Halfords Low 2 Bike Carrier

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Low 2 Bike Carrier

Fitting Instructions

Please follow instructions carefully to ensure the safety of yourself and other road users.

The initial assembly and fitting of this carrier will take approximately 20 minutes.

Before you begin:

● Make sure all parts are included in the package.

● Ensure that the vehicle boot lid/rear bumper are free from dirt and grime.

Kit Contents

Special Fitting Instructions

For use when fitting rear cycle carriers

to the Renault Laguna 5dr. Hatch

Due to the rubber moulding running around

the edge of the rear window, mounting of the

top straps along the top edge of the rear

window can cause deformation and eventually

damage to the moulding.

To eliminate this we advise mounting the

carrier top straps as detailed in this

special instruction.

Feed the top straps through the tailgate

hinges as shown (one strap each side),

leaving the glass anchor tube hanging freely

inside (Fig 15). Carefully close hatch and then

pull free ends of straps trapping anchor tubes

against the interior trim. (Fig 16).

Attach both straps to cycle carrier and refer to

the cycle carrier instructions for all

remaining fitting instructions.

Note: The manufacturer operates a policy of continuous

development, and reserves the right to alter specifications

without notice

In the event of fitting difficulties, telephone our

helpline on 01525 850800.

Halfords Ltd. Washford Redditch B98 ODE

Made in the UK

● Avoid any vehicle bodywork of insufficient

strength, trim and items such as aerofoils or

spoilers.

● IMPORTANT! Carrier straps must always be

re-tightened after cycles have been mounted to

the carrier. Straps should be checked routinely

for signs of wear and abrasion, and any worn

straps must be replaced immediately.

● After driving for a few miles STOP and check

that all straps are secure and tight. If

necessary, tighten the straps and tidy away any

loose ends. This must be repeated at suitable

intervals depending on the nature of the road.

● Do not exceed 30kg maximum load

(2 adult cycles).

● To ensure full compliance with the road

traffic regulations, the use of lighting board/

number plate is required if your vehicle’s

existing lighting/number plates are obscured

by the use of the carrier.

● Drive with care, the handling characteristics

of your vehicle will be affected when carrying

cycles, (e.g. cornering, braking, side winds etc).

● Retain these instructions for future

reference, ensure that any other users of the

cycle carrier are familiar with their contents.

● The carrier may obstruct the rear window

wiper of your vehicle. DO NOT operate the

wiper with the carrier fitted.

● When positioning cycles on the carrier

ensure that they do not project beyond the

profile of the vehicle and that no part of any

cycle can touch the paintwork.

● The use of rear mounted cycle carriers may

be restricted in certain countries outside the

UK. Always check with the relevant national

tourist authorities prior to commencing

your journey.

● Use cloth or foam padding to prevent

abrasion damage occurring between the frames

of your cycles, or from contact between the

cycles and the cycle carrier. Halfords foam pad

cycle protectors are available.

● Care must be taken when positioning and

loading the cycle carrier to avoid placing cycle

tyres near the exhaust, and to ensure that a

satisfactory ground clearance is maintained

between the cycles and the road. Extra care

should be taken when negotiating rough road

surfaces, humps and ferry ramps.

● All lengths are approximate.

Special Recommendations

See rear of these instructions for non suitable vehicle fitments

It is recommended that conventional rear mount carriers are not fitted to the following vehicles.

Sports cars Due to insufficient strength of lightweight or composite panels,

and unsuitable body curvature.

Cabriolets Due to fixing points being impeded by hood mechanisms,

and reduced space on rear of vehicle.

Split tailgate Due to insufficient strength of hinges, and difficulty to fit carriers correctly.

ide opening

Due to insufficient strength of hinges, and difficulty to fit carriers correctly.

tailgate

In most cases an alternative carrying solution can be recommended, such as a roof or tow ball

mounted carriers. The table below lists some examples of non-recommended fits with some

alternative solutions for carrying cycles (correct at time of printing).

Audi A2

Audi A4

Audi TT

BMW 3 Series (E36)

Citroen AX

Fiat Coupe

Ford Probe

Ford Puma

Jaguar XK8/XKR

Mazda MX-3

Mazda MX-6

Mercedes C-class (W202)

Austin/Rover Mini

Land Rover Discovery

Land Rover Freelander

Range Rover

Rover 400

Vauxhall Tigra

VW Beetle T1 (Old)

VW Beetle (New)

Volvo 480

00-

01-

99-

91-98

92-

95-

94-

97-

96-

91-

92-

93-01

62-00

89-

98-

70-

95-

94-

52-

99-

92-

Roof mount or tow ball mount

Roof mount

Roof mount or tow ball mount

Roof mount

Roof mount or tow ball mount

Roof mount

Roof mount or tow ball mount

Roof mount

Roof mount or tow ball mount

Fitment guide

NON-RECOMMENDED FITS

VEHICLE YEAR SOLUTION

Chassis hook

Main frame

160cm

95cm

Dumbells

100cm

Cambuckle

Ratchet

adjuster

x2x2

Cycle Rests

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Summary

General Fitting Instructions

Position Frame and Attach Straps

Position frame parts, attach RED 100cm straps, and tighten ratchet adjusters.

Lower Strap Assembly

Assemble 2 x 95cm straps with chassis hooks and ensure they are fully tightened.

Cambuckle Strap Attachment

Feed straps through lower cambuckles, ensuring correct direction for security.

Top Edge Fittings

Attach 2 x 160cm straps with dumbells to the top edge via the tailgate.

Carrier Placement on Vehicle

Rest carrier on bumper, adjust upper arm to tailgate, ensure frame leans towards vehicle.

Connect Top Straps

Thread top straps through cambuckles to loosely support the carrier.

Position Lower Chassis Hooks

Secure lower chassis hooks to an appropriate metal location under the car.

Tighten Straps and Check Clearance

Tighten all straps alternately and ensure minimum 5cm clearance.

Mount Cycle Rests and Cycles

Slide cycle rests onto support arms and place cycles, securing with red straps.

Adjust Cycle Frame Locators

Adjust locators for different frame types and consider a false cross bar.

Fitment Guide

Non-Recommended Fits

Lists vehicles unsuitable for rear carriers and suggests alternative mounting solutions.

Overview

Function Description
Usage Features
Assembly and Initial Setup
Bicycle Loading
Special Fitting Instructions for Renault Laguna 5dr. Hatch
Maintenance Features
General Recommendations and Safety

This document provides fitting instructions and recommendations for the Halfords Low 2 Bike Carrier, a rear-mounted cycle carrier designed to transport up to two adult bicycles. The manual emphasizes careful installation to ensure safety for both the user and other road users. The initial assembly and fitting process is estimated to take approximately 20 minutes.

Function Description

The Halfords Low 2 Bike Carrier is designed to securely transport two bicycles on the rear of a vehicle. It utilizes a system of straps and hooks to attach to the vehicle's boot lid or rear bumper, providing a stable platform for the bikes. The carrier's main frame supports the weight of the bicycles, while adjustable cycle rests and securing straps keep them in place during transit. The design aims to offer a practical solution for individuals needing to transport bicycles without the use of a roof rack or tow ball mount.

Usage Features

The carrier's usage involves several key steps, starting with the assembly of the main frame and the attachment of various straps and components.

Assembly and Initial Setup:

Frame Assembly: The two parts of the main frame are positioned on a flat surface. Two narrow RED 100cm straps are looped onto the main body of the cycle carrier. Two ratchet adjusters are then clipped to the frame tubes. The frame is adjusted to a 90° angle, and the ratchet adjusters are tightened until the teeth engage, securing the frame's position.
Lower Strap Assembly: Two 95cm straps are selected and assembled with chassis hooks as illustrated in the manual. These straps are crucial for the lower attachment points of the carrier.
Cambuckle Insertion: The straps are fed through the lower set of cambuckles. A critical warning is provided to ensure that the straps are inserted through the cambuckles in the correct direction for secure fastening.
Top Edge Fittings: Two 160cm straps are selected and assembled with dumbells. To attach these, the vehicle's tailgate is opened, and the straps are threaded over the top edge, allowing the dumbells to hang freely inside. The tailgate is then carefully closed, and the straps are gently pulled until the dumbells sit firmly against the interior trim.
Carrier Positioning: The carrier is offered to the vehicle, with the lower tube resting on the upper area of the bumper. The upper arm may need adjustment to sit against the tailgate or the upper surface of the boot lid. The carrier's main frame should lean towards the vehicle with a reasonable clearance, typically around 8cm (3 inches), which will reduce as the straps are tightened. The cycle support arms should point slightly upwards. All ratchet adjusters are then fully tightened.
Connecting Top Straps: The top straps are connected to the carrier by threading them through the top set of cambuckles. The straps are pulled through until the cycle carrier is loosely supported. Again, it is emphasized that the straps must be inserted through the cambuckles in the correct direction.
Lower Strap Attachment: The lower strap chassis hooks are positioned to an appropriate location under the car, such as a towing eye, steel chassis section, or bumper support. A vital note highlights the importance of using a strong metal location and ensuring the webbing straps do not touch the vehicle exhaust.
Final Tightening: All straps are tightened alternately. The carrier should sit firmly in position with a minimum 5cm (2 inches) clearance between the main carrier frame and the vehicle. Adjusting the angles of the support tubes may be necessary to increase clearance.

Bicycle Loading:

Cycle Rest Placement: The four cycle rests are slid onto the cycle support arms.
Bicycle Positioning: Bicycles are placed onto the rests. If necessary, the rests can be re-positioned to a suitable point on the support arm.
Securing Bicycles: Two red cycle securing straps must always be threaded through the frames of both cycles to secure them to the carrier. Failure to use these straps correctly will result in the cycles falling off the carrier.
Handlebar Obstruction: To reduce obstruction from handlebars, the direction of each cycle should be alternated during loading.
Cycle Frame Locators: The cycle frame locators can be adjusted to best suit the angle of various cycle frames, including those for ladies' and children's bikes. A false cross bar is available for mounting full suspension and low cross bar cycle frames.

Special Fitting Instructions for Renault Laguna 5dr. Hatch:

For this specific vehicle, due to the rubber moulding around the rear window, an alternative mounting method for the top straps is advised to prevent deformation and damage. The top straps are fed through the tailgate hinges (one strap each side), leaving the glass anchor tube hanging freely inside. The hatch is then carefully closed, trapping the anchor tubes against the interior trim. Both straps are then attached to the cycle carrier, and the remaining fitting instructions are followed.

Maintenance Features

The manual provides several recommendations for ongoing maintenance and safe use of the carrier:

Strap Inspection: Carrier straps must always be re-tightened after cycles have been mounted. They should be routinely checked for signs of wear and abrasion. Any worn straps must be replaced immediately to ensure continued safety and secure transport.
Post-Drive Check: After driving for a few miles, users should stop and check that all straps are secure and tight. If necessary, straps should be tightened, and any loose ends tidied away. This check should be repeated at suitable intervals, depending on the nature of the road and journey.
Cleaning: While not explicitly detailed as a maintenance feature, the instruction to ensure the vehicle boot lid/rear bumper are free from dirt and grime before fitting implies that keeping the contact surfaces clean is important for secure attachment.

General Recommendations and Safety:

Vehicle Suitability: Avoid fitting the carrier to vehicles with insufficient bodywork strength, trim, or items such as aerofoils or spoilers.
Rear Wiper: Be aware that the carrier may obstruct the rear window wiper. Do not operate the wiper with the carrier fitted.
Cycle Positioning: Ensure cycles do not project beyond the vehicle's profile and that no part of any cycle touches the paintwork.
Legal Compliance: The use of rear-mounted cycle carriers may be restricted in some countries outside the UK. Users should check with relevant national tourist authorities before commencing their journey.
Abrasion Prevention: Use cloth or foam padding to prevent abrasion damage between cycle frames or between cycles and the carrier. Halfords foam pad cycle protectors are available for this purpose.
Exhaust Clearance: Care must be taken to avoid placing cycle tyres near the exhaust. Ensure satisfactory ground clearance is maintained between the cycles and the road, especially when negotiating rough road surfaces, humps, and ferry ramps.
Weight Limit: Do not exceed the maximum load of 30kg (2 adult cycles).
Lighting and Number Plate: To comply with road traffic regulations, a lighting board/number plate is required if the vehicle's existing lighting/number plates are obscured by the carrier and cycles.
Driving Characteristics: Be aware that carrying cycles will affect the vehicle's handling characteristics (e.g., cornering, braking, side winds). Drive with care.
Instruction Retention: Retain these instructions for future reference and ensure any other users of the cycle carrier are familiar with their contents.
Boot/Tailgate Operation: Do not open the boot/tailgate with the panel hooks in position, as this could damage the vehicle or carrier.

The manual also includes a "Fitment Guide" listing non-recommended fits for various vehicle models, primarily due to insufficient strength of panels, unsuitable body curvature, impeded fixing points, or insufficient strength of hinges. For these vehicles, alternative carrying solutions like roof mount or tow ball mount carriers are suggested.