UK and Europe · Public discussion

Trying out a cycle rack.

David Martin · 2005-07-23T21:14:22+00:00

I have taken the plunge and purchased a new rack for transporting bikes on MDG's. The rack in question is a Thule 9403, at 100 quid from Halfords. So I got it home, and put my IKEA head on to do the self assembly bits. Apart from a few minot niggles with the bits being not as preciesely engineered as one might like (a bit of a faff getting some bolts to fit) it went together just fine. It sits on the tow ball and is held in place by tightening a substantial bolt. So it needed testing, and my kids needed to be extracted from their holiday repose in front of the one eyed monster. Peter, the three and a bit year old went in the child seat and Rachel went on her own bike, a long ride for her as we were going to the beach. Much faffing with some parts walked (steep downhills and pedestrian bits) to get to the Tay bridge and then a concerted effort to ride over it, with the wind a stiff breeze along the Tay. The cycle path through to Tayport is nice, but spirits were starting to flag as we went through Tentsmuir forest. Past the ice house and Rachel is feeling a little weary though still happy. And then the car park. And my wife arriving just as we did. 15 miles in about 2 hours which was a really solid effort by a wee 8 year old. Bit of playing on the beach and it was time to test the rack, Very easy to load though bikes may have a tendency to roll off untill they are strapped down, and solid as a rock in actual use. The journey home was a mixture of narrow country lanes, high speed B road and urban. Not a wobble in the 25 mins or so it took to get back. ...d

Started by David Martin · 23 July 2005 · Last activity 24 July 2005 · 4 posts · 624 views

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Original section: UK and Europe
Published: 23 July 2005
Last activity: 24 July 2005
Original author: David Martin
Posts: 4
Discussion status: Public discussion
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Original post
David Martin
Archived post

23 July 2005, 21:14 UTC #1

I have taken the plunge and purchased a new rack for transporting bikes
on MDG's.
The rack in question is a Thule 9403, at 100 quid from Halfords.
So I got it home, and put my IKEA head on to do the self assembly bits.
Apart from a few minot niggles with the bits being not as preciesely
engineered as one might like (a bit of a faff getting some bolts to
fit) it went together just fine. It sits on the tow ball and is held in
place by tightening a substantial bolt.
So it needed testing, and my kids needed to be extracted from their
holiday repose in front of the one eyed monster. Peter, the three and a
bit year old went in the child seat and Rachel went on her own bike, a
long ride for her as we were going to the beach.
Much faffing with some parts walked (steep downhills and pedestrian
bits) to get to the Tay bridge and then a concerted effort to ride over
it, with the wind a stiff breeze along the Tay.
The cycle path through to Tayport is nice, but spirits were starting to
flag as we went through Tentsmuir forest. Past the ice house and Rachel
is feeling a little weary though still happy. And then the car park.
And my wife arriving just as we did. 15 miles in about 2 hours which
was a really solid effort by a wee 8 year old.
Bit of playing on the beach and it was time to test the rack,
Very easy to load though bikes may have a tendency to roll off untill
they are strapped down, and solid as a rock in actual use. The journey
home was a mixture of narrow country lanes, high speed B road and
urban. Not a wobble in the 25 mins or so it took to get back.
...d

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davek
Archived post

24 July 2005, 08:36 UTC #2

David Martin said:
I have taken the plunge and purchased a new rack for transporting bikes
on MDG's.
The rack in question is a Thule 9403, at 100 quid from Halfords.
I've just recently bought a Tradekar Jumbo - £140 from roofbox.co.uk.
Similarly, it required getting the IKEA head out but now it's assembled
it's a nice bit of kit.
Quoted message said:
It sits on the tow ball and is held in
place by tightening a substantial bolt.
Despite advice from various URCers, I didn't go with the towbar option
in the end - the extra cost of getting a towbar fitted being one
consideration, getting it done in time before we go on holiday being
another.
But in any case, one of the good things about the Tradekar is that you
can still open the rear door of the car (Renault Scenic) with it fitted
- you /can/ open the rear door with the bikes loaded, but I'm not sure
that is such a good idea as I doubt the door supports are rated to take
the extra weight.
Quoted message said:
So it needed testing, and my kids needed to be extracted from their
holiday repose in front of the one eyed monster.
We're planning a test run today, in preparation for setting off for
France next week. So far, I have only tried it once round the block.
Quoted message said:
Much faffing with some parts walked (steep downhills and pedestrian
bits) to get to the Tay bridge and then a concerted effort to ride over
it, with the wind a stiff breeze along the Tay.
Sounds like fun, and a jolly scenic route. We haven't decided yet where
we're going today - probably find a nice National Trust property with
large grounds we can ride around in. Unfortunately, it seems to be
raining down here today. Hmm, I could have been in Dunwich right now
instead of posting this, or even out on a club run (or even halfway to
Edinburgh...), so I hope the family doesn't chicken out or I'll end up
just going out on my own.
Tbh, I've had a rough week so wasn't up to the Dunwich ride anyway but
I'd be disappointed if this turned into a completely cycling-free
weekend.
d.

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davek
Archived post

24 July 2005, 08:36 UTC #3

David Martin said:
I have taken the plunge and purchased a new rack for transporting bikes
on MDG's.
The rack in question is a Thule 9403, at 100 quid from Halfords.
I've just recently bought a Tradekar Jumbo - £140 from roofbox.co.uk.
Similarly, it required getting the IKEA head out but now it's assembled
it's a nice bit of kit.
Quoted message said:
It sits on the tow ball and is held in
place by tightening a substantial bolt.
Despite advice from various URCers, I didn't go with the towbar option
in the end - the extra cost of getting a towbar fitted being one
consideration, getting it done in time before we go on holiday being
another.
But in any case, one of the good things about the Tradekar is that you
can still open the rear door of the car (Renault Scenic) with it fitted
- you /can/ open the rear door with the bikes loaded, but I'm not sure
that is such a good idea as I doubt the door supports are rated to take
the extra weight.
Quoted message said:
So it needed testing, and my kids needed to be extracted from their
holiday repose in front of the one eyed monster.
We're planning a test run today, in preparation for setting off for
France next week. So far, I have only tried it once round the block.
Quoted message said:
Much faffing with some parts walked (steep downhills and pedestrian
bits) to get to the Tay bridge and then a concerted effort to ride over
it, with the wind a stiff breeze along the Tay.
Sounds like fun, and a jolly scenic route. We haven't decided yet where
we're going today - probably find a nice National Trust property with
large grounds we can ride around in. Unfortunately, it seems to be
raining down here today. Hmm, I could have been in Dunwich right now
instead of posting this, or even out on a club run (or even halfway to
Edinburgh...), so I hope the family doesn't chicken out or I'll end up
just going out on my own.
Tbh, I've had a rough week so wasn't up to the Dunwich ride anyway but
I'd be disappointed if this turned into a completely cycling-free
weekend.
d.

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Just zis Guy, you know?
Archived post

24 July 2005, 11:37 UTC #4

I submit that on or about 23 Jul 2005 14:14:22 -0700, the person known
to the court as "David Martin" <[email hidden]> made a
statement (<[email hidden]> in
Your Honour's bundle) to the following effect:
Quoted message said:
The rack in question is a Thule 9403, at 100 quid from Halfords.

^^^^^^^^
Minions of Stan! They should be Shunned!
F-I-L just bought a Tradekar SilverBike from http://www.roofbox.co.uk
(and has had a towbar fitted to his Honda Accord Tourer specifically
to accommodate it)
Guy
--
http://www.chapmancentral.co.uk
"To every complex problem there is a solution which is
simple, neat and wrong" - HL Mencken

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