For rear mounts, you can either go 'universal' which I think look rubbish and a complete pain to put on/off. It might even stop you opening the boot:

 

 

Rear mount specific to the Yeti look better but still have many straps, you'd probably need a light bar to keep the rear plate lit and visible:

https://paulchensystem.net/en/bicycle-rack-skoda/yeti-5l-bike-carrier.html

https://paulchensystem.net/en/bicycle-rack-skoda/yeti-facelift-bike-carrier.html

 

The Thule Xpress 2 does look a very quick and easy system but obviously you'd still need a towbar and light board.

Just now, Ashaz said:

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.

I'd suggest looking at some of the online retailers (eg roofbox.co.uk) - they will probably have a far wider range to choose from, lots of knowledge in the area, with customer reviews, compared to your local garage / old fashioned mechanic.

I've bought a roofbox, several sets of bars, and the bike carrier from them, and their customer service has been pretty good.

Re Universal Cycle Rack.

Looks rubbish, but i fitted it 24 months ago, made sure it was secure and not damaging anything and it has been on ever since.

Bottom Straps not required, top rest is on the hatch / spoiler but weight taken between top and bottom pads, and the straps are inside on the bobbins.

Heavy bikes never on there though.

  Same as i have done on Yeti's when using the same type of cycle rack.

Edited 21 November, 20187 yr by Offski

5 minutes ago, langers2k said:

For rear mounts, you can either go 'universal' which I think look rubbish and a complete pain to put on/off. It might even stop you opening the boot:

 

 

Rear mount specific to the Yeti look better but still have many straps, you'd probably need a light bar to keep the rear plate lit and visible:

https://paulchensystem.net/en/bicycle-rack-skoda/yeti-5l-bike-carrier.html

https://paulchensystem.net/en/bicycle-rack-skoda/yeti-facelift-bike-carrier.html

 

The Thule Xpress 2 does look a very quick and easy system but obviously you'd still need a towbar and light board.

That's the one I have now and it needs lots of straps to stabilise it and the "permanent" red ones are now perished and missing a right hand side lower fixing point.

It was great on the Almera, which also had a rear wiper motor which wasn't bothered if I accidentally tuned it on and it jammed. Unlike the Corsa...

Still, I'm half thinking of hanging on to it...

 

1 hour ago, Offski said:

Re Universal Cycle Rack.

Looks rubbish, but i fitted it 24 months ago, made sure it was secure and not damaging anything and it has been on ever since.

Bottom Straps not required, top rest is on the hatch / spoiler but weight taken between top and bottom pads, and the straps are inside on the bobbins.

Heavy bikes never on there though.

  Same as i have done on Yeti's when using the same type of cycle rack.

 

No problems with the straps on the glass?

Helicopter Tape on the glass and correctly tensioned, not too much, just keeps the position.

I put the other straps on lower down when bike or bikes on. But as in the pic the hatch goes up and down, 

and no movement or scratches.   I put a little padded bag over the pedal next to the car.

Edited 21 November, 20187 yr by Offski

The things you learn. 

I've never heard of Helicopter tape before. Is it different to duct tape?

Stronger, clear and i use to protect bike frames.

 

But i have real Helicopter Tape from a Helicopter Mechanic,  not what you might find on Ebay / Amazon,  but that is OK stuff.

 

 

 

 

Edited 21 November, 20187 yr by Offski

Thanks.

Bought some!

Towbar mount is really the most secure way - I've tried all sorts over the years and the towbar ones are deffo best. If you got a 1 or 2 bike one and a removable towbar then it will disappear when not fitted and when on it won't stick out any further than a strap on one. You'd also have proper lighting and it holds the bike on its wheels which is often easier, as  with modern frame designs the 'hung from a top tube' ones don't work as well.

 

I use a 4-bike Buzzrack on the back of a Superb estate, if you think you struggle for parking spaces.... :-)

 

Disc brakes  should be wedged apart when the wheel is out if you do decide to put the bike inside. New calipers come supplied with a bespoke pad spacer but these are often not passed on with a new complete bike, and using cardboard like folded business cards etc is also fine. If the pads do come in a bit, then VERY CAREFULLY push them back, there is a proper tool but if you are careful and leave the pads in so you lever on them NOT the pistons themselves you can use a screwdriver in a pinch. 

 

1 hour ago, Offski said:

Stronger, clear and i use to protect bike frames.

 

But i have real Helicopter Tape from a Helicopter Mechanic,  not what you might find on Ebay / Amazon,  but that is OK stuff.

 

 

 

 

 

Maybe to use instead of the Jesus nut!!!

6 minutes ago, edwards said:

Towbar mount is really the most secure way - I've tried all sorts over the years and the towbar ones are deffo best. If you got a 1 or 2 bike one and a removable towbar then it will disappear when not fitted and when on it won't stick out any further than a strap on one. You'd also have proper lighting and it holds the bike on its wheels which is often easier, as  with modern frame designs the 'hung from a top tube' ones don't work as well.

 

I use a 4-bike Buzzrack on the back of a Superb estate, if you think you struggle for parking spaces.... :-)

 

Disc brakes  should be wedged apart when the wheel is out if you do decide to put the bike inside. New calipers come supplied with a bespoke pad spacer but these are often not passed on with a new complete bike, and using cardboard like folded business cards etc is also fine. If the pads do come in a bit, then VERY CAREFULLY push them back, there is a proper tool but if you are careful and leave the pads in so you lever on them NOT the pistons themselves you can use a screwdriver in a pinch. 

 

 

I must remember to carry some cardboard to use when I need to do a repair in the wild.

@Ashaz Re Heli Tape,

Best that VW Techs are not issued with it, 

it will be used as the 'Fix' for excessive oil use, or various other Fundamental Design, Manufacturing or Material failings.

 

For Brake Pad retainers, I like a Feast but some might use a stick or 2 from a Magnum.   Various other Icecream treats are available.

Edited 21 November, 20187 yr by Offski

On 21/11/2018 at 11:32, edwards said:

Towbar mount is really the most secure way - I've tried all sorts over the years and the towbar ones are deffo best.

 

I did consider a towbar mounted rack when I got my new eMTB but at £300-plus quid for the towbar and the same for a rack, plus the rest, I was looking at the thick end of a grand - nearly half the price of the bike! - versus £100 for a Thule ThruRide rack, with a bit of shopping around.

 

Fortunately, I am still capable of lifting the bike on to the roof-mounted rack (leaving the battery off, and carrying the front wheel inside the car because the rack clamps on to the front thru-axle, does reduce its heft somewhat).  I realise that others may not be so fortunate.

17 minutes ago, ejstubbs said:

 

I did consider a towbar mounted rack when I got my new eMTB but at £300-plus quid for the towbar and the same for a rack, plus the rest, I was looking at the thick end of a grand - nearly half the price of the bike! - versus £100 for a Thule ThruRide rack, with a bit of shopping around.

 

Fortunately, I am still capable of lifting the bike on to the roof-mounted rack (leaving the battery off, and carrying the front wheel inside the car because the rack clamps on to the front thru-axle, does reduce its heft somewhat).  I realise that others may not be so fortunate.

 

Absolutely agreed! Its probably the best option but certainly not the cheapest. We ordered the Superb with the towbar and the rack we got was £250 but its still not cheap. Ours is for 4 bikes though so I think a roofrack plus 4 bike racks would be similar cost, its just the towbar thats extra. I tow stuff as well so for me I wanted that anyway.

 

The best bit of the towbar rack is that I can put the roof box and dog trailer (for the bike) on the roof. nothing like travelling light eh?