Cycle carries for VW Golf
Posted by: long-time-dead on 14 August 2004
Any thoughts ?
Roof mounted, tailgate mounted - I have no idea.
Certainly needs to cater for two bikes but might need to be four if the kids want to tag along.
Should I get one rack of each type ?
Roof mounted, tailgate mounted - I have no idea.
Certainly needs to cater for two bikes but might need to be four if the kids want to tag along.
Should I get one rack of each type ?
Posted on: 14 August 2004 by ErikL
Roof.
Rear-mount racks are for families going on vacation.
You'd kick yourself the first time you need something out of the Golf's hatch and you have a clumsy rack in the way. If there's not enough room up top drop the wheels off the kids' bikes and toss them in the hatch.
Thule and Yakima are both excellent makes. Saris/Graber are good, less expensive racks.
Re: your bike thread, if you like Trek go to them for a hybrid or cheap mtn bike.
Rear-mount racks are for families going on vacation.
You'd kick yourself the first time you need something out of the Golf's hatch and you have a clumsy rack in the way. If there's not enough room up top drop the wheels off the kids' bikes and toss them in the hatch.
Thule and Yakima are both excellent makes. Saris/Graber are good, less expensive racks.
Re: your bike thread, if you like Trek go to them for a hybrid or cheap mtn bike.
Posted on: 14 August 2004 by kevinrt
I use VWs own roof-bars on a mark IV Golf and use Thule racks attached to these. The VW roof-bars allow you to utilise Thule's T-bar system. I carry 2 adult bikes on the roof. You could easily manage 3 and maybe stretch to 4.
Posted on: 15 August 2004 by long-time-dead
Ludwig
Never thought of the impracticality of using a tailgate rack - thanks for highlighting the problem. Punctures could be a total nightmare !
Kevin
I too have a Mk IV Golf and your setup (backed up by Ludwig) seems to be the way to go.
Thanks a million - shopping time now !
Never thought of the impracticality of using a tailgate rack - thanks for highlighting the problem. Punctures could be a total nightmare !
Kevin
I too have a Mk IV Golf and your setup (backed up by Ludwig) seems to be the way to go.
Thanks a million - shopping time now !
Posted on: 15 August 2004 by Harvey
I've got Thule roof bars, but as I often carry boards and a box I've got one of these carriers that fits onto the tow bar. It tilts so that it's easy to access the boot. It's called a TradeKar Silver Bike 'Speedy Fit' and you can get it through http://www.roofbox.co.uk/ who also do all the other roof mounted ones. Very helpful crew. I used to have Thule carriers which worked fine but the Atera Giro seems to the current favourite for roof mounted racks.
Posted on: 15 August 2004 by long-time-dead
Thanks for the info Harvey, no towbar fitted so it reduces my options a little.
I was at a local car breaker earlier today and he has a VW Golf IV in for breaking with VW roof bars fitted - he is trying to locate the keys for me !
I was at a local car breaker earlier today and he has a VW Golf IV in for breaking with VW roof bars fitted - he is trying to locate the keys for me !