​You're obsessed, you wrote this on the other cycle threads too.

The product isn't illegal. If you choose to cover up number plates and lights then you may be committing traffic offences, but the bike carrier isn't illegal.

As for the transit Van, no idea why they chose that. You'll have to ask them. But it does say it attaches to most vehicles. I can vouch that it is very versatile. It attaches to both, very different cars that I own.

And lastly, if you think it would come off a Passat bumper then don't use it on one, or attach it to something else.

I think a little common sense and it can be used totally safely. Hope that finally clears things up for you. :smile:

"Use Thule Bike Frame Adapter 982 for fitting of bikes with non-standard frames (e.g. ladies’ bikes, BMXs, downhill bikes)" say Thule themselves - for another £25 but I do like the idea of using the tow ball - very clever.

On order, bit of a punt, but should be okay.

I have mine on order

very good deal, voted hot.

There are ways

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJr8DV4BnMs

Voted hot, just read a review, there's a help line if you want to check it fits your car. Here's the number.
0800 0662167

Hi I got one of these it works great however you need to make sure the arms are positioned at 45 degrees or bikes will obscure your plates.

The point is that you need to check that the carrier or bikes does not obscure any part of reg plates or rear lights. I see at least 1 a week that obscures either or both. Whilst you are unlikely to be stopped by the Police just for this, if you are stopped for any other reason or involved in an accident, it could be the difference between a fixed penalty and a court appearance. Unfortunately there are a lot of dumb people on the road who buy a bike carrier and don't even think that obscuring most of the rear of their car is an issue.

Can't see where it says which vehicle types it would fit. For example it doesn't look like the type that would fit on a saloon (booted car). The link says to look at "included product safety instructions" but that's not much help before you purchase.

Good price for what it is but where safety is so important the information is severely lacking.

Many thanks Evo

Can't believe that gets 9/10 for a thing that can't be used for "women's bikes, BMXs and some mountain bikes" !!

nice thanks

​Genuinely, what's your point?

if you have a tow bar a Thule 970 Xpress Hang-On may be better

https://www.mantel.com/uk/thule-970-xpress-hang-on&utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping?gclid=Cj0KEQjw0rm-BRCn85bm8uS-zK0BEiQAHo4vrDRsOai8wlUySxwZi6YhdmirVwJnHXPZcujH9YFlWQUaAmBB8P8HAQ

this is only for two bikes but looks a lot simpler to work

OK, I take your point that it may be legal in more cases than I assumed, but I re-iterate that common sense is in short supply and I several times I have seen these things mounted illegally.

They can be used legally and safely it's 100% dependent on the type of vehicle, on many if not most hatchbacks, MPVs and SUVs these are perfectly fine. If you have a very small car or one with a high light arrangement to the rear they may cause an issue, but it's up to you to check that and make that decision, If it blocks the lights get a light board or just adjust it to sit lower and if it blocks the reg stick the reg on the back of the rack or on a light board, it's fairly simple and common sense that A you need to check it will fit on your car and B if it does it won't block anything.

are these not illegal as you cannot see number plate and lights ?
This is why they used a transit in their pix
Secondly a Passat saloon bumper made of plastic would not hold the bottom straps without risk

also available in-store as I picked one of these up for £19.99 at Chapel-en-le-Frith last week.

Although I've been previously told that my Honda Civic (2007) won't support the weight of this type of carrier because of the fibre glass construction of the tailgate (sorry boot door)!

But common sense is in short supply, and although it would have been nice if evostick47 had suggested the remedy, the point that these things are usually not usable legally and safely without purchasing extra equipment is worth making.

@zulfib

The bike frame sits in plastic c shaped rests. The surfaces which the frame touches are angled so there are no Sharp edges. They are a hard plastic and they are secured via wide rubber bands with holes like a Watch strap for adjustment.

Hth

I've been looking for one of these for a while for holiday use. I have a small Peugeot partner van, does anyone know if one of these would fit? (the back has 2 doors that open rather than a boot lid that pulls upwards. Can't find any info anywhere that tells me one way or the other) thanks in advance for any help guys.

I bought this a week ago and it's only just been despatched so can't comment on quality,but certainly a great price!

Are the bases rubber or hard plastic? The part where the bike rests on.

I bought this last time and it's a brilliant quality product.

It took me a while to set it up on the back of my car, however once the straps were all set to the correct length once then future uses have been simple.

Having never used one of these it took a great leap of faith to drive with my precious bike held to the back of my car with rubber bands but after a few uses I am now used to it.

Don't suppose anyone's tried this on a Volvo V40 (or similar)?

The number plate clearly has to be visible but the law says the lights must not be "obscured", its very hard to find any precedent to say if lights shining through the wheels is ok or not. I have driven that way and past the police several times without issue.

aldi?

...reg plate to put on the bikes so it can be seen clearly.

A cycle carrier or the bikes on it should not obscure any part of the number plate or rear lights. If it does you should buy and fit a light board with a reg plate on it. Common sense really but you'd be surprised by the number of dumb people who risk prosecution and accidents.

A previous post claims this is manufactured by Maypole. An identical Maypole one is currently available on Amazon for £45.90.