As i haven't yet been able to set aside for retrofitting roof rails, I want to get a rear bike rack.

I've been looking at several that are stated to work on the Roomster. In order of my preference, they are:

1. Saris Bones

2. Pendle

3. Thule

Any experience with these, or more importantly knowledge that one of these will NOT fit?

I know you can transport bikes inside the car itself, but if planning a family outing, can't quite leave the kids at home

i have got a tow bar fitted to my new roomster. Plan to buy a towbar bike carrier - looking at the buzzy bee models.

If I had a towbar already I would definitely forget the roof bars and just get a hitch mounted bike carrier. However with costs for the towbar approaching 150, plus labor costs for fitting, plus the carrier, I'm already into territory where I might as well have installed roof rails.

I think I may go for the bones one if i can bag a bargain on ebay, would only need it for short trips at the moment anyways.

I have roof rails and bars so use a roof mounted bike racks but i can reccomend Thule products. Been using them for years and i have found them to be well designed and constructed. Maybe a little more expensive than others but i would say they are worth it.

After costing out the option of having a towbar fitted and that the maximum nose weigth that the towbars can take is comparitively low (~50kg) we opted for the cheaper option of using a Saris Bones 3. I managed to pick one up on ebay for £75 and despite my concerns as to how it would perform, it is actually very good and stable. only problem is the carrier covers the number plate so you will need to order another to attach to the outermost bike. Again through ebay i got a rear number plate with numbers printed on, for £5. hope this helps?

Again through ebay i got a rear number plate with numbers printed on, for £5. hope this helps?

Were they cheaper without numbers?

No just not much use without letters on it

After costing out the option of having a towbar fitted and that the maximum nose weigth that the towbars can take is comparitively low (~50kg) we opted for the cheaper option of using a Saris Bones 3. I managed to pick one up on ebay for £75 and despite my concerns as to how it would perform, it is actually very good and stable. only problem is the carrier covers the number plate so you will need to order another to attach to the outermost bike. Again through ebay i got a rear number plate with numbers printed on, for £5. hope this helps?

I had my eyes on one but was hesitant to buy without testing. Hearing your good review of the Saris bones I've just gotten one on ebay as well. Now just the spare plate missing.

thank you to everyone who gave suggestions

Hi,

We are just swapping my wifes 1.9Tdi Roomster 3 for a new 1.2 TSi Roomster SE (great deal) and will be swapping over our Skoda Internal Bike Rack. It's a great piece of kit and it means our Mountain Bikes are safe from evil hands when we park up. Admitedly, not much use if you want to use more than one of the rear seats, but this was one of the features that led us to buying the first Roomster and replacing it with the same.

I would do that, but with 2 kids and a total of 4 bikes, an external solution is the only option. Unless some way to tie the kids on the back

Although I have roofbars I use a Thule Easybase with fittings for two bikes (it can take up to three with the correct fittings). It fits on the tow-ball in about 2 mins. It is much easier to load bikes on this than on roof-mounted carriers, especially if they are covered in muck. I can recommend Thule products - the only disadvantage of the Easybase is that you need to unload the bikes to open the rear door. It can also be used to carry other stuff instead of bikes.

Have you had problems with the rear wiper when a rear rack is fitted, and if so, what was the solution? Is there a quick and easy fix?