I'm undecided!

I used to have a vectra with roof bars and thule bike carriers but sold them with the car (mistake?)

Anyway, with the octavia i can get road bike in boot with wheels off so not bothered really. Infact like bike tucked away safe.

Anyway, we are off as family down to Devon and I fancy taking bike. I'm not about to buy full roof set up just for holiday, so a friend has offered to lend me one that straps to back of car? I tried it tonight.. Fits good, a lot of straps and stuff..

I don't know? 300miles trip..what do you recon? Have you ever carried bikes on back of your vrs hatch? do you have pics, how did you sit around spoiler? Also.. Full glass boot lid to top.. Strong enough?

Thanks for any input or views.. Guess I'm just after second opinions..

Mike

i've used a rear mounted carrier in the past and hated it - i now have thule pro-ride carriers on the roof bars.  The rear carrier means you can't get into the boot once the bike is on, it conflicts with your rear wiper, blocks your vision and mine damaged the car/ scratched the paint.  Yes you could put some gaffer tape on first but its a phaff.

 

personally i'd try to find a way to put the bike inside the car if its just a one-off.  or borrow some roof mounts?

Minor scratching is my worst fear.

Had a rear mounted carrier in the past and the straps on the bottom used to drop off if the rear bumper flexed, scary! (Fiesta)

Would renting a bike be an option?!

Thanks for the input guys... Swaying towards renting now. If I could find roof bars to borrow would be fab. Just not happy with frame hanging off back of car.

Just wanted to take my bike as it's really good one, I've just tested it disassembled in boot.. It fits neat but think we carrying too much other stuff!

I borrowed one off next door with my old VRS - only went ten miles and didn't really feel that happy about it.

Wouldn't have out it on for a long trip if I'm honest

Well, had a play, wheels off, handle bars and pedals off, all tucks neatly up against back seat.. All down to what the rest of the family want to take now..might get away with this!!

Ive reacently bought an Octy VRS estate with a Witter detachable tow bar, bought a Witter 3 bike rack to go with it so i can lug my downhill bike about on it and its the best money ive ever spent. So easy to use as well and perfectly secure.

Used to have a Mk4 Ibiza Cupra and had a bike rack on the boot of that and it was a nightmare.

Would deffo look towards a tow bar and bike rack if its going to be a regular occurance.

I bought a tow ball mounted one for my vrs and it folds down to the floor with bikes attached to get into the boot. It works a treat.

I bought a tow ball mounted one for my vrs and it folds down to the floor with bikes attached to get into the boot. It works a treat.

 

so does mine.

 

Detachable tow bar was about £320 fitted, 3 bike rack about £150, £480 shelled out but worth it. car is safe from damage and no chance of dropping bike on roof when trying to put it on a rack.

fixed towbar on my saloon (can't put anything else apart from roof bars on a saloon) plus a thule 3bike bar.

 

really wish i had gone for canbus electrics though, parking sensors scream when i reverse is so annoying!

fixed towbar on my saloon (can't put anything else apart from roof bars on a saloon) plus a thule 3bike bar.

 

really wish i had gone for canbus electrics though, parking sensors scream when i reverse is so annoying!

Can you turn the PDC volume down? If so, solves the problem.

Detachable swan neck & Thule 9708 four-bike hang on. You need a light board too.

Not cheap overall, but great system. Allows access to the boot. Very secure (lockable).

Mount bikes & forget.

Hmm, I think I might just buy roof rack and bike carriers. I don't like the idea of all that hanging of the boot? Worked well on my old vectra on roof..

However, that's only if I take bikes regular, as it is, bike fits in boot with wheels off.. It's just when got family with me boot becomes busy!

Hmm, I think I might just buy roof rack and bike carriers. I don't like the idea of all that hanging of the boot? Worked well on my old vectra on roof..

However, that's only if I take bikes regular, as it is, bike fits in boot with wheels off.. It's just when got family with me boot becomes busy!

 

 

We had roof bars ad racks on the mrs juke, it is hard work lifting bikes on and off. I was constantly worried in case i damaged the paintwork putting the rack on, or dropped a bike on the roof in error.

Towbar = completely separate from the back door of the car and dead easy to get bikes on. the Thule also will allow boot access without removing the bike

Excusing the ladies and girls luggage.. Bike and everything fits! Even put another layer ontop of this all after photo!

Amazing boot.. Bike fits sideways across rear of seats with wheels off, handle bars and pedals off.. Perfect, all inside

Mike

Edited 13 June, 201412 yr by MCD

Lol. It's a new competition, where is the bike.

Good work!