Hi all,

 

I have a 2012 Octavia Estate. Whilst I have roof bars (for use with a roof box) I'm not keen on putting a bike up there. We have a car port and I'm worried myself or my wife will forget and drive the bikes into it. Plus lots of other low head room hazards. 

 

So I'm thinking of getting a rear cycle carrier. From what I've read the Thule OutWay should work. But its £270 (it'll only be used 1-2 a year unfortunately). Just wondering if there are any cheaper options that anyone can recommend. 

 

My concern is that some of the cheaper kits require a mounting strap around halfway up the rear glass. As the estate boot lid is just glass here (and not metal) I'm concerned it'll damage the glass (or shatter it). See generic image of an Octavia with a highlight (not my actual car but the same model).

 

Also lots of the cheaper kits don't put the bikes up and out the way of the number-plate and lights so would necessitate getting a trailer numberplate bar with lights etc.... in which case it'd probably be cheaper to get the OutWay. 

 

Thanks.

 

I have used bike racks that hook over all four sides of the tailgate and never had an issue with damage to the glass as the metal parts that would touch the glass normally have inch plus thick rubber pads around them. Have had three bikes on one of these. You can adjust the vertical straps to keep the bike away from the number plate as needed. 

Yes, really don't think you will have a problem with the glass .........

 

Think how some of these tailgates get slammed shut, maybe some folk wishing someones head was in there, Lol.

Just fold the rear seats down and stick the bike(s) inside.

5 hours ago, MicMac said:

Just fold the rear seats down and stick the bike(s) inside.

 

Depends on the size of the bike. Long legged people like myself wit a bigger bike also have to remove the front wheel too. And mine is an estate!

As I have a towbar then this would be ideal as it can carry more weight/bikes than most:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/144914432640?hash=item21bd92c280%3Ag%3Aa~oAAOSwLh9jz8sa&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAA4JpSNAEfPOY01av%2Bq829%2BEpGhqcKnvsGscqS4yXUCM97mPEfthWldYl5%2FgJbxKiyhjIqpbY4j9ykq1Que%2BarkAwhGcNqxTsiS3%2BOxsvIm8WHcCJkMsB4unSHCBBIOYgYrJOYlbVFw9M8RyrBzovAaHQlG%2BUUk0FYIBB%2FmJMk4e8is6Eh4vZ60xcU3IqnR6btJnHPHU1gQ6vcGki5il40EoTxVYy1arFjuZB7amQX2bXgWseeIl1B0m0%2FUae0HlfOOjxrANhuRZTRnlnqjmGGaqoL59eht8QYJkO8RuFdeSnj|tkp%3ABk9SR7aY_rG-YQ&LH_Auction=1

2 hours ago, pikpilot said:

 

Depends on the size of the bike. Long legged people like myself wit a bigger bike also have to remove the front wheel too. And mine is an estate!

As I have a towbar then this would be ideal as it can carry more weight/bikes than most:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/144914432640?hash=item21bd92c280%3Ag%3Aa~oAAOSwLh9jz8sa&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAA4JpSNAEfPOY01av%2Bq829%2BEpGhqcKnvsGscqS4yXUCM97mPEfthWldYl5%2FgJbxKiyhjIqpbY4j9ykq1Que%2BarkAwhGcNqxTsiS3%2BOxsvIm8WHcCJkMsB4unSHCBBIOYgYrJOYlbVFw9M8RyrBzovAaHQlG%2BUUk0FYIBB%2FmJMk4e8is6Eh4vZ60xcU3IqnR6btJnHPHU1gQ6vcGki5il40EoTxVYy1arFjuZB7amQX2bXgWseeIl1B0m0%2FUae0HlfOOjxrANhuRZTRnlnqjmGGaqoL59eht8QYJkO8RuFdeSnj|tkp%3ABk9SR7aY_rG-YQ&LH_Auction=1

 

I have long legs and can get a full size road bikes with 700c wheels in the back of my Octavia hatch with both wheels still on.  I've got full sized doors in the back albeit with the front seats a bit further forward than usual.

3 hours ago, Golf-Fiend said:

 

I have long legs and can get a full size road bikes with 700c wheels in the back of my Octavia hatch with both wheels still on.  I've got full sized doors in the back albeit with the front seats a bit further forward than usual.

 

It's the wide bars on an MTB that makes this difficult ............... my racer would go in quite easily.

 

Certainly could not get my Scott Spark into my estate without removing the front wheel .........

 

As for my circa 25kg Scott Strike ........... not a chance,  Lol.

On 23/01/2023 at 21:28, UnclePuncher said:

Hi all,

 

I have a 2012 Octavia Estate. Whilst I have roof bars (for use with a roof box) I'm not keen on putting a bike up there. We have a car port and I'm worried myself or my wife will forget and drive the bikes into it. Plus lots of other low head room hazards. 

 

So I'm thinking of getting a rear cycle carrier. From what I've read the Thule OutWay should work. But its £270 (it'll only be used 1-2 a year unfortunately). Just wondering if there are any cheaper options that anyone can recommend. 

 

My concern is that some of the cheaper kits require a mounting strap around halfway up the rear glass. As the estate boot lid is just glass here (and not metal) I'm concerned it'll damage the glass (or shatter it). See generic image of an Octavia with a highlight (not my actual car but the same model).

 

Also lots of the cheaper kits don't put the bikes up and out the way of the number-plate and lights so would necessitate getting a trailer numberplate bar with lights etc.... in which case it'd probably be cheaper to get the OutWay. 

 

Thanks.

 

I have had a number of Thule racks and they are generally well engineered, not cheap though.

 

I also had a mk2 fl estate, and I used their aero roof bars and pro ride racks with one handed control. Still use them on the mk7 golf estate.

 

what you say about height risk is correct though. You have to have your wits about you at all times and you can get distracted. I usually use a post it note on the dash reminding me of height. But still the risk is always there if you drop the ball.

 

the outway looks pretty well engineered. I would also be worried about other solutions that requires tensioning at the side glass overhang. There’s very little room in that closing gap for one. Secondly tensioning against the glass lip overhang could end in disappointment. Glass may be relatively strong to lean on or place a load on, spread out,  but pulling at its edge, on a overhang,  wouldn’t be what I’d want to do.

 

On the outway, they seem to be more like £370 unless second hand. And is it the platform one your aiming for to lift bikes up high? If so; what I would also add is that they definitely protrude a way past the roof line. Probably half bike height or a little more, so you may still have some clearance risks…

 

 

You need to have the rack set with as much weight supported on the bumper and the roof and the clamps to the glass are for sideways movement, then you need helicopter tape on the glass. 

The bikes are then too high really IME.