Anyone got a tow-bar mounted bike rack on their Octavia? I want to get one - and will be having the factory-fit towbar on my new car - but just looked at the manual which says that the maximum length for a vertical load is 70cm; the racks I'm looking at are more like 1m for 4 bikes. Overall weight won't be a problem as two of the bikes are kids. Any thoughts on this?

Cheers.

Quote

Octavia Manual p255

When using the accessories (e.g. bicycle carrier), the maximum length and the permissible total weight including load must be considered.
The maximum length of the mounted accessories (from the ball of the towing device) is 70 cm. 
The permissible total weight of the installed accessories, including load, corresponds to the maximum trailer load on trailers, but must not exceed 75 kg.
This also applies if the maximum trailer load on trailers is e.g. 80 kg. This value applies when the centre of gravity of the load is a maximum of 30cm from the ball head of the tow bar.
As the distance of the centre gravity of the load from the ball head of the towing device increases, the permissible total weight of the accessory, including the load, decreases (e.g. at a distance of 60 cm from the ball head, the permissible weight decreases approximately by half).

 

 

I have a 4-bike tilting Buzzrack which is 20kg empty. 4 road bikes add another prob 40 kg (two large adult, one medium adult and a small 650b one). It sticks out about 1m and I plan to use it on my Superb when it turns up. It wouldn't worry me in your situation, the load is pretty small and if you think of the forces a fully laden caravan probably puts through the hitch then I doubt a bike rack is even close. load it heavy to light away from the car and that will help as well.

 

just don't bung 4 E-mountain bikes on it....

Got an Atera 4 bike rack. It sticks out 80cm from the centre of the tow ball to the far edge of the carrier and is around 20kg. When fully loaded to 70kg tow bar max limit, it’s presence is noticeable in that the rear of the car sways a little with all the weight of the bikes if changing direction quickly. There is also a little flex in the frame as well so the bikes jiggle about a little bit. I have had 3 decent MTB’s and a kids Islabike way out back on it for some big summer camping trips, takes a little practice to organise the bikes to avoid frame rubs but it’s better than 4 on the roof. 

 

I carry my big XL 29er F.Sus rig on it by itself and you barely notice it’s there. The wheels stick out into the airflow down the sides of the car which can pull and turn the front wheel slightly above 65mph, but you just have to be sensible.

 

It even fits in the boot when I go riding to stop light fingered-ness. 

Thanks both. 

Thanks to this thread I have just ordered a Atera STRADA DL 3 from the RoofBox Company.

I have a Thule one on my Superb Mk2.  Works very well (its only a 2-biker), tilts, and locks in place with a key.  Just ensure that it uses the correct number of Electrics Pins, as the Thule is a single 7-pin, but the Tow bars skoda usually provide are single 13-pin.  I had to get an adaptor from amazon (about 10 quid).

 

I don't think you'll have any weight issues, unless you properly load your car up and then put bikes on (I have done this on the superb) and going up/down steep slopes can cause the odd scrape from the back end.

 

 

The one I ordered has full 13 pin Euro as it has a GB lightboard complete with fogs - but they also supply a free 13 to 7 adapter.

 

It's usually only me and the Mrs so we should be OK.

On 15/01/2018 at 23:30, edwards said:

I have a 4-bike tilting Buzzrack which is 20kg empty. 4 road bikes add another prob 40 kg (two large adult, one medium adult and a small 650b one). It sticks out about 1m and I plan to use it on my Superb when it turns up. It wouldn't worry me in your situation, the load is pretty small and if you think of the forces a fully laden caravan probably puts through the hitch then I doubt a bike rack is even close. load it heavy to light away from the car and that will help as well.

 

just don't bung 4 E-mountain bikes on it....

 

Have you had your 4 bike Buzzrack on the Superb as yet ?

31 minutes ago, RickTT said:

 

Have you had your 4 bike Buzzrack on the Superb as yet ?

 

Sure have. Three trips total of about 1000miles. No probs at all, very pleased with it.

 

Just visible in the corner of this pic from a rather damp Wiggle New Forest sportive.

Nice one - taking my buzz rack on a 1500 mile trip at the weekend..  so was just doing a bit of googling..

I've got the BuzzRack Quattro now - I've fitted and tested but not used it yet. Fingers crossed for this weekend.

I did try the BuzzRack Buffalo first as I like the idea of it folding out of the way whilst parked; but I couldn't work out the jigsaw of getting our 4 bikes on, and two of them needed false crossbars which I didn't facncy.

I'd have loved this info when I was trying to find info on what the Octy can carry in terms of bikes. All I found to go on was the cheap towbars from PFJones with their nose weight of 75kg and hoped it would match the car (which I then found it does) - but you dont get anything on the loading and the moment etc. which did concern me a bit.

 

I also have an Atera Strada with 4th position (like white car above) fitted on my current Astra (waiting for my new Octy with factory towball). It actally came with a couple of extra straps to clip over the top of the boot and tie to the frame of the carrier - this would be good for helping to move the CoG closer to the car, and helping stability. The instructions stated that they had to provide them but their testing proved they weren't strictly necessary, so I've never used them.

I'd recommend it as a good carrier, straightforward to get the bikes on and off, and easy to get on and off the towball. More pricey than alternatives, but if it's too much hassle to use it might not get used as much.

Edited 26 May, 20188 yr by AlexBlue

Used it for the first time yesterday, all seems fine. Took a while to get the bikes on the first time, but already quicker on the return. Impressed by the sturdiness of it - good value for money. 

Edited 29 May, 20188 yr by just music

Looks good, I have a Thule Tow-Bar mounted rack and I love, it, easy to use, and the bikes look way more sturdy on it that the ones I see blasting up/down the motorway on the roofs, wobbling all over the place.  The tow-bar mounted ones should give better fuel economy too!