can anyone recommend a cycle rack?

[fartyface]

we have a horrible old metal thing about 12 years old, which DH will basically refuse to put on our car. I really want to take the bikes out - we want to hold at least 3.

Needs to go on the car, probably not on the roof as i understand them to be hard to lift up to. We could have a towbar one but it would not suit us when the caravan is on - although i could be pursuaded to bodge a solution for then if they are the best..?

it needs to be easy to use..
Thanks in advance

We have Thule racks for the roof, and as long as you aren't short/the car is high, they are super easy to use. And tbh, a folding step stool let us put the bikes on the Discovery with no problems.

DS is a keen cyclist and has a Thule rack.

I’d go for a tow bar rack and put the bikes in the caravan while you are towing.

Saris bones 3. Easy to fit and weve had three mountain bikes on it. No good if you have a rear spoiler on your car though. We had to fit a bodge to use it hence its now gathering dust in the loft! We have roof bars these days.

We have a towbar mounted Pro User Amber 1V and are very happy with it.

As a pp says, just use the caravan to put the bikes in when towbar inaccessible due to towing.

Thanks for responses.

I am short and the car is high, I can barely reach in the roof box when it is on.

With a towbar one is it small enough to take with and put on when you get to the campsite? As we also need to take bikes when we are settled camping. That would make it an option.

Glad you mentioned the saris one, I've seen it and it looks better than what we have.

We take ours camping! We have a tent with a big front bit so leave them in there or camp in a plot against the wall and lock the bikes altogether. The saris folds flat and is plastic so not heavy.
If you get one, just make sure you do the straps up properly. First time we used it we looked out the back window to see the bikes dancing around. Dh had forgotten to tighten the straps!

Thanks. The question wasn't about taking bikes camping it was about taking a tow bar bike rack inside the car or caravan to travel, because the tow bar is occupied by the van.

Ah. No experience of towbars, sorry.
Hope you get sorted anyway!

Oh, I see. We do have a Thule tow bar mount one as well (we cycle a lot and go to events), and its super easy to use. I can't see a problem with putting it in the caravan as long as you put it on some tarpaulin

What are you bikes made of? DP's guide to bike travel any metal other than aluminium on the back as you will never lift them on the roof, aluminium can go on the roof, but less likely to get damaged on the back.
Carbon fibre should only ever travel in the car 1. You paid a lot of money and they can easily get damaged. 2. If they get wet the metal rivets will start to degrade and damage the carbon fibre.
He is a really serious cyclist and carbon fibre/motor racing engineer.

I'm fortunate that although our mountain bikes are heavy, dh is 6ft 6 and 12 yr old dd is 5ft 9 so midget me at 5ft 6 doesn't have to struggle!

Yes, our pro-user fits in the car boot while we're off cycling for example.

Saris Bones 3, or Buzzrack for towbar mounted.

ok thanks very much for this.
bikes are reasonably cheap. we are both looking at getting new now the children are nearly old enough to all be able to cycle, but will be £500 ish.

man in halfords also said the towbar one is the answer, also with lights board, and I guess braces for mine and child's bike.

Thanks so muh all