I've read the 2017 posts but was wondering if anyone had found a rear mounted bike rack for the Yeti?

I tried a Saris Solo 1 but it went back 2 hours later.

 

Still no idea how people get bikes onto the roof of their car without carrying a ladder with them and I've got a bad back anyway so they are out.

No wish for a tow bar, either.

 

At the moment I'm using a rack from an old Almera stabilised with loads of cord but want something easier and quicker.

One way to get a bike onto the roof without a ladder. 

 

 

tom

I used to have something very similar with my old Vauxhall Corsa.

I had 3 or 4 and all broke after no more than 2 trips. 

2 hours ago, Ashaz said:

I've read the 2017 posts but was wondering if anyone had found a rear mounted bike rack for the Yeti?

I tried a Saris Solo 1 but it went back 2 hours later.

 

Still no idea how people get bikes onto the roof of their car without carrying a ladder with them and I've got a bad back anyway so they are out.

No wish for a tow bar, either.

 

At the moment I'm using a rack from an old Almera stabilised with loads of cord but want something easier and quicker.

 

How are you going to power the required light board?

I don't need to with my current setup.

The Saris blocked the number plate and the bike was moving all over the place but the lights were clear.

I bought one of the small steps used by children to reach the sink from ikea.

When in the car it goes upside down and forms a useful container for all the straps etc.

When not needed it lives in the house and is great for a step for doing up shoes!

Edited 20 November, 20187 yr by kenfowler3966

Thanks, but with a bad back roof-based systems are not something I want to get into.

With a bad back you’re in an awkward predicament.

 

Towbar mounted racks require less lifting of the bikes and some have ramps but the rack themselves are heavy and you’ll be bent over lifting them. 

 

Roof mounted means lifting the bikes higher and by the sounds of it you know this will tweak your back.

 

That only leaves rear mounted racks and the best of the bunch is the Saris Bones, which your not keen on either. 

 

If your not keen on the options available you’ll either have to put the bikes in the back of the car or improve your core strength and lifting technique and use one of the options available to you. 

I tried the Saris Solo 1 so thanks, I'll have a look at the Bones.

I use cheaper 'Universal' bike carriers resting on the bumper and with wheels removed on bikes if that has the lights and visible.

Bikes can be high and clear the registration plate or just add a Registration Plate if not a Light Board.

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/437985-3-bike-carrier-needed

 

 

 

Edited 20 November, 20187 yr by Offski

Thanks, I'll take a good look.

I'm not sure what is putting you off a tow bar, perhaps the cost, but if you're regularly carrying bikes there aren't many solutions that are easier.

 

I tried the roof mounted variety and boot lid mounted types too and they were either too much hassle / I didn't feel the bikes were secure enough / or was worried they'd rub and damage the paint.

 

A good detachable tow bar can be had now for not much more than £300. A worthy investment.

 

Not a Yeti, but this is the system I've ended up with. Funnily enough, all the expense incurred experimenting wit the other solutions would have probably paid for the tow bar...

 

£300 is a bit much for me, though I do intend to keep my Yeti for a lot longer yet.

 

The car is also the longest car I've had which excludes lots of possible parking spaces so I don't really want to make it any longer even if only by a little bit.

 

Also, my friends have a tow bar setup (not a yeti) and it seems a right faff getting bikes on and off and far longer than mine once the rack is on in the first place.

 

When the weather cheers up a bit I will put mine on and check the height of the bike holder as a YouTube look at the Bones 2 gives different impressions as to whether it blocks the light or not.

 

16 hours ago, Ashaz said:

The car is also the longest car I've had which excludes lots of possible parking spaces

 

The Yeti is a short car, it's the same length as a Golf and just longer than a Fiesta. You really shouldn't be struggling to find long enough spaces...

 

I agree that the beast fitted on the back of Silvers car could limit your options. There are slimmer variants depending how many bikes you want to carry.

As a single person it's the longest car I've had, longer than my old Almera, and many less parking places available compared to smaller cars.

 It's only 1 bike I want to carry.

Can it not be fitted in the boot if your concerned about extra length?

Edited 21 November, 20187 yr by Sad555

I'm sure it could, just not keen on a muddy bike in the boot even if I do put some protection down and if it involves taking wheels off then it's a definite no.

And if I'm going away for the weekend, especially camping, then there's not much room left for anything else.

I think the extra height/width is confusing your perception of size. Looking online, there is only about 10cm between the length of the Almera and Yeti...

 

Both towbar and bootlid versions are going to add length. For example both the Thule RideOn 2 and Thule Xpress 2 will add ~70-80cm when a single bike is fitted just because of handlebar width.

 

At this point you've basically ruled everything out:

- roof due to back concerns

- towbar due to length

- bootlid due to length/fitting issues

- boot due to back concerns/lack of space

 

Maybe you need a brompton

 

Personally, I'd go for a single/dual towbar mount but find somewhere you can try it out first

I'm happy to stick to rear mount as when it's not on there is no extra length.

Well there 3 options,roof,rear carrier or boot,I think you are going to have to compromise somewhere to be able to carry a bike ,the removal of the front wheel is quite easy as most have quick release,here a pic a member posted some time ago to give you an idea

I'm not a fan of taking wheels off a bike with disc brakes. Even though in theory there shouldn't be a problem they always seem to bind a bit when you put them back on.

 

Plus if you stop anywhere the whole contents of the car are visible to thieves and rogues.

And little room for other bags/camping equipment etc etc.

Plus you are going to have to stabilise it in position so a lot more faff than putting it on a rear rack if it's a decent rack.

 

 

16 minutes ago, Ashaz said:

I'm sure it could, just not keen on a muddy bike in the boot even if I do put some protection down and if it involves taking wheels off then it's a definite no.

And if I'm going away for the weekend, especially camping, then there's not much room left for anything else.

 

I can't fit my mountain bike in without taking the front wheel off. Front wheel removal/refitting is easy though.

It's a largeish frame size, long and 29er wheels, and I drive with the driver's seat right back.

If you had a smalller bike and didn't drive so far back, it *might* fit but I suspect not.

 

I normally carry it on the roof - I can just lift it in place without a step but it's a stretch, I'm 6ft tall and I need to lift by holding the lower front fork tube and the rear seat stay. Really not easy so I can understand you not wanting to go this route with a dodgy back.

 

I think the best option will be a small (single) towbar rack.

We use a 3-bike rack on the back of our Superb estate for holidays (if you think the Yeti is long, try a Superb with a 3-bike rack hung off the towbar...that really does limit your parking choices).

With multiple bikes yes it is a faff getting them all on/off, threading the steadying arms etc through, but if you just had a single bike I can imagine it being quite quick/easy, no harder than a hatch or roof carrier.

Think that's your best route personally. A single carrier should be pretty light to lift on/off the towbar too.

The Atera Strada DL (3 bike version) we have is really easy to put on - once it's lifted onto the towbar it supports itself in the right position so you don't need to take weight while you clamp it on. It also slides back out of the way of the tailgate so you have access to the rear, even when fully loaded with bikes. Suggest seeing if they have smaller versions of this, for a single bike maybe ?

Thanks. I may go down to my local garage man to see if he can do something just big enough to hold a bike. He is a good old-fashioned mechanic.

 

Still want to check-out the Bones, though, but not today, it's awful here.

8 minutes ago, Ashaz said:

I'm not a fan of taking wheels off a bike with disc brakes. Even though in theory there shouldn't be a problem they always seem to bind a bit when you put them back on

If ever I take my wheel off for transport, I always wedge a bit of cardboard in the brake caliper just in case I accidentally knock the brake lever, so the pistons can't pop out.

Never had an issue with them binding afterwards.

 

The best allround solution though does seem to be a van....

Just now, muddyboots said:

If ever I take my wheel off for transport, I always wedge a bit of cardboard in the brake caliper just in case I accidentally knock the brake lever, so the pistons can't pop out.

Never had an issue with them binding afterwards.

 

The best allround solution though does seem to be a van....

That's a good idea. The brakes, that is.