Bike Carriers

[Ranga]

I'm looking at options for carrying at least SWMBOs roadie, and perhaps my mountain bike and the kids treadlies.

The options as I see it are a roof carrier for the roady on a Subaru Outback, and/or a rear carrier for them all. I thought about a rear carrier that could swap between both, but the Subaru doesn't have a towball, and it might be a PITA with the rear door. Unfortunately, it only has roof rails, so this will mean buying a set of racks. Obviously Thule will do the racks and carrier, but not cheap to buy new, and a bugger to find second hand.

Anyone able to recommend a decent roof carrier that can go on any roof rack cross bars? I've spotted this Torpedo7 - 503 under maintenance, and this Torpedo7 - 503 under maintenance, but not sure if they're any good.

For the Defender, something that inserts into the tow hitch would be good and can carry 4 bikes at a decent height for light offroad use without compromising departure angle too much.

Any suggestions/recommendations?

EDIT: Just spotted this http://www.anaconda.com.au/Product/B...ddy-4#90040975 but the price simply is not compatible with my tightarse tendencies

[marting]

Hi Ranga
For carriers to suit the defender try gripsports (www.gripsport.com) or www.isi-carriers.com. I know of a number of people who use these and they are very happy with them. May not suit the budget though!

[Ranga]

I do like the iSi units, but looks like they only do a 2 bike version. I might chat to the FIL who's a boilermaker and sort out a custom job.

[EchiDna]

thule 963 spare me perhaps?? not sure if they are available in oz or not...

[R Miller]

I bought a fork clamp from the local bike shop for 60. It was acuatly made to bolt onto headboards of utes, you just need to mount it to your cross rail and then a bit of alloy channel for the rear wheel to sit in with a little rope to hold it in,

as for the defender you can get a 4 bike rack from most shops for around 180, that will hold by the top tube, just make sure if the road bike is carbon fiber that it can be transported like that, I have heard some don't like being held by top tubes

[awabbit6]

I do like the iSi units, but looks like they only do a 2 bike version. I might chat to the FIL who's a boilermaker and sort out a custom job.

ISI do a 4 Bike carrier too.

iSi Advanced Bicycle Carrier and Bike Rack Systems - 4x4x4 Bicycle Carrier

I couldn't justify the expense either so I made my own. Here is a link to an earlier post on the topic with some progress pics of mine.

Interesting bike carrier

It's finished now and works well. I'll give it a few more trial runs before I get it zinc plated.