Hi,

So I have an RRS2 on order - with me in Early March. I currently have a 2013 RRS and only carry one bike inside the car. Its a pain.

I want to carry two adult bikes that I own. But this will only be for maybe once every two weeks and only for 20-30 mile journeys.

I am sure a towbar and solution from a company such as Thule would be the best choice. But it seems relatively expensive - towbar from dealer for RRS2 is £690, then towbar based carrier will be probably another £300, and electrics connections then another £100 maybe.

I really dont need a tow bar for anything else.

So I am looking at alternatives. Ideas would be:

1/ Purchase a few fold up bikes - Montague Urbans for example. Not car dependent then.

2/ Use a high mount cycle carrier. People from Halfords to Thule do them. Start at £60.

3/ Something else?

So please don't reply with "towbar is best" - I know and appreciate that, I am just trying to explore other options.

So anyone with experience of using a high mount cycle carrier on an RRS or RRS2?

Any other ideas? A roof carrier is way too much hassle I assume?

Thanks for your help.

Neil

Neil,

I move a lot of bikes (road and mountain) about and did a lot of research on this. I have a MY11, and in the end went for the Thule option. Yes, it's bloody expensive, but it's well worth it. I was up in the Lakes at the weekend and everyone was gushing over it, especially when you can drop the bikes ( loaded on the carrier) to get to the rear tailgate. Loading/Unloading takes minutes, no hassle at all. Spend the money, it will become one of the best items you own. Nothing else comes close.

Steve

Thanks - and I appreciate when moving a lot of bikes around then this is a no brainer...

But I'm not and spending over a £1000 on this is tricky to justify. I can probably get two good quality folding bikes for about £600-£700.

Anyway - if anyone has actually got real experience of using anything else then I would be very interested. Even if that is "I tried a high mount, it was awful!" - then it would be of use.

thanks

I'm with ikeysolomon, I looked at various options when I got my RRS and the tow bar was the best. On my RRS replacement (BMW 5 series) I even specced the electric tow bar (£880) just for my bike rack. Well worth it IMO.

Yes, it is expensive, but it's a drop in the ocean compared to the 60-70k you've just dropped buying an RRS2 - don't be so tight

I had a 'high mount' rack a few years ago, Pendle I think. It ended up pulling the boot out of alignment, so I'd steer clear of that.  ON THE WAY: BMW F21 M140i
MERCEDES GL350 - Metallic Navy Blue w/Grey interior

GOING: BMW F31 335D MSport+ xDrive Touring
GONE: Land Rover Discovery 4 HSE - Stornaway Grey w/Black Interior (wish we'd kept it )
GONE: BMW F10 520D MSport - Carbon Black
GONE:MY12 RRS SDV6 HSE Sumatra/Ivory/Grand Black Privacy glass

I had roof bars and two Thule bike racks on my X5 roof and putting them on was a doddle. Did hit mpg though. If only once every two weeks you could keep the rack in the garage and put it on only when you need it. Takes five mins. You'd need to spec roof rails to attach it though.

Im using SeaSuckers that simply attach to the glass panorama roof with suction pads. Works great and is cheap and easy to remove.

http://www.seasucker.com

No association!

I personally wouldn't hang a rear door mounted carrier on the back of any decent car. They swing around and bounce and there is a good chance of scratching your paintwork as well as making opening the back impossible. I use a roof system but it's not easy lifting bikes on top so I could only recommend the tow bar option. I wish someone would come up with a cheaper tow bar solution, manufacturers are taking the mick with them !

There are cheap tow bar solutions out there, but as with most things in life, you pay for the quality (LR prioducts excluded of course ).
The Thule bike rack I have is VERY well made and the thing I like is that the wheel supports slide in and make it compact, so when out on a ride I can pop the rack in my boot and not worry that some scrote is going to try and pinch it.

As you say lifting bikes onto the roof of an RRS isn't ideal, even the lightest of carbon bikes are a pain to lift over your head.

Completely agree regarding the boot mounted systems, I'd never use one of them again. ON THE WAY: BMW F21 M140i
MERCEDES GL350 - Metallic Navy Blue w/Grey interior

GOING: BMW F31 335D MSport+ xDrive Touring
GONE: Land Rover Discovery 4 HSE - Stornaway Grey w/Black Interior (wish we'd kept it )
GONE: BMW F10 520D MSport - Carbon Black
GONE:MY12 RRS SDV6 HSE Sumatra/Ivory/Grand Black Privacy glass

I wouldn't use that suction system, it might pull the glass out going over a big bump in the road. As Beano says, you get what you pay for. Not much point driving an RRS if you can't afford a decent bike rack. A damaged RRS and a damaged bike are not a good look. Gone - 2008 Stornoway Grey RRS 2.7 TDV6
Gone - 2009 Buckingham Blue RRS 2.7 TDV6
Gone - 2010 Alaska White RRS 5.0 V8 Aspirated
Gone - 2017 Chawton White RRS 5.0 V8 Supercharged
Current - 2010 Java Black RRS 5.0 V8 Aspirated
Current- 2024 RRS P400 SE Dynamic

Hi Neil

I'm a bit late to this thread but just wondering if you sorted out the cycle carrier.

I also need it only every few weeks to transport my son's bike to the park...only a few miles.

I was thinking of getting a detachable tow bar (although they seem to cost at least £150 on eBay) which I would leave on and the Thule Xpress which looks super easy to put on and off.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/thule-970-xpress-2-bike-towball-carrier/

Its got really good reviews including one from a RRS owner....

Anyone else use this solution?

Jon

http://www.rrsport.co.uk/forum/topic36761.html

that's quite weird!!!

what timing!

thanks

You get it?

meeting him tomorrow for pick up - Thank you so much!

I can stop scanning fleabay!

NP