The UK has some of the best cycling routes but sometimes riding your bike to them is a little bit too hard work. Hence the need to have a bike carrier.
The biggest benefit of using a tow bar mounted cycle carrier over a strapped on carrier is that you don’t end up scratching your car. We’ve seen some cracking deep scratches caused by brake levers scrapping the car’s paintwork. we’ve even witnessed a peddle smashing the rear window on a boot-mounted carrier.
So, what do you need to know about tow bar mounted bike carriers?
They are great for keeping your bike away from the car body. No more scraped paint or dirty bike tyres on your car. Also, they are easy to load, no more backbreaking and struggling to lift heavy bikes high up.
You can lock the bikes onto the bike carrier, giving you the peace of mind that they will be safe and still attached to your vehicle when you arrive at your destination.
They have built-in lights that are not obscured by your bike. Anything that covers a rear light is illegal, the extra cost of having a tow bar mounted bike carrier is more than made up for if you get penalty points and a fine for having obscured lights on your car.
Bike Carrier Lighting and UK Law.
To comply with UK vehicle legislation the bike carrier lights must replicate that of the vehicle.
We have noticed that some bike carriers being sold in the UK do not comply with this.
The simple way to check if a bike carrier is legal to use on UK roads is to look where the fog light is situated. To comply with the legislation the fog light must be either centre or right of centre, or two rear fog lamps that are a matched pair and mounted symmetrically. A left hand-fitted fog light is illegal on UK roads.
(We recommend using a 13 pin vehicle socket as this includes the reverse lights. If you only have a 7 pin plug on your vehicle then the reverse light will not be available.)
New Product
After plenty of research, we have chosen to offer our customers the Maypole BC3012 two bike carrier and the Maypole BC3013 three bike carrier.
The reasons for choosing the Maypole carriers are:
The overall quality of the carrier
The weight of the product
The lighting meets UK law
The price (compared to other brands the Maypole cycle carrier gives great value for money.
BC3012 2 Bike Towball Mounted Cycle Carrier
- Carries up to 2 bikes (total 30Kg)
- Sliding adjustable cradles that suit racing bike to mountain bike tyres
- Rapid lock quick release handle allows you to easily fit the carrier to the towball – no tools required
- Lockable arms are provided to secure each bike to the support bar
- Tilting system – allowing quick access to the boot
- Compatible with European 50mm Towballs
- Modern UK specified lights
- Extra lashing straps supplied for extra security when in use
- Supplied with a 13pin – 7 pin adaptor
- Foldable for storage
- TUV approved
BC3013 3 Bike Towball Mounted Cycle Carrier
- Carries up to 3 bikes (total 45Kg)
- Sliding adjustable cradles that suit racing bike to mountain bike tyres
- Rapid lock quick release handle allows you to easily fit the carrier to the towball – no tools required
- Lockable arms are provided to secure each bike to the support bar
- Tilting system – allowing quick access to the boot
- Compatible with European 50mm towballs
- Modern UK specified lights
- Extra lashing straps supplied for extra security when in use
- Supplied with a 13pin – 7 pin adaptor
- Foldable for storage
- TUV approved
Pricing information will be available as soon as we have stock. For further information or to reserve before launch please email sales@ultimatetowbars.co.uk
Team Ultimate Towbars.
