How do you carry bikes on the Mk 5 Ibiza?

[The Pielander]

I'm going to buying a couple of mountain bikes soon and I'm looking at the options for carrying them on/in my Ibiza. I'd appreciate any advice from anyone that already dos this. I have an Ibiza ST now so I see my options as follows:

1. Fold the rear seats, put down some PVC sheet and put the 2 bikes in lying down with their front wheels taken off. This won't cost me anything but is a bit of a faff and risks getting the interior of my car grubby and maybe scuffing the bodywork while manhandling the bikes in and out. There's always the chance of doing myself an injury too lifting the bikes.

2. Buy a roof mounted carrier. The ST already has roof rails so I think I would need some more 'across the car' rails and a cycle carrier. The downside with this is having to fit it and take it off again if we are just going out for the day.

3. Buy a tow bar and a rear mounted cycle carrier. This looks like the most convenient option but the most expensive too. Is there a company that will supply and fit the whole thing complete with electrics etc?

I'd appreciate any help with this as it is completely new to me.

Cheers

 

[DEAN0]

I'm going to buying a couple of mountain bikes soon and I'm looking at the options for carrying them on/in my Ibiza. I'd appreciate any advice from anyone that already dos this. I have an Ibiza ST now so I see my options as follows:

1. Fold the rear seats, put down some PVC sheet and put the 2 bikes in lying down with their front wheels taken off. This won't cost me anything but is a bit of a faff and risks getting the interior of my car grubby and maybe scuffing the bodywork while manhandling the bikes in and out. There's always the chance of doing myself an injury too lifting the bikes.

2. Buy a roof mounted carrier. The ST already has roof rails so I think I would need some more 'across the car' rails and a cycle carrier. The downside with this is having to fit it and take it off again if we are just going out for the day.

3. Buy a tow bar and a rear mounted cycle carrier. This looks like the most convenient option but the most expensive too. Is there a company that will supply and fit the whole thing complete with electrics etc?

I'd appreciate any help with this as it is completely new to me.

Cheers

Mine is an SC not an ST but I use a pair of Thule Aerobars and up to 4 thule 591 bike carriers without problems on it.

The Aerobars stay on the car most of the summer and I can't say i have noticed any reduction in fuel consumption with or without them.

The 591 bike carriers only take 5 mins to lock on to the aerobars when needed.

Very easy system to use - can be made even easier if you hop on to ebay and get yourself a matching lock set so every lock on the carriers and bars is the same key.

Up to 4 mountain bikes are rock steady at motorway speeds and in the lanes near the trail centres.

 

[paulfs]

I have an ST & have used a simple cycle carrier on the hatch / boot lid a couple of times, can't for the life of me think who it's made by!?
Can be a faff fixing it to the rear, but pretty straight forward, also can restrict ready access into boot when bikes on the carrier.
Horses for courses, I use mine infrequently & only for "days-out" - if I was doing more I think I'd go for proper roof mounts... simply because I dislike having a tow bar installed....

 

[M30 SCK]

I've got a tow bar mounted rack on mine with a Thule 2 bike rack.
Had a local tow bar centre fit the tow bar and electrics as the seat dealer didn't offer it.
Think I paid about £280 for everything fitted, plus the cost of the rack.
Really nice piece of kit,fitting bikes is a doddle,and it as a tilt function to allow access to the boot.

 

[NetworkMan]

Ride a road bike and leave the tin box behind!
That's what I do!

 

[paulfs]

brilliant

 

[M30 SCK]

I used to put the bike inside an old duvet when I put it in back of my old car.
There's companies like sci con that do lightly padded versions as well.

 

[DEAN0]

Ride a road bike and leave the tin box behind!
That's what I do!

Tend to struggle with 50+kg of tools on my back when cycling.

The car has it's uses !!

 

[t.oldaker]

bit scene *****y but i have used mine for bmx's and mountain bikes.

From roofbox company: Cruz roof bars

Takes less than 10mins to fit now I know what to do as i leave them pre built in the garage or back seat of the car. Carried bikes and a 200ltr oil barrel with them before so no issues with weight.

 

[Giz]

As I use my bmx for more than just a image (does look awesome though thomas) I fold the rear seats down and chuck it in, fits easily being a bmx. Do want roof bars though.....or a vw transporter t5

 

[The Pielander]

Thanks for all your replies

Paulfs - have you tried getting your bike into the back of your ST with the seats folded down? If yes - does it fit ok?

Cheers

 

[paulfs]

yes mate, two bikes with rear seats down, no problems - I think we took front wheels off & with careful placing to prevent damage (to the bikes if honest).

 

[thedigitalage]

I'm thinking of getting a Thule ride on, but not sure how easy it is to fit a towbar, anyone got pics of a towbar fitted on a mk5? Did you have to cut into bumper?

 

[Biglou]

I'd defiantly recommend putting it on the roof, I got mine set up for under £100 and its so easy

 

[Xanthianx]

Fold the seats down & chuck em in the boot!
I used to get 3 bikes in the back of a Yaris without any problems

 

[The Pielander]

As a folow up to my original post - I ended up buying a package of Atera roof bars and 2 Giro AF cycle carriers from roof box.co.uk. The initial setup was a bit of a pain but now that they are set it should be a quick job to attach them to the roof. I used them properly for the first time yesterday and found them to be absolutely solid and stable - my only gripe was that I got my hands and arms covered in dirt and oil from lifting the bikes up onto the roof. I'll chuck a pair of long work gloves in the boot for next time.

I was able to get 2 bikes in the boot of my ST but after scratching the door plastic with one of the forks last week I decided to go for roof bars. The ST has roof rails which makes this option easier anyway. Also I didn't like the idea of putting wet/dirty/oily bikes in the boot of my new car.