Reliable bike carrier for Volt Pulse

[Stu901]

Can anyone recommend a decent bike carrier? Will only be used to transport a single bike weighing around 19kgs relatively short distances of about 20-30 miles occasionally. Neither my car or my wifes has a towbar and dont really want to go down that route if it can be avoided.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Stuart

 

[OldFart]

What car?

Personally i hate the rear hatch mounted carriers. Plastic slips and straps
are just a recipe for disaster in my mind.

The only way i would carry it would be on the roof or on a towbar mounted carrier.

 

[Stu901]

Hi, it wouwld either be a Fiat Punto Grande or Hyunda i40 Tourer. Have used rear mounted carriers in the past without issue. Was jst wondering if anyone had used one for an electric bike with them being somewhat heavier.

 

[grldtnr]

Hi, it wouwld either be a Fiat Punto Grande or Hyunda i40 Tourer. Have used rear mounted carriers in the past without issue. Was jst wondering if anyone had used one for an electric bike with them being somewhat heavier.

If you have a i40 tourer why not put it in the back? ergo the same for the Punto ,they must be big enough, I do the same for either of my bikes , fit in the Skoda with a little effort

 

[Stu901]

Hi grldtnr. Currently use the tourer for work and carry a lot of work gear. Re the punto, even with the seat down i need to take the front wheel off.
I'm going to a local store tomorrow to see a rear mounted carrier that one of my colleagues recommended so fingers crossed that it suits. Failing that I'll probably just do what you suggest and either clear out the i40 or remove the wheel

 

[Jimod]

I have 2 bike carriers, both Thule. I have the towbar mounted one which is great and another which hangs on the back hatch.

I've carried the Kudos Tourer on the hatch carrier with no problems. Ive travelled at about 80mph with no problems. Just make sure it's firted securely and check it occasionally on the trip if necessary.

 

[Stu901]

Thanks Jim, hatch carrier is my preferred option asi have used one in the past for my conventional bike without issue. As new bike is a bit heavier wanted to see if anyone else had issues but i suppose its like you say as long as its fitted correctly shouldnt be a problem.
Will have a look at this one tomorrow and take it from there.
Appreciate your input.
Stuart

 

[timidtom]

Neither my car or my wifes has a towbar and dont really want to go down that route if it can be avoided.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Stuart[/quote]


Thule seem to know what they're doing - see if you can find one of the ones which don't need a towbar fitting. Best wishes,
Tom

 

[grldtnr]

Neither my car or my wifes has a towbar and dont really want to go down that route if it can be avoided.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Stuart

Thule seem to know what they're doing - see if you can find one of the ones which don't need a towbar fitting. Best wishes,
Tom[/quote]
all the same ,I still don't like the idea of hanging a heavy bike on those kind of strap on racks ,personally I would not risk.

That said in ,my early manual cycling days , I used to tie my touring bike to roof bars with straps around the brake levers and one around the saddle, not one mind, there were another two!

 

[Stu901]

Thanks guys. Beginning to think would be best to just bite the bullet and fit towbar. That way theres a plethera of racks to choose from. As the wife keeps saying, its only money and theres no pockets in shrouds but usually shes looking at jewellery or shoes when she says it

 

[timidtom]

As the wife keeps saying, its only money and theres no pockets in shrouds but usually shes looking at jewellery or shoes when she says it [/quote]

A Thule cycle carrier is a thing of beauty and purpose. You can quote William Morris 'Have nothing in your house that is not lovely and useful' - or words to that effect. Trust me - I've been married for 53 years and got away with it so far ... Ouch! Who threw that ???

 

[Stu901]

Lol, 53 years...u should know better than to say things like that when the missus us around ;-)

 

[jdallan]

Thanks guys. Beginning to think would be best to just bite the bullet and fit towbar. That way theres a plethera of racks to choose from. As the wife keeps saying, its only money and theres no pockets in shrouds but usually shes looking at jewellery or shoes when she says it

I used to have a Hollywood make hatch carrier which I used successfully to carry two (unassisted) mountain bikes. When we bought the ebikes I was quite dubious about carrying them on that carrier so contacted Hollywood to ask their advice. They advised that none of their carriers was suitable for carrying heavy ebikes.

In view of that I went down the towball route and bought the Thule Europower one which is designated as suitable for ebikes. It was well worth it and is an excellent, albeit heavy, piece of kit which I can recommend.

 

[Stu901]

Hi jdallan, getting towbar fitted tomorrow. Have looked at the towbar and it looks the business but dont really want to pay that price as i only envisage using it a few times a year. Will keep searching for something around £150.

 

[Cyclezee]

This would seem to be a very good value towbar mounted carrier https://www.wilcodirect.co.uk/product/cycle-carriers/summit-2-cycle-carrier-black
I believe other members have bought them.

Personally, I bought a Thule 916 a few years ago, highly recomended but expensive. Mine was almost new for £150 which was a bargain compared to the price new, http://www.thule.com/en/gb/products/carriers-and-racks/bike-carriers/towbar-mounted-bike-carriers/thule-europower-916-_-916000

 

[Stu901]

Thanks John, have had a look at this and seems perfect for my needs. Reasonable price too. I agree, Thule are hard to beat for quality but as only being used occasionally this will do the job nicely. Thanks for the link.
Stuart