Car Rack or Roof Rack xc90 54 plate

[Beavis]

Originally Posted by strepsi

Thanks for all the replies, I did not mention that we will be buying a trailer for our two kids to ride in, so putting the bikes in the car sadly would not be an option.

I am 6'4'' so I think the roof option would not have been a problem, but then I did not consider low bridges and parking.

I think it may have to be a detachable towbar, I have looked on various websites and it appears that you can pick one up for about £200, not wanted I wanted to do but I think it probably would be my only option.

Cheers

i originally went for the Mont Blanc Barracuda roof carriers as they were about £120 for both. You will need roof bars though which are about £100 for Volvo Aero ones.

I've just sold those though, as i found it was a tad of a stretch to ge tthem on the roof, and whilst in France most of their tourist cark parks have barriers which i couldn't enter.

I've just bought a fixed towbar from PJonesfor £110; 13 pin electrics c.£70 ish, trailor module c.£30 ish, and the Volvo 3 bike tow bar carrier c.£260 ish(which is a Volvo branded Thule Euroclassic).

So for £500 ish, i've now got a towbar mounted bike carrier, which is much easier to fit and use on a weekly basis, can be upgraded to 4 bikes in the future. I also find the fixed towbar asthetically okay - makes it look a bit more butch - but the fixed one is not everyones cup of tea! Plus i can now take the bikes and the roof box on holiday. http://www.volvocars.com/uk/all-cars...4-874b330fb9f0 Plus mine is tiltable so i can easily access the boot.

If you want to take a trailor, then search for one which fixes to a Fixed Flange towbar bracket - this will then keep the towball free to tow a trailor.

[strepsi]

I have managed to find a company near where I live that will fit detachable tow bar for £280 inc electrics and will come to our home, I think this is a good price?

Can anybody recommend then a decent towbar rack, for two mountain bikes we will be going for Thule brand.

Cheers

[Beavis]

Originally Posted by strepsi

Can anybody recommend then a decent towbar rack, for two mountain bikes we will be going for Thule brand.

Cheers

i can highly recommend the Volvo one in my post ^^^^^above^^^^. it is a Thule Euroclassic with Volvo printed on the side. I ordered my from FRF VOlvo - try calling Simon/Rufe. I think mine was £260 + delivery for the 3 bike version. I don't know what the cost is of the 2 version. The Thule version - idential is over £350. The LED light THule version is £450.

this is the thule labelled version. My Volvo one is itentical - just a fair bit cheaper. http://www.skidrive.co.uk/cycle/prod...?partno=909000

[GerryS]

My Thule 3 bike one is this on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Thule-TH9503...7534149&sr=8-3

£169 with free P&P.

I actually bought mine from Halfrauds a few years back at a very good price. They had a special offer on and I also had an extra 10% discount card from buying something (small) from them the previous week.

Gerry

[GerryS]

Originally Posted by GerryS

My Thule 3 bike one is this on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Thule-TH9503...7534149&sr=8-3

£169 with free P&P.

I actually bought mine from Halfrauds a few years back at a very good price. They had a special offer on and I also had an extra 10% discount card from buying something (small) from them the previous week.

Gerry

P.S. Have to say, that the Thule 4 bike hang-on towbar mounted carrier looks very good value at £92, but I've obviously got no experience of it. I suppose you also have to add a number plate/light board to it...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Thule-TH9708...=pd_sim_auto_4

[toxophilus]

It's always useful to have a towbar, even if you don't tow.

They're great when it comes to tailgaters and can minimise damage to the bodywork in the event of a "rear ender".

Given that the OP lives in Bradford, the UK's "crash-for-cash" capital I would have thought it would be a wise investment...

[Beavis]

Originally Posted by toxophilus

It's always useful to have a towbar, even if you don't tow.

They're great when it comes to tailgaters and can minimise damage to the bodywork in the event of a "rear ender"...

thats partly why i went for a fixed one, as my old chap had his Shogun hit whilst the person behind was parking. It very slightly scratched the towbar cover, but the person behind front bumper had 2 big cracks in. Luckily he was sat in the car so saw it all.

[chb]

fixed towbar and thule euroclassic G5 here. Brilliant towbar mounted rack.

[Beavis]

apologies for those not interested......

this is the Thule Euroclassic 929 - bike carrier - badged as Volvo - but still has the Thule badge on it.

Got this one from FRF for c.£260+delivery (£15 i think). If you check it on ebay, they are at least £350-400 for the non LED light version.

The LED version is at least £50-100 more.

I know some people don't like seeing the towbar, but i got the fixed Witter one from http://www.pfjones.co.uk/ and i don't think it looks too bad. If i had found it aesthetically unpleasing i would have paid the extra £100 for the detachable version.

[Beavis]

towbar pic - just put on because i couldn't find any pictures of what a fixed towbar looks like on the XC.