Any advice and experience on a tow bar mounted bike rack for 3-4 bikes? I've been looking at either a Thule or Witter.

Any advice and experience on a tow bar mounted bike rack for 3-4 bikes? I've been looking at either a Thule or Witter.

Search for Sparkrite carriers. Silver1011 has one and I'm ordering one this week. £259

I have this:

http://www.thule.com/en/be/products/carriers-and-racks/bike-carriers/towbar-mounted-bike-carriers/thule-velocompact-926-_-926001

 

I'm satisfied with this one.

Would not want a Soda superb, I hear that their engines go pop.

I'll get me coat now...

That's a cue for me to amend the title lol......

I've used two. A Thule VeloCompact 927 (which I borrowed), and an Atera Strada DL3 (which I bought).

Both work well - used on 2 holidays with a 29er mountain bike, and two 20" kids bikes.

Both can tilt out of the way of the rear hatch/tailgate.

Both will fold up and fit in the boot when you're not carrying bikes.

Both have lockable towball clamp, and lockable arms.

Thule pros:

- Very nicely engineered & solid

- The folding arms (that attach to the bike top tubes) can be easily removed, threaded through bike frames, and refitted.

Thule cons:

- Heavier

- The wheel "trays" all slide in unison, so can be a bit of a compromise if you've got a mix of bikes sizes (for example a 29" MTB and tiny kids bikes).

- The version I borrowed only had 7-pin electrics. No foglight, no reverse light. Maybe newer versions have switched to 13pin though?

Atera pros:

- A bit lighter than the Thule

- Easier to put on. Once it's over the towbar, it's handsfree - so easier to straighten up before clamping.

- 13pin electrics. Foglight, reverse light work.

- Wheel "trays" can all be adjusted individually, can help position bikes to stop them fouling each other.

Atera cons:

- Doesn't feel as nicely engineered, but still perfectly up to the job.

- The folding arms can't be removed - just need to thread all the bikes over them as they go on. OK once you've had a practise.

I have one of these, a Thule which is very good, but can't help feeling it's a lot heavier than it needs to be, but then I only carry road bikes for something heavier you would want that extra solidity http://www.pfjones.co.uk/thule-9503-rideon-3-bike-cycle-carrier.html I bought it cheap at Halfords as it was an outgoing model but it looks like there are a few still kicking around

Been using a Pendle one for years fitted to the tow bar, cant remember the exact model of it. Its the only reason I have a two bar fitted is because of then bike. Can be tricky with some of the full suspension mountain bikes though that's the only downside.

I've used two. A Thule VeloCompact 927 (which I borrowed), and an Atera Strada DL3 (which I bought).

Both work well - used on 2 holidays with a 29er mountain bike, and two 20" kids bikes.

Both can tilt out of the way of the rear hatch/tailgate.

Both will fold up and fit in the boot when you're not carrying bikes.

Both have lockable towball clamp, and lockable arms.

Thule pros:

- Very nicely engineered & solid

- The folding arms (that attach to the bike top tubes) can be easily removed, threaded through bike frames, and refitted.

Thule cons:

- Heavier

- The wheel "trays" all slide in unison, so can be a bit of a compromise if you've got a mix of bikes sizes (for example a 29" MTB and tiny kids bikes).

- The version I borrowed only had 7-pin electrics. No foglight, no reverse light. Maybe newer versions have switched to 13pin though?

Atera pros:

- A bit lighter than the Thule

- Easier to put on. Once it's over the towbar, it's handsfree - so easier to straighten up before clamping.

- 13pin electrics. Foglight, reverse light work.

- Wheel "trays" can all be adjusted individually, can help position bikes to stop them fouling each other.

Atera cons:

- Doesn't feel as nicely engineered, but still perfectly up to the job.

- The folding arms can't be removed - just need to thread all the bikes over them as they go on. OK once you've had a practise.

Thule VeloCompact 927 have 7-pin connector, but VeloCompact 926 (and newer 9260001 - model 2016) have 13-pin connector and all lights works perfectly. I've buyed 926001 model.