Bike Rack?
 

If I can work out a half way cheap way to do it I need to move two bikes 1000 miles. I have no tow bar, but would buy one. Has anyone used a roof rack for bikes or a strap-on? All the options so far leave me thinking it would be cheaper to buy a couple of new bikes at the other end.
Any ideas - ta muchly

Depends on the cost of the bikes lol plus whether you have roof bars already?

My preference would be for a tow bar mount as doesn't impact as much on fuel use but you've then got the cost of the tow bar...does stop you wrecking the bikes on height restrictions though!

In any case Thule stuff is the way to go. Where would you be buying as know a good uk site for Thule stuff. Aero bars much better/easier for mounting

Borrowing could be an option depending on where you are?

I'd do roof or preferably tow-bar.

I've had problems with strap-ons (ahem) on saloons, they just never work, to the point that my last one snapped in the middle and destroyed the boot lid on my D2. Straight down to Halfrauds and picked up a nice 3-bike Thule job for 90 quid or so on sale.

or you could put a mini mattress on your roof and strap the bikes down onto it :D

I have Thule aero bars I bought from someone who sold their A8 via this site and already have a pair of bike carriers which are the previous version of these ones:

http://www.skidrive.co.uk/cycle/prod...?partno=591000

They do work well on larger cars like ours - I originally bought them for my Seat Lean Cupra R as it wasn't approved for a tow bar and I didn't fancy trashing the bumper with pedal scuffs from a tailgate mounted one. You could see and feel the bikes moving around on that!

The site above is the cheapest I know of for Thule stuff in the UK

I'm sure if you take the wheels off the frames will fit in the boot if not cover up the back seat and throw them in there.

I'm sure with a bit of stripping down and bit of gentle persuasion you should be able to slide it in, be careful not to force it too hard or you’ll damage what you pushing it into and that’ll only cause tears. As for getting your bikes in the 8 I don’t know.:D

I even have a tow bar rack back in Oxford [I'm in France] but the cost of a proper tow bar fitted is very high. I nearly got one from A8Parts last year but the cost of purchase, shipping and fitting put me off.

Never keen on strapping things to mattresses. Round a curve or two when its wet and its easy for everything to come off. Equally stuffing things in the back can lead to ......

my bike won't fit my 8's boot even when its completely discombobulated.....I'm have to haul mine around in my Pug 106!

Me neither. SWMBO with a puncture, the only solution was to put it on the back seat wrapped in blankets. OK for round the houses but not nice for a long journey. I guess I'll buy new or 2nd hand at the other end then re-sell