Reply With QuoteI used to have a Saris Bones which goes on the boot. You'd need to see if the XC60 would be compatible. But I'd recommend that if it fits
IOriginally Posted by Rodder
I’ve never bought a bike rack before and I can’t seem to choose between one that’s fitted to a tow bar and a roof rack.
The tow bar version appears the best as it seems more secure, easier to get bikes on and off and it is more aerodynamic. However, it does require me needing to get a tow bar fitted which isn’t cheap and I wouldn’t want the car damaged as it is nearly brand new. I’d probably go to a third party as I’m sure Volvo would charge quite a bit.
The negatives of a roof rack are; it’s a fairly large car (XC60) so not easy lifting bikes. Terrible aerodynamics, and I don’t really like that much weight on the roof. A benefit is that I could attach a roof box when camping.
Any ado vice would be appreciated!
I used to have a Saris Bones which goes on the boot. You'd need to see if the XC60 would be compatible. But I'd recommend that if it fits
I
I’ve always gone down the Thule roof bars and rack approach.
Good quality kit, and no messing with tow bars, electrics, number plates etc, plus you can access the boot still!
Probably not the cheapest option, I bought my bike carriers of eBay, at a good price for 3, they also lock the bikes on with a key.
Just don’t forget you have bikes on the roof!
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I have all 3
I have Tow bar, by far the best, takes 4 bikes, fastest and easiest to use but most expensive
Roof rack, holds 4 bikes, noisy and A pain in the backside when lifting 4 muddy bikes into room of an SUV which is pretty high
Saris bones is very easy to use, cheap as chips, ideal for 1 or 2 bikes although we have used it for 3 BUT the hooks do mark the paintwork, we have placed sponges under the hooks and straps to prevent this
But my goto is a 2 bike tow bar for decathlon which cost £50, amazing piece of kit and folds up to nothing
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I had an XC60 had a tow bar fitted and bought an Acera bike rack. I thought it was great, no use for it now as I have a van and the bikes fit it but I would recommend them and they are cheaper than Thule.
Tow bar + Thule 3-4 tow bar rack + roof box = every situation covered with great bits of kit that work !!
Not cheap but hugely recommended.
Toe bar, lifting bikes onto roof bars gets tired real soon, even more so with muddy bikes. Add in the possibility of crashing bikes into low obstacles and the cost of a tow bar doesn’t seem so bad
Thule tow bar carriers are great albeit pricey. We actually had a Volvo branded Thule carrier on our XC60. It could carry 4 bikes with an extension and still be folded down to access the boot fully loaded. Still use the bike carrier but don’t have the Volvo anymore.
Ideally I would use a tow bar bike rack, but over £500 just to fit a tow bar put me off.
I have the Thule Evo WingBar roof racks with the ProRide carriers and took four bikes, four people (two kids), with full boot of luggage to France last summer.
It was an interesting driving experience. The car (Mazda 6 estate) struggled a bit up the mountains, and the fuel economy was terrible, but the Thule system is so fit for purpose I had no concerns with the bike safety on the roof.
However, even though the Mazda is quite low, putting the two middle bikes on can still be a PITA as you have to alternate the direction of each carrier, which affects which side the holding arm goes. Basically, you'll always end up with one arm on the wrong side. It might be even more complicated with a taller vehicle. If it's just two bikes, it's the easiest thing in the world.
I tried a Saris Bones boot rack but it just didn't feel safe enough to go long distance, and then there was the whole number plate/lights problem, so I sold it.
I’ve swapped the arms round on mine, so that all bikes face the same way and is much easier to put the bikes on the ‘wrong’ side of the car. I think I got the instructions from Thule. I also have a rack that requires my front wheel to be removed which is much safer if you have a carbon frame, I also have a Thule wheel carrier which I can use, although normally the wheel just goes in the car unless we are going on holiday when it goes on the roof.
If you're going to use it a lot a tow bar setup makes sense, even if the initial cost isn't cheap.
One thing to consider, though, is that a tow bar can limit the appeal of your car to some as they will assume the car has had a harder life towing .
Obviously, to a minority, a tow bar will be a positive.
That said, I've only used roof bars, but then I've never had anything as tall as an SUV.
M
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Breitling Cosmonaute 809 - What's not to like?
What? You can swap the arms around? I find out like this?
Honestly, the cursing I did on the first attempt.
I’ll look into this, thanks.
I use a Saris Bones on my V50 and it is perfect for two bikes. I think there is a three bike version. It uses four arms and four straps to securely clamp the rack in place and is very stable, even at motorway speeds. I was surprised that the rack didn’t come with rubber pads to protect the paintwork from the metal strap ends but that was easily remedied by cutting up some neoprene sheet and inserting it in the strap ends.
I’m pretty certain that the original instructions cover this, if not... http://roofbox.helpserve.com/Knowled...hment/246/5052 should help?
It does. http://www.carbicyclerack.co.uk/volv...c60-bike-rack/
I can’t believe I’ve been wrestling bikes onto the rack with the arm getting in the way! Thank you.
Who ever reads the instructions?
Seriously, that's perfect, thank you.
I'd previously only used two on the roof before so it was never an issue, then last summer I had to get the extra two but I never thought to check the instructions because of course, I knew exactly how they worked didn't I
I have used 4 Thule Prorides on the roof for a while now on MPV's, presently on a Touran so not quite as high as an XC60. I use a cheap plastic caravan step to stand on whilst loading the bikes, putting the 2 lightest bikes in the middle, harder to reach carriers. The clamping/locking mechanism is a dream to use on the Thule Prorides as you operate it from the carrier level, not up at the bike frame like some cheaper models.
I love the idea of the towbar mounted ones and often look at others jealously when loading muddy bikes onto the roof at the end of a long ride (although it does give you an upper body workout too and it does get surprisingly easier with practice). I personally wouldn't go to the expense of getting a towbar fitted just for a bike rack although I am just about to buy a car with a towbar already fitted and am actually getting a bit excited about getting a tow bar mounted rack!
I usually use roofbox.co.uk for my roofbars and carriers, they do package deals sometimes and have an excellent return/exchange policy if you think you made the wrong choice even after using for a while. If you go through ukcampsite website you can get 5% off too
https://www.roofbox.co.uk/UKC/offer....%20text%20link
Towbar off ebay, YouTube vid for fitting and did it myself...
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I have a removable tow bar on my car, it was fitted by a specialist. When I declared to the insurance company as a non OEM modification I had to provide the spec and confirmation it was fitted by an accredited fitter and certified.Towbar off ebay, YouTube vid for fitting and did it myself...
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That one's removable, from Westfalia. Electrics are plug and play. Towbar is 4 vertical bolts. Worst thing is removing the bumper.
I'll call the insurance Co.
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Towbar rack is definitely the best bet, however as stated pricey and possible insurance implications if you don't have a towbar already fitted.
Close second would be, again, as above a Saris Bones, we use it on both the wifes Kona and my e-Class convertible and it works great. I've had one of the old style halfords 'straps everywhere and a backpack frame looking' effort and while it did the job for many years it did slightly damage the paintwork and was a pain to fit and remove.
Good effort removing the bumper. Plenty of jobs I would tackle however I think I would take the path of least resistance on this given it’s a £40k Porsche and given it to a specialist for a few hundred pounds.Towbar off ebay, YouTube vid for fitting and did it myself...
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Out of interest did you get an install versus supply only price?
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There wasn't a towbar in the UK at the time and no specialist could source one. It was early lockdown. I ordered the towbar from Germany off ebay and the leccy kit off Amazon. Saved about £120, but had it working months earlier compared to specialist fitter.
The tricky bit was using a jigsaw to cut the rear diffuser!!Lucky a template was included.
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Certainly a good job done by yourself. Ballsy aswell, fair play!There wasn't a towbar in the UK at the time and no specialist could source one. It was early lockdown. I ordered the towbar from Germany off ebay and the leccy kit off Amazon. Saved about £120, but had it working months earlier compared to specialist fitter.
The tricky bit was using a jigsaw to cut the rear diffuser!!
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