Boot mounted Bike Rack

[sixarm]

I've had a little search through the threads and have found a lot of discussion about roof racks, but none on boot mounted racks.

I was thinking about getting some genuine Seat roof bars off ebay and then a Thule rack, but this is a rather expensive option, plus the wind-resistance and height issue comes into play.

Has anyone used a boot mounted rack on their Leon? Is there a reason why we can't? Any recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

 

[DannyC87]

yes i did on my old 1.4 leon; most of these types clip around the plastic spoiler at the top of the boot..this is only held on by glue and clips! my rack deformed the spoiler a lot, but never came off, i'd not use it again tho tbh - seemed a bit risky!

 

[sixarm]

Yeah that doesn't sound good at all! I'd imagine it's exactly the same story with the LCR then?

 

[DannyC87]

i'd imagine so; my bike just goes in the boot these days!

 

[sixarm]

I may have to just do that then. The reason I was looking for a rack is so I don't have to put a proper muddy bike in the back of my car. Plus, the misses will want to come for rides occasionally too.

 

[moshii]

I believe that a few people with ibizas use a towbar mounted bike rack to get around this-however, it obviously means that you have to put a towbar onto your car...

 

[sixarm]

That's a fair point, but I don't really want to fit a tow bar to my LCR.

 

[DannyC87]

That's a fair point, but I don't really want to fit a tow bar to my LCR.

oi towbars are the ultimate styling accessories for LCRs!

 

[sixarm]

oi towbars are the ultimate styling accessories for LCRs!

Hahaha, are you sure?

 

[Giant AC1]

re:rack on bootlid.

i have in the past used a universal rear mount rack from halfords,the contact points are covered in thick foam,the top rail hooks against the wiper arm and the lower arm rests against the rear panel.two straps hook into the chassis rails under the bumper and two m ore straps with wider 2"powder coated hooks cling on to the top of the spoiler.it was more than adequete to carry a 40lb giant and a 30lb saracen down to cornwall at speed

 

[Deleted member 20376]

ive seen the fold away toe bars but again you have to adapt the bumper but i seen a cupra with one and they have caps in place to hide the hole.
i use to have the book mount rack its was ok but just very nervous when driving with it on.
roof bars are expensive but its a good investment they are alot safer than the boot mount.

 

[DannyC87]

Hahaha, are you sure?

i love my towbar LCR looks awesome towing

 

[mhill]

yes i did on my old 1.4 leon; most of these types clip around the plastic spoiler at the top of the boot..this is only held on by glue and clips! my rack deformed the spoiler a lot, but never came off, i'd not use it again tho tbh - seemed a bit risky!

You had a 1.4?

oi towbars are the ultimate styling accessories for LCRs!

Dont bodge it like this gypsy mechanic though

In all seriousness though tow bar mount is the way forward its a little scary lifting the bike up on to the roof and the balancing act of strapping the bike in.

 

[marshyc]

I certainly wouldn't use a boot mounted rack on the Leon. I did use one on my previous car, an Escort . Tried it on the Leon not long after I bought it and didn't like the way the straps pulled down on the spoiler. Never even put the bike on it.

I too have looked at the bars and Thule rack. Have a look here http://www.roofracks.co.uk/index.htm. If you go for the Thule aero bars the Proride rack slots into the actual bars not just strapped onto them like I believe you would have to do with the SEAT ones or the Thule square bars (both same I believe). All lock too and you can have the same key for the rack and bars.

As soon as I can afford I will be going for this option.

 

[DannyC87]

You had a 1.4?



Dont bodge it like this gypsy mechanic though

In all seriousness though tow bar mount is the way forward its a little scary lifting the bike up on to the roof and the balancing act of strapping the bike in.

yes, had 1.4 leon before the LCR. You will be hard pushed to find anyone to fit a towbar to the LCR if this is the option you choose as it is not type approved to tow with which scares off most fitters!

 

[pompeycupra]

yes i did on my old 1.4 leon; most of these types clip around the plastic spoiler at the top of the boot..this is only held on by glue and clips! my rack deformed the spoiler a lot, but never came off, i'd not use it again tho tbh - seemed a bit risky!

I used one like this on my wifes ibzia and we got 300s yrd from betsy coed and the straps broke and the bikes fell off the back my bike was written off so I would'nt recomend one of them and yeah does damage the spolier too

 

[marshyc]

Tow bar option is also very expensive even compared to the best roof bars and rack.

For a good bar rack you're probably looking at £200-£300. Then you have the tow ball to buy and fit at probably £100+ for a good fitter and they will have to cut the LCR bumper no matter what style and fit you have.

 

[sixarm]

Thanks for all the replies, it sounds like the roof bars are the way to go then.

I like the idea of the Thule bars/rack combination and as you say, it only requires one set of keys then, which is a bonus. Are you referring to the Aluminium Aero Bars? In which case, what length does the Leon take? Is there any advantage in getting the Thule Aero's over the genuine Seat ones?

 

[Markyboyt]

I certainly wouldn't use a boot mounted rack on the Leon. I did use one on my previous car, an Escort . Tried it on the Leon not long after I bought it and didn't like the way the straps pulled down on the spoiler. Never even put the bike on it.

I too have looked at the bars and Thule rack. Have a look here http://www.roofracks.co.uk/index.htm. If you go for the Thule aero bars the Proride rack slots into the actual bars not just strapped onto them like I believe you would have to do with the SEAT ones or the Thule square bars (both same I believe). All lock too and you can have the same key for the rack and bars.

As soon as I can afford I will be going for this option.

I have a boot mounted one that I used on my previous motor, also an Escort lol (don't be ashamed, I loved my escort, 70k miles of driving pleasure and only ever conked twice both times due to running out of fuel outside my house)

I won't be putting the boot mounted carrier on the Leon though due to the spoiler, Didnt really like using it anyway. My car has a towbar so might get a towbar mounted carrier but the bikes will still stick out the sides a bit which un-nerves me. I only used the old carrier 3 times though lol so aint going to too much expense

 

[curryholic]

Don't forget if the bikes obscure the number plate/lights then you "should" have a light board across them, which you would need the towbar electrics for... so you either have the the detachable tow bar or roof rack options.