Ordered a bike carrier for the car. That was another battle over indecision and procrastination!! I've got a Honda CR-V and I didn't want to be lifting bikes on and off the roof because of its height. I don't like the strap-on carriers and especially not the spare wheel type (scratched paintwork, strain on vertical door hinges, distinctly dodgy looking methods of attachment, etc.). But, I have got a towbar so that left towbar mounted carriers and internal ones. The point of this was to get the muddy bike out of the car. So, a towbar mounted carrier it was. However, I'm not keen on the hang-on variety because of risk of damaging hoses and cables under the top-tube. So that just leaves the stand-on variety. Who said I'm fussy!!? After much deliberation, measuring and shopping around I settled on Thule's cheapest towball mounted Ride-On variety. I thought I might lose the first slot because of the spare wheel so opted for the 3 bike version (9503). SkiDrive were cheapest at £90 including carriage www.skidrive.co.uk. Bizarrely second hand one's on ebay were bidding up to £70 excluding carriage!! Work that one out!?

The carrier arrived, SkiDrive were efficient, helpful and swift. I'm a little disappointed in Thule's packing; the tubes were a little scratched in places, but that's minor. Worse - one light lens was broken and a reflector had come off. So, it's not 100%. However, built, it's sturdy and fits positively and firmly to the towball. I can confirm the 9503 fits a Honda CR-V and may allow the use of all 3 slots with care. I would imagine the 2 bike 9502 would be similarly dimensioned. It's worth mentioning my towbar is long at 140mm from bumper to towball centre, so that helps it clear the spare wheel. As for the damaged bits, true to SkiDrive's prior swiftness a lens and a some fresh double sided tape for the reflector is apparently on it's way to me. Can't fault it!