Boot mounted bike rack-recommendations

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Boot mounted bike rack-recommendations

Loismustdye

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Topic # 239537 22-Jul-2018 19:13

Hi all

Anybody have any advice or suggestions for a boot mounted bike rack?
We’ve got a 2018 suzuki swift and a Suzuki Kizashi (sedan) neither of which have a tow ball, and I don’t really want to install one as this would be its only use.

It’s only for the 2 kids bikes (to take them to the local bike park etc) and would prefer if the rack would work on both a sedan and a hatch.
There’s quite a few online but thought to ask here as there would likely be people with experience of using them.

Thanks

maoriboy

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Reply # 2060617 22-Jul-2018 19:54

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We've got one that mounts to the back of our car. Welcome to come and take a look/try it out?

mudguard

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Reply # 2060671 22-Jul-2018 20:52

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I've had tow balls put specifically on cars so I can put a bike rack on them! I've got an aversion to roof racks, and have been wary of boot mounted ones, given that for a long time, my bikes have been worth more than the car they were attached too.

Dratsab

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Reply # 2060678 22-Jul-2018 21:22

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I've got a strap rack sitting in a shed at home but can't remember the brand. What I can say is it was a great device. Back in the murky fog of the past when I was racing I had it attached to a the back of a Ford Laser and travelled a fair bit attending races. There were usually with two bikes on it and I never once had an issue with it. That said, one deficiency it did have was a lack of padding on the arms. I didn't want to put bikes on it with no protection so the first thing I did, prior to using it, was buy some air conditioning pipe insulation tubing and cut it to size - worked a treat. I'm at work until stupid o'clock tomorrow morning but will have a look around midday and post the brand.

Loismustdye

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Reply # 2060726 22-Jul-2018 23:12

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maoriboy:
We've got one that mounts to the back of our car. Welcome to come and take a look/try it out?

Pm’d :-)

Loismustdye

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Reply # 2060727 22-Jul-2018 23:12

Dratsab:
I've got a strap rack sitting in a shed at home but can't remember the brand. What I can say is it was a great device. Back in the murky fog of the past when I was racing I had it attached to a the back of a Ford Laser and travelled a fair bit attending races. There were usually with two bikes on it and I never once had an issue with it. That said, one deficiency it did have was a lack of padding on the arms. I didn't want to put bikes on it with no protection so the first thing I did, prior to using it, was buy some air conditioning pipe insulation tubing and cut it to size - worked a treat. I'm at work until stupid o'clock tomorrow morning but will have a look around midday and post the brand.

That would be great thanks

Dratsab

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Reply # 2060821 23-Jul-2018 09:38

Mine's a Rhode Gear Rhode Shuttle. Not available anymore, seems to have been superseded by the Super Shuttle which has clamps for fixing bikes in place - definitely handier than using a bunch of bungee straps!! I think I got mine through Johnsonville Cycles in Wellington, but after a quick look around it seems that Rhode Gear isn't sold here anymore, which is a shame as it's good quality gear.

One thing I remember from my strap rack was making sure the straps were good and tight once everything was in place, then doing a couple of half hitches on each strap to keep them tight as they do work loose through vibration. On long(ish) trips, i.e. to Turangi/Taupo I'd stop a few times and check the straps as well.

Loismustdye

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Reply # 2061299 23-Jul-2018 20:30

Thanks for the feedback @Dratsab, good to know