We've never really been keen cyclists, but our two kids (aged 7 and 4) now have bikes that will no longer fit in the boot of our car (Hyundai i30). We also have bikes of our own that we would like to be able to transport. So, we want to buy some sort of bike carrier, but don't know what to get. Things are complicated further by the fact that our car is half way through a three year lease, so might well be changed in under two years' time. I have been advised that: a) the cheapest kind of carrier is one that hooks on the back of the car - but that these are awkward to use and scratch your paintwork; b) that the best kind of carrier fits onto a towbar, but that it's expensive to get a bar fitted in the first place; and c) that you can get a roof carrier, but you obviously need the bars first.
I don't know which option to go for. I'm reluctant to spend a fortune, because we don't go cycling that often - but it's frustrating that we can't basically go at all at the moment. I'd quite like roofbars in some ways as I'd also like a roofbox - but would these be transferable when we change the car? And do they still work well if you don't have roof rails, just the fixing points that the i30 has? Or, if we go for the cheapest hang-on-the-back variety, are they really as rubbish as people say?
How do other people manage who don't have massive cars that you can shove bikes in?? Help!