Bike Carriers

[K1W1]

Just got back from a ride two bikes on my roof on the Thule racks and one on the Audi on the Saris. I really know why I dislike those fit on the tailgate racks now. No more than 30 seconds to put the two bikes onto the roof of my car but probably over 5 minutes and two people to mount the Saris rack and hang the bike off it. Admittedly SWMBO is a bit pedantic about making sure there are no scratches but still it's a pain and to me would dissuade me from taking the bike. I think I'd end up going for a motorcycle ride instead.
Even though the Saris rack is high on the Audi and the wheels of the bike are above the bumper sensors they still go berserk whenever you engage reverse with the bike there.

[TuNeS]

I have a similar setup to K1W1, however I used black Rhino Racks with the Thule bike carrier as it doesnt look as gumby or sit as high as the Thule racks. Thats my opinion though.

[K1W1]

I agree the Rhino racks look better but when you have a mate who us a state manager for a Thule distributor you don't argue the point to much.

[MariusGT]

My GT had a full blown Thule tow bar/ball w wiring installed when I bought it. Just bought a 3 bike (A frame like a Mac rack) rack and installed the base piece- then you clip on the other. Works a charm.

With 2 bikes on there the lights are still in full view- the rack is lockable (to car, and also bikes to rack) and there is a handy metal plate to screw in a bike rack number plate. Also the rack I bought can be tilted so the boot is able to be opened without whole setup being removed.

Been on freeway a few times and feels very solid and safe. Fuel use is identical

[woofy]

Hmm who was it talking about the internal rack holder...guessing its for wagons and not the hatch?

[MariusGT]

Just got back from a ride two bikes on my roof on the Thule racks and one on the Audi on the Saris. I really know why I dislike those fit on the tailgate racks now. No more than 30 seconds to put the two bikes onto the roof of my car but probably over 5 minutes and two people to mount the Saris rack and hang the bike off it. Admittedly SWMBO is a bit pedantic about making sure there are no scratches but still it's a pain and to me would dissuade me from taking the bike. I think I'd end up going for a motorcycle ride instead.
Even though the Saris rack is high on the Audi and the wheels of the bike are above the bumper sensors they still go berserk whenever you engage reverse with the bike there.

i'm happy with the talgate rack setup. last trip i went on w bikes was to nelson bay - the place we stayed had an undercover car park. If i had the roof mount i would have had to park out front OR remove and keep in our room.

IMO there are pros and cons to all setups. my car had the towball when i got it so was a no brainer.

[monkeysrus]

Hmm who was it talking about the internal rack holder...guessing its for wagons and not the hatch?

Posted on previous page. Yep for wagons.

[bobski]

Posted on previous page. Yep for wagons.

I'm still thinking rear mount. My wife *had* to have a step through girls bike with a basket. Sounds great, but you have to get the spanner out to put it in the car.

If anyone gets an internal one and has an octavia wagon, post back here to let me know Back to work in a couple of days, so riding will have to wait for a month or so.

[wombatoutofhell]

I'm also looking at racks and was leaning towards a tailgate mount simply as there's no way my wife could lift her bike up to the roof and it could be mounted to either of our cars depending on which we were going in. We don't normally ride together so at the moment whoever's going for a ride just takes the Skoda as the bike lies nicely in the back without needing to take the wheels off. No way she'd get a bike in her Fiat 500!
I notice most of the pics have been on mountain bikes on racks-has anyone tried a rack with a carbon fibre road bike?

[noom]

Very interested in the interior mount solution. can you tell us how much it costs? Is it a dedicated fit for the Octavia VRS wagon?