Buying a towbar bike rack

[discomute]

Hi everyone

We have two new bikes from anaconda (fluid) an adult's bike and a 24cm kids bike

We may add one more, unsure at this point

We need a way to transport them and I can't see any reason why I shouldn't just get a cheap one off Amazon

https://www.amazon.com.au/Giantz-Carrie ... 9b5ff24c25

My first thought was just to get it at anaconda but aside from.being twice the price I don't even conceptually understand how you mount a bike on it
https://www.anacondastores.com/cycling/ ... 8443-black

Am.i okay with the Amazon one?

[discomute]

I can't figure out how to edit. I meant 24 inch

https://www.anacondastores.com/cycling/ ... 12776-mint

https://www.anacondastores.com/cycling/ ... 2964-green (small-medium)

If that helps

[elantra]

Check your local Tip Shop first before buying a new towbar mounted bike rack.
At my local Tip Shop (Tweed Heads, NSW) there are always a few on offer, some better than others.

They usually are priced at ten or 15 dollars.

Cheers

[Aushiker]

Check your local Tip Shop first before buying a new towbar mounted bike rack.
At my local Tip Shop (Tweed Heads, NSW) there are always a few on offer, some better than others.

They usually are priced at ten or 15 dollars.

If the tip shop does not work out, Gumtree or Marketplace are good options for better brands at good prices.

[Andy01]

Something to consider with both of the linked bikes - the top tube bars are at a distinct slant, so hanging them from a cheap bike would see the bikes sitting at a crazy angle. Some people use "false" top tube adapters (that clip on between the steering tube and the seat post) to Level" things out a bit. racks like the Amazon one may work quite well for adult road bikes with their relatively flat/horizontal top tubes, but would place the two bikes that you linked at something approaching a 45° angle to the car. This may not be a problem for you, but it something to be aware of.

Also, are you looking for a tow BALL carrier or a tow HITCH carrier ? The first secures over the existing ball and the second usually inserts into the hitch receiver.

You are likely to obstruct the number plate (on many cars), so that may be a consideration - where and if an auxiliary plate can be secured. Then there is the consideration of lights (because the bikes may obscure those and the number plate, if supplemented with an auxiliary plate needs it's own light to be legal.

And then there is the rack itself - some designs work better than others. I have seen some bikes that seem to swing around in the breeze, often banging against each other. Some racks allow the rack (with it's bikes loaded) to be tilted to allow access to the boot, others require the rack to be unloaded AND removed before the hatch can be opened.

Unfortunately a "simple" bike rack often doesn't end up being that simple if the bikes are to be protected and the setup is to be legal.

And yes, the second hand market is probably a good place to start if you want something cheaper.

[discomute]

Thanks for the advice everyone. Tip.shop.had nothing complete. Only second hand one was $50.more than Amazon. Got the most popular one on Amazon for $150. Guess I will see.