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Raymondavalon
Joined: 15 Aug 2008
Posts: 615
Location: Between the chair and monitor
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 Posted Sun Nov 15, 2009 2:36 pm |
bigchazrocks,
A valid question because the only reason I bought this Disco was to carry bikes around. I do have a normal company supplied day to day car too, so the Disco only gets used when I go riding or take bike/s to the LBS. [or when I buy cr@p from Ikea]
2002, (02) Disco Series II, 4.0L V8 Auto, 7 seater, SE spec: Full leather, electric/heated seats, dual sunroof, climate control, cruise control, compass on rear view mirror, air/adjustable/self leveling suspension, ABS, traction control, ascent / descent control, heated windscreen, remote folding side mirrors, 13 speaker Harman Kardon surround sound with subwoofer, 6 disc auto changer, 18 inch alloys incl. spare and a rear step. It also came with the full length roof bars and a dog guard. Also no tow pack was fitted.
Bought it pre owned a year ago, I am the second owner of this vehicle. It had 55000M on the clock and a full Land Rover service history. I paid £5,750 for it and got the tow pack included.
Purchased from a Land Rover dealer in Oxford, it was a trade in. The only thing I've done is fit new tyres all round (Wrangler AT) for when I go to the Alps next year and the Thule Aerobar
Fuel consumption? When I drive like an angel 25MPG. Loaded with 3 people, kit and 3 bikes atop: 21MPG. Urban: 18-20MPG average.
| Kona Kula | Felt Compulsion 2 SE | Diamondback M40 | Apple Mac Lover | 4x4 Owner: Get over it! |
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Hadaka
Joined: 30 Sep 2009
Posts: 28
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Posted Sun Nov 15, 2009 3:02 pm |
| John Stevenson wrote: | | Hadaka wrote: | | I am in the process in changing my car right now, and the way forward with carrying the bikes will affect my choice of car too. |
An estate car is the One True Bike Carrier. Fold rear seats, place complete bikes inside in safety. |
Rear seats folded, 3 bikes inside...2 seats in the front, I will let you tell the wife she is making her own way there 
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Bikehawk
Joined: 28 Jul 2009
Posts: 10
Location: Limerick, Ireland
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Posted Sun Nov 15, 2009 3:10 pm |
+1 for the Thule 591's. No problems with the bike moving on Irish roads (not very straight or smooth) even at 60mph.
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covelove
Joined: 24 Jul 2009
Posts: 22
Location: Dunfermline
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Posted Sun Nov 15, 2009 9:15 pm |
sell your car and buy a van - sorted! i bought a transit connect over a year ago and have never looked back. you can store and transport all the kit you need safely and securely without worrying too much about scratchs or dirt inside or out and with a big deisel engine it just runs and runs.
[img] http://www.flickr.com/photos/mondo13/4106318315/
better to spend one day as a tiger instead of your whole life as a sheep!
cove stiffee |
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Hadaka
Joined: 30 Sep 2009
Posts: 28
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Posted Mon Nov 16, 2009 8:11 am |
| covelove wrote: | sell your car and buy a van - sorted! i bought a transit connect over a year ago and have never looked back. you can store and transport all the kit you need safely and securely without worrying too much about scratchs or dirt inside or out and with a big deisel engine it just runs and runs.
[img] http://www.flickr.com/photos/mondo13/4106318315/ |
Oh I have thought about a van... would love one for biking and fishing, but alas I can only run one vehicle and have a family so as tempting as it was I had to forget that idea. 
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John_E
Joined: 30 Jul 2008
Posts: 13
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Posted Mon Nov 16, 2009 8:51 am |
When I first started, got a rear mounted carrier and hated it, it was a faff to put on, pain to store and I never felt that the bikes were particularly secure. Went to roof mounted carriers and initially got some Halfords ones. Bikeradar give them a good review but mine rusted and fell apart after a years worth of use (maybe they've improved them since). I didn't like they way secured the bike (it scratched the frame if the bike wasn't clean, not that scratches bother me, its just the principle).
Went through a stage of putting them in the back of the car, but again more faff of putting the bikes back together, how every careful you are, they always seemed to be at least one brake that got squeezed, gears knocked out of sync, lots of muck in the car.
I now use Thule 591's like lots of other here and they have been great, although the quick release fixing has got a bit sticky after a couple of years. I have no problem lifting them on the roof as a six footer, but my wife who is only 5ft 2 can't really do it (well not with any grace). The bikes are rock solid, even when we had a bird strike earlier this year (the poor bird flew straight through the bikes while we are travelling at about 40mph, not a scratch on the bikes, unfortunately can't say the same for the bird)
We have an big estate car but the bikes will still not fit in the back without both wheels off if you want the rear seats. You'll need to check the roof height, thats what makes in difficult to get them in.
You already know about fuel consumption, my experience is it impacts the fuel consumption by up to 20%. I have a car with a towbar but already had the roof rack system, but would change to a towbar one if there was any reason to change in the future.
On price, for me anyway, my current rook rack system for two bikes cost £250,. The towbar cost £200 to fit and you can get a Thule towbar bike carrier for two bikes for about £90, so there doesn't seem to be much in it.
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Surf-Matt
Joined: 22 Apr 2008
Posts: 4248
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Posted Mon Nov 16, 2009 10:20 am |
Thule 591s plus aero bars (much easier to fit than on square bars). Got two of the 591s and they are brilliant.
Unless your bike is very heavy or you are very short, it's a no brainer.
Still worry about dropping the bike on the roof as I take it off/put it on!
Used to stick the bikes in the car but they trash it.
Starting to consider a new 4x4 (the Beemer does most jobs fine but no good for boat towing) - Freelander 2 and latest shape Disco are currently on the shortlist.
1994 British Eagle Strike - ratty bike
1997 Specialized Stumpjumper - still fun
2007 Stumpjumper Comp with upgrades - main bike
2008 Rockhopper Disk - for the wife
2010 Allez Elite - for goin faaaast
http://www.cornwallmtb.kk5.org |
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Hadaka
Joined: 30 Sep 2009
Posts: 28
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Posted Mon Nov 16, 2009 1:39 pm |
Some great views from you guys... the Thule 591's seem to be getting lots of thumbs up from quite a few of you.
But then again, tow bar mounted racks also seem to come well recommended.
At this stage as I am thinking about an estate car over a 4x4 I am leaning towards a roof mounted system.
But then as with my car search, my mind changes 10 times a day 
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Surf-Matt
Joined: 22 Apr 2008
Posts: 4248
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Posted Mon Nov 16, 2009 2:30 pm |
Estate car + roof bars = ideal
1994 British Eagle Strike - ratty bike
1997 Specialized Stumpjumper - still fun
2007 Stumpjumper Comp with upgrades - main bike
2008 Rockhopper Disk - for the wife
2010 Allez Elite - for goin faaaast
http://www.cornwallmtb.kk5.org |
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Thewaylander
Joined: 03 Mar 2008
Posts: 1382
Location: Newport
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Posted Mon Nov 16, 2009 2:37 pm |
true but if you get a 4*4 matt wont need the estate anymore.. can get yourself a proper sports car then hehe :p
Mountain Biking can save your sanity too! |
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Surf-Matt
Joined: 22 Apr 2008
Posts: 4248
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jmj
Joined: 04 Jun 2007
Posts: 36
Location: Northumberland
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Posted Mon Nov 16, 2009 5:04 pm |
+1 again for the 591's.
Very secure, takes less than 30 seconds to load and secure the bike and I generally forget it's on (bar a little more wind noise + 60mph)
If I had a tow bar though, I'd probably get a tow bar carrier as it drops the bikes out of the slipstream. More cash though.
J
Commencal Meta 5.5.2 09
Giant Trance 06 |
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M.ColeSite Admin
Joined: 10 Jul 2007
Posts: 313
Location: Bath
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Posted Mon Nov 16, 2009 5:07 pm |
Towbar carrier all the way.
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Surf-Matt
Joined: 22 Apr 2008
Posts: 4248
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Posted Mon Nov 16, 2009 5:55 pm |
| M.Cole wrote: | | Towbar carrier all the way. |
How about just half the way, then stick them on the roof and avoid looking like a caravan park regular?
1994 British Eagle Strike - ratty bike
1997 Specialized Stumpjumper - still fun
2007 Stumpjumper Comp with upgrades - main bike
2008 Rockhopper Disk - for the wife
2010 Allez Elite - for goin faaaast
http://www.cornwallmtb.kk5.org |
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bigbenj_08
Joined: 05 Jun 2008
Posts: 6713
Location: On a HT! In the NW
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Hadaka
Joined: 30 Sep 2009
Posts: 28
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Posted Mon Nov 16, 2009 6:28 pm |
| Surf-Matt wrote: | | M.Cole wrote: | | Towbar carrier all the way. |
How about just half the way, then stick them on the roof and avoid looking like a caravan park regular? |
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Raymondavalon
Joined: 15 Aug 2008
Posts: 615
Location: Between the chair and monitor
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Posted Mon Nov 16, 2009 6:57 pm |
I think it's all about personal choice
If ever I put 7 riders into the Disco with kit, then I know that I can fit 4 bikes atop and 3 on a Thule towbar mounted carrier. I have seen people carriers carrying up to 6 bikes in this manner.
The best thing about the Thule Aerobar/591 combo on the Land Rover is that if I park up at the services, no scroat can get to the bikes easily. Being so high up makes for an excellent deterrent.
I even fit the Cateye Strada and Topeak saddle bag to the bike knowing that a basketball player would have a hard time getting to them.
In all fairness buy the best you can afford at the time, should you ever upgrade, the older kit will always sell.
| Kona Kula | Felt Compulsion 2 SE | Diamondback M40 | Apple Mac Lover | 4x4 Owner: Get over it! |
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Ads4
Joined: 04 Jun 2009
Posts: 453
Location: Brown Candover, Hampshire.
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Posted Mon Nov 16, 2009 9:22 pm |
I currently have Thule 561s but don't like the fork fixing so am considering the 591s as I already have the bars etc fitted, thugh I am also looking at the rear high mount 9105 carrier too.
Adam. - '09 Hifi Pro
Never underestimate the predictability of stupidity. |
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M.ColeSite Admin
Joined: 10 Jul 2007
Posts: 313
Location: Bath
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Posted Mon Nov 16, 2009 9:29 pm |
| Surf-Matt wrote: | | M.Cole wrote: | | Towbar carrier all the way. |
How about just half the way, then stick them on the roof and avoid looking like a caravan park regular? |
What a peculiar thing to say.
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Surf-Matt
Joined: 22 Apr 2008
Posts: 4248
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Posted Tue Nov 17, 2009 9:16 am |
As is "Towbar carrier all the way"
You hardly going to change modes of bike transportation/carrying some of the way into your journey are you?
At least Hadaka got it...
1994 British Eagle Strike - ratty bike
1997 Specialized Stumpjumper - still fun
2007 Stumpjumper Comp with upgrades - main bike
2008 Rockhopper Disk - for the wife
2010 Allez Elite - for goin faaaast
http://www.cornwallmtb.kk5.org |
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