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Bike Rack

Posted: Tue May 07, 2019 11:47 am
by Jimmy spur
I see the most popular bike rack for three bikes is the Thule 973. Can anyone recommend a bike rack for 3 bikes that attaches to the back (no tow bar). that isnt mega expensive?

cheers!

Re: Bike Rack

Posted: Tue May 07, 2019 7:43 pm
by sotal
Second hand Thule 973.

Re: Bike Rack

Posted: Tue May 07, 2019 8:01 pm
by mikeonb4c
Honestly? I've done fine with a 3 bike Halfords rack I've had for years. It's light (so tailgate still just stays up with it on) and quick enough to mount and remove even if you have a Bongo with a tailgate spoiler. And you can find them cheap 2nd hand on eBay (but check you get the right type, suitable for an estate type car, so may a local seller and agree you can see if it fits before paying).

And welcome :D

Re: Bike Rack

Posted: Tue May 07, 2019 10:08 pm
by sotal
I've tried a few different types and ended up buying a second hand Thule 973. It is amazing in comparison. The others did the job and never failed me, but I was always worried. My bikes aren't too expensive but I'd been with friends before and had a lot of moneys worth of kit on the back and with it bouncing around on a cheap rack I worry the whole way! The cheap ones also take longer to put the bikes on and off making it more of a faff.

The Thule is left on, we don't take it off ever. It is so simple to use, it is so much faster to put the bikes on and off and they are rock solid once on. They don't bounce around and I'm not worried about them falling off. There is no need to worry about light bars and number plates as they are all visible below.

Putting 4 bikes on is a slight puzzle and takes me a few minutes longer to arrange the bikes so they don't interfere with each other, but then 4 bikes wasn't even an option on the other racks so I can't complain too much at that!

I'm honestly a convert - I wish I'd got one straight away at the beginning. We've used the bikes so much more since.

Re: Bike Rack

Posted: Wed May 08, 2019 9:15 am
by mikeonb4c
I don't think anyone is denying the Thule is wonderful. But with far fewer to choose from on eBay, and at up to ten times the price, the Halfords one could be worth a punt especially if, like me, you are an occasional bike carrier and don't want a rack permanently on your tailgate obscuring rearward vision, making tailgate harder to raise and making car harder to wash. Can't say I found my Halfords one excessively wobbly, and its quick and easy to mount but...i guess yer pays her money and takes yer choice.

Re: Bike Rack

Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2019 10:25 am
by kandabongogirl
Newbie on the look out for a rack for 1-4 bikes (1 often, 2-3 sometimes, 4 rarely).
Willing to pay some money and make a choice. :wink:
Thanks for all the experienced tips above and elsewhere. 8)

ATB, kbg.

PS. After 5 posts can I stop calling myself a newbie i wonder? :)

Re: Bike Rack

Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2019 2:04 pm
by Bob
Yeahh

You're part of the crew now. :D

Re: Bike Rack

Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2019 9:07 pm
by sotal
I saw some ridiculously cheap ones in the Aldi clearance section the other day - can't remember the exact price but it was around £15 I think.

Re: Bike Rack

Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2019 8:43 am
by mikeonb4c
These are so plentiful and cheap on ebay....

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 3874854730

...that given the feeding frenzy and cost of bagging a Thule it could be worth getting one for now if you are struggling to source a reasonably priced Thiule. Make sure its the right type for an estate car type back (maybe by sourcing a local collect only and asking if you can try before you buy)