Wouldn't be without mine. Yes, they can be an expensive initial investment but most can be adapted to fit any car if you decide to change. I've had mine for years. To be fair, in our case they get a lot of use so the cost has long since been justified. There is a knack easy loading and unloading and foe what it's worth I've never damaged a car in the course of doing so.
I get hold of the bikes by one leg of a front fork and the vertical down tube of the frame ( below the saddle ) and simply lift them on or off.
I just open a door and stand on the sill to reach.
They are by far the most secure way of transporting bikes without damage but the downside is they can have quite a negative effect on mpg if you are travelling at higher speeds. For example, my Mondeo estate normally turns in about 45 mpg but drops to 31 mpg with three bikes up top. Having said that, for the 50 miles or so of weekend use it gets like that I'm not very bothered.
I've also got a rear slung rack for the Qashqai but I don't like using it. No matter how clever you try to be in loading and padding out the bikes rub each other and car damage is much more of a risk.
Small point, but when we are out playing in the woods we like to stop for a picnic and sit on the back of the open loadspace to have our butties etc. or to shelter from a shower. Can't do that with a rear slung rack.
There are some very fancy bits of kit but the most basic / cheapest you can find ( try Ebay maybe ? ) are fine. Just make sure they are done up properly of course !
Last edited by: Humph D'bout on Sun 23 May 10 at 09:43
|
