Rear Mounted Bike Rack

Martynt74 · 6 Dec 2022 at 09:13

How secure are these things?

My dad is getting on a bit and struggles with his bike in Spain. It's quite hilly and he's now 76 with dodgy knees. I suggested an electric bike which he seems keen on. I suggested that used prices are a little better over here in the UK, and the other benefit is that i can buy it for him to remove the risk of a dud (or at least minimise it!)

He's just about to arrive in the UK, before driving back after Christmas. The issue being his car (Jaguar F Pace), has no roof rack/tow bar, so the main options are out as the cost to add them are prohibitive. I had always ruled out the strap mounted options as my wifes bike is ~18kg which is above the weight limit. However thinking, if my dad went with a hub based motor then the wheel and battery could be removed from the bike and so the residual bike weight would be fairly minimal.

For the purpose of purely driving 2 long journeys (Manchester to Portsmouth, and then Santander to Valencia) and then likely never used again. Would these style of racks be suitable?

tom_nieto · 6 Dec 2022 at 10:32

We have a Thule clip on boot rack and it's proven quite secure with two bikes on long journeys. The main problem is that I'm sure it can't be good for the paint. We're lucky that our Sportage isn't a looker, I don't think I'd like to use it on a cherished motor.

-westy- · 6 Dec 2022 at 14:23

Any problem with just putting it in the back with the seats folded down?

Martynt74 · 6 Dec 2022 at 17:04

-westy- said:
Any problem with just putting it in the back with the seats folded down?

It's an option, just depends on other stuff he's taking with him. Couple suitcases and then whatever other crap my mum wants to take over to Spain usually fills it pretty quick!

Martynt74 · 30 Dec 2022 at 11:41

Well I’ve ended up buying a Saris Superbones. We’re doing a similar drive in March and decided to try the cheaper option rather than fitting a towbar and keen to avoid the mpg destruction of roof bars.

Weight limit is 16kg per bike but with a couple bits removed my wife’s bike should come under that.

jpaul · 31 Dec 2022 at 20:40

! they're/saris are not cheap £300, do back window ones genuinely impact mpg less than roof bars & bike facing the direction of travel ?
I could believe air flow over car gets equally disrupted by a perpendicular bike.

Martynt74 · 31 Dec 2022 at 20:44

Found an ex hire place. Had the Superbones plus 2 cross bar converters for step through bikes (usually £30 each) and some foam separater blocks for £160 delivered

Unsure about MPG. I heard roof racks were much worse than towbar mounted options though so imagine this is likely in between.