Sturge
Member Since: 02 Nov 2005
Location: West Chiltington, West Sussex
Posts: 872
  
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| roof mounted or tow bar mounted cycle rack |
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I have some thule roof mounted bike racks that I used on my Volvo V70. I'm now needing to use these on the Disco and I have the roof rails and cross bars. However I feel the car is going to be so bloody tall with these on that I may hit low flying planes etc.
Am considering the Max Raxx swan neck mounted bike rack instead so I can tow the Caravan as well. I saw a recent thread on these which sounds fine, but I already have the roof ones (assuming they will fit somehow!) and so don't necessarily want to waste the money on buying something else (having just bought some new bikes today and a trailer bike as well).
Anyone got any views on the roof mounted bike racks v the tow bar max raxx ones? Can you still open the top part of the door if you have the kit on the car?
Thanks!
Paul
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 12th Mar 2006 1:13 am |
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Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
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You can open the top part of the door - the maxxraxx tilts away from the car to achieve this. You can open the lower door a bit too, but not all the way.
In the 'normal' position you cannot open the top door as the bikes sit quite high on the maxxraxx.
Last edited by Robbie on 15th Mar 2006 12:34 pm. Edited 1 time in total
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| 12th Mar 2006 10:03 am |
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Sturge
Member Since: 02 Nov 2005
Location: West Chiltington, West Sussex
Posts: 872
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Is it quite easy to use once the bracket is installed - is it easy to put on and take off the car and easy to add the bikes on?
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| 12th Mar 2006 10:07 am |
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Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
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Played with it on a friends 4x4 (Merc) and I was more than impressed. It's all very easy - I'll be buying one!
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| 12th Mar 2006 10:34 am |
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gilmore
Member Since: 16 Jan 2005
Location: On the sofa
Posts: 2185
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I have recently bought the Thule 3 bike, tow bar mounted carrier. Very impressed.
regs
rob
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| 12th Mar 2006 11:30 am |
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Sturge
Member Since: 02 Nov 2005
Location: West Chiltington, West Sussex
Posts: 872
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Can you tow with it, and does it fit the removeable tow ball?
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| 12th Mar 2006 8:25 pm |
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MX
Member Since: 04 Mar 2006
Location: Capital of Culture
Posts: 439
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The only one that allows you to tow at the same time is the maxxrax
I have done a lot of digging on this and have the same concern about hitting railway bridges if I stow bike up top!
I'm going to invest in one of the £200 swan neck racks as they seem to be the perfect answer D3 05 SE (old one)
RRS 08 SE (new one)
formerly mxgeldar7
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| 13th Mar 2006 9:52 am |
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Sturge
Member Since: 02 Nov 2005
Location: West Chiltington, West Sussex
Posts: 872
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That confirms my research!
Does anyone on here use bike racks on the roof?
Thanks
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| 13th Mar 2006 9:59 am |
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Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
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mxgeldar7 wrote:The only one that allows you to tow at the same time is the maxxrax
I'm going to invest in one of the £200 swan neck racks as they seem to be the perfect answer
Given all the fine words on Maxxraxx, I wonder if Max would entertain the idea of a Forum Discount?
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| 13th Mar 2006 10:46 am |
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Sturge
Member Since: 02 Nov 2005
Location: West Chiltington, West Sussex
Posts: 872
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Could be worth a try. How does one tackle such things?
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| 13th Mar 2006 10:47 am |
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KL
Member Since: 16 Jun 2005
Location: Gilling, nr York
Posts: 713
  
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Robbie wrote:Yos can open the top part of the door - the maxxraxx tilts away from the car to achieve this. You can open the lower door a bit too, but not all the way.
In the 'normal' position you cannot open the top door as the bikes sit quite high on the maxxraxx.
Do you need a light board as well as the rack? Discovery 3 tdv6 7 seat Buckingham Blue
Had it since new - sold Jun 17 after 12 years and 214,000 miles
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| 13th Mar 2006 11:58 am |
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Sturge
Member Since: 02 Nov 2005
Location: West Chiltington, West Sussex
Posts: 872
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I've asked about a group discount and they said yes.
I will start a new thread in a moment about it!
Good idea Robbie...
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| 13th Mar 2006 2:22 pm |
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DrLex
Member Since: 15 Jul 2005
Location: Ciderspace [Oi be in Zummerset]
Posts: 4863
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Robbie wrote:Yos can open the top part of the door - the maxxraxx tilts away from the car to achieve this. You can open the lower door a bit too, but not all the way.
In the 'normal' position you cannot open the top door as the bikes sit quite high on the maxxraxx.
Then it's certainly to be recommended over the rigid LR version - once that's on, that's rear access stuffed. Fine for a jaunt out with the kids, but a PITA when you need to get to a suitcase or the spare wheel. Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana
Member of Club Med Sucks
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| 13th Mar 2006 6:22 pm |
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johnw
Member Since: 20 Dec 2005
Location: Winterbourne, Bristol
Posts: 7
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I've got the same problem - bike carriers for the roof from my old V70 too.
I'm going to give it a try and carry two up top and 3 on the back while towing our caravan. Can't get all 5 on the back and tow due to going over the 150 kg nose weight : 75 ~ 90kg caravan hitch weight + ~5kg carrier + 3 bikes at 15kg each.
I've just bought the maxraxx 3 bike carrier (& then seen the group discount that you guys are getting  )
Hopefully should be OK on top as long as you know the total height of the outfit! 06 TDV6 SE Zambezi silver
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| 13th Mar 2006 8:47 pm |
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KL
Member Since: 16 Jun 2005
Location: Gilling, nr York
Posts: 713
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Unnecessary quote removed
2 questions:
1- is the max rack as good as we think it is? Not seen one in the flesh yet!
2- 15 kg bikes are pretty heavy- are you getting the family weight training? Discovery 3 tdv6 7 seat Buckingham Blue
Had it since new - sold Jun 17 after 12 years and 214,000 miles
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| 13th Mar 2006 8:50 pm |
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