Anyone got a rear Bike rack?

[NeilSeat]

Hello,

Less than a week till I recieve my new Zenith Grey FR...And, wondering if anyone has bought a rear bike rack or knows of the best one to go for.

Thanks in advance!

 

[owls11]

Bike Rack for Leon MK2 FR

Did you manage to get a bike rack ?

 

[owls11]

Bike Rack for Leon Mk2 - FR

Hi, Can anyone advise which bike rack to get for Leon FR ? Not roof bars !

Thanks

 

[Deev]

Yeah I'd be interested in this before the spring/summer as I plan to shift my bike around and I'd rather not risk dropping the seats and dismantling the bike like I did with my Focus as that managed to damage bits and pieces of the interior

 

[Haddock]

Ive just got the standard (high level) Halfords one... No problems at all, doesent do any damage - at least up to around 80mph anyway

Chris

 

[Jonathan_Pow]

Thule Rack

I decided to go for a rear hatch bike rack, after looking into all the options it came out cheapest and also most suitable for me if I later change cars.

After trying a cheap Halfords rack (which dented my last Leon on the spoiler and rear bumper) I bough the Thule 9105 ClipOn 2 bike High Rear Mount rack, which needed the Thule 9115 Adapter to fit. It fits perfectly, is rock solid and does not put pressure on the bumper and doesn't seem to put too much pressure on the spoiler bit of the rear hatch. So far so good... ONE NOTE OF CAUTION: The boot will not open with this rack mounted and will catch the roof bodywork (near the boot hinge) if you try!

The rack cost £99.63 and the adapter £16.61 from a place called Car Roofracks UK.

So... there you go... almost a perfect solution.

Cheers,

Jonathan

 

[jasonconnell]

I was always told that rear mounted cycle carriers were a really bad idea on hatchbacks with roof spoilers because they put too much force on the spoiler (which isn't designed to take any weight) so I've gone with roof bars. The downside to the roof bars of course is that I've just ordered a Mk2 Leon and the roof bars from my Mk1 Leon aren't long enough and have different fittings so I have to buy a whole new set when I get the new car (grr!).

Jason

 

[Haddock]

The high level ones dont touch the spoiler or the bumper.. In fact most of the weight is taken on the rear screen..


Chris

 

[Jonathan_Pow]

High Level Racks

Yes, as far as I can see Chris is right, most of the weight does seem to go on the screen and nothing touches the bumper. I have not seen the Halfords high level rack, but the Thule one does seem to do the job without damaging the car.

I am always a bit nervous of roof bars. Doing a lot of mountain biking, the bike does tend to get covered in mud, stones and other crap. I'd hate to drive along with that falling on the roof.

Jonathan

 

[Haddock]

Must admit I was a bit concerned - Ive always put my back in the back of the car, but found it was a tight fit without folding both rear seats..

The rack Ive got was £10 from the local rag, and was a bit of an experiment - If I had any doubts It would have gone in the bin..

Im sure both the Thule and the roof mount bars are better quality but the Halfrauds one Ive got does the job - although Id never fit 3 bikes on it!! lol

Chris

 

[jasonconnell]

I also used to carry my bike in the back of the car with the seats down but got fed up with the mess the bike used to leave in the back of the car. I have to admit I was quite nervous the first couple of outings with bikes on the roof but using Thule bars and bike carriers I now don't think twice about doing normal motorway speeds with bikes on the roof and have never had a problem (although you might not want to follow me too closely along the A329M after I've been cycling in Bracknell Forest on a muddy day unless you want to get dirty!!).

Jason

 

[DaveFR]

Haddock, can you (or anyone else) confirm if this is the rack that you have?

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...Id_129474_crumb_33980_parentcategoryrn_129474

I just want to make sure it wont damage my FR before i buy it!

 

[phil_monk]

Yea thats the one I have, Works well with my FR

 

[DaveFR]

Fantastic! Thanks Phil.

I'd also want to use it on a 55 plate VW Golf. I assume it would fit given that the cars are so similar. Does anyone have evidence to the contrary?

 

[Ealing Cupra]

Yea thats the one I have, Works well with my FR

I noticed that Jonathon made a comment regarding his Thule that "it didn't seem to put too much pressure on the spoiler" and "beware not to open rear while its fitted". What's your experience with the Halfords one? Does it put any pressure on the spoiler, and any issue with opening hatch while its attached (preferably without bikes on it....).

I guess that anything that works for the FR will work with the Cupra as well...

 

[Deev]

Fantastic! Thanks Phil.

I'd also want to use it on a 55 plate VW Golf. I assume it would fit given that the cars are so similar. Does anyone have evidence to the contrary?

The notes at the bottom of the Halfords page state that it's only sutable for carrying max 2 bikes on the latest model Golf due to the "soft bumper". Not sure if that's relevant to the Leon...

 

[phil_monk]

It depends how you set it.

If you set it high then not it dosn't go anyware near the spoiler and would clear it fine.

The presure on the bumper is where the rack rests. The bumper is not very big so be sure to have it on tight otherwise it will work its way off the bumper. i only have to go 10 miles so it is fine for me.

All the presure is put on the rear bumper but the leon has a crash bar behind the bumper so it can take the presure fine. Cars like my mates Clio 172 Cup can't take it becasue the bumper is just on the car with nothing suporting it underneath.

I think it is a good carrier and i resurved it online so I got another £5 off and only paid £50 all in. But even thou this is a 3 bike carrier I would never put 3 bikes on it.