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Bike carriers
Hi there,
I am looking at getting a bike carrier that fits on a towbar hitch. Was checking out the Thule vertex 4. Anyone used one of theses? My bike is a specialized fsr xc where the shock is vertical so should have no problem being placed on a bike rack. However in future if I upgrade to a bike where the shock is along the top tube how could I put this on a bike carrier?
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if you need to mount a horizontal shock, you get a device for that bike that is spring loaded adn attaches around the seatpost and the headset., then then bike hangs of that - they are about $50 and widely available at lbs's.
if u carry multiple bikes, consider the racks that the wheels sit on- they work well with hitches, and protect bikes better. in hindsight i sure wish i'd gone this path - stopping scratching while carrying multiple bikes is an arduous task.
I got a Rhino Platform Carrier recently - takes 3 bikes of any size / shock layout as it secures the wheels to a platform rather than using the frame.
It also has a lightboard on the back - so avoids awkward police checks when your lights are covered by the bike!
I have heard these don't damage the frames as much.
I have a removable hitch on the car - so just leave the rack attached to the hitch permanently and just slide the whole hitch off the car with the rack attached when not needed - takes about 15 seconds to install onto the car when I need it - briliant
http://www.rhinorack.com.au/AccSubCategory_Rear-...
I recently got the 3 bike carrier from Torpedo 7 at a good price...quick shipping and great solid product!
i have been looking into getting a carrier for the last 2months or so. I am staying away from the hanging type as my bike and others i carry are full suspension and dont sit right, also I am not a fan of the bikes hanging and banging!
The best one i have found is the 'gripsport hiride 2+2' it can carry 4 bikes of any size, frame shape and material, and can be seperated so that it only carries 2 bikes. Can come with a light board so there is no problem with police!
Also you can tell them how high you want the carrier off the ground, so you dont smash your carrier when pulling out of driveways/over speed humps etc...
Yes it is one of the most expensive out there, but if I have 4 $4000 bikes on the back, i dont mind spending the extra $500 to know they are going to be looked after.
Check out Grip Sport Australian Owned and made.
My friend has the Hi-Ride Carrier (2-bike) and we love it.
Not a fan of roof rack mounts, the idea of forgetting the bikes on the roof and driving under something low scares me. I've watched cars come down a street with bikes getting whipped by every tree on the way down and Have heard of some one driving into a multi level car park and having there bikes ripped of the roof.
My friend had a Top tube bike rack but we found the bikes bottoming out on low angled driveways due to the 5 inch fork travel. I would imagine the seat post to stem bar would make it worse. We had seen some bikes almost ripped out of their rack at an event once after they bottomed out at a bad anlged parking spot.
Thule does make excellent products. But I personally worry about the ground clearance for top tube bike carriers. Take into account the angle of your top tube and front suspension travel. There good on road but off Road and quick road angles changes can have the bike bottoming out. Ofcourse you can always take the front wheel off.
Found these two pics on a google image search demonstrating how a front wheel hangs far lower. Note that the car pic has a road bike with zero front wheel travel. A mountain bike would be hanging lower!
Buy a ute.
Chuck your bike in the tray, no messing about taking wheels off, faffing about with towbar hitches and roof rails or worrying about getting dirt in the car if you're putting it in the boot.
Thanks for the advice guys. Was looking at an AMB article where they tested some bike carriers. From the photos it looks like they mounted the bike with the shaft of the rear shock right on top of the hanger. That can't be good for the shock right?
Might look into those frame adaptor things that run from headset to seat tube. Anyone used one of these? Anyone have any photos of these things?
With regards to buying a ute, I just took delivery of a VW Polo Gti! Awesome car for the money.
What's the size of your hitch? If 50mm, try this http://www.cyclingdeal.com.au/buy/2-bicycle-bike...
Btw, Polo gti is great, shame about the waiting list.
I have the Thule 4 bike square hitch mount that holds the bikes top tube, I think it’s tops and I have never had a bike that I couldn’t get on it (sometimes I need to get a bit creative) nor have I had an issue with bottoming out bikes on bumps?
It’s for sale if anyone wants to buy it? but the only condition is that it comes as a package deal attached to my Hilux 2004 SR5 4x4..
+1 for the Gripsport.
I used the Thule 4 bike hanging racks for a while. Generally good, but there is a greater chance of scuffing the paint. Also, if you have brake cables in the way (ie. where the bike rests on the rack) then these can get scuffed too.
The gripsport looks steady as. I use the high lift 2 bike unit on a Suzuki Vitara with a side swing door. I can't open the door as the rack is in the way (the thule was able to be pivoted to ground level) but I'm willing to put up wit that for the better carrying of the gripsport. Solid as a rock, good price and carries 2 bikes easy peasy.
ALSO, I carried by dual suspension bike resting the shock on the Thule arms. No probs at all. I was a bit concerned at first but after 2 years I have no concerns.
Has anyone else had any actual problems?
Hi-Ride 2 bike carrier, easy to install bike on & off in seconds.
I bought the Thule folding 4 bike......
Bear in mind I just bought a downhill bike so I will see how that goes but I am yet to find a bike I can't fit onto it.
Every thing from my reign, anthem, 20" BMX, roadie and usually my two sons micro BMX.
It is rock solid. Doesn't bounce around and is easy to fit.
The only down side is the inability to tow a trailer for camping because the rack fits onto the tow ball.
Small price to pay for a much more solid fit and security of turning up at the end of a bumpy road and knowing that the bikes haven't scratched themselves to pieces.
Are you interested in this?
http://perthmtb.asn.au/node/36172
Check this out:
www.isi-carriers.com
Thanks for the link. Ordered one straight away.Spoke with George, great customer support. I have been looking for a bike carrier for my 4WD, as I do alot of outback touring. When I am out there, I all ways wish i had my bike. But know most of the bike carriers i have seen wouldn't last 5 minutes on the corrigated roads of the outback. Last think you want is a busted bike rack in the middle of nowhere. Australian designed and built, sure a little more expensive than your normal bike rack, but well worth it. I always think its funny when i see a $3000+ bike hanging of the back of $50 bike racks. Heading out back in 2 weeks, now with bike, will let you know how it holds up.
isi looks like an awesome rack. really well made
The Grip Sport and ISI look like good options as they get the bike up higher.
I recently converted to UST and first ride out, the front keeps going down. Turns out the heat of the exhaust had bubbled the sidewall of the UST. The front wheel with my rack is about 1 foot back and 6 inches up from the exhaust.
Now I have to take the front wheel off to avoid the problem.
Torpedo7 is worth a look for an affordable carrier. For under $200.
http://www.torpedo7.com.au/products/T7CATN03A/ti...
http://torpedo7-au.mycdn.co.nz/images/products/T...
Hi Jonny
I am looking to purchase the 3 bike rhino platform myself. How is it going for you 3 months on? I have a steep driveway into a basement carpark and am concerned about it bottoming out, have you had any problems in this area? Would appreciate a comment from you or anyone else for that matter.
Ozgti - it's great, taken it to the convict 100 and husky 100 all without any trouble.
We also have a basement carpark and it is fine, although i do drive a 4wd with lifted suspension, so not sure how it would fair on a normal station wagon etc
I have a subaru forester which, although hasn't the clearance of a real 4 wheel drive, has more clearance then your regular sedan.
Your info is really appreciated.