Bike racks

Invertigo

Invertigo

Invertigo

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I'm looking at getting some easier way of carrying a bike, rather than having to just barely squeeze it into the back of the car with the wheel off, so I figure some form of external rack is a better option.

Anyone got any experience with those suction ones i.e. Seasucker, Rockbros, current motor is a lease so buying specific roof bars seems like a waste, plus they seem to be a faff to fit regardless whereas the suction mounts are a 5 minute job.

Now, I figure they wouldn't still be sold if there was reports of bikes departing vehicles at 50+mph, so they must be safe?
 
I had a seasucker for 4 and a half years for my 911, worked great for shipping my bike all over the country, failed once as I was in a rush and didn't suction it enough, luckily the bike survived somehow. If you can cope with the complete lack of security they're great, just make sure you clean the surface where the suction pads go before mounting.
 
I have the Saris Bones EX 3-Bike Bike Rack and it's great for most cars. I bought it because I would change up cars all the time and needed something pretty flexible and this has been on a ton of hire cars and worked on all of them.
 
Ideal, cheers. Aware that suction mounts have sod all security but I wouldn't be travelling far enough alone with a bike that that would ever be a problem.

I did look at the Saris rear mounted racks, but my current car (5f Leon Cupra) isn't listed as compatible, assumedly due to the larger spoiler on the Cupra models I guess? (Or it hasnt been tested maybe) Maintaining boot access would be useful too.
 
Invertigo said:
Ideal, cheers. Aware that suction mounts have sod all security but I wouldn't be travelling far enough alone with a bike that that would ever be a problem.

I did look at the Saris rear mounted racks, but my current car (5f Leon Cupra) isn't listed as compatible, assumedly due to the larger spoiler on the Cupra models I guess? (Or it hasnt been tested maybe) Maintaining boot access would be useful too.
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Might be plastic bootlid which is why my Mondeo estate can't take one.
 
I'd always go roof mounted if possible.

What's the car Invertigo?

EDIT - Just spotted, Leon Cupra. I'd give the Atera Signo bars a look especially if you can pick up a second hand set.

I totally get what you mean about wasting money on buying bars for a car you won't have for long. I got messed about with company cars and had to swap between flush fit and standard rails. Whatever you do, don't be tempted to buy something cheap just to see you through. I had a set of non brand cheap bars from Amazon which went in the bin after one or two uses and a set of Cruz bars which didn't fill me with any confidence which I did sell on getting just over half my money back.

Ended up with a set of standard Atera bars for my Leon. Great quality but cheap enough that I won't feel out of pocket if I sell them at 50% of what I paid in a couple of years time. I tried to buy a second hand set but could only find the short length and I needed the medium :(

If you don't have rails at all then I'd still be tempted by an Atera set. I bought some of our Punto and was very impressed with them for specific fit bars. Not many people with Punto's who want a set of roof bars now though so it looks like I'm stuck with them but if your car is a popular model resale on them is pretty good.
 
It's the hatch so no longitudinal rails and no mounting points, so it's a clamp over the door sort of job for bars. My only other reason for looking at suction mounts over bars is storage and fitting etc. Much easier to throw a suction mount on the car when needed then remove it after and leave it in the boot etc than a full bar and rack setup.
 
Depends what you want really, I've a set of Yakima bars on the focus and they're great - only the feet are specific to the car so it's easy enough to buy a new foot pack if changing cars. The actual bars cover quite a broad range of cars too so no major worry about future compatibility.

R.e storage I can understand the concerns, though they actually take up hardly any room in my shed if I ever take them off as I've got a hangar for them. I also barely ever take them off as they make zero appreciable noise when on the car (without anything mounted obviously), even at "motorway" speeds.

The likes of a seasucker appeals to me too, but they're eye wateringly expensive compared to bars that will allow you to carry anything you like and a bike mount (I paid about £150 for mine all in including a Thule 591).
 
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I had a detachable tow bar added to my car and then i use a Thule rack on that. I didn't bother with roof bars as I'm into mountain biking. The extra height limits where you can park, the roof gets covered in dirt during winter rides if you dont wash the bike plus the noise and drag with it being on the roof put me off.

£270 supply and fit tow bar and £130 for 3 bike Thule rack. You cant even see i have a tow bar plus the rear end of my Focus is stronger now.

Looks like the Seasucker is geared towards roadies looking at their website.
 
Beerbaron said:
I had a detachable tow bar added to my car and then i use a Thule rack on that. I didn't bother with roof bars as I'm into mountain biking. The extra height limits where you can park, the roof gets covered in dirt during winter rides if you dont wash the bike plus the noise and drag with it being on the roof put me off.

£270 supply and fit tow bar and £130 for 3 bike Thule rack. You cant even see i have a tow bar plus the rear end of my Focus is stronger now.

Looks like the Seasucker is geared towards roadies looking at their website.
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No issues carrying a HT MTB for hundreds of miles at a range of speeds! :P
 
SoliD said:
No issues carrying a HT MTB for hundreds of miles at a range of speeds! :p
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I was seeing how fast you could do before losing a roofbox in the S4... I got to 130 and it was still there! Though, when I went to take it off, I did notice that the fixing bolts and washers for it was oval where it had been trying to rip itself off :D oops!
 
Invertigo said:
It's the hatch so no longitudinal rails and no mounting points, so it's a clamp over the door sort of job for bars. My only other reason for looking at suction mounts over bars is storage and fitting etc. Much easier to throw a suction mount on the car when needed then remove it after and leave it in the boot etc than a full bar and rack setup.
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Yeah, you can't really argue with them being the the most versatile and convenient solution. I can't personally recommend them as I've never used one but I did look into them and all the reviews I saw were positive.
 
randomshenans said:
I was seeing how fast you could do before losing a roofbox in the S4... I got to 130 and it was still there! Though, when I went to take it off, I did notice that the fixing bolts and washers for it was oval where it had been trying to rip itself off :D oops!
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haha, I think 110 was the most with an MTB on the top of the 911 before I got very brown trousery.
 
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