Opinion on This Halfords 3 Bike Rack?

[portals]

I want to get a bike rack so we can go for a run in car on nice day at weekend then when we get there do some bike riding then find a pub for some dinner and drive home.

Halfords 3 Bike Rear Mounted Bike Rack | Halfords UK

Shop the latest The Halfords 3 Bike Rear Mounted Bike Rack offers you a safe way to carry your bikes to new adventures. It takes just 20 minutes to fit, it is easy to use and folds flat when not in use, for space saving storage. at Halfords UK

www.halfords.com

It has a load capacity of 45Kg for the three bikes so ideally 3*15kg bikes,

However I want to carry my ebike and also my sons MTB, so 2 bikes.

ebike: 24/25kg when battery is removed
MTB: He's out on it but I imagine it's 15kg or a little under, will weigh it later.

So that's 2 bike with a combined weight of 40kg or probably a little under, maybe 37/38Kg in total.

The ebike will go closest to the boot to reduce downwards torque on the arm and MTB next to that.

Does anyone here have any experience with this rack, the reviews say it's sturdy however I am aware of the risk if the rack was to break whilst driving.

If it's rated for 45kg you would assume they're erring on side of caution so 40kg should not be an issue?

 

[zoros]

My experience when I was looking for a rack:
'Normally' the advert states the "static" load for the rack (IE: 45kg).
But this figure is designed to take into account cornering and sideways forces too, I was told.
Putting an ebike onto a normal rack is frowned upon unless the company making the rack certify it as fit to carry ebikes.
The advertised loading of any bike rack MUST indicate that this rack is for ebikes also. If there is no mention of ebkie capacity - steer clear.
If the rack let's go at speed and flies into the oncoming path of another car - it doesn't bear thinking about! Be interested to see if your car insurance wriggles out of that one if the rack is not certified for ebikes.
I bought a tow bar rack for 2 ebiles from halfords and I absolutely love it, quick to load/unload, built in locks to the car and also to the bikes.
£250. Couldn't do without it.
Z

 

[portals]

I assumed when they say not suitable for ebikes it's because of the weight, no way you could put 3 or even 2 ebikes on that rack safely, however one ebike at 24kg and one MTB at under 15kg is well under the max rated weight of 45kg.

I'm currently driving a clapped out Jetta so I will driving leisurely, I cannot see the extra 10kg of an ebike on inside of rack would be enough to cause issues especially as they will be tied down as well?

I'm also looking at tow bar racks except I don't have a towbar so it all adds up...

 

[zoros]

It does add up! My tow bar was £350! But I look at it as an investment!
The bottom line for bike racks - call your insurance company if you are concerned about certified racks but I bet your bottom dollar - if the rack doesn't mention ebikes - and something happens - you're stuffed!
Z

 

[zoros]

Apologies - the cost of the bike rack now is: £360....ouch!

Halfords Advanced 2 Bike Towbar Mounted Bike Rack | Halfords UK

Shop the latest The Halfords Advanced 2 Bike Tow Bar Mounted Bike Rack is designed to transport heavy bikes at Halfords UK

www.halfords.com

Z

 

[saneagle]

I want to get a bike rack so we can go for a run in car on nice day at weekend then when we get there do some bike riding then find a pub for some dinner and drive home.

Halfords 3 Bike Rear Mounted Bike Rack | Halfords UK

Shop the latest The Halfords 3 Bike Rear Mounted Bike Rack offers you a safe way to carry your bikes to new adventures. It takes just 20 minutes to fit, it is easy to use and folds flat when not in use, for space saving storage. at Halfords UK

www.halfords.com

It has a load capacity of 45Kg for the three bikes so ideally 3*15kg bikes,

However I want to carry my ebike and also my sons MTB, so 2 bikes.

ebike: 24/25kg when battery is removed
MTB: He's out on it but I imagine it's 15kg or a little under, will weigh it later.

So that's 2 bike with a combined weight of 40kg or probably a little under, maybe 37/38Kg in total.

The ebike will go closest to the boot to reduce downwards torque on the arm and MTB next to that.

Does anyone here have any experience with this rack, the reviews say it's sturdy however I am aware of the risk if the rack was to break whilst driving.

If it's rated for 45kg you would assume they're erring on side of caution so 40kg should not be an issue?

View attachment 52386

I tried one of those. I used it once for my ebike. It held the bike so high that my fuel consumption went down from 65 mpg to 30 mpg. On the way back, I took the front wheel off my bike and stuck it in the car behind the front two seats and got my 65 mpg on the way back. That means it cost me about £20 extra for the one way trip. It was pretty awkward to use as well.

After that, I got a Wilco towball one for about £100, which was OK but a bit of messing about to put on and then more messing about to get the bike on it.

Then I got a Cykel one for about £300, which was brilliant - just clip on and easy to put the bike on.

To summarise, it's best to put your bike in the car if you can. It's quicker than any cycle rack, costs nothing and is the most secure. After that, get a towball and a decent bike rack - expensive, but nice.

Another problem is the rain. If you cover your bike, you get massive drag. If you don't, the spray goes everywhere and is the worst possible thing for your electrics.

I've now got a van - just wheel the bike in and it's done. It might be cheaper to sell your car and buy a van than fit a towball and bike rack. Vans are bloody useful too because you can camp in them when you go on your cycle trip. No need for a tent nor campsite.

 

[portals]

Thinking about it - putting a tow bar on my Jetta would be a waste of money as it's done 160k+ when I bought it, it got though MOT at start of yr but given advisories I'll probably scrap it and buy another cheap run around, odds are the tow bar won't be transferable so that's £500+ up the swanney for only few months use.

<myCarLuck>
I've currently given up on having a nice car, part of the reason I'm gravitating to using ebike when I can. After I had to scrap my beloved BMW 323i I replaced it with S Class, it aquaplaned on Clydeside Expressway and did a 270degree spin, rear wheel clipped kerb and that bent everything underneath. I actually drove it for cpl weeks before it was scrapped but only local and not over 20mph... Then there was the E Class 350, nicest car I've ever owned, had lots of toys including flippers on wheel for gear changes, it was a fast car...that hit black ice 2 days after Christmas and slid in to the barriers right outside Baird St cop shop.... I limped it 200yrds up road to park it, got it mostly in a space and the front left wheel fell off, scrapped... After that I had an awful black Vectra (£950) that the exhaust fell off in pieces, first the muffler, then the pipe...scrapped. Bought a Citroen Xara Picasso (£850) , after 4 months timing belt failed on the afore mentioned Expressway, had to abandon it on exit slip at SECC, came back with mate to rescue it next day and it had been towed by cops....never saw it again, I also have a nagging feeling that the full set of golf clubs I cannot find might have been in the boot.....grrr.... Rocked up to another garage with £1k cash and got the Jetta for £950.
</<myCarLuck>

 

[portals]

It does add up! My tow bar was £350! But I look at it as an investment!
The bottom line for bike racks - call your insurance company if you are concerned about certified racks but I bet your bottom dollar - if the rack doesn't mention ebikes - and something happens - you're stuffed!
Z

£360...that's probably not far off what the car is actually worth!

 

[portals]

Thanks for the responses.

I tried one of those. I used it once for my ebike. It held the bike so high that my fuel consumption went down from 65 mpg to 30 mpg. On the way back, I took the front wheel off my bike and stuck it in the car behind the front two seats and got my 65 mpg on the way back. That means it cost me about £20 extra for the one way trip. It was pretty awkward to use as well.

After that, I got a Wilco towball one for about £100, which was OK but a bit of messing about to put on and then more messing about to get the bike on it.

Then I got a Cykel one for about £300, which was brilliant - just clip on and easy to put the bike on.

To summarise, it's best to put your bike in the car if you can. It's quicker than any cycle rack, costs nothing and is the most secure. After that, get a towball and a decent bike rack - expensive, but nice.

Another problem is the rain. If you cover your bike, you get massive drag. If you don't, the spray goes everywhere and is the worst possible thing for your electrics.

I've now got a van - just wheel the bike in and it's done. It might be cheaper to sell your car and buy a van than fit a towball and bike rack. Vans are bloody useful too because you can camp in them when you go on your cycle trip. No need for a tent nor campsite.

The Jetta's back seats folds down in to a space large enough for me to sleep and large enough for one bike. So I could buy a cheapo one bike rack from Halfords for my sons bike and mount it outside, his bike lives out the back and the drive train has rusted, needs a good clean every few months with stiff wire brush so if it gets wet not an issue as it gets soaked every time it rains... He'll get a new MTB probably for Christmas as he is 13 and taking a stretch every day.

Don't fancy getting the ebike wet, I do have a cover but like you say the resistance will be high and lights not visible.

Halfords says that with my car reg I can use this, but it looks like you need a hatchback? Has anyone got one like this, will it fit on a saloon (2007 Jetta)?

SOLO (SINGLE PACK) BLACK | Halfords UK

Shop the latest Saris Solo 1-Bike Bike Rack is the first and only 1-bike boot rack at Halfords UK

www.halfords.com

Thinking about it I might just get the 3 bike one I posted in OP for my sons MTB bike on back, I can also try it with the ebike and see how jenky it is and make a call.

The back seats fold down in 1-2 and 1 combi so there will be a seat for my son. What I'm not that keen in doing is actually lifting the bugg3r in to the car, it's awkward enough putting my sons bike in at half the weight... Also not that keen on taking off the front wheel if I don't have to but guess it will make life easier.

How do ppl here put their ebikes in their boot, remove front wheel and lift it in rear wheel first longways?

Regarding vans, I've been looking for the right Sprinter van since lock down to convert in to a camper (when I was a kid my parents had a caravan and both worked in education so in long summer holidays my dad drove to Italy most years (6 days each way with stops) where we'd camp by Med for cpl weeks here https://www.enzostellamaris.com/en. As an adult Ive been back few times with kids but flights, posh statics and hire car. Stopped going though due to the mosquitos, there are more in the Veneto area than anywhere else in the world and they are nasty b@stards.

 

[saneagle]

Thanks for the responses.



The Jetta's back seats folds down in to a space large enough for me to sleep and large enough for one bike. So I could buy a cheapo one bike rack from Halfords for my sons bike and mount it outside, his bike lives out the back and the drive train has rusted, needs a good clean every few months with stiff wire brush so if it gets wet not an issue as it gets soaked every time it rains... He'll get a new MTB probably for Christmas as he is 13 and taking a stretch every day.

Don't fancy getting the ebike wet, I do have a cover but like you say the resistance will be high and lights not visible.

Halfords says that with my car reg I can use this, but it looks like you need a hatchback? Has anyone got one like this, will it fit on a saloon (2007 Jetta)?

SOLO (SINGLE PACK) BLACK | Halfords UK

Shop the latest Saris Solo 1-Bike Bike Rack is the first and only 1-bike boot rack at Halfords UK

www.halfords.com

View attachment 52392

Thinking about it I might just get the 3 bike one I posted in OP for my sons MTB bike on back, I can also try it with the ebike and see how jenky it is and make a call.

The back seats fold down in 1-2 and 1 combi so there will be a seat for my son. What I'm not that keen in doing is actually lifting the bugg3r in to the car, it's awkward enough putting my sons bike in at half the weight... Also not that keen on taking off the front wheel if I don't have to but guess it will make life easier.

How do ppl here put their ebikes in their boot, remove front wheel and lift it in rear wheel first longways?

Regarding vans, I've been looking for the right Sprinter van since lock down to convert in to a camper (when I was a kid my parents had a caravan and both worked in education so in long summer holidays my dad drove to Italy most years (6 days each way with stops) where we'd camp by Med for cpl weeks here https://www.enzostellamaris.com/en. As an adult Ive been back few times with kids but flights, posh statics and hire car. Stopped going though due to the mosquitos, there are more in the Veneto area than anywhere else in the world and they are nasty b@stards.

I have a Peugeot Partner diesel. It does 60 mpg overall average. It's brilliant. The Citroen, Peugeot & Vauxhall vans are all the same. Only the badges are different - same engine, transmission, chassis, bodywork, electronics, etc.

 

[portals]

This is looking like a candidate, the 3 bike version is rated for 100lbs = 45kg.

I will try it with my ebike only and sons MTB goes in boot of car so I will only be using approx 50% of the permitted bike weight. We'll see...hopefully it can move to my next car too

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00TRTSGBA/ref=emc_b_5_t?th=1

 

[saneagle]

It looks crap to me. can you open the boot when it's tied down, and don't forget it's illegal to cover your number plate, even partially.

 

[AndyBike]

Whatever you get, just make sure you get a very very strong lock to keep the bikes from being stolen while you're away from them. There are literally hundreds of reports of bikes being taken off the rack.

 

[portals]

No chance of opening boot with that one on but that's not a problem for our use case...we drive to location, bike, get dinner, drive home and boot is accessible from inside car if you do need something.

Number plate is easily enough fixed, unscrew rear plate and rubber band it on outside (or get a spare plate).

It is supposed to be fast to setup which is appealing

 

[portals]

Whatever you get, just make sure you get a very very strong lock to keep the bikes from being stolen while you're away from them. There are literally hundreds of reports of bikes being taken off the rack.

Yes, good point, I have the Kryponite Evolution D-lock and two of the extension Kryponite cables, from YT vids you need an angle grinder to get though the D-lock, large bolt cutters not strong enough. The bikes won't really be out of our sight on these trips, I don't go in to pub or cafe for food unless they have somewhere safe to lock them up securely, most pubs around here with beer gardens let you take them inside and lock them up somewhere out of the way so you can relax, you do get the odd w@nker though... When shopping my son locks his bike to mine outside store front door and stands guard. If it's a large store I also take the battery me, gl with with stealing ebike unless you have a van nearby.

I have the alarm on the bike hidden under seat with speaker face down for max volume, so far this has proved very effective with ppl messing with bike, only had alarm a few weeks and most time I lock it up I get the alarm pre-trigger sound, ppl jump then start discussing that 'the bike has an alarm on it's, quite amusing really as usually I'm within earshot, the full alarm has not yet triggered, like I say ppl get the message as the pre-alarm is LOUD.

 

[portals]