Towbars

[Max Headroom]

Sorry - I am sure I have asked this before in these forums but can't locate the topic. 

Is there a tow-bar for a 93 (Convertible, 2006) that definitely does NOT require the bumper to be cut?

I don't need this for towing, but for mounting a bike carrier to.

[Presto]

I have an Ironbull towbar on my convertible however you have to cut the bumper, but the cut is underneath the bumper and cannot be seen. I checked the website which is Australian and it appears it is no longer in existence. However all of the towbars were imported from Europe but whether under the same name I don't know.

[Presto]

Westfalia make one with an invisible cutout. Don't know how you would go mounting a bike rack to it.

[Max Headroom]

Thanks Presto - well worth following that up!

This is the kind of bike rack I'm on about....

[smurkenstein]

I have this one. No cut out needed on the 03 model.

http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=714301&postcount=9

[smurkenstein]

and I use it with my bike carrier - 2x kids and 2x adult bikes.

[Max Headroom]

Excellent! Thank you for that.

I have a 2006 convertible that I would like to carry bikes on. Last summer I did think that I had found a boot-mounted system that would allow me to raise and lower the roof without taking off the bikes and rack - but when I tried it out - it was clearly not going to work. So I think this is now the only option which will allow me to still open the roof with the bikes attached.

Just out of interest, what brand bike rack do you have? I have great confidence in Thule products - I used their kit years ago when I was windsurfing, and never had anything break or let me down.

[Audax]

Just out of interest, what brand bike rack do you have? I have great confidence in Thule products - I used their kit years ago when I was windsurfing, and never had anything break or let me down.

I'd open a new topic in off-topic (or follow on to one I started a year ago) but I have a cheap (£150) Thule 9403 bike carrier from Halfords which will carry 3 bikes, of course I should have purchased a 4 bike carrier. Anyhow, it's really solid, does what it should and I'm happy with it, Saab used to sell lots of Thule products via the accessory catalogue with a Saab badge on them so they must be OK 

[Alan]

I've got the Witter on my 07 convertible and it needed a bit taking out of the bumper. Looking at the photos on the 07 the bumper extends further under the back of the car than on the 03.

[Max Headroom]

Thanks Alan.

I have a big 'panel' extending forwards underneath, from the bumper and reckon it must be that bit that needs to be modified. I'll take a look at the Witter offering, and see what's involved.
Some kits seem to have electrics included and some don't

[Presto]

You don't have to cut much out at all. Biggest pain is removing and refitting the bumper without breking any of the plastic clips.

[Max Headroom]

Thanks for that, Presto.

Actually, I had no idea it involved removing the bumper. For some reason I had it in my head that it could be all done in 'situ'

[smurkenstein]

Just out of interest, what brand bike rack do you have? I have great confidence in Thule products - I used their kit years ago when I was windsurfing, and never had anything break or let me down.

The one I have is an automaxi.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Automaxi-Allroad-Towball-Cycle-Carrier/dp/B005JCJN84

Its ok. One thing I'd say is that for four bikes there are a lot of straps and there is quite a lot of technique to lineing them up and fitting them. After a bit of practice, it can be done in about 10 minutes including fitting on the tow bar. But expect it to take perhaps 20-30 minutes the first time or so. Also, there is a weight limit and I'd think four heavy adult bikes would go over. There is also a maximum speed rating. There are straps that are needed to hook over the boot (you can see this in the linked photos).

[Max Headroom]

Holy Cow! That's some bit of kit! 

I'll need to carry x 3 bikes at the most and all ours are seriously lightweight.

Thanks for all the info - I will look into all this a little more...