) over the bike specific limit - and I may just be being overly-cautious/paranoid about that given that it's just over...

You could take the saddle off and you might be under the limit?

 

[Armageus]

You could take the saddle off and you might be under the limit?

Or the wheels (which will also help with not obstructing the lights)

 

[Bloodrayne]

Do you know, I had not even thought about that

Pretty sure that I can take some of the weight off that way, and would have probably been fine given how close to the limit it is (assuming that the 15kg allows for a margin) anyway... but better to be safe than sorry.

 

[Bloodrayne]

Roof bars would be my preferred option (although I still haven't got round to it), at least there's no chance of obscuring the number plate or tail lights

Sorry, I missed this post - have you done any research on roof bars and which ones are the recommended options? Or just still in the early stages of considering them?

 

[arknor]

some of the thule ones take 220lb/100kg


The Thule WingBar Evo, Thule SquareBar Evo, and Thule ProBar Evo have a maximum load capacity of 220 pounds for a pair. However, the maximum capacity of the system is determined by the vehicle itself. You can view the maximum weight capacity for your specific vehicle and roof rack combination in the rack's user manual.

 

[Martynt74]

Try the Saris SuperBones, i'm sure that takes heavier bikes. I had one last year for a drive from Preston to Spain through the tunnel using my wifes e-bike (17kg or so) and it was absolutely fine. It was only for 2 bikes, but i'm sure there's an accessory to add on another.

As long as you load correctly with your wifes bike being nearest the car i don't think you'd have any issues. Especially not for 400g. As mentioned, if you're worried just remove a wheel.

 

[Begbie]

I've had two 16kg~ bikes on the back of a saris, to the top of about 1600m on not a nice road. It worked, but man I was nervous as hell.

I went tow bar and rack now, and the confidence is much better but of course it was significantly more expensive.