We reckon that Atera's new STRADA tilting carriers are the best designed and best engineered tow ball carriers on the market, bar none. This page shows the 3 bike version; an adapter (listed below) can be added for carrying a 4th bike. Apart from its all round style, what's so special about the STRADA?

(1) Fundamentally, it slides away from the vehicle, rather than tilting, i.e. the bike carrier takes the weight of the bikes, rather than you, and there's tailgate clearance even for vehicles with vertical tailgates. It's by far and away the easiest tilting carrier to use.

(2) It fits to 'bolt on' or 'swan neck' tow balls without any adjustment; you just place it on the tow ball and push down the handle - no spanners or Allen keys are required.

(3) It's much the lightest of the 4 bike tilting wheel support racks on the market.

(4) Furthermore, it's the most compact 3 to 4 bike carrier available. At only 1 metre wide it should fit into most if not all car boots, allowing you to park safely without risk of the bike carrier being damaged. You only need to flick up a couple of cam levers to fold the upright bike holder support.

(5) The bike frame holders are without a doubt the most sophisticated units available. They fit oval and other outsize frames as well as round ones, wrapping a strap right around the frame for safety and security. (This looks like a simple plastic strap, but it is in fact 'sandwiched' around a spring steel core.) With swivel joints at both ends, and a slight curve in the aluminium support rod to increase the opportunities available, we haven't yet come across any combination of bike sizes and styles that can't easily be locked into place using the same key which locks the whole unit to the tow ball.

Technical and miscellaneous:

• Weight of carrier =14.5kg
• Maximum payload: 60kg
• The wheels are held in place with quick fit polypropylene straps which suit all rim and tyre sizes.
• The STRADA has five function rear lights and, uniquely, has a double ended plug which fits both 13 pin continental type electric sockets as well as the standard UK 7 pin socket. (If you have a 7 pin socket the reversing light and fog light will not work. The 7 pin socket isn't wired for these functions)

Note for vehicles with a rear mounted spare wheel: You may not be able to fit the STRADA onto vehicles with a rear mounted spare wheel: in our experience you almost always have to remove the spare wheel. This could be (1) to get the bike carrier onto the vehicle (the upright may hit the spare wheel), (2) to get the bikes to fit on the carrier (the handlebars etc could hit the spare wheel) or (3) take the carrier off the tow bar after use (the handle to remove it could clash with the spare wheel).

Made in Germany.