Which cycle carrier is right for you?

At PF Jones we love cycling holidays! They are great to do alone, in a couple or as a group! The UK has some of the most beautiful cycling routes in the world, it’s no wonder that so many people go on cycling holidays all year round!
When planning your cycling holiday, it is important to make sure that you have all the necessary equipment; tire pump, puncture repair kit and the correct cycle carrier.

There are three kinds of cycle carriers;

• Roof Mounted Cycle Carriers - Each carrier is mounted individually to a set of secure roof bars which can be locked into place with a key. They are then adjusted to fit around your bike and again, locked into place to prevent theft and to maximise safety on the move. The main benefit of roof bar cycle carriers is the convenience – you can still have full access to your car and more importantly for travelling, your car boot!
• Rear Door Mounted Cycle Carriers - Probably the easiest option of travelling with your bikes, rear door racks need no other accessory or fixings other than the carrier itself. Everything you need to mount this carrier comes in the box. They work by connecting a series of straps and clasps onto the boot of your car – usually, they grasp onto the edges or fixings on the rear of your car and trap straps upon closing the boot and then the bikes have separate clasps and straps to mount onto the carrier.
• Tow Bar Mounted Cycle Carriers - towbar mounted cycle carriers gives you all the benefits of travelling with a bike rack without the hassle of worrying about lifting bikes high over the top of your car or fearing the straps might come loose on the motorway. These carriers sit neatly on your towbar and lock into place with a simple leaver mechanism – lock with a key included for most carriers for extra security. The 2 main styles are hanging and platform. One of the main benefits to towbar mounted bike racks is the load capacity which is significantly higher than the other options – perfect for multiple bikes or electric bikes. Another benefit is the flexibility to have a tilting function, allowing you (on most cars) access to the boot of your car while simultaneously carrying bikes.

The type of cycle carrier you choose will depend on your needs and your type of bike. Before buying your carrier, it is essential that you know how many bikes you are going to be carrying, this will save you the hassle in the future of upgrading or getting a completely new style of carrier. With the right carriers the average car could carry up to six bikes, however, this also depends on what kind of bikes you have. If you own electric bikes the best option is a platform tow bar mounted carrier due to the fact that they have the biggest maximum weight load which would be able to easily support the weight of a heavy electric bike.

One Bike

If you are traveling with just one bike, your best option will be a roof-mounted cycle carrier. They are quick and easy to install as well as giving you full access to your boot!  Our personal recommendation for a single cycle carrier is the Thule OutRide 561.

The Thule OutRide 561 Cycle Carrier is a light and convenient fork mounted bike rack for the roof of your vehicle, an excellent recommendation for any solo cyclists looking to travel the road and discover new bike trails.

Two Bikes

For transporting two bikes you can use any type of cycle carrier, as long as it has been correctly fitted and optimised for two bikes.  We would recommend a rear door mounted cycle carrier, such as the Thule ClipOn High.

The Thule ClipOn high cycle carrier is designed for two bikes, primarily for station wagons and hatchbacks. It is easy to use and simple to mount to your vehicle due to the unique snap-on system. The bike rack also includes foldable capabilities for storage purposes and protection to prevent scratches to your vehicle and cycle carrier.

Three Bikes

For three bikes you can use either a rear door mounted cycle carrier or a tow bar carrier. We would recommend using a tow bar carrier as they are designed to carry a larger weight load. Our most popular carrier is the Witter Bolt-On Towball Mounted 3 Bike Cycle Carrier.

It comes with a platform-style build, enabling the bike rack to hold multiple bikes. Its sturdy shape is ideal for securing different bike types at once and transporting them securely.

Four Bikes

For transporting four bikes, it is best to use a towbar mounted cycle carrier to ensure that the weight of all of your bikes will be safely held. 
Our most popular model for carrying 4 bikes is the Witter Clamp-On Towball Mounted 4 bike cycle carrier.

Suitable for all types and sizes of bikes. Holding multiple bikes, this bike rack is ideal for family trips and saves storage room in your vehicle. With extra security for your bikes through the mounting functions, feel reassured knowing your bikes are fully secured.

5-6 Bikes

If you are transporting between 5-6 bikes you will need to have two types of cycle carriers. You will need a towbar mounted carrier paired with a set of roof bar mounted carriers. You will need to make sure that your car can manage the weight safely before travelling anywhere.

If you would like to find out more about our range of cycle carriers, please visit our cycle carriers page.