Hello, this topic was already discussed on couple occasions. I start it at the end of 2019 to see have anything on the market changed. 

What are the best and most affordable options to carry 2 bicycles in a hatchback? 

I dont have a tow bar, no roof racks and I travel with full family, so no space inside the car.

 

Roof racks and bike carriers all together are pretty expensive, the same goes for a tow bar.

Or are they? I am not not sure what to choose. Please advise.

3 minutes ago, antakar said:

What are the best and most affordable options to carry 2 bicycles in a hatchback?

Have a look at this article.

The advantage of having roof bars are you can detach them when you're done using them. You could also use it to carry a roof box in the future.

The disadvantage would be the increase in drag causing an increase in fuel usage. Plus you've the task of lifting them on and off the roof and securing them without damaging you roof.

 

The advantage to having a towbar attached rack would be ease of loading and you'd also have the option to tow things in the future (though if you've not already got a towbar, I doubt that's on your list of things to do). Also, depending on how they loaded, you're rear visibility is more than likely going to be reduced.

The disadvantage would be..........you need a towbar. You can get cheap 'cut in' wiring jobs and a swan neck, but it could lead to an electrical fault and you would also have a towbar on show all the time. A dedicated wiring loom isn't too expensive, nor is a detachable towbar (depends on your idea of expensive though), but it seems a little excessive for just carrying bikes.

 

IMHO I'd go down the roof rack option

33 minutes ago, john999boy said:

Have a look at this article.

Thanks, I read it before, I couldnt get to conclusion as none of the mentioned Rear-mounted strap-on racks apply well to Octavia Hatchback, because of Octavia's back window spanning from edge to edge.

16 minutes ago, antakar said:

Thanks, I read it before, I couldnt get to conclusion as none of the mentioned Rear-mounted strap-on racks apply well to Octavia Hatchback, because of Octavia's back window spanning from edge to edge.

I've currently got a tow bar for my cycles but I've still got a carrier that hooks onto the rear of a car. I think it was originally for a previous 5 Series but would work on any hatchback as the holding straps were up/down and not side/side.

I've heard nothing but praise for the seasucker/rockbros suction based mounts. 

 

I generally drop the seats and put them in the back of the car. I'd sooner strap the kids to the roof, no one would want to steal them

I carry mine on the roof to allow me to access the boot with the bikes on the car.  A quick look on roofbox.co.uk shows bike carriers for £23 each (when buying 2) and bars for £55.  A touch over £100 all in is not bad.  I had pretty much the same skits for 3 years on my mk2 and never took them off.  Car got sold with them fitted.

 

If going for rear carrier and no more than 2 bikes then I'd be going for the saris gran fondo.  simple, more aero than the roof and might be able to open the boot with them fitted.  Not too pricey either.

11 hours ago, john999boy said:

I've currently got a tow bar for my cycles but I've still got a carrier that hooks onto the rear of a car. I think it was originally for a previous 5 Series but would work on any hatchback as the holding straps were up/down and not side/side.

What model/maker of the rear carrier you use? And how do you protect rear window glass? As it seems most of the straps would have to hook onto the glass window in the back top.

Just remember that unless with the bikes on the rear rack the number plate and rear lights are clearly visible you will need a Light Board so a Socket for that.

Also the when the bikes are on the wiper can work without being obstructed or you need to disable that to ensure you do not put it on and it can not sweep.

(Sometime i tape the stalk so i can not put on the rear wiper, but that is no help when automatically comes on in reverse with wipers on, just affects some cars.)

 

Bike on roof issue for me other than weight of bikes is Barriers to Car Parks, Low Railway Tunnels to get to seafronts etc.

Unloading and reloading bikes before getting to where you are going is a PITA.

 

My towbar mounted rack cost more than i have paid for cars in the past, but then i could have a new car for less than the price of the bikes on the rack.

Toe Rags everyplace and now making sure your unattended Bike racks are not pinched is yet another thing to think about.

I have seen the webbing straps just getting cut and racks stolen recently.

Edited 8 October, 20196 yr by Roottootemoot

I would never thought getting bikes from A to B would be so complicated, especially that I own one of the most popular cars in the europe.

 

My main concern is regarding rear window. As most rear mounted carriers depend on hooks to the top of the back door - in skoda case, a window is all the way up to the door, without any car body on the edges.

I worry that the back window may crack or be pulled off/removed while driving with bikes putting the drag and weight on the back window.

 

Top roof racks disadvantages:

- Pricey

- Hassle to put them on and off

- Create huge drag

- Tricky when going through gates, car parks and bridges

 

Back mounted on straps disadvantages:

- Wobbly

- May scratch, damage body work and paint

- May obscure rear lights and number plate

- May obstruct rear wiper

- Potential crack or damage to rear window - that may cause more damage by bicycles just falling off and being damaged while driving, and may create serious risk to other drivers

- Very limited options 

- I dont know how to strap it to not potentially damage the window and wiper

 

Tow bar:

- Just too expensive

 

I am no wiser 😞

Rear racks do not need to be wobbly.

Tension Correctly, side straps are just holding in place, and helicopter tape can go on edges and under the metal pieces.

Get the tension between top strap and then base on the bumper right and then right once the weight of the bikes are on, then bikes secure on the rack.

I had my rack on that securely though and left it on for 2 years and even though the paint under the pad up on the spoiler had protective tape under it i cracked the paint.

That will have likely being my stupidity and the pads frozen in winter.

Not on a Octavia but an Alhambra.   I used the same Universal rack up high on a Fabia Hatch and did not need a Light Board.

1 hour ago, antakar said:

What model/maker of the rear carrier you use? And how do you protect rear window glass? As it seems most of the straps would have to hook onto the glass window in the back top.

It was AFAIK from Halfords but can't remember the make. I wasn't aware of the glass reaching to the door top either but wouldn't think it to be a problem as the pulling forces would be inline and not at right angles.

@antakar there is no definitive answer. Anything in contact with paint or bodywork is likely to leave some sort of witness mark.

 

The ultimate no damage, no bodywork contact solution is a tow ball carrier like an Atera Strada but it’s well pricey with the tow bar installation as well and probably best for those frequent peddler’s doing big distances to and from ride destinations, have expensive cycles, heavy E’s and Whizz bikes or have an off-road mud fetish. 

 

Next best will be roof bars with add on carriers. The roof bar feet will sit on the roof paint but you can apply helitape to the contact areas underneath for protection. If you move bikes a few times a month to and from ride destinations, go for the mid to top end accessories. A few times a year, go for lower end budget stuff. It only takes around 15 mins to fit the roof kit to the car and they hold the bikes well. The extra drag isn’t that much and isn’t going to dump a tank of fuel in 15 mins driving. Plus the roof bars come in handy for long loads that don’t fit in the car. Now is the time of year to grab some second hand bargains. Top end carriers can be had for as little as £50 to £60 each if you are smart with your searching. Top end bars for a little more. 

 

If you are moving bikes a couple of times a year, a strap on carrier might just be the right solution but for OCD folks, they can take an age to set up so that there are no rubs between car, carrier or bikes plus, as George states, you need an extra light board to be legal if your lights and or number plate are obscured by any part of the kit. Risk of damage is far higher than the other solutions. 

 

It’s not going to be cheap to carry bikes on the outside of the car but once you have the gear, it can be modified and switched between vehicles or sold on without too much financial loss. 

 

 

Edited 8 October, 20196 yr by BigEjit

After losing a well tensioned rack with two bikes I'd never have one again. 

The Golf hatch and the Paddy H. rack twisted enough on a bumpy corner to detach a hook which led rapidly to total detachment. I had carefully checked the straps before setting off. 

Edited 9 October, 20196 yr by gregoir

4 minutes ago, gregoir said:

After losing a well tensioned rack with two bikes I'd never have one again. 

The Golf hatch and the Paddy H. rack twisted enough on a bumpy corner to detach a hook which led rapidly to total detachment. I had carefully checked the straps before setting off. 

 

and that's why I wouldn't get anything which straps on to the car. You can't rely on the straps to stay still.

 

I feel the roof option is the best of both worlds. Study on the roof and better value than the towbar options.