Best way to transport four bikes

[Odysseus]

What's the best solution to transport four bikes (two adult bikes, and two kids bikes - one with 20 inch wheels and one with 24 inch wheels)? Ideally not using any interior space, that's where the baby bike and stuff will go.

I have a 2012 XC90 Executive and I own a set of roof bars. I'd like to very much avoid going down the towbar route as a) I don't have one, and b) I don't want people to think I have a caravan.

Any recommendations gratefully received.

[37 RUBY]

Originally Posted by Odysseus

What's the best solution to transport four bikes (two adult bikes, and two kids bikes - one with 20 inch wheels and one with 24 inch wheels)? Ideally not using any interior space, that's where the baby bike and stuff will go.

I have a 2012 XC90 Executive and I own a set of roof bars. I'd like to very much avoid going down the towbar route as a) I don't have one, and b) I don't want people to think I have a caravan.

Any recommendations gratefully received.

Well if you don't want them on a towbar carrier and you've got roof bars I reckon you've answered your own question.

If you've got to ask on here how to carry four bikes you'd be no good with a caravan anyway

That said you could try here https://www.roofbox.co.uk/bike-carriers/

[DaveNP]

For four bikes you're stuck with on the roof or a substantial towbar rack or a trailer, heaving four bikes onto the roof of an XC90 will be a workout though and you won't get into a lot of carparks.

[Whyman]

Get a removable tow bar so you can take it off when not in use.

Apart from the enormous task of getting 4 bikes on to the roof of the XC90, a slight error and you cold have serious damage to the roof the bike and even yourself. As mentioned above the hazards of entering car parks with them on, have you thought about the noise they make on the roof and the bugs you will have to get off the bikes?

Just to let you know I have a removable tow bar, a Thule bike rack and a caravan.

[Zebra]

Definitely get a removable towbar. On my Mark 1 XC90 I fitted a removable Westfalia towbar, Volvo electrics for about £250. When the towbar is detached you cannot see any sign of it. Then a four bike Thule towbar platform bike carrier for about £400.

I also had roof bars for occasionally carrying 6 bikes in total and I can agree that the effort of getting bikes on and off the roof, the noise when driving coupled with the paranoia of not wanting to drive under something low makes the towbar carrier the winner every time.

Once you get one you will never go back. So much easier.

(Roof bars and 4 bar bike racks will set you back £600 so the cost differential is not massive).

I don't have a caravan and I am not aware that I have ever been judged for having a towbar!

[green van man]

Alternatively sell the bikes and walk.

I have 2 caravans.

Paul.

[TobyAnscombe]

Zero caravans but have had tow bars on my last 3 XC60's. Currently have a Thule Euro with the extra carrier. Have transported 4 bikes all around Europe at motorway speeds with zero issues.

Yes, the tow-bar is expensive but it makes it a 10 min fit and leave job..

[dingov70]

Adding my few pennies worth to this discussion , I know of a neighbour who now has a trailer with locking lid into which goes everything child related ( excluding kids ) & the adult bikes are fitted to a rack attached to top of trailer . He has way more space in car , reduced drag from not having bikes on roof and is able to take extra junk as he describes it as necessary