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Author Topic: bike carriers  (Read 2772 times)

Offline Russ_leeds

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bike carriers
« on: April 11, 2011, 05:32:41 pm »
hi all, im currently waiting delivery of my new mountain bike and was thinking of getting a bike carrier for the gti. ive heard horror stories of them marking the car so not sure on a rear mounted one. does anyone have any advice or options for me please?
cheers Russ
Black 2007 gti, 18' monza 2, sat-nav, highline, i-pod dock, armrest, 35mm H&R springs, WALK, BCS tbe, autotech front and rear arbs, ITG maxogen, NQSBBK... and more to come

Offline ub7rm

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Re: bike carriers
« Reply #1 on: April 11, 2011, 05:52:39 pm »
I had the same dilemma last year and in the end decided to buy a tarp, fold the seats down and chuck the bike in the boot.  Works a treat - no danger of the bike falling onto the road or a rack scratching the paintwork.  :happy2:
Sepang Blue S4 BE Avant

Offline Russ_leeds

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Re: bike carriers
« Reply #2 on: April 11, 2011, 06:07:34 pm »
cheers but whats a tarp? was wanting one that could carry 3 bikes, maybe a roof mounted unit?
Black 2007 gti, 18' monza 2, sat-nav, highline, i-pod dock, armrest, 35mm H&R springs, WALK, BCS tbe, autotech front and rear arbs, ITG maxogen, NQSBBK... and more to come

Offline ub7rm

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Re: bike carriers
« Reply #3 on: April 11, 2011, 07:14:50 pm »
tarp = tarpaulin

Yeah if your talking about more than 1 bike its going to have to be either roof or rear mount.  If you have a towbar I think a towbar mounted rack would be the best option.  Otherwise (assuming you're not a short arse like me) probably next best is roof mounted.

I bought and promptly returned a rear mounted rack as it became apparent that the back bumper is a bit flimsy, there are points under the bumper where you can attach the straps but they aren't really suitable and you will undoubtedly scratch the paint.  If you do go down this route though I'd get the dumbbells which go inside the rear hatch rather than the clips which attach to the top and side of the tailgate (again paint damage waiting to happen).
Sepang Blue S4 BE Avant

Offline Russ_leeds

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Re: bike carriers
« Reply #4 on: April 11, 2011, 07:21:45 pm »
 :signLOL: i was thinking tarpaulin but wasnt sure. no im 6ft 3 so pretty tall. would the roof racks on e-bay be ok or best to go oem? any idea on rough cost please?
thanks
Black 2007 gti, 18' monza 2, sat-nav, highline, i-pod dock, armrest, 35mm H&R springs, WALK, BCS tbe, autotech front and rear arbs, ITG maxogen, NQSBBK... and more to come

Offline ub7rm

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Re: bike carriers
« Reply #5 on: April 11, 2011, 07:36:10 pm »
I don't have any experience of the roof racks myself but if it were me I'd go with a well known brand like thule for the vertical bars that attach to the car and perhaps be tempted by something on ebay for the actual cycle carrier itself. 
Sepang Blue S4 BE Avant

Offline Russ_leeds

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Re: bike carriers
« Reply #6 on: April 11, 2011, 09:57:51 pm »
cheers there were a couple of thule ones on there :happy2:
Black 2007 gti, 18' monza 2, sat-nav, highline, i-pod dock, armrest, 35mm H&R springs, WALK, BCS tbe, autotech front and rear arbs, ITG maxogen, NQSBBK... and more to come

Offline Eccie

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Re: bike carriers
« Reply #7 on: April 11, 2011, 10:45:12 pm »
I have a 5 door and have a thule system with the alloy aero bars (silver, sleeker and quiet) All with locks ---Not OME, but thule's own system

I carry 3 bikes (2 adults and 1 childs) using the thule 591 cycle racks, same racks fit on our Audi Avant so its nice and easy. Tend to use it all more on the audi as it does dent mpg, but if you are carrying bikes they are secure and out of the way, and you get easy access to the boot at all times which is essential, quick and easy to fit and take off, just watch the paintwork, make sure the car is clean

I got the bars, foot packs and rapid fitting kit all 2nd hand on ebay and got a good deal. It wasnt a complete set up I got them via 3 seperate sales and sold on the bits i didn't need. It worked out the cheapest way for me

Had the same make on my old Mk4 with no issues, take a look at the thule website


Gone - Candy White MK5 Golf GTI (you never really forget your first true love...!)
MK7 Candy White GTI pp - you can never have enough eye candy

Offline Russ_leeds

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Re: bike carriers
« Reply #8 on: April 12, 2011, 07:57:34 pm »
cheers ill look into it
Black 2007 gti, 18' monza 2, sat-nav, highline, i-pod dock, armrest, 35mm H&R springs, WALK, BCS tbe, autotech front and rear arbs, ITG maxogen, NQSBBK... and more to come

Offline LouCyffer

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Re: bike carriers
« Reply #9 on: April 12, 2011, 09:04:23 pm »
I've been using a Halfords rear mounted rigid rack

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_251029_langId_-1_categoryId_165477

It looked like it would be bad news for the paintwork, so I went round all the contact points and applied helicopter tape. Left the rack on for a 1000mile trip round the Highlands and when I got home, peeled the heli tape off. No marks no scuffs nothing.

So a rear rack may not be the horror you think. But with 2 bikes strapped on it's a pain to even try to get anything out of the boot....
Black 2008 5 door GTI. Leather, DSG, ipod prep, 18" Monzas. Retrofitted: Cruise, PDC, RNS510, 729 Skoda Bluetooth (thanks SteveP), MFSW buttons (thanks MortyGTTDi), Armrest & vents, covered cupholder, Highline (thanks Kalu), Polar FIS+ (thanks Richn), Reversing camera (thanks MortyGTTDi)

Offline sixpot

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Re: bike carriers
« Reply #10 on: April 13, 2011, 06:29:25 pm »
Thule Aero bars, and a Thule Proride bike carrier. Works great and all of it is lockable.  :happy2:
« Last Edit: April 13, 2011, 06:31:33 pm by sixpot »

Offline GOLDENBOY

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Re: bike carriers
« Reply #11 on: April 13, 2011, 08:06:38 pm »
I could do with one of those myself  :wink:,  that is perfect!!! is it easy to put on, take off afterwards? how much did it cost you if you dont mind me asking???
Candy white edition 30 / Revo stage 1 / Itg maxogen / xenons/ R32 brakes front/rear/ H&r springs / cruise/ open fogs/ Rns-510

Offline Eccie

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Re: bike carriers
« Reply #12 on: April 13, 2011, 09:48:06 pm »
Thule Aero bars, and a Thule Proride bike carrier. Works great and all of it is lockable.  :happy2:


Hey that's mine............................well the same as mine :wink:


Gone - Candy White MK5 Golf GTI (you never really forget your first true love...!)
MK7 Candy White GTI pp - you can never have enough eye candy

Offline Russ_leeds

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Re: bike carriers
« Reply #13 on: April 13, 2011, 10:52:50 pm »
yeah thats exactly what im after :happy2: how much was this setup please?
nice bike aswell mate, what is it?
Black 2007 gti, 18' monza 2, sat-nav, highline, i-pod dock, armrest, 35mm H&R springs, WALK, BCS tbe, autotech front and rear arbs, ITG maxogen, NQSBBK... and more to come

Offline sixpot

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Re: bike carriers
« Reply #14 on: April 18, 2011, 07:31:27 pm »
I could do with one of those myself  :wink:,  that is perfect!!! is it easy to put on, take off afterwards? how much did it cost you if you dont mind me asking???

5 min job to put on and the same to remove. bike carrier was £65 and the bars (with fitting kits and locks)were about £120.