Volvo Official Tow Bar Bike Rack

davB · Jun 3rd, 2018, 10:48

Are there any advantages in buying the official Volvo tow bar mounted bike rack?
I assume it is a rebranded product from Thule or Witter?

BACK STORY: I recently ordered an Altera Strada unit but it arrived in such a damaged box I have rejected it on the basis that the rack could be damaged as well. As the Altera doesn't have any product protection inside the box I'm not about to order another one - therefore on the hunt for a different 3 bike unit.

1monkey600 · Jun 3rd, 2018, 14:46

The original volvo one is actually made by Thule.
Eg the compact (ie expandable) 3 bike one is exactly equivalent to a Thule veloCompact 926 with 13-pin plug and fog light. Sells for around £500.

The more easily come by 7-pin plug model is off the shelf in places like Halfords/decathlon, etc and known as the velocompact 927. Exactly the same except for the 13pin plug and no foglight. I would buy a £4 foglight from ebay and replace the 7-pin for a 13pin plug if I wanted the extra light.

Halfords offer for the moment at £389
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike...elocompact-927
Good thing about Halfords is that their discounts are often cumulative, so can end up saving even more - eg if you are a member of 'British Cycling' you would get another 10% off anything you buy there, even if already using another code or sale price.
Roofracks.co.uk about £370

noodle1066 · Jun 3rd, 2018, 22:53

The downside of having a Volvo branded one (I have the Volvo branded 931 and 929 G6 LED), is that if you require assistance/spares or have a question, Thule tell you to go to your Volvo dealer.
They simply will not deal with you. It's been real pain in the ass.

4x4 · Jun 3rd, 2018, 22:59

I have an Altera Strada and it's a great bit of kit, I would happily buy another if required

davB · Jun 4th, 2018, 19:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4x4

I have an Altera Strada and it's a great bit of kit, I would happily buy another if required

I had done a lot of research and selected the Altera Strada as the best but when the parcel turns up like the attached pictures I wonder whether to trust my bikes to a product that doesn't have any protection in the packaging. If I order another one it's likely to be delivered using the same courier and equally abused. There is a good choice of Thule products I can see and buy at Halfords.

PJordan · Jun 4th, 2018, 19:50

I have always used Thule bike carriers and cannot recommend them highly enough, incredibly well made and good prices if you shop around.

davB · Jun 4th, 2018, 19:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by PJordan

I have always used Thule bike carriers and cannot recommend them highly enough, incredibly well made and good prices if you shop around.

I initially decided on the Altera because of the sliding mechanism that lifts the bikes away from the boot. I think the Thule ones tilt and although I haven't seen this myself, might be an issue with it fully loaded?

I'm now quite confused with the Thule choice - I need to do some more research as I want something to last a few years. Son number 1 is into biking and I'm keen but not able, Mrs. B insists that she would like to join us but has no bike! So choosing the right one (2 or 3 bike), long wheelbase, maybe an e-bike for me - will keen me busy for a while

1monkey600 · Jun 4th, 2018, 21:03

I use the velocompact 927 that I mentioned above. I carry the other half's 23kg e-bike and the kid's two aluminium road bikes on it. (Max allowed load is 60kg, max allowed single bike is 25kg)
There is the option for a 4th bike on it (with additional accessory) but I prefer to carry my carbon bike on the roof to avoid clamping the carbon tubes.
Once you get used to the way it does it, there is no problem with tilting the rack down to open the boot. It uses a foot pedal to do most of the work.

The velo compact part means the lights and wheel clamps slide inwards so that the carrier narrows down enough that it can easily be chucked in the boot if required (eg if you have to leave the car parked up somewhere dodgy)

4x4 · Jun 4th, 2018, 21:16

The tilt mechanism on the Altera Strada is one of the reasons I bought mine, this is it on the back of my old Range Rover which has a much larger lower tailgate than the XC90 and there's loads of room to get into the boot with a bike/bikes on the rack

4x4 · Jun 5th, 2018, 18:25

Up early this morning and loaded the XC90 with bikes then spent the day with a couple of mates cycling round the Isle of Arran... lovely day

Jun 3rd, 2018, 10:48	#1
davB Junior Member Last Online: Jul 21st, 2023 17:48 Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: abcd	Volvo Official Tow Bar Bike Rack Are there any advantages in buying the official Volvo tow bar mounted bike rack? I assume it is a rebranded product from Thule or Witter? BACK STORY: I recently ordered an Altera Strada unit but it arrived in such a damaged box I have rejected it on the basis that the rack could be damaged as well. As the Altera doesn't have any product protection inside the box I'm not about to order another one - therefore on the hunt for a different 3 bike unit.

Jun 3rd, 2018, 22:53	#3
noodle1066 Volvo is now in my blood Last Online: Yesterday 22:14 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Guildford	The downside of having a Volvo branded one (I have the Volvo branded 931 and 929 G6 LED), is that if you require assistance/spares or have a question, Thule tell you to go to your Volvo dealer. They simply will not deal with you. It's been real pain in the ass. __________________ XC90 Ex Demo (Rugged Urban & High Spec) XC60 R-Design L/Nav - WPack, Heated SW, P Gl V70 R-Design - Heated Seats, Powered Tailgate

Jun 4th, 2018, 19:50	#6
PJordan Member Last Online: Mar 19th, 2022 14:55 Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Edinburgh	I have always used Thule bike carriers and cannot recommend them highly enough, incredibly well made and good prices if you shop around. __________________ XC60 D5 AWD SE Lux Nav Auto, 2017 Family Pack, Winter Pack, Panoramic Sunroof.

Jun 3rd, 2018, 14:46	#2
1monkey600 Senior Member Last Online: May 19th, 2021 11:48 Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Swansea	The original volvo one is actually made by Thule. Eg the compact (ie expandable) 3 bike one is exactly equivalent to a Thule veloCompact 926 with 13-pin plug and fog light. Sells for around £500. The more easily come by 7-pin plug model is off the shelf in places like Halfords/decathlon, etc and known as the velocompact 927. Exactly the same except for the 13pin plug and no foglight. I would buy a £4 foglight from ebay and replace the 7-pin for a 13pin plug if I wanted the extra light. Halfords offer for the moment at £389 http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike...elocompact-927 Good thing about Halfords is that their discounts are often cumulative, so can end up saving even more - eg if you are a member of 'British Cycling' you would get another 10% off anything you buy there, even if already using another code or sale price. Roofracks.co.uk about £370

Jun 4th, 2018, 21:03	#8
1monkey600 Senior Member Last Online: May 19th, 2021 11:48 Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Swansea	I use the velocompact 927 that I mentioned above. I carry the other half's 23kg e-bike and the kid's two aluminium road bikes on it. (Max allowed load is 60kg, max allowed single bike is 25kg) There is the option for a 4th bike on it (with additional accessory) but I prefer to carry my carbon bike on the roof to avoid clamping the carbon tubes. Once you get used to the way it does it, there is no problem with tilting the rack down to open the boot. It uses a foot pedal to do most of the work. The velo compact part means the lights and wheel clamps slide inwards so that the carrier narrows down enough that it can easily be chucked in the boot if required (eg if you have to leave the car parked up somewhere dodgy)

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