spiker3 Posted July 25, 2016 Share Posted July 25, 2016 Hi everyone, I have finally persuaded my wife to take up cycling. I have been off to Halfords and bought her a new bike. Both of our bikes fit into my discovery 2 but I have to take the front wheels off. Bit of a faff and no room for the kids bikes. Whilst in Halfords I saw a bike rack that fits on the tow bar for about £70. On E bay there seems to be a rack that fits onto the spare wheel carrier. It costs about the same. My question is which one should I go for? Or is there another option? Thanks a lot for any ideas you might have. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPendrey Posted July 25, 2016 Share Posted July 25, 2016 I have both types and would recommend the wheel carrier mounted one. Both have the issue of obscuring your rear lights and number plate though. The main thing is that the wheel mount one is a solid (shaped) tube, very strong. Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanS Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 I've had the Halfords wheel mounted one bought from ebay for a fiver around 5 years ago. It's survived several trips to France carrying 2 mountain bikes. It does wobble a bit but has never shown any signs of dropping off. The main advantage over the towbar versions is that you can still (carefully if the bikes are on) open the tailgate. We also tow a caravan with the bikes mounted and never had a problem with them fouling, which I was a bit concerned about before using the rack. It folds down when the bikes aren't on and is very easy to mount / dismount although I always check & retighten the straps after a few miles as they can get a bit loose at first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spiker3 Posted July 26, 2016 Author Share Posted July 26, 2016 Thanks for your replies, I was tending towards the spare wheel type rather than the tow bar type, as this would allow me to open the tailgate without removing everything. Any ideas what would be the best method of making sure the bikes stay on the rack? would bungee cords be enough? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 They normally come with built in straps/rubber clasps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spiker3 Posted July 26, 2016 Author Share Posted July 26, 2016 The Britpart bike rack like the ones found on e bay don't seem to have any straps included. Seems a bit strange, maybe they are sold separately Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hairyone Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 I'm currently considering this as an option http://www.bak-rak.com/uni-rak.htm and fabricating my own add ons, or maybe this http://www.bak-rak.com/pole-rak.htm. I need something that is flexible and could be used as a ski / bike / storage rack and I don't mind doing a bit of fabrication. This looks good value considering how flexible the system is http://www.bak-rak.com/bike-rak.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanS Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 Thanks for your replies, I was tending towards the spare wheel type rather than the tow bar type, as this would allow me to open the tailgate without removing everything. Any ideas what would be the best method of making sure the bikes stay on the rack? would bungee cords be enough? Thanks The one I have has little velcro straps that hold the top tubes of the bikes in place, although I also use straps to pull the bottoms of the bikes in towards the wheel. Those (otherwise useless) belts you get with craghopper trousers are ideal! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boris113 Posted August 6, 2016 Share Posted August 6, 2016 I'd be careful about a spare-wheel mounted one and opening the rear door, it's quite a lot of extra weight/leverage on the hinges. We've had a Pendle one that mounts using the towbar bolts. It must be 15 years old and has been on countless cars, it was bought originally for a TD5 discovery but fits on the 110. It's quick to put on and very strong, the downside is that it has to come off to open the rear door. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanS Posted August 10, 2016 Share Posted August 10, 2016 I'd be careful about a spare-wheel mounted one and opening the rear door, it's quite a lot of extra weight/leverage on the hinges. True, but I only do it when I need to and am very careful. No problems so far....... I must say I've always been slightly worried about the 4 10mm(?) bolts holding the spare wheel carrier to the door however. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smeddum Posted July 20, 2019 Share Posted July 20, 2019 bought three bikes last year and plan to drive to safe cycle routes. my Wife and Grandsons bikes will be ok for weight, however i bought an ebike for myself. Do you think the wheel mounted carrier will take the weight of these three bikes. And security how would you stop the bikes and indeed the carrier from being stolen? I have a Disco 2003 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPendrey Posted July 21, 2019 Share Posted July 21, 2019 Pretty hard to be conclusive, without knowing the weights of all bikes etc. etc. However, I'd hitch the ebike nearest the spare wheel, then your wife's, followed by your grandson's, i.e. heaviest to lightest. Unsure which bike rack you've got too, but the one I use (attached to the spare wheel mount bolts) has a hole for a padlock to drop through, plus holes for bike locks to slip through. Of course, if someone is determined, they'll get the bikes regardless! It is also a 4-bike carrier, so carrying an ebike (probably 70% heavier than a standard bike?) means I'd just carry one bike less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smeddum Posted July 30, 2019 Share Posted July 30, 2019 Thanks that was really helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smeddum Posted August 8, 2019 Share Posted August 8, 2019 O.k after pricing a wheel mounted carrier i was told by my supplier that the ebike would be too heavy. The guy told me to get a toe bar and then a thule ebike carrier. Toe bar £300 odd. Carrier £440. This is still a work in progress but sadly the summer will be over shortly. Any suggestions welcomed gratefully. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPendrey Posted August 9, 2019 Share Posted August 9, 2019 That seems crazy to me. I'm referring to a rack this like which bolts into the spare wheel studs (albeit, mine is a Disco 1)... https://www.britpart.com/all-parts/da4119 I know people have hang-ups about Britpart, but mine has been fine for years. If your ebike is first on the rack, all its weight is near the mounting point anyway... I can't see this being an issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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