Transportation of mountain bikes?
Well, my son is doing my head in. He got a mountain bike for Christmas and now he wants to go all over on it. We have to figure out what is the best method of transporting it for our car. A Mazda 3 fastback in Soul Red. Very finicky paint and very thin.As I see it we have the following options:
Roof Bars: Seem to be the cheapest option. I'm not a fan and I'm concerned about all the crap on the roof off the bike(s).
Rear mounted: Seems pretty good. But concerned about the damage to our car off them.
Tow bar mounted: My preferred choice but expensive. Quote for an official detachable Mazda tow bar is around 600 quid including fitting. Then I have to buy the rack.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. For roof bars you need to be very aware of car park height barriers, you would hope that car parks at biking events would be sympathetic to bike carriers but you need to be sure. Yeah, I've been Googling roof bars bike = shenanigans and most are people getting stuck under things data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
I think I'd be more worried about the bike flying off the roof, knowing my luck! Other two options:
trailer; still requires fitting towbar, affects some speed limits and makes parking awkward (certain weight limits may apply if towing licence not held).
Alternative vehicle; a small van acquired for around £1000 for the occasional (weekly) trips and load the bike(s) inside, second tax and insurance costs but if son has licence it could be insured for him and count towards no-claims years. Towbar with Carrier
Sod going to Mazda, £600 is excessive, I paid £200 for mine from North West Towbar Centre a while back Apparently one of the things they have to do is fit a new fog light as it is in the centre where the tow bar would be. They fit a split fog light.
Also, we have rear parking sensors which a tow bar & carrier would set off non-stop.
It may be a roof rack. Don't those things self-calibrate? I've no idea. They were fitted after purchase by the previous owner, genuine Mazda parts though.
Guy at work said his go off constantly whenever he tows his caravan anywhere data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7 That would be annoying data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7 Mine only activate with reverse gear fortunately. Thinking about it ours may be like that/ It beeps when you put it into reverse then does the beep, beep, beep thing when you get close to anything.