New Purchase

[Wynne0648]

We are both considering buying a couple of e-bikes, now that we have lots of time on our hands after retirement. Only for pleasure use, but we would like to transport them in our car as well. Bikes we have taken a fancy to are a Juicy Classic and Juicy sport. If we were to remove the batteries for transporting them would they be ok on a good quality bike standard carrier. The car is a 2014 Skoda Rapid. It has no tow bar fitted, so a tow bar rack is not an option, besides fitting a tow bar and the rack costs are to much. Did look at a Gtech bike, was fairly light but wanted something more standard build which i can do a bit of maintenance on if needed, and for the difficult stuff take to shop. Not many of the bikes we have looked at give max riders weight either, we are slightly overweight, so that is also a consideration. Did look at folders as option, build strength is a worry with them. Any help or advice is greatly appreciated

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Non-towball racks are pretty crappy. I'd be surprised if you could safely carry two juicy Bikes on one safely. I tried one to carry my electric bike. It held the weight OK, but it knocked my MPG down from 65 to less than 40 because it held the bike up too high. that must be a lot of wind force on the bike, which worried me, so, for the return trip, I took off the front wheel and stuck it behind the front seats. I then went and bough a tow-ball rack, which, unfortunately, is probably the only sensible solution.

 

[JuicyBike]

We are both considering buying a couple of e-bikes, now that we have lots of time on our hands after retirement. Only for pleasure use, but we would like to transport them in our car as well. Bikes we have taken a fancy to are a Juicy Classic and Juicy sport. If we were to remove the batteries for transporting them would they be ok on a good quality bike standard carrier. The car is a 2014 Skoda Rapid. It has no tow bar fitted, so a tow bar rack is not an option, besides fitting a tow bar and the rack costs are to much. Did look at a Gtech bike, was fairly light but wanted something more standard build which i can do a bit of maintenance on if needed, and for the difficult stuff take to shop. Not many of the bikes we have looked at give max riders weight either, we are slightly overweight, so that is also a consideration. Did look at folders as option, build strength is a worry with them. Any help or advice is greatly appreciated

I'd recommend a tow bar carrier if you can afford one. They are nice and low meaning lifting bikes is minimised and will carry a greater weight. Wind resistance whilst driving is also reduced.
However we've seen many couples taking two bikes away from our shops with two bikes on board standard bike racks, and haven't heard of any issues.
Taking batteries out first is advised and it's important to check the rack is designed to carry a 45 kg load.
If it helps you could add a Perusso electric bike rack to your order and use our free credit option at the website.
Hope this helps.

 

[Wynne0648]

I'd recommend a tow bar carrier if you can afford one. They are nice and low meaning lifting bikes is minimised and will carry a greater weight. Wind resistance whilst driving is also reduced.
However we've seen many couples taking two bikes away from our shops with two bikes on board standard bike racks, and haven't heard of any issues.
Taking batteries out first is advised and it's important to check the rack is designed to carry a 45 kg load.
If it helps you could add a Perusso electric bike rack to your order and use our free credit option at the website.
Hope this helps.

Will do a bit more research into standard bike racks with 45kg load, did some costings into tow bar fitting, looking at £300+ and then another £350+ on a rack. Not far off the cost of a bike. Not really cost effective as were only leisure riders,cant see us ever taking bikes away on holidays etc.
Thanks for help / advice though

 

[Crockers]

One mishap using a crap bike rack and that £700 for towbar and rack appears cheap.

 

[Danidl]

We are both considering buying a couple of e-bikes, now that we have lots of time on our hands after retirement. Only for pleasure use, but we would like to transport them in our car as well. Bikes we have taken a fancy to are a Juicy Classic and Juicy sport. If we were to remove the batteries for transporting them would they be ok on a good quality bike standard carrier. The car is a 2014 Skoda Rapid. It has no tow bar fitted, so a tow bar rack is not an option, besides fitting a tow bar and the rack costs are to much. Did look at a Gtech bike, was fairly light but wanted something more standard build which i can do a bit of maintenance on if needed, and for the difficult stuff take to shop. Not many of the bikes we have looked at give max riders weight either, we are slightly overweight, so that is also a consideration. Did look at folders as option, build strength is a worry with them. Any help or advice is greatly appreciated

Is yours the hatchback or spaceback version?
If you remove the front wheel can you fit them internally , maybe invest in a sheet of expanded polystyrene to separate the two bikes .

 

[Wynne0648]

Is yours the hatchback or spaceback version?
If you remove the front wheel can you fit them internally , maybe invest in a sheet of expanded polystyrene to separate the two bikes .

It's the hatchback,i did think of that,and i suppose you could maybe get two bikes in,with the front wheels off, not sure if we want to be removing the wheels though, plus bikes would be heavy and not easy to manoeuvre in and out,if i damaged the car or bike i can tell you now I'd never here the end of it from someone . For now i think we will have to make our mind up on what we are going to buy first, and that's difficult enough, and see how it goes. Yes i can see a tow bar rack is best,just a lot of money to spend just to carry bikes occasionally, would never tow anything either. Off to do a bit more browsing at bikes now... Thanks for help.

 

[Danidl]

It's the hatchback,i did think of that,and i suppose you could maybe get two bikes in,with the front wheels off, not sure if we want to be removing the wheels though, plus bikes would be heavy and not easy to manoeuvre in and out,if i damaged the car or bike i can tell you now I'd never here the end of it from someone . For now i think we will have to make our mind up on what we are going to buy first, and that's difficult enough, and see how it goes. Yes i can see a tow bar rack is best,just a lot of money to spend just to carry bikes occasionally, would never tow anything either. Off to do a bit more browsing at bikes now... Thanks for help.

.. with the quick release wheel fittings on many bikes removing and replacing the front wheel is a 5 second toolless operation. Even if your selected bike does not have them as standard they could be retrofitted by the dealer.
If you were going to carry bikes regularly in the back, then a couple of lengths of lino will protect the carpets and walls in the car and the polystyrene protect the bikes from each other.
A towbar however is the best possible solution. Once fitted you would then probably invest in a trailer.. which while being more expensive than a bike rack is more versatile and in addition to carting the bikes is super for gardening and other activities. .. towbars are also great if someone tries to rear end you also..
B& Q used to have and may still have a demountable trailer which can be flipped on its side and rolled through a garden gate.

 

[Wynne0648]

Ok,I'm leaning a bit more now to maybe I'll get towbar fitted and look for tow bar rack later on. One question with a rack i have is security. While we would never leave the car unattended with the bikes on, do we have to remove the rack every time we are out with the bikes, i am not sure if its locked to the tow-ball securely, would hate to come back to car after ride on bikes to find tow bar gone. It would be kept in garage when not in use. Oh and yes a trailer would be very handy, not so much for me but i am certain i would get many requests from others to collect and move stuff...So its a big NO to a trailer..LOL

 

[Danidl]

Ok,I'm leaning a bit more now to maybe I'll get towbar fitted and look for tow bar rack later on. One question with a rack i have is security. While we would never leave the car unattended with the bikes on, do we have to remove the rack every time we are out with the bikes, i am not sure if its locked to the tow-ball securely, would hate to come back to car after ride on bikes to find tow bar gone. It would be kept in garage when not in use. Oh and yes a trailer would be very handy, not so much for me but i am certain i would get many requests from others to collect and move stuff...So its a big NO to a trailer..LOL

. The towball hitches are secured using a pressure plate with a bolt and captive nut. From memory the Thule uses a 17mm headed bolt and it is screwed quite (actually very) tight. It needs to very secure, and tighten in order to hold the bracket It would not be possible to remove it without a suitable spanner. With a suitable spanner , removal would be a three minute job. I leave a suitable spanner in the car as the one supplied in the took kit is cheap, has sharp edges and is a pain to use. . A rachet socket would even be better.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

The better (more expensive) ones have a simple drop on and clamp mechanism, which can be locked with a key. The cheapest one (about £60 from Wilkos - can't see it listed anymore) is clamped by a big bolt that requires a big spanner. they provide the spanner with the rack. I'd be surprised if any thief would be carrying such a spanner to get it off - not that they'd want to nick a £60 bike rack anyway.

This one is lockable and looks good value, though the lock is an extra that you have to buy separately for £15:

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-racks/towbar-mounted-bike-racks/thule-rideon-9502-2-bike-towball-carrier

 

[Danidl]

The better (more expensive) ones have a simple drop on and clamp mechanism, which can be locked with a key. The cheapest one (about £60 from Wilkos - can't see it listed anymore) is clamped by a big bolt that requires a big spanner. they provide the spanner with the rack. I'd be surprised if any thief would be carrying such a spanner to get it off - not that they'd want to nick a £60 bike rack anyway.

This one is lockable and looks good value, though the lock is an extra that you have to buy separately for £15:

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-racks/towbar-mounted-bike-racks/thule-rideon-9502-2-bike-towball-carrier

... That is the Thule model I have.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

I have one too, but then I got a Cykell £500 one, which is obviously a lot more convenient. OP can have my Wilko one for nothing if he wants to come and get it. That'll offset the cost of the towbar a bit.

 

[Wynne0648]

I have one too, but then I got a Cykell £500 one, which is obviously a lot more convenient. OP can have my Wilko one for nothing if he wants to come and get it. That'll offset the cost of the towbar a bit.

Thanks for the offer I'll keep it in mind.

 

[Wynne0648]

We're both going to choose bikes now, that's a minefield, Probably spend some time looking online to finds few options then see if we can get test rides. Once we're sorted I'll sort out a tow bar and bike rack.

Thanks for all advice.

 

[Trevormonty]

I use a chain and padlock to secure my rack to towbar's safety chain attachments point.