Every time the family went on holiday in my childhood, my father would puzzle our five bikes onto the roof of his old E-Class. The whole thing followed an ingenious system that had been perfected over the years. The distances between the rails were balanced with millimetre precision. The handlebars, forks and cranks were interwoven like a Gordian knot. When I turned 18, it wasn't just the type of holiday that changed - I preferred riding into the mountains with friends rather than roasting on the beach with my parents - but also the way the bike travelled. From then on, I stowed the precious cargo in the boot, luggage and fellow travellers draped around it like Tetris blocks.
In the meantime, the family has grown again and more important things occupy the boot: hordes of cuddly toys, sand toys and water pistols, for example. The bikes have had to move to the tailgate of our family car. What I'm trying to say is that there are different ways of transporting your sports equipment by car - each has advantages and disadvantages. Nowadays, the variant on the car roof is clearly on the retreat. We explain the other options in the following text so that you can decide which one is right for you. Incidentally, my parents have switched to e-bikes. My father pushes their bikes conveniently onto the two rails of his hitch rack via a loading ramp. He doesn't need a sophisticated system. The bike rack offers enough space for two bikes. And the Gordian knot? He only untangles it now and again for fun with his grandchildren.
Travelling safely
To minimise the load during the journey, you should mount the heaviest bike in the first position on the bike carrier. After driving a few kilometres, check that the carrier is securely attached to the coupling and check all the attachment points on the bikes. Even if most carriers have lockable gripping arms, you should also secure the cargo with a high-quality lock, even for short periods. Lock the frame to the bike carrier and secure the wheels with a suitable cable lock. If the protection is inadequate, the insurance company may refuse to pay compensation.
Carrying option no. 1: Coupling carrier
Anyone who has a towbar on their car is lucky. This is because the towbar carrier is one of the most convenient ways to transport your bike from A to B. High-quality bike carriers usually come almost completely pre-assembled from the packaging and are usually attached to the ball head of the towbar in just a few simple steps. Loading is also convenient due to the low lifting height. Many manufacturers also offer access rails as accessories, which make it easier to load heavy bikes.
All towbar carriers in our last test offered a maximum payload of 30 kilos per rail, which means that even the heaviest e-bikes can be transported. The limiting factor is then the drawbar load of the towbar. But there are also a few points to consider with the bike rack itself: The distance between the rails should not be less than 190 millimetres. Otherwise the bikes will crowd together like sardines in a tin, and the frame and rear end will rub against each other or be difficult to position optimally. Particularly long wheelbases also pose a problem for some bike carriers because the wheels can then no longer be secured properly. If you have bikes with particularly angled frames, you should check whether the carrier can be attached securely at all before buying. In addition to the usual claw grippers, mounting arms with ratchet straps often offer better fastening options. They are also the first choice for carbon frames.
Advantages and disadvantages of coupling carriers
Advantages:
- Assembly: Provided the ball head of the coupling is grease-free, the bike carrier can usually be clamped to the rear of the vehicle in just a few simple steps. Many models can be folded up after use to save space and stored in the basement.
- Lifting height: The bikes only need to be lifted a few centimetres for loading - a big plus compared to other systems, especially for heavy models or e-bikes. The bikes can be conveniently rolled onto the rack via access rails.
- Consumption: Because the bikes are mostly travelling in the slipstream of the car, fuel consumption increases only slightly.
Disadvantages
- Boot: Thanks to the clever fold-down function, the boot of most towbar carriers remains accessible. However, the bike carrier still gets in the way when loading heavy objects. For buses or vans, you need a carrier that folds down extra far.
- Visibility: The bikes on the coupling carrier are directly in front of the rear window and impair the view to the rear. In addition, the load at the rear must be labelled in many countries.
- Dirt: On the hitch carrier, the bikes are fully immersed in the dirt of your own vehicle - not a nice thing, especially in rainy weather or on winter days, and not exactly gentle on the material.
Four hitch carriers at a glance
Yakima JustClick2
- Price: 629 Euro
- Stowage dimension: 78 x 100 x 30 cm
- Weight: 17.4 kg
- Payload per rail/total: 30/60 kg
- Wheelbase/tyre width: max. 132 cm/2.75"
Mounting on the coupling is excellent: attach, align, fold down - without any levers. The workmanship is also appealing. The rails are easy to extend and swallow wide tyres just as easily as long wheelbases. The solid rubberised grippers can be removed effortlessly and the bracket offers many mounting positions. The slightly raised second rail creates plenty of space between the bikes. Practical: small castors for transport, wide pedal for tipping and the holder for the optional drive-on rail. The bike rack can be extended to hold three bikes using an additional rail.
Thule EasyFold XT3
- Price: 999 Euro
- Stowage dimension: 83 x 86 x 31 cm
- Weight: 23.1 kg
- Payload per rail/total: 30/60 kg
- Wheelbase/ tyre width: max. 130 cm/3" (4.7" with conversion toothed belt)"
Despite its heavy weight, the Thule is easy to mount on the towbar. The bike carrier has a great finish, requires hardly any assembly work and is very versatile. The wide rails even offer enough space for fat bike tyres. The solid and handy grab arms with torque limiter can be removed and all ratchets for the wheels are easy to operate. The straps can be stowed to the side for loading and are therefore not in the way. However, modern frames quickly bump into each other on the outer seats. After use, simply fold the rails upwards, stow the plug on its holder and roll the Thule to its storage place without straining your back.
Westfalia Bikelander
- Price: 721 Euro
- Stowage dimension: 69 x 58 x 22 cm
- Weight: 17.5 kg
- Payload per rail/total: 30/60 kg
- Wheelbase/tyre width: max. 130 cm/2.75"
The neatly finished Bikelander is folded compactly onto the hitch. The lever on the side makes it a little more difficult to lock, but it engages securely. Solid ratchets and adjustable wheel holders securely lash the bike to the bike carrier. The rubberised grippers and the additional rim protectors are exemplary. Unfortunately, the narrow bracket makes it somewhat difficult to position the gripper arms correctly. The folding mechanism also has to be operated manually from the inside. Since the distance between the rails has been increased to 22.5 cm and the maximum tyre width to 7 cm, modern bikes can also fit on the Bikelander.
Uebler i21 Z
- Price: 849 Euro
- Stowage dimension: 69 x 61 x 20.5 cm
- Weight: 13.5 kg
- Payload per rail/total: 30/60 kg
- Wheelbase/ tyre width: max. 132 cm/2.8" (4.5" with conversion toothed belt)
The hitch carrier from Uebler is compact, lightweight and easy to handle. Clever solution: the clamp does not require the usual lever and engages securely and audibly on the coupling. In the Z version, the "i21" offers plenty of space for wide tyres and long wheelbases as well as a slightly larger rail spacing - perfect for bulky forks and wide rear triangles. In addition, the bike carrier can be folded down by 90 degrees - interesting for "bus drivers". The gripper arms can be moved very variably on the wide bracket and protect carbon frames - it couldn't be better. The ratchets for the wheels are somewhat difficult to reach.
Takeaway option no. 2: Interior
They say there's room in the smallest hut. But when it comes to transporting bicycles inside a car, plenty of space is definitely an advantage. Even though cars are getting bigger and bigger - the Mercedes E-Class, for example, has grown by 283 millimetres in length and 66 millimetres in width in 44 years - the interior space does not always grow with it. Minibuses and vans are still the most suitable for the safest way to transport your bike. In estate cars and SUVs, sloping roof lines and narrow boot lids often cause problems. Before looking for a suitable mount, you should therefore check whether your bike will even fit through the hatch and into the boot in an upright position.
A telescopic support naturally simplifies loading enormously. Depending on the vehicle model, rails or retaining eyes embedded in the floor serve as fastening anchors for the interior carriers, in some cases also eyelets on folded down rear seats. All systems use the same principle to secure the bike: with the front wheel removed, the thru axle or quick-release clamps the fork in the holder. Lashing straps additionally secure the load and the removed wheel. If you want to transport several bikes, we recommend using holders that can be moved along a rail. This is the only way to make optimum use of the space inside.
Advantages and disadvantages of indoor transport
Advantages
- Protection: Inside, the bikes travel protected from all weather conditions. This is certainly a sensible solution, especially for high-quality carbon models. In addition, all common carrier systems clamp the bike to the fork and not to the sensitive frame.
- External dimensions: The dimensions of the vehicle do not change during transport in the interior. The clearance height and parking length remain the same. There is also no need to accept increased fuel consumption.
Disadvantages
- Storage space: The bikes take up a lot of space in the boot and therefore limit the load capacity. This means that more than two bikes can hardly be transported in most vehicles.
- Dirt: After a muddy ride, the dirt trickles off the frame like cake crumbs. Not for cleaners or leased vehicles. A tarpaulin as a base or a shower before setting off are almost mandatory here.
- Assembly: Installing the systems in the vehicle is sometimes somewhat complex. In addition, seats usually have to be folded away or removed. The front wheels must be removed for all systems. The additional securing of the frame or wheels with lashing straps is often tricky.
Transport accessories for the interior
Bikeinside
- Price: 198 Euro*
- Variants: three expander lengths, holder and extender for quick release and thru axles
The base carrier is clamped to the side walls and can be quickly installed and removed. The fork holders can only be adjusted sideways, the mounts are designed for quick-release clamps. Adapters must be ordered separately. An extender enables large travel suspension forks to be clamped.
Radfazz
- Price: 251 Euro*
- Variants: Many aluminium profiles for different vehicle types, for quick release and thru axles
The system is based on an aluminium profile that is attached to rails or eyelets in the vehicle floor or rear seat backrest. Fork holders are available for all common axle systems, are bolted to the base carrier and can be moved freely. Can also be used after changing vehicles.
Veloboy
- Price: 547 Euro*
- Variants: Three different basic carriers for up to three bikes, optional maintenance support
Bike rack and loading aid in one. Depending on the model, up to three bikes (max. 45 kg) can be mounted on the aluminium base carrier, which is pulled out of the rear on rollers and supported by a folding foot. The bikes can then be loaded at a comfortable working height.
*The prices refer to the model shown. Prices may vary depending on variant and equipment.
Alternatives and accessories
Access rail
A loading ramp can be an enormous relief, especially for heavy bikes or e-MTBs. The bikes can simply be rolled onto the bike rack from the side and do not have to be lifted. Most manufacturers (here Uebler 19940) now have suitable ramps in their range. Prices start at around 60 euros.
Frame adapter
With unconventional frame designs, it is sometimes difficult to find a position for the support arms. Thule or Yakima offer adapters that are clamped between the head tube and seat post to create a straight connection. We also recommend this type of attachment for sensitive carbon frames. Price from approx. 35 euros.
XXL ratchet straps
The standard ratchet straps are often too short for voluminous tyres or high-profile rims. Many manufacturers offer extra-long ratchet straps so that you can still mount such bikes on the bike rack. Make sure you buy a strap that matches the carrier. Price from approx. 15 euros.
Spacer with ratchet strap
High punctual pressure should be avoided on carbon frames as far as possible. An old bicycle inner tube between the gripper and the frame protects the material. Even better: spacers with ratchet straps, like this one from Uebler, which distribute the pressure on the carbon frame better. They are already standard on some models. As a retrofit part: price from approx. 70 euros.
Good to know when transporting a bike
Labelling and securing
If the bike carrier covers the licence plate, as is the case with the Skoda Kodiaq in the picture opposite, you need a so-called follow-on licence plate. In addition, towbar carriers must have their own lights. If there is too much lateral overhang, the load must be secured with white lights at the front and red lights at the rear. The wheels must not protrude more than 40 centimetres to the side and the loaded vehicle must not be wider than 2.55 metres. Very different regulations apply in other European countries. In Italy, the load must be secured to the rear with a warning sign. While an unstamped licence plate may also be affixed in Germany, this is not officially permitted in Croatia or Slovenia. Before starting your journey, you should find out about the applicable regulations in the holiday and transit countries.
Support and roof load
Even if the bike rack offers sufficient payload for your bikes: The limiting factor is always the permissible drawbar load or roof load of the vehicle. Simple calculation: With a drawbar load of 50 kilos for the trailer coupling and a carrier weight of 17 kilos, the bikes to be transported together must not weigh more than 33 kilos.
Plug connection
To connect the light strip of the hitch carrier to the vehicle, you need the appropriate plug connection (7 or 13 poles). Current models usually have 13-pin plugs.
Spacing and protrusions
Wide rear triangles and fat forks often lead to problems if the rail spacing on the bike carrier is too small - paint chipping is then not uncommon. The rail width and length of the ratchet straps must match the width and circumference of the tyres. Before buying, you should test mount your bikes on the desired bike rack.
Secure load
All objects that are not firmly attached to the bike - computers, water bottles, etc. - should be removed before the journey and transported in the car.
Stefan Frey
Editor
