I am after a cycle carrier for my 2001 Skoda octavia saloon, it will have to carry 2 adult cycles and 1 child cycle.

Has anyone got any experience/recommedations for any specific type and what to look out for.

Any help would be appreciated.

Not specific Skoda brands, but would like to offer you some advice.

Cycle carriers on the roof are far better (and safer) way to carry your bikes. Try and push the boat out on price. Thule make superb carriers for up to 3 bikes. Depends on the size of the kids one (usually carriers will accept a minimum of 20" wheel bike). Or better still, remove the front wheel and stow in the car if possible. Always go for LOCKABLE carriers.

Don't forget that roof systems are expensive (roof bars AND seperate carriers) but are very good.

Carriers on the tailgate (or hatch) are quite cumbersome, take ages to set up (and re-adjusting under weight) and the straps can sometimes do damage to your vehicle if not correctly tensioned. They usually obscure your vision as well.

You will also need a lightboard if the carrier obscures either your registration plate or (most importantly) your lights.

There are some good tow bar carriers but make your car a few feet longer and still sometimes obscure your vision.

Overall, I prefer the roof system. Fit and forget. (except under low bridges)

If you have a towbar fitted them go for a towbar solution, otherwise I guess consider a roof system - as long as you can happily lift the bikes onto the roof - I have seen some mountain bikes that seem to have been assembled out of a pig iron....

I saw an ebay ad the other day that showed a rear mount cycle carrier for a BMW, and the carrier actually rested right over the middle of the number plate!

Even better than the roof carriers are the tow bar ones which can be pivoted out the way so you can open the boot.

They have the advantage of not increasing the height of the car, barely affecting the length and you won't scratch your car getting it up there.

Also a fit and forget system.

The hatch ones are dengerous on some cars, esp citroens and other cars with plastic hatches as they have been known to ply off at high speed due to the stresses put on the body causing the plastic to flake away.

HTH

i agree with the tow bar suggestions if you have one...if not id go with the roof bars/cycle carriers option.

I had a saris bones rear mounted bike rack i used on my octy vrs but i was never completely at ease with it and it did mark my paintwork (even though it had rubber coated hooks which are suposed to prevent this). Its a pain having to remove it to get into the boot etc. If you get a rear one just make sure you regularly check the straps when driving.

If you go to yr skoda dealer or even halfords they will stock the Thule bars and carriers which are a well recommended piece of kit

I bought a new Fabia VRS three weeks ago and the dealer chucked in roof bars to close the deal as I intended to buy the cycle carriers to put on them.

Checked around and was able to get two cycle carriers from a dealer for

I would co for a towbar mounted carrier if you can. I've had a Maxraxx carrier on my 1999 Octavia estate for 2 years now.It's very sturdy and comes with a security cable and padlocks(although the locks are cheap quality and I would suggest replacing these). I've got no worries when using mine and only bother with a lighting board on longer non local journeys. I got mine from a local car/caravan accesories shop although you can get them online.

Previous to that I had a Halfords high mount tailgate carrier. I rarely used this because it was so fiddly and time consuming to fit and the straps always slackened. The bikes never felt that secure so i replaced it. I basically had no confidence in it.

As for roof mounted carriers I've never experienced them but they have to place a fair amount of stress and load on roof fixings especially in cross winds &when cornering. I would also think there's a fair risk of scratching and scraping your car lifting them on and off.