Cycle racks on the car help please!

[Feasty]

I've recently bought a large roof box for my Focus estate meaning bikes will no longer fit on the roof when we go on holiday. So I'm considering a rear rack instead that would sit on the boot lid (a tow hook rack would be too expensive as I don't have a tow hook fitted). However I'm a bit confused on this one, can the boot still be opened with 2 bikes on the rack? Or are there different types of racks available where some can be used with the boot open and some can't? Also is it really that important to be able to open the boot during a journey or do most people just not have an issue with this in the first place?


____________________
Previous: Aprilia Habana Retro 50cc (beauty), Yamaha SR125 (fell apart), Honda XR125 (nippy little commuter), Honda SLR650 (Geewhizz), Yamaha Diversion 900S (Smoooooth) written off courtesy of a stupid escaped horse.
(7 year gap), BMW F650 (Relaxing ride). Aprilia Caponord ETV1000 (Big and bold). Yamaha FZS600 (got me in trouble too quick!).
Current: Yamaha TDM 900 (Comfy, light but big, power when needed). Also now a Tiger 1050, easily best of the lot!

[arry]

The traditional style rear racks, once the bikes are on the back, you can't open the rear hatch.

TBH I've never liked them, first off they stick a lot of weight on the rear bumper, which isn't ever that secure, and secondly the straps ALWAYS work themselves loose, especially the cheaper ones that have absolutely no strength to the strap grips.

As for getting in the back, well no, never really an issue - anything you really need out you can always get via the rear door.

[Finglonga]

Even the ones that go on the tow bar you wont be able to open the hatchback without removing the bikes first.

Best bet it to make sure everything you are likely to need is inside the car and not in the boot.
____________________
Andy Sez....
F.Y.Y.F.F.

[Feasty]

Well I've seen some that attach to the tow bar and can lean out of the way so the boot can open, my brother has just had something like this fitted to his Volvo estate.

arry - I'm not sure what you mean about putting weight on the bumper. The type I've seen that attach to the boot just have straps and clips that fit onto the boot lid edges and then a bar that balances on the window or body work of the boot lid above the numberplate. My concern is a) that the bikes don't just smash onto the car if the boot is opened, and b) that the window won't smash with the weight of 2 bikes resting on it.
____________________
Previous: Aprilia Habana Retro 50cc (beauty), Yamaha SR125 (fell apart), Honda XR125 (nippy little commuter), Honda SLR650 (Geewhizz), Yamaha Diversion 900S (Smoooooth) written off courtesy of a stupid escaped horse.
(7 year gap), BMW F650 (Relaxing ride). Aprilia Caponord ETV1000 (Big and bold). Yamaha FZS600 (got me in trouble too quick!).
Current: Yamaha TDM 900 (Comfy, light but big, power when needed). Also now a Tiger 1050, easily best of the lot!

[Kwaks]

I have one of these racks, never had a problem although for long journeys I would recommend a second plate to put over the bikes, as they can obscure the view of the plates & lights.

You can't open the boot with this type
____________________
Fallen Angel "Nae sniffing my seat now!!!!! "
www.cliqueycuntsmcc.co.uk
I AM NOT A FAST RIDER!!!!!!!!!

[Feasty]

[Kwaks]

Cant open boot with any of them, unless you want bikes sliding onto your roof?

They can all obscure braking lights, even if its just the high level one, its worth having the trailer type lights/plates for long journeys just in case
____________________
Fallen Angel "Nae sniffing my seat now!!!!! "
www.cliqueycuntsmcc.co.uk
I AM NOT A FAST RIDER!!!!!!!!!

[Feasty]

Well this is the kind of thing I'm thinking of, should be fine on an estate and won't cover the licence plate or lights. I probably won't be able to open the boot with it on but at least I'll have the extra roof storage with the box still!

Thanks for the help...
____________________
Previous: Aprilia Habana Retro 50cc (beauty), Yamaha SR125 (fell apart), Honda XR125 (nippy little commuter), Honda SLR650 (Geewhizz), Yamaha Diversion 900S (Smoooooth) written off courtesy of a stupid escaped horse.
(7 year gap), BMW F650 (Relaxing ride). Aprilia Caponord ETV1000 (Big and bold). Yamaha FZS600 (got me in trouble too quick!).
Current: Yamaha TDM 900 (Comfy, light but big, power when needed). Also now a Tiger 1050, easily best of the lot!

[arry]

If you look how that one attaches - the rear bar sits on the rear bumper lip. Yes, it does have the straps to go over the boot but as I say, they tend to come loose and at any rate don't take a great deal of the weight, they just keep them in the same position. And yes, you do have the centre/upper bars but again, the weight always seems to lever downwards.

[owdamer]

I keep thinking of one of these for my focus hatch. I think i'd be tempted to pay a little extra and get a thule rack rather than a halfords universal jobbie. All the thule stuff i've had in the past has been good quality and you can get a good price for 2nd hand stuff on fleabay when you change cars.

[arry]

[UnknownStuntm...]

The racks that attach to the hatch are ropey full stop. I wouldn't trust more than two bikes, no matter how little they weigh, on one. You've got the weight of the hatch, plus the carrier, plus the bikes, acting on the hatch using the carrier as a lever - and it's all a little much for the safety nazi in me. Also, the weight is far back over the back of the car, makes the steering a bit lighter. Granted with a loaded roof box and family you won't notice, but if it's just you and a mate going for a hoon in your corsa watch out...

IMHO, even if you have a high mount carrier (Halfrauds one is a 3 bike one I believe), on a Focus, you'll still obscure your lights, and a plod whose just eaten a bad doughnut will have you. I'd say get a normal mount one, and a lighting board and numberplate.

Tighten up the straps before you put the bikes on, then again once the bikes are on -and you will strap them to the carrier too, won't you? Seen a few badly broken bikes which have fallen off carriers...

[Feasty]

Hmmm, tis a difficult one. I'm currently seeing if anyone in my area has a half roof box that wants to swap with my full roof box. That way I still get extra storage room but can also fit the 2 bikes on the roof with my existing roof cycle racks.

I bought the roof box 2nd hand anyway so I'm not too fussed with a straight swap so long as the smaller one is in good nick. And it'd be far cheaper than buying a rear rack and also lighting board with number plate...
____________________
Previous: Aprilia Habana Retro 50cc (beauty), Yamaha SR125 (fell apart), Honda XR125 (nippy little commuter), Honda SLR650 (Geewhizz), Yamaha Diversion 900S (Smoooooth) written off courtesy of a stupid escaped horse.
(7 year gap), BMW F650 (Relaxing ride). Aprilia Caponord ETV1000 (Big and bold). Yamaha FZS600 (got me in trouble too quick!).
Current: Yamaha TDM 900 (Comfy, light but big, power when needed). Also now a Tiger 1050, easily best of the lot!

[owdamer]

Have you considered a trailer?

[EuropeanNC30R...]

[Feasty]

[NSR Mick]

[Feasty]

[NSR Mick]

[Feasty]

Lol, then you got me! Can't say I've noticed the rear light positioning on the newer Focus's before...
____________________
Previous: Aprilia Habana Retro 50cc (beauty), Yamaha SR125 (fell apart), Honda XR125 (nippy little commuter), Honda SLR650 (Geewhizz), Yamaha Diversion 900S (Smoooooth) written off courtesy of a stupid escaped horse.
(7 year gap), BMW F650 (Relaxing ride). Aprilia Caponord ETV1000 (Big and bold). Yamaha FZS600 (got me in trouble too quick!).
Current: Yamaha TDM 900 (Comfy, light but big, power when needed). Also now a Tiger 1050, easily best of the lot!

[Feasty]

Well just thought I'd give an update after having been camping for a week and travelled a few hours in each direction with a bike rack on the rear of the car. I ended up buying one from a local camping/biking shop for about £50 which fits high up on the rear of the car so it doesn't block the lights or number plate. It can carry 3 bikes but I only took 2 and it doesn't rest on the bumper, it rests on the rear windscreen and top of the car!!
I was seriously concerned about the screen breaking so slowed down for all bumps and mostly kept below 70 on motorways, my wife wondered why I was driving so slowly - very strange for me! lol. The car seemed to take it fine though, the rubber 'cushions' on the rack spread the weight pretty well on the top of the car and windscreen, and this was in strong winds blowing the bikes around too!

Google image Pic attached ( I didn't take one of my car)... I'd say if you have no other option then use this and you'll be fine, when we go camping again I'll be loading up the same way. I still prefer to stick the bikes on the roof if possible though.
____________________
Previous: Aprilia Habana Retro 50cc (beauty), Yamaha SR125 (fell apart), Honda XR125 (nippy little commuter), Honda SLR650 (Geewhizz), Yamaha Diversion 900S (Smoooooth) written off courtesy of a stupid escaped horse.
(7 year gap), BMW F650 (Relaxing ride). Aprilia Caponord ETV1000 (Big and bold). Yamaha FZS600 (got me in trouble too quick!).
Current: Yamaha TDM 900 (Comfy, light but big, power when needed). Also now a Tiger 1050, easily best of the lot!

[UnknownStuntm...]

I reckon about 90% of the weight of that goes to the window.. the bike support bar (the one at the top) will be pivoting downwards by the rubber mount on the roof. You did well to slow down etc....

Personally, I'd not have used it, a busted back window, trashed bikes and lairy missus would be too much to deal with!

[Feasty]