From reading some threads these are not a good idea, especially on the hatch with the Glass.

Is it possible to adapt the universal ones to fit? As the cycle shop never thought of the glass as an issue.

I'd recommend towbar mounted for security.

From reading some threads these are not a good idea, especially on the hatch with the Glass.

Is it possible to adapt the universal ones to fit? As the cycle shop never thought of the glass as an issue.

Saris bones 3 fits over the spoiler and works a treat! sits on the metal of the boot and the top of the bumper so no glass contact

Towbar option is by far the best. (in my humble opinion)

I'd agree with the towbar option, got to be the best I've ever used, but personally wouldn't put a towbar on the car just to use a bike rack.

Instead, I went for the roofbar option. Very secure, fast and doesn't kill the economy too much.

My kit is all Thule, just need to take car when attaching the roof bars to avoid scratching the roof.

I'd agree with the towbar option, got to be the best I've ever used, but personally wouldn't put a towbar on the car just to use a bike rack.

Instead, I went for the roofbar option. Very secure, fast and doesn't kill the economy too much.

My kit is all Thule, just need to take car when attaching the roof bars to avoid scratching the roof.

I did try a tow bar option, but nothing seemed to work well with the OEM detachable swan neck type (may be different now, don't know as I haven't looked for a while!). So I went the same way in the end. Roof bars have been on and off loads of time with up to four Mont Blanc Barracudas on them. With care, i've not scratched or dented the roof (yet)! And I'm still fully able to access the boot for the rest of the kit/luggage.

I've recently bought a towbar carrier that works great with the swan neck removable towbar on our estate. It's a Thule Hang On 9708 and works really well. It'll take 4 bikes and can fold down to allow access to the boot (although having said that it's really too heavy to do this with the bikes attached). It can also be closed up on itself so that when you are not using it to carry bikes it doesn;t stick out.

If I can get some photos uploaded I will.

I've recently bought a towbar carrier that works great with the swan neck removable towbar on our estate. It's a Thule Hang On 9708 and works really well. It'll take 4 bikes and can fold down to allow access to the boot (although having said that it's really too heavy to do this with the bikes attached). It can also be closed up on itself so that when you are not using it to carry bikes it doesn;t stick out.

If I can get some photos uploaded I will.

Oooohhhhh Please, I'd be interested to see how that works

I bought the roof bars and roof mounted Bike Carrier. Works brilliant and its nice and easy to use.

Another vote here for the Saris Bones 3

Edited 1 September, 201015 yr by smog monster

I now have a Thule on the roof of my VRS hatch. best bike rack I have ever used in 30 something years. IMO way better than the towbar or rear window type racks I've had in the past.

Edit:

BTW we also have a Saris bones 3 at home for another vehicle. Using it with two bikes on my VRS ended up scrapping all the paint off the edge of the spoiler. It's a pretty close fit and if anything moves a paint repair will be required.

Edited 2 September, 201015 yr by K1W1

I have all three types, towbar, roof mount and hatch mount.

I have a Halfords rear carrier that I have used on my Leon in the past, but I was never happy with it to be honest - you have to check it numerous times during the journey as they do come loose as well.

This is my rear mounted rack on my Octavia - but as said you have to go to the expense of a towbar to have this solution. But I agree this is the best in my opinion.

And this is my Leon with my roof rack on - I bought the official SEAT bars for this and it has the Mont Blanc Barracuda rack attached.

HTH

Unless you pull the fuse for the rear wiper you're guaranteed to have it try to sweep the back window at some point when you select reverse, so anything blocking the wiper is a bad idea. I'd recommend the towball option if you've already got a towbar or the roof rack option if you want to carry a maximum of two bikes very conveniently (And reckon you'll remember to watch for low clearance barriers while the bikes are up).

anyone ever tried one of these?

http://www.saris.com/?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage_images.tpl&product_id=56&option=com_virtuemart

Hope thats the right link to the solo carrier.

have a big bike rack on the mrs's car but if i just fancy going out on my own for the day, question is will it fit over the vrs spoiler and to me it looks llike it might only fit on a hatch with near verticle back

It'll still rub your paint off if you use it a lot. Also if you're heading out by yourself for the day just fold the seats down and stick the bike in the car altogether. This feature is pretty much the reason I got an Octavia ...

ahh you have not accounted for the lanky factor! to do that i have to take the seat off at least one of the wheels and then its a bit of a tight fit!

Oooohhhhh Please, I'd be interested to see how that works

OK here you go - a Thule 9708...

ahh you have not accounted for the lanky factor! to do that i have to take the seat off at least one of the wheels and then its a bit of a tight fit!

Front wheel off and I've not found a MTB or road bike that wouldn't fit, but then most of them are 6' or under. Mountain Bikes with Forks under 100mm travel will go straight in without even wheels off. It's still quicker to take the saddle out and drop the bike in than fit the rack, tie the bike securely to it and hope it stays put and put the rack away securely wherever you're parked while you're out on the bike though.

The Rack was part of the deal, I haven't had a chance to try it yet, supposed to try it on Monday. The sales guy seemed to think it would work and get under spoiler (I don't think it will). The bar will go under spoiler and the straps over it to the top of bootlid. Then he showed me 2 pieces that instead of clipping onto the glass they hang inside so when boot closes they pull against inside of plastic/end of roof etc.

The other problem is the wifes Fiesta has a lip spoiler so I doubt it will fit that either as the straps will have to come around the spoiler, and I don't want that.

does anybody know if other manufacturers ie vw, audi or seat roof bars will fit will fit a 2007 octy? or do you have to get a rack and foot pack specific to skoda octy mk2? i saw an add online where a guy was selling his audi A4 genuine rack for 40 quid! which would be a serious bargain if it would fit as i started surfing lately and a new roof rack that looks good i.e. has the aero aluminium bars is pretty expensive.........