Hello all,

We're thinking of taking the kids to 'Centerparcs" later this year and to save money by taking our own bikes. Although I know we won't be able to take all 6 of them, we would like to take as many as we can. Has anybody got any experience of these racks and where, costs and how they come from?

- (#6474) Mark, 31 Dec 02

Mark,
Halfords, Les Smith, Camberley Auto Factors, and any other car accs shop, start around £35, but you will need the bigger ones, more expensive. If you have a tow ball, they do one that bolts to that as well. remember, if you cover up the lights, or number plate, you'll have to put a trailer board on the back of the bikes. To get 6 bikes on a Townie, I suggest that you get a roof rack, with the cycle carriers on it for 3 of them, then a tailgate mounted rack for the other 3, watch out for multi storey car parks though. HTH Rob.

- (#6475) Rob Drinkwater, 31 Dec 02

hi halfords do a large range of racks and some do hold 4 bikes that go on the tail gate(rear door) and a roof mounted one that holds 2/3
cheers and all the best for 2003
ian

- (#6476) ian, 31 Dec 02

Mark, sorry, for roof rack, read roof bars, the cycle carriers usually fit onto roof bars rather than roof racks.

- (#6477) Rob Drinkwater, 31 Dec 02

Yes, I have seen the bike racks in Halfords but obviously our models aren't listed. I was hoping another owner may have bought one from somewhere to know that a particular style fitted.

- (#6478) Mark, 1 Jan 03

Mark
I bought one last year for my Liteace. It was identified as one suitable for hatchback cars or MPV's. It was about £30. It does'nt have a manufacturers label on the unit. U or C shaped clips attached to fabric straps, hooked into the edge of the tailgate roof, tailgate bottom edge and one either side of the tailgate. Rubber protectors on the frame sat on the back glass and just above the tailgate lock area. It's a y shaped unit.
Look for one of a similar spec is all I can suggest.
Mine carried up to 3 bikes held in by rubber straps and a long ( 20 ft ) length of fabric strap which you wove between the bikes to bind them in place.
I've used it several times, over hill and down dale and its always been reliable.
Hope this helps.
If I can find the original manufacturers data I will advise.
- (#6479) stephen judge, 1 Jan 03

Having just returned from Centre Parcs carrying 6 bikes (4 adult size and 3 children size) I have to say that the best way is to use a tow bar fixing rack which can take 3-4 bikes depending in size.

Having a tow bar also enables a small trailer to be used. This can be used for luggage and most will take a rack on top of the trailer for the other bikes.

That being said if you include luggage and passengers they do not generally mix well in the same space a bikes so try not to have to put any of them in the passenger areas.

If you do not have a tow bar it is a very worthwhile upgrade as it increases the capability of the Liteace considerably. It's an expense but also an investment.

- (#6655) Mike Tomkinson, 6 Jan 03