loki16

we've go 2 kids and need to carry 4 hybrids out of town for day trips.

we've tried roof mounted (doesn't work too well with autopista toll booths and a low garage roof), and the strap mounted type that sits on the boot of the car (4 bikes is so much weight that it bends the boot).

we're looking at buying a tow bar and one of 2 tow bar mounted options from thule. tow bars are expensive here (€550) and the unit will be either €200 or @500 so i want to get this right (this time) and am asking for your advice.

there are 2 style choices, a tray type fitting (thule euroway 947 customised by the retailer to fit 4 bikes at €500) or the hanging type (thule bolton 9705 at around |40 plus €40 for an additional reg plate).

their 2 webpages are:

https://www.thule.com/Thule/ProductPage____33587.aspx

https://www.thule.com/Thule/ProductPage____33611.aspx

respectively.

i'd prefer to pay for the cheaper model if it will do the job right. we'd probably use this a half dozen times per year so am trying to avoid the bigger ticket.

it looks like the 947 will work, my questions are:

has anyone tried the 9705 and has it been successful?
better option to the 947?

thanks all.

Velo Dog

This doesn't address your specific questions, but FWIW, I've carried four bikes many times on a Yakima cartop rack on our old Honda Civic coupe, and a few times on the Neon it replaced. No problems at all other than a precipitous drop in gas mileage, which you'd expect--25 percent or so at U.S. highway speeds, 65-70mph. You do have to allow for low overheads, but it may be a worthwhile compromise. Nothing else I've tried works as well.
It does seem quite expensive, about $600 U.S. for the package several years ago, including Yakima towers and crossbars but some cheaper aftermarket attachments. Never used the racks you've mentioned, but I've heard praise for them.

Unknown Cyclist

I haven't used the 9705 but I have used similar.

The 9705 will weigh less and move the weight forwards.

Unless you have a very large heavy car I wouldn't consider the 947, too much weight too far back.

loki16

as i say, a roof top model doesn't work too well with autopista toll booths and a low garage roof.

loki16

that makes sense.

it's a new honda accord sedan (considered big in spain!), not what you'd call a very large, heavy car.

the retailer is trying to talk me into the 947 and says they work great. my brother uses something similar to a 9705 but only for 2 bikes. the retailer reckons 4 bikes would be too much and they'd damage the car; obviously a strong point for a new car.

Unknown Cyclist

I'd go for the 9705, you really don't want that much weight that far back.

The two vertical bars will stop nearly every part of the bicycle touching the car - except maybe a pedal if you are careless.

There's nothing to stop you adding padding at any point of concern.

Sounds like the retailer is trying to be helpful, so why not suggest buying the 9705 and him changing it for the 947 if you aren't happy with it ?

loki16

@unkown cyclist thanks.

any other opinions on the 9705?