Bike/Cycle Carriers:Car/Cycle Racks:Bicycle Carriers:Bike Rack:Cycle Rack:Bike/Cycle Carrier

Steel: The EUROBIKE is a basic but solid steel bike carrier from Fapa's budget 'Rack System' range; it's much better built than similar bike carriers of this type. It fits roof bars to 50mm wide, and downtubes to 50mm. It comes complete with a standard 'Thule style' locking knob to lock the bike to the carrier, and two strong polypropylene wheel straps. 2 year guarantee. It's not suitable for 'T-track' aerobars. If you need roof bars then check out our Fapa bars and EUROBIKE package deals - see next page.
ENJOY YOUR BIKE - BEST BUY AWARD WINNER

>> Atera BIKE LIFT
>> Atera Tandem BIKE LIFT

Atera’s hydraulic BIKE LIFT makes easy work of roof mounting. One lift can be placed on either side of the car. You slide the saddle into its carrying loop, secure it with the safety strap, hook the handlebars into their securing cradle, and then with relatively minimal effort the bike rises to the car roof. Not the cheapest option, but well worth it if you aren’t confident that you’ll be able to lift your bike to head height without it toppling over… There's also a tandem version.

Thule’s aluminium and steel 973 BackPac clamp on carrier is for estate cars and vans only; it carries up to four bikes, depending on the strength of the tailgate, and can be moved from car to car by use of a different fitting kit to provide real value for money. The three bike version weighs in at 16.5 kg. Initial construction is relatively time consuming, but it has a wider application list than the Atera LINEA.

Pendle’s 3 bike Strap On carrier was given an MB UK ‘Best Buy’ award some years ago. (“The quality of construction above all makes it stand out… As one tester put it, it feels engineered rather than simply ‘produced’.”) And in 2006 it won both the "Enjoy your Bike" magazine Best Buy Award and, much more importantly, the Auto Express Best Buy award for rear door fitting carriers. Some cars require a lighting unit, and some require the use of a special window adapter where there is no metal at the top of the tailgate - the database will tell you whether these are required, and list the lighting board options.

Thule's 3 bike ClipOn carrier was modified in 2006; the previous version was an Auto Express Best Buy award winner. It has metal straps, and once adjusted for your vehicle is very quick and easy to clip / snap into place, and to remove. It's a low mount carrier so will almost certainly require the use of a lighting board. There are two versions of the ClipOn - one's mainly for hatchbacks, the other for estates. Lighting board? No worries - your local auto electrician should easily be able to wire a socket into the rear light cluster, left inside the boot space.

Lighting boards are available for all 'strap on' carriers, either in white or yellow. Pendle make a lighting board specifically for their Strap On rack. You'll find all these items listed as options on the individual product order pages.

Note that some of the cars which are known NOT to be suitable for carrying strap on racks are also shown on the applications database. This 'No fit' part of the list is almost certainly incomplete. 'Strap on' carriers can be dangerous if misused or badly fitted, and the budget ones (which we don't sell) often seem to damage car bodywork even if apparently fitted correctly; please note therefore that we will accept no responsibility for loss or damage, of whatever kind, where strap on carriers are incorrectly fitted or inappropriately used.

You also need to use commonsense in placing appropriate padding between the bikes on any rear mounting or indeed tow bar mounting carrier. This is especially needed where a 'strap on' carrier leaves the bikes at an angle of perhaps 45 degrees, and all the bikes are basically lying on each other. Anything from closed cell foam matting to old carpet can be appropriate. In other words, we'll be delighted to supply the carriers you need, but it must always be your responsibility to make sure that your bikes aren't damaged.

Please phone 015396 21884 (9am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday) or email if you have any questions about these racks, or if you have a recently released car which might not have been tested by the various manufacturers.

Steel: The VELO is a very impressive steel cycle carrier. It holds downtubes to 80mm, and fits to roof bars up to 80mm wide (wide roof bar fixings supplied), as well as to 'T track' aerobars (adapters required). It’s 200mm wide and can be fitted for loading either from the left or the right hand side. The quick release clamp only needs to be adjusted to a particular down tube size once, making it particularly quick and easy to use compared to most other steel carriers. It's nicely engineered and the whole assembly has a quality feel to it not normally associated with carriers in this price range. "Best Buy award", Auto Express 2006.

This is the only carrier on the market that fits to wide roof bars (to 80mm wide).

Steel: Thule’s FreeRide 530 is suitable for bikes with downtubes up to 80mm (oval) or 70mm (round). It’s 210mm wide and can be fitted for loading either from the left or the right hand side. The quick release clamp only needs to be adjusted to a particular down tube size once - similar to the Fapa VELO - making it particularly quick and easy to use.

>> Thule HangOn 972 (3 bikes) - £59.95
>> Thule HangOn 9708 (4 bikes) - £79.95

Thule's HangOn 972 and HangOn 9708 are, respectively, three and four bike carriers which use the same coupling as the Thule RideOns (and Tradekar TAKE FOUR); they fit both bolt on and swan neck tow balls. They can both be tilted to allow access to the car boot, but it's a basic process which certainly requires two people. A lighting board will be required.

Atera's design team have come up trumps again, with a superb new lightweight carrier (only 14.5kg) which is fully self-adjusting for all tow balls and - this is the real innovation - doesn't tilt but slides away from the car, much in the same way as a kitchen drawer slides out of a unit. Not only is this a single handed operation, but the bike carrier is taking the weight of the bikes, so it's easy, and safe - the bikes won't suddenly pivot forward and clock you on the head. You can step into the carrier to make carrying and fitting it even easier, i.e. placing no strain on your back, and causing no bruises to your shins. It's only 100cm wide so you should be able to fit it into the boot of most cars; although it locks to the tow bar this lock is as much for safety as security - the real benefit of being able to remove the carrier is that it increases the opportunities for safe parking, especially in e.g. a multi-storey car park, or in a standard car-length parking space, or when parked diagonally to the road, nose into the pavement, which is the typical routine in mainland Europe. There's even a double ended plug, i.e. both the "13 pin" continental type and the 7 pin standard UK type, so you'll never need a lighting adapter.

>> Pendle 2 bike wheel support rack, "fits over the tow ball" - £129.95
>> Pendle 2 bike wheel support rack for "bolt on" tow balls - £139.95

Pendle’s wheel support racks have won many ‘Best Buy’ awards over the years. The distance between the bikes can be altered to ensure they don’t rub together, the wheel holders can be altered for different wheel bases, and child supports are available for bikes with smaller wheels. One downside is that the 'bolt on' and 'swan neck' racks are not compatible, so if you switch tow ball type you'll have to buy not only a different mounting block but a completely new rack. If you have a rear spare wheel, or want more space between the bikes, buy a 3 bike version and only use two sets of fittings. (Note that we won't buy back any fittings you don't need - keep them for guest bikes! - and also note that we won't swap the main beams from e.g. a 2 bike carrier for the longer beams from a 3 bike carrier. If you want this degree of bespoke service you'll need to contact Pendle Engineering directly.)

The Tradekar Silver Bike is a top of the range tilting 2 bike carrier which fits to any tow ball. A 3rd bike adapter is available. It is simplicity itself to tilt the carrier, allowing easy access to the car. The tilt control handle is at the back of the carrier, near the number plate, so you won't get oil on your hands or clothes. The carrier tilts from the centre of the carrier, i.e. far enough back to allow vertical or near-vertical tailgates (e.g. MPVs) to be opened. A caravan and trailer adapter is also available - details on next page. All in all a very clever design.

Thule's EuroClassic Pro 903 fits all swan neck tow balls after appropriate adjustment, and most bolt on balls. Its unique Thule feature is that it can be folded up for storage, or for putting into the boot if car parking space is limited (very useful). It holds three bikes as standard; a fourth bike adapter is available. Tilting is a slightly fiddly process, controlled from the back of the carrier, near the rear lights, but you have to start by doing some two handed work on the tow ball mounting, which is awkward when the bikes are in place and access is difficult.

The Pendle Strap On Tyre Rack is the ideal 2 bike rack for vehicles with rear mounted spare wheels but no tow bar. It fits almost all 4 x 4s with rear mounted spare wheels. It can be adjusted from side to side to leave the bikes safely positioned across the width of the vehicle. Check the 4 x 4 application list on the next page which will tell you (1) whether this carrier is suitable for your vehicle and (2) whether a separate lighting board is required.

The Tradekar Silver Bike Speedy Fit also fits to any tow ball. A 3rd bike adapter is available. The main difference between this carrier and the Silver Bike (see above) is the new patented locking quick fit system which is fitted in literally "5 seconds flat" without the need for any tools. Silver Bike Speedy Fit comes with five function lights as standard, and a 13 pin plug - 13 to 7 pin adapters are available. It's simplicity itself to tilt the carrier, allowing easy access to the car. See above more more features and benefits of this tilting system. As with the cheaper model, it tilts in one easy movement, with a 'tilt stop' so it won't hit the ground.

Thule's 2 bike ClipOn High carrier is a flexible and quickly mounted wheel support rack, i.e. the bikes stand on their wheels, held apart by the locking frame holders. Thule's patented 'snap on' fitting system really does make it very quick and easy to fit, once assembled for the first time. The bikes sit above the rear light clusters and number plate on most cars - but check the database.

This carrier was further improved in 2006 - the previous version won a Auto Express 'Best Buy Award' in 2003 - click here to read the Auto Express report.

>> Pendle 3 bike Hang On rack - £75.95
>> Pendle 4 bike Hang On rack - £89.95

This season we are only supplying Pendle’s 3 or 4 bike Hang On racks for vehicles with a 'swan neck' tow ball; all things considered we favour the MaxxRaxx system for bolt on / "2 bolt flange" tow balls. (With a swan neck system the bike carrier "fits over the tow ball", so you obviously can't tow and carry bikes at the same time.) 4 x 4s with rear mounted spare wheels need a 4 x 4 version - see below. Certain vehicles with near vertical tailgates, including most MPVs and Range Rovers, will be better off with a standard 4 x 4 rack to ensure there is sufficient clearance for the pedals.

The Tradekar TAKE FOUR fits to any type of towball. It's solidly made, particularly easy to fit and use, and TUV approved. One useful feature - overcoming a problem of four bike wheel support racks which are heavy and can be awkward to carry - is that it's easily lifted into place. You can step inside the horizontal frame, grab the vertical bike support frame (which is set back behind the first bike space for optimum balance) and walk it into place. Overall it's excellent value for money.

Atera's design team have come up trumps again, with a superb new lightweight carrier (only 12.5kg) which is fully self-adjusting for all tow balls and - this is the real innovation - doesn't tilt but slides away from the car, much in the same way as a kitchen drawer slides out of a unit. Not only is this a single handed operation, but the bike carrier is taking the weight of the bikes, so it's easy, and safe - the bikes won't suddenly pivot forward and clock you on the head. You can step into the carrier to make carrying and fitting it even easier, i.e. placing no strain on your back, and causing no bruises to your shins. It's only 100cm wide so you should be able to fit it into the boot of most cars; although it locks to the tow bar this lock is as much for safety as security - the real benefit of being able to remove the carrier is that it increases the opportunities for safe parking, especially in e.g. a multi-storey car park, or in a standard car-length parking space, or when parked diagonally to the road, nose into the pavement, which is the typical routine in mainland Europe. There's even a double ended plug, i.e. both the "13 pin" continental type and the 7 pin standard UK type, so you'll never need a lighting adapter.

Thule's EuroClassic Pro 902 fits all swan neck tow balls after appropriate adjustment, and most bolt on balls. Its unique feature is that it can be folded up for storage, or perhaps for putting into the boot if car parking space is limited. It holds two bikes as standard; a third bike adapter is available. Tilting is a slightly fiddly process, but it works OK. Thule have replaced this carrier with the EuroClassic G5 904, so the 902 is only available at this special price while stocks last.

Pendle's Spare Wheel Rack is a top of the range solution for carrying 2 bikes. It fits to a rear door mounted adapter plate whose nose protrudes through the spare wheel. Most people leave these adapters permanently in place, so fitting and removing the carrier is a doddle. Replacement adapter plates can be bought separately. The whole unit can be adjusted from side to side to leave the bikes safely positioned across the width of the vehicle. Check the 4 x 4 application list on the next page which will tell you (1) whether this carrier is suitable for your vehicle and (2) whether a separate lighting board is required.

>> Pendle standard 4 x 4 rack ("Discovery rack") - £96.95
>> Pendle large wheel 4 x 4 rack ("Land Rover rack") - £106.95

You'll find that these links take you through to the "swan neck" carriers, i.e. "fits over the tow ball" carriers. The standard 4 x 4 rack has a 6" offset to clear the rear wheel, and the large wheel 4 x 4 rack has a 10" offset. The standard rack usually allows up to two bikes to be carried during towing (not recommended with the large wheel rack). Please apply basic commonsense in determining whether to carry bikes and tow at the same time - check the maximum permitted tow bar nose weight as well as the length of the caravan or trailer draw bar.

There's a 4 x 4 application chart on the next page which shows which carriers are required / recommended for which vehicles, and whether a separate lighting unit is required.

Note that Pendle’s 'swan neck' and "bolt on" racks are NOT compatible in any way; if you change tow ball type you'll need a complete new rack.

The MaxxRaxx Premier is suitable for cars, vans and 4 x 4 vehicles with no rear mounted spare wheel - see below for the rear spare wheel versions. These carriers are tiltable, versatile, ingenious. Spares are available to fit it to any type of vehicle and any type of tow bar - there's even a ski carrier. 5 bikes can be carried on certain 4 x 4s and larger vehicles with nose weights of 100kg or more. The way the bikes fit provides some of the benefits of using a wheel support rack, but at more of a hang on rack price.

Enjoy your Bike magazine - "Best Buy Award 2006"

>> MaxxRaxx Discovery
>> MaxxRaxx 4 x 4

MaxxRaxx Discovery - suitable for the Land Rover Discovery Series 1 and 2 (140mm offset). MaxxRaxx 4 x 4 - suitable for vehicles with a larger rear mounted spare wheel (250mm offset). These carriers are tiltable, versatile, ingenious. Spares are available to fit it to any type of vehicle and any type of tow bar - there's even a ski carrier. 5 bikes can be carried on certain 4 x 4s and larger vehicles with nose weights of 100kg or more.

Almost all the problems we have encountered with the bike carriers we sell have happened with fork mounting carriers. Things have moved on a lot in bike carrier design, minimising the potential for user error, but the differences between the forks being held too tight (potential for fork damage), too loose (potential for falling off) and just right, do seem to be down to quite subtle changes in tension. If you can find a way of using a safety strap, mounted e.g. around the frame and then around the front roof bar, this would generally be "A Good Idea".

The Atera LINEA is an aluminium clamp on carrier of the highest quality, supplied partially assembled, and designed to carry up to four bikes, depending on the strength of the tailgate. The three bike version weighs only 8.5 kg! Fitting the adapter kit is quick and easy work, and it’s fair to say that Atera’s adapters, which are tightened up using a special key, provide a more precise fit than Thule’s BackPac adapters. The four bike models are for specific vehicles only and include some stainless steel in the construction. Popular applications include the Renault Megane Scenic (3 bikes), Mercedes Vito (4 bikes), Alhambra / Galaxy / Sharan series (4 bikes), and Volkswagen T4 and T5 (4 bikes).

These racks are usually the easiest and quickest to use of all bike carriers, taking up to four bikes. Click on one of the links below to go directly to: >> 2 bikes maximum >> 3 bikes maximum >> 4 bikes maximum. If you do decide to go for a tow bar mounted wheel support rack, please check the maximum permitted weight for your tow bar. Allow 15kg for each bike you want to carry, (or weigh the bikes), and don't forget to include the weight of the bike carrier.

>> Pendle 4 bike wheel support rack, "fits over the tow ball" - £183.95
>> Pendle 4 bike wheel support rack for "bolt on" tow balls - £198.95

Aluminium: The previous GIRO was a worthy winner of the Auto Express Best Buy Award on several occasions. The aluminium GIRO AF is its replacement, new in 2006. It features automatic shoulder high single handed tensioning and locking, leaving one hand to hold the bike in place. Superb!

The Thule EuroWay 945 was new for 2005. It's suitable for all types of tow bars, and has a tilt function operated from the back of the bike carrier, near the lights - that's a major plus point. It is supplied largely preassembled, and clamps onto the tow ball with an upgraded version of the Thule RideOn fitting - this includes an integral lock, i.e. to lock the carrier to the car, and tightening is done with a large hand wheel and a lever for the final tightening. The UK version has 7 pin electrics / 3 function lights.

The Thule EuroWay 945 was new for 2005. It's suitable for all types of tow bars, and has a tilt function operated from the back of the bike carrier, near the lights - that's a major plus point. It is supplied largely preassembled, and clamps onto the tow ball with an upgraded version of the Thule RideOn fitting - this includes an integral lock, i.e. to lock the carrier to the car, and tightening is done with a large hand wheel and a lever for the final tightening. It's a neat carrier, its downside being that it tilts from the ball, and you won't obtain sufficient clearance for use with vertical tailgates. The UK version has 7 pin electrics / 3 function lights.

The Thule RideOn is an entry level tilting wheel support rack. It clamps onto any tow ball using a similar fitting to the Tradekar TAKE FOUR, i.e. just tighten the bolt with a spanner until it's tight. (A lock accessory is available.) The tilt function requires the removal of a couple of 'U' bolts, really a two person job as one person needs to take the pressure off the U bolts and at the same time prevent the bikes from tilting (a.k.a. "dropping") back onto the ground as soon as the U bolts are removed. Actually it's good value at this price range, but don't ask too much of it - there are very big differences in ease of use between cheap and expensive bike carriers / car racks. Another point in its favour is that it's small enough to go into to the boot of the car as required, e.g. if you are parking on the street and the car will be too long with a bike rack fitted.

The GIRO Speed is a smart and innovative carrier, originally designed for BMW but now available to the aftermarket. The real innovation is in the tightening system where, first time out, you pull out the tensioning knob and turn it until it's just the way you want it, not too tight, not too loose. Thereafter it uses a quick release system. Other manufacturers use a trial and error system, i.e. guess the tension required, and then find out whether it's right; there's a real danger of overtightening and then breaking the mechanism. The GIRO Speed fits standard 22mm x 32mm bars, and Atera or Thule aerobars (adapters are included), and is suitable for bikes with disc brakes, and bikes with wide tyres. City-crash tested.

>> Pendle 3 bike wheel support rack, "fits over the tow ball" - £157.95
>> Pendle 3 bike wheel support rack for "bolt on" tow balls - £167.95

Pendle’s wheel support racks have won many ‘Best Buy’ awards over the years. The distance between the bikes can be altered to ensure they don’t rub together, the wheel holders can be altered for different wheel bases, and child supports are available for bikes with smaller wheels. One downside is that the 'bolt on' and 'swan neck' racks are not compatible, so if you switch tow ball type you'll have to buy not only a different mounting block but a completely new rack. If you have a rear spare wheel, or want more space between the bikes, buy a 4 bike version and only use three sets of fittings. (Note that we won't buy back any fittings you don't need - keep them for guest bikes! - and also note that we won't swap the main beams from e.g. a 3 bike carrier for the longer beams from a 4 bike carrier. If you want this degree of bespoke service you'll need to contact Pendle Engineering directly.)

Thule's new No. 1 tow bar carrier is certainly very smart, and is quickly and easily fitted to all the tow balls we've tested it with, including (after adjustment) tow balls which we know to be very slightly the wrong size. (There are a surprising number about!) That's good. The tilting process is also a great improvement. The carrier pivots from near the front, and there is a tilt stop (i.e. the bikes don't hit the ground), making this genuinely a single handed operation. Previous EuroClassics have pivoted around the tow ball, which made tilting the carrier a relatively slow process. You can increase the tilt angle to 70 degrees for use on vehicles with near-vertical tailgates, e.g. most MPVs. At 18kg (19kg with the 3rd bike adapter) it's also easy enough to carry. Although it's supplied with wheel supports for 3 bikes, an extra adapter is required for the 3rd bike. Approximately 136cm wide by 60cm deep.

An aluminium tow bar mounting system of the highest quality, with a range of accessories from a storage box to a tandem carrier. Lightweight but, being aluminium, expensive. Details to follow - watch this space during the last few days of June. We have stock of the 4 bike version - fits to all types of tow ball - but still need to translate the German instructions. German speakers, order away just ASAP you see the detailed products in place. In the meantime, please contact info@roofbox.co.uk for more information, or see www.allround-hecktraeger.de for details.

This Bike Carriers product range page, shows our full range of roof mounting, rear door mounting, tow bar mounting and 'in car' bike racks / car racks / bike carriers.

If you need general help in deciding which type of carrier(s) to buy then please visit our bike carrier information pages.

Click on the name or image of any car rack you're interested in and you'll be taken to a detailed specification page, with links to the online ordering system. You'll also see all appropriate 'Related Products'. For roof mounting carriers there are also links to the Roof Bars pages, so you should be able to pull together your whole order in a logical way.