Where to carry a bike on the Clio

[davebem]

Does anyone carry bikes on their Clios? Whats the best place to put them on the top on a roof rack or some sort of rack thingy on the back, whats best and what racks do you use?

 

[Antz182]

I would say from personal experience that its best to put the bikes on the roof, i think they are just ten times safer up there, and they dont block your view.

Best roof bars to get would be Thule ones from somewhere like Halfords, probably set you back £90 plus the cycle carrier to go on them.

 

[fastwunz]

i take it you cant get the seats down or anything? is it too small for that?

 

[jph172]

Thats a terrible way2treat ur clio! But a bike rack would be a great modification

 

[Winston]

I use a rack that fits to the boot, carry 2 mountain bikes on it. you have to remove the wheels and put them in the boot.

 

[arj256]

If theres room its easyer to put them in the back, if not then get a roof bike rack. as i had a bike rack on the back of the car, and it ended up denting and scratching the car.

 

[Ally]

Lots of experience of this! I use a rear mounted rack on my 172 with no probs for the past 9 months - as long as youre careful you wont have any scatching/denting problems.

REAR RACKS:
I was using this:
http://erc.qmuc.ac.uk/cliosport/gallery/full/1097872310__Clio27-Apr-04bikerackpic3.jpg
http://erc.qmuc.ac.uk/cliosport/gallery/full/1097872120__Clio27-Apr-04bikerackpic2.jpg

But just bought this:
http://www.discountroofboxes.co.uk/shop/product_info.php?products_id=2986http://www.discountroofboxes.co.uk/shop/product_info.php?products_id=2986
(it says it doesnt fit the mk2 clio - but it fitted my 2004 clio no problems, cant understand why it wont fit all Clios). This rack is a lot stronger and sturdy than the first one pictured, although its a bit trickier carrying my full-suss bike with an unconventional frame.

ROOF RACKS:
You can get these for the Clio too, but theyre if the type that have pads sitting on your roof - I found that these scratch the roof very easily, plus theyre harder to fit/remove.

Hope this helps.

 

[Ally]

And a roof rack plus 2 carriers will set you back about £220+. My rear rack I just bought cost me £30.

 

[Pete]

On the roof or in the back is the only safe place to carry a bike on a clio.

 

[rory182]

I would recommend a good strong boot rack over the roof rack, I used to work in a bike shop and fitted hundreds of the things. Roofracks will cost you about £100 and then £50 per bike for bike mounts, Halfords do their own cheaper versions though I think.

As for bootracks, brands to go for: pendle & hollywood Im familiar with and both are good.

A basic boot rack will take 3 bikes and cost £50 for a good one. If you have a spoiler or anything you can have problems but a standard rack should fit a 172 / 182 no bother.

Make sure you get the straps as tight as possible and tighten them again when the bike is on the rack to avoid any movement. Its a legal requirement to have a lighting board and number plate if you obstruct yours - but you get high mount racks like that pictured by Ally which get around this problem.

I once fitted one to a vectra and told the guy his boot was f_cked he took the car back to Vauxhall and agreed it had been badly assembled and he got a new boot out of it! (nothing to do with the bootrack, just a point to note)

 

[fizzy_drink]

I agree that boot mounted can be cheaper...

But what about getting in and out of the boot, once fitted?

(I already have a thule roof system, but thinking of a boot system, because Im only 54")

 

[davebem]

Think Im going to go for the rear boot rack option then, I dont like the idea of them on roof, I would be paranoid that the bike would fly off around a corner or I would forget they are up there and go through the mcdonalds drive through.

 

[jph172]

I bet thats the fastest yours bikes ever been,ally- on the back of your 172

 

[Clio1400]

At the moment I chuck my bike in the boot of my Volvo estate!

But Im going back to the Clio soon so all the above has been duly noted. Seems like the high boot rack seems to be the best bet so far

 

[rory182]

Quote: Originally posted by omar on 18 January 2005


I agree that boot mounted can be cheaper...

But what about getting in and out of the boot, once fitted?

(I already have a thule roof system, but thinking of a boot system, because Im only 54")

Well you can open the boot with the rack attached usually, just dont do it with your bike attached if you have any respect for your car whatsoever.

The clips that secure bootracks are typically plastic coated metal, Id be inclined to put foam on there too to be sure to be sure, scratches are so painful.

 

[Snufty]

Mine either goes on my bike rack or in the back of my car