Can anyone recommend a cycle carrier?

bikerdude666 · 8th August 2020, 19:36

Hi all, as above, can anyone here recommend a cycle rack that will fit on the back of a ZT saloon. I've got a towbar so could have 1 that fits on there. I've had a look and found some that say they won't fit the ZT, and all the others are just listed as universal but don't specifically say they'll fit.

Needed quickly as were going away to the Peak district next week with out bikes, plan was to use my wife Qashqai +2 as that'll easily fit 2 adult bikes in the back with the seats down. But today she went and put a deposit on a 2019 ZS and trading in her QQ on Tuesday so need a rack for either my ZT or her ZS.

Thanks in advance for any help.

rrobson · 9th August 2020, 05:44

I’ve got one of these

https://www.thule.com/en-gb/bike-rac...gon-4-_-970805

Not a bad piece of kit, although four bikes is a bit of a squeeze, three fit easily. However, I dont remember paying that much, I’m sure it was less than £100 when I bought it. Very easy to fit and surprisingly secure when installed. You’ll also need a light board because they will obscure the number plate and rear lights

c-j2 · 9th August 2020, 07:34

If I had a tow bar fitted I'd definitely use a tow bar mounted rack - stable, easy to load - only drawback is overhang in parking bays.

a pre owned one from gumtree, face ache, eBay would probably hold value well and you might get most of the cost back when you sell on.

My knowledge is limited to roof mounted carriers though - however Thule seem popular all round.

Roof mounted carriers seem a faff to me if you can avoid. Potential for scratching paint, potentially tricky to open the boot, lots of drag - and last week I saw a chap spend 30 mins tieing everything down.

Atcchus · 9th August 2020, 07:51

Tow bar bike rack is the way to go . Check gumtree or Facebook. Halfords do new once. Remember some won’t fit swan neck .

roverbarmy · 9th August 2020, 08:39

Make sure that lights and numberplate aren't covered (even partially) or you will get pulled by the fuzz!

Painful!

bikerdude666 · 9th August 2020, 08:47

Thanks for the replies. I was avoiding the roof mounted racks as I don't want to be trying to lift the bike up there, and potentially dropping it and damaging the car.

Looks like I'll be looking for a tower mounted rack, but how do you know if its not suitable for swan neck towbars? Can you tell by looking at it or do you have to go to the manufacturers website. Problem I'm finding with 2nd hand rack is the sellers don't know the model, or the model is no longer listed on the website.

I nearly bought a Thule rack this morning, but when I went on halfords and put the reg in, it said that it was compatible with the ZT, or the Qashqai, or ZS.

*edit* someone local has got a Thule HangOn3 for £75, so might go for that.

Odd Job · 9th August 2020, 08:49

I'll post a pic of mine later when I've done my plenum.

It was off ebay, fits to your tow bar.
Wasn't that expensive.
Holds two bikes.

bikerdude666 · 9th August 2020, 09:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Odd Job

I'll post a pic of mine later when I've done my plenum.

It was off ebay, fits to your tow bar.
Wasn't that expensive.
Holds two bikes.

That sounds perfect!

Discofan · 9th August 2020, 09:22

I have one of these:

https://www.truckman.co.uk/witter-cy...SABEgI9JfD_BwE

for a flange type towbar, good bit of kit.

macafee2 · 9th August 2020, 10:27

If you tow and are considering towing and having the bikes on the tow bar at the same time, you could be overweight on the tow bar.

Holding the bikes by a fork leg and the tube that runs from the pedals to the seat, I cannot imagine a bike being dropped. I have used roof mounted for years without issue. I have Thule roof bars and roof mounted cycle carriers

I have used something like this on hatchbacks without issue
https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bik...SABEgLV8vD_BwE

FWIW This type of cycle carrier can be used with hatchbacks that have the glass all the way up and down and also where there is a metal frame around the glass. You would need adaptors (cotton reels) where there is no metal frame.

macafee2

8th August 2020, 19:36	#1
bikerdude666 Posted a thing or two Jaguar Xe diseasal Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Little Stanion, Corby Posts: 1,922 Thanks: 363 Thanked 390 Times in 241 Posts	Can anyone recommend a cycle carrier? Hi all, as above, can anyone here recommend a cycle rack that will fit on the back of a ZT saloon. I've got a towbar so could have 1 that fits on there. I've had a look and found some that say they won't fit the ZT, and all the others are just listed as universal but don't specifically say they'll fit. Needed quickly as were going away to the Peak district next week with out bikes, plan was to use my wife Qashqai +2 as that'll easily fit 2 adult bikes in the back with the seats down. But today she went and put a deposit on a 2019 ZS and trading in her QQ on Tuesday so need a rack for either my ZT or her ZS. Thanks in advance for any help.

9th August 2020, 05:44	#2
rrobson I really should get out more....... 75 tourer cdti, MG ZS 180, nissan terrano & 1.8t rover 25 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Pontefract Posts: 2,643 Thanks: 17 Thanked 295 Times in 218 Posts	I’ve got one of these https://www.thule.com/en-gb/bike-rac...gon-4-_-970805 Not a bad piece of kit, although four bikes is a bit of a squeeze, three fit easily. However, I dont remember paying that much, I’m sure it was less than £100 when I bought it. Very easy to fit and surprisingly secure when installed. You’ll also need a light board because they will obscure the number plate and rear lights __________________ How to view a car - everything you need to help you inspect a used car VIS motor tester avalible to local members Injector removal tool and auto gearbox pressure tester now available

9th August 2020, 07:34	#3
c-j2 Regular poster MG ZT-T Diesel Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Oxford Posts: 78 Thanks: 13 Thanked 11 Times in 11 Posts	If I had a tow bar fitted I'd definitely use a tow bar mounted rack - stable, easy to load - only drawback is overhang in parking bays. a pre owned one from gumtree, face ache, eBay would probably hold value well and you might get most of the cost back when you sell on. My knowledge is limited to roof mounted carriers though - however Thule seem popular all round. Roof mounted carriers seem a faff to me if you can avoid. Potential for scratching paint, potentially tricky to open the boot, lots of drag - and last week I saw a chap spend 30 mins tieing everything down. Last edited by c-j2; 9th August 2020 at 07:36.. Reason: Typo

9th August 2020, 08:39	#5
roverbarmy This is my second home Roverless + 1.7D Sportage Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: East Norfolk Posts: 7,050 Thanks: 729 Thanked 2,021 Times in 1,449 Posts	Make sure that lights and numberplate aren't covered (even partially) or you will get pulled by the fuzz! Painful! __________________ Oil in my veins!

9th August 2020, 08:49	#7
Odd Job Gets stuck in MG ZT 2.0 cdti Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Derby Posts: 909 Thanks: 298 Thanked 191 Times in 149 Posts	I'll post a pic of mine later when I've done my plenum. It was off ebay, fits to your tow bar. Wasn't that expensive. Holds two bikes. __________________ ….And the latest thing to break is..... ### MG STANDS FOR "MY GREMLIN" !!!

9th August 2020, 07:51	#4
Atcchus Posted a thing or two Rover 75 CDT Auto Tourer Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Glasgow Posts: 1,056 Thanks: 274 Thanked 165 Times in 129 Posts	Tow bar bike rack is the way to go . Check gumtree or Facebook. Halfords do new once. Remember some won’t fit swan neck .

9th August 2020, 08:47	#6
bikerdude666 Posted a thing or two Jaguar Xe diseasal Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Little Stanion, Corby Posts: 1,922 Thanks: 363 Thanked 390 Times in 241 Posts	Thanks for the replies. I was avoiding the roof mounted racks as I don't want to be trying to lift the bike up there, and potentially dropping it and damaging the car. Looks like I'll be looking for a tower mounted rack, but how do you know if its not suitable for swan neck towbars? Can you tell by looking at it or do you have to go to the manufacturers website. Problem I'm finding with 2nd hand rack is the sellers don't know the model, or the model is no longer listed on the website. I nearly bought a Thule rack this morning, but when I went on halfords and put the reg in, it said that it was compatible with the ZT, or the Qashqai, or ZS. edit someone local has got a Thule HangOn3 for £75, so might go for that.

9th August 2020, 09:22	#9
Discofan Loves to post (Land)Rover Freelander 2 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Stuck in the 1980's Posts: 477 Thanks: 118 Thanked 135 Times in 94 Posts	I have one of these: https://www.truckman.co.uk/witter-cy...SABEgI9JfD_BwE for a flange type towbar, good bit of kit.

9th August 2020, 10:27	#10
macafee2 This is my second home Rover 75 Saloon & Tourer Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Lincoln Posts: 14,928 Thanks: 1,630 Thanked 3,032 Times in 2,181 Posts	If you tow and are considering towing and having the bikes on the tow bar at the same time, you could be overweight on the tow bar. Holding the bikes by a fork leg and the tube that runs from the pedals to the seat, I cannot imagine a bike being dropped. I have used roof mounted for years without issue. I have Thule roof bars and roof mounted cycle carriers I have used something like this on hatchbacks without issue https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bik...SABEgLV8vD_BwE FWIW This type of cycle carrier can be used with hatchbacks that have the glass all the way up and down and also where there is a metal frame around the glass. You would need adaptors (cotton reels) where there is no metal frame. macafee2