Carriers have become more and more popular. But are they safe? And what must you look for when buying? 13. Support of two classes in the large practice and crash test.
Around five million Germans climb while on vacation on the bike. But the most beautiful bike areas rarely are on the doorstep, the bikes are often associated with the car on the ground. Carriers are therefore needed. Now, there are a wide range of roof and rear carriers, as well as variants for the trailer hitch in the trade. The market offers even solutions for the Interior.
This makes it not easy to make the right choices - especially as cars not for trailers are designed for the customer. The straps are only compromises. The question arises: what are they? A great test of AUTO, which is sister magazine of auto motor und sport, with the support of the "Mountainbike" magazine will provide the answer.
Because above all they are support for the roof of the car and asked for the trailer hitch, 13 of this transport aid of from renowned providers extensive driving and crash were subject to a total. A BMW 320 d touring and Touareg mounted a VW, was on a test course at the test site of the testing organisation of DEKRA in Klettwitz. Several full-stroke actuations from 100 km/h were on the programme. In addition, should adjust a 180-meter slalom the abrupt evasion at speed 60 km/h. Finally, it was still at 20 km/h on a jogging route that simulated a way with road damage.
Just for the eight wheel carrier, the dynamic tests were a challenge - they are all designed for the transport of electric bicycles. The frames had to press an E-bike from Peugeot with a weight of 23 kg, as well as a 12 kg mountain bike in the test. Together with the carriers expressed approximately 50 kg on the trailer coupling, using a vertical load of at least 75 kg in the test. This made its presence felt. Apart from the Uebler-and Thule product everyone else revealed slight to significant abnormalities. The Crashversuch was also light and shadow. All candidates were tested after the DIN 75302, which relates to the testing of load securing. In an attempt to slide the DEKRA automobile simulated test center in Klettwitz a frontal crash at 30 km/h. Even the best clutch carrier minus reached only the touch of two in this chapter. Here, the impact of E-bikes were felt. As the vehicle moved on the couplings, so that the bikes through the rear window of the car struck. The flying shards from danger for occupants and bystanders.
Better presented the roof rack, and the best representative made the grade two in the crash. Here no electric bicycles were used, because the test candidates for their Dachtransport are not designed.
Basic tips to the bicycle transport
Before the bicycle transport study exactly the Guide and the pace of legislation, as well as the weight note. Is important to note that the mass of the towing hook will not be exceeded in the coupling beams - here the weight of vehicles and two-wheeled vehicles must be added. In addition, the ball should be fat-free for a secure attachment. At the roof beams, the roof load of the car is, however, be taken into account – again, the weight is one of carriers and bike. Loading: when the transport on the trailer coupling, the heavy bicycle as first on the carrier is to put. Make sure that the bikes are loaded opposite - the bar should show how not to each other at the Dachtransport. It is advisable by the way, to twist the handlebars. In addition, this protects the car. Important in this context: remove loose parts such as air pump, bottle, panniers and baskets before departure. Often, the rack on the carriers are too close together. This can lead to damage to the bikes. Therefore, it is advisable to fix the pedals and other bodies on to upholstery. Which should let a little air who determines when loading the wheel tracks are too narrow for wide tyres - such as mountain - bikes. Then, these tires can be better press in the guides.
How well the institution are processed, how quickly leave them to assemble, as is understandable Guide, how easy does the loading and the mounting of the bicycles? How extensive is the facilities of the institution? These issues belong to the test program like the dynamic tests. First, a 180-meter slalom has been through five times from tempo 60. Then, the carrier had to consist of 100 km/h four full-stroke actuations. Last but not least three journeys over a more than 40 metres long jogging track were at, which was prepared with seven centimeters high moguls. In the driving tests in which a BMW 320 d touring with all-wheel drive, as well as a VW were Touareg used, vehicles and bikes could not slip. The securing and fastening the carrier had to remain intact. This was not the case, there was a devaluation. The final crash test was carried out according to the DIN 75302. If here struck a vehicle negatively because he collapsed, slid out of the clutch or its load securing failed and fell the bikes on the ground, there was as a judgment a "not recommended"-security was at the forefront of the test.
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