HI Everyone 

 

has anyone any experience with a bike rack for the Estate? need to be able to use the back regularly too - 2 big dogs!

 

any help and recommendations  gratefully received

 

John

 

I've got a set of Thule aero bars and some 591 to carry my bikes.

I've got a Thule 3 bike carrier that sits on the tow bar. Works like a charm.

I have the Atera Strada DL that fits onto the tow ball - I bought the 2 bike version but you can get 3 and 4 I think. I use it for both road and mountain bikes.

 

Not the cheapest but after a lot of research I decided it was the one for me. Buy cheap buy twice.

 

It certainly is a very good quality and the wheel straps and clamps (locking) are very sturdy and fit for purpose. The rack is supported as you slide it back. Very easy to fit - like 1 minute and the same in reverse. It also fits in the boot left to right if required (i.e you don't need to turn it sideways). Because of the way it slides back you can also easily get into the boot.

 

I haven't noticed any real impact in economy either. So whereas you might save buying a roof mounted system, in the long run you will undoubtedy spend more on fuel.

 

As far as I am aware it is only available in the UK from Roofbox and comes with UK legal fog lights.

 

http://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4_tab.php/all-products/atera_strada_dl_2_to_3_bike_carrier_uk_lights_no_ar2602/Qx%40w%2C6M4PHS%2CZGenkQvENtdosR

 

The video on the link below shows it in action:

 

http://www.youtube.com/embed/-6spSWoezqc?rel=0

I use the tow bar on my Octavia Scout for mounting an Atera Strada bike rack. I bought this one specifically because we've got a big dog (a 70kg Leonberger) so needed one that could be easily be moved out of the way to allow boot to open. It just slides back out of the way leaving the boot clear space to open. As previous post has said it goes on and off really quickly as well. Would definitely recommend the Atera racks, quite expensive but really good value and last well.