Towbar and Bike Rack anybody got one? Maybe now a Saris Bones RS!

[h4rdy]

Where from?
How much?
Any good?
Pictures?

[alackofspeed]

I have a Pendle, but don't use it on the Golf. When I bought it, it was the only option if you're going to carry heavy bikes - mine has been used in the past to lug 3 heavy full-suspension downhill bikes (about 60kg in total) around the Alps, and at speeds up to 120mph without bother.

Mine is a "behind the ball type", but a friend has a "tow ball" type, and that's just as good (obviously useless if you want to tow and carry bikes).

I bought mine in 2003 2nd-hand for £10 on eBay (probably not much help!), but they are about £90 these days I believe.

http://www.pendle-bike.co.uk/

As for the towbar, I've got a Westfalia removable item and the lower bumper section with the removable panel. It's dead easy to fit. I bought mine from Norbrook Trailers.

[vRStu]

Towbar has to be hidden IMHO.

PFJones are the boys, if you get electrics don't go for anything other than dedicated electrics.

The Westfalia stuff is OEM factory fit.

[h4rdy]

I looked at PFJones Stu and it says the Westfalia isn't suitable for the ED30 so I will probably fit it to the Touran instead.

Probably because the bumper is a bit deeper(?)

I do like the towbar bike racks though, seem a lot safer, especially with decent bikes on the back.

[vRStu]

I don't think the ED30 is suitable for a tow bar.

[Merlinman]

Here's my Atera Strada 3 bike rack on my previous Golf.

http://lyxus.net/ihaj

I now have a Shark Yeti 170CR Elegance with Westfalia detachable tow bar and Atera Strada 2 bike rack.

As you can see slides away from car to allow boot/tailgate access.

TUV approved, stable at 100 plus; tow bar and rack take <3 mins to fit/remove.

Towbar locks to car, rack locks to tow bar and bike holders (rubber covered steel) lock individually.

Rack fits into boot out of sight too!

Not cheap but absolutely ace!  

[vRStu]

I've seen a few of these on the road -

http://www.pfjones.co.uk/cycle-carriers-/tow-bar-mounted-carriers/thule-cycle-carriers/thule-platform-style.html

[h4rdy]

Ok due to the cost of the Towbar/Thule bike rack option.

£300ish for Towbar and £100-£300 for rack depending on eBay etc etc.

I am thinking about a Saris Bones RS. But the Euro website does not recommend it for the Golf.

Anybody got one?

Its a lovely bit of kit.

The American website seems to say yay but not Golf just GTI?

[h4rdy]

I think the spoiler will be a problem.

[h4rdy]

Just got a Saris Bones RS from eBay.

Bargain price.

Ill report when it turns up.

[h4rdy]

Got this now and it fits our Touran perfectly.

I am pretty sure it won't fit the Golf due to the Spoiler.

Nice bit of kit although I had to buy a bar as my bike has a Y-Type frame.

Over and out.