Carrying bikes on roof....

[simon the viking]

thanks for the replies.... been thinking of getting roof carriers for a while.. will look into the types suggested

 

[screenman]

I think there is a bike race around France each year where a lot of expensive bikes are carried on roofs, so I guess it should be fine.

 

[ColinJ]

You will be fine as long as you don't try to drive through any height restricted barriers.

Was thinking of damage to bikes.... Anyone had any problems

There have been cases ...

 

[simon the viking]

There have been cases ...

View attachment 146341

Oops

 

[briantrumpet]

I prefer a towbar-mounted rack, for a number of reasons: less wind buffeting and less effect on mpg, not having to lift the bikes up onto the roof, being able to see them while you drive, no problem with restricted height (some ferries charge more for bikes on roof). I didn't have a towbar, so just factored that into the overall cost. The rack has done, ooh, roughly 10,000 miles up to speeds of about 85mph, and nothing's ever been damaged. And that's just a cheapo Halfords 4-bike rack (£180).

But obviously lots of you get on fine with racks on the roof!

 

[briantrumpet]

[QUOTE 4494452, member: 259"]Me too, by miles, but the OP is after a roof rack![/QUOTE]
True... but if someone isn't really aware of the other options (or their benefits), they might not know whether they might be better... I merely hope to enlighten a little...

 

[simon the viking]

True... but if someone isn't really aware of the other options (or their benefits), they might not know whether they might be better... I merely hope to enlighten a little...

The towbar rack is a better option... but obviously the towbar has to be factored in as you say.... so a bit off budget....

 

[briantrumpet]

The towbar rack is a better option... but obviously the towbar has to be factored in as you say.... so a bit off budget....

I only started looking at towbar options when I realised how expensive the Thule option was, once four racks and the roof bars were taken into account. I think my total spend was about £460.

 

[russ.will]

I've had no issues with carbon on a Thule roof rack. IMHO, people do them up too tight, when the shape of the jaws means the bike couldn't possibly come out, once it's tightened just enough and then locked.

 

[KneesUp]

Towbar - free (negotiated as part of car sale - it was from another car of the same model at the garage, but it's just a lump of metal with holes in the right places - cheap enough secondhand, especially compared to the cost of branded roof bars and branded carriers, and step ladders to get the bikes up.)
Fitting - £60 (mobile fitter - took about 90 minutes)
Rack - £15 (although I see the same model is £20 now)
I also have a Maxx Raxx that my brother gave me as he stopped using it, which means I can carry one bike when towing (my trailer doesn't have a long enough draw bar to fit more) but if I'm not using the trailer I use the £15 one as it fits in in less than a minute and is considerably lighter.

 

[Jamieyorky]

I have done York to Cornwall twice aswel as York to the Lakes with my Carbon road bike on the roof. I only use the halfrauds lockable bike carriers but its been fine for me at 70mph never done over that though !

 

[John the Monkey]

Regarding cost, we've never been able to get the recurrent cost (i.e. that incurred on changing cars) of a towbar system to the point that it makes sense for us, but then we also have no need to tow anything.

The roofbars are car specific, but we usually get 50-60% of their value back on eBay, which goes against the cost of a new set.

Here's a version of what I usually post when the subject arises;

We've always had roof mounted systems - usually Atera bars (we generally get 50-60% of their value back by selling them on when we change cars.
We're trying Cruz's cheap bars this time, and they're ok, although the fitting system isn't as nice as Atera's.

We had Cruz Bici carriers initially, which are quite agricultural, but cheap, and not half bad, I have to admit. I recently bought a Thule Freeride for my bike, and whilst it's about 3x the cost, the difference in quality is very apparent - the Thule is easier to fit, locks to your roofbars and is easier to secure a bike to. I've used hired Atera Giro carriers, and while they're ok, I prefer the Thule Freeride, personally .

We've also used the bars for a roofbox - even on our Corsa, a long medium box fits alongside the freeride nicely. To lift the bikes onto the roof, we used to carry a small set of steps in the boot.

Whilst a towbar rack is appealing, we don't have a need to tow anything, and the recurrent cost is higher than replacing car specific roofbars with each vehicle change.

 

[mcshroom]

I've had no issues with carbon on a Thule roof rack. IMHO, people do them up too tight, when the shape of the jaws means the bike couldn't possibly come out, once it's tightened just enough and then locked.

Very much this. I've carried all sorts of bikes, including mine and a friend's carbon bikes in my Thule 532s. You only need to clamp the downtube just tight enough that the bike doesn't move in the clamp, there's n need to make it any tighter. The straps, especially the front one, contribute a lot to holding the bike on the roof.

Just avoid multi-stories and other height restrictions, and try not to look at the fuel economy you are getting. Also if you are driving to the Isle Lewis, check if the Calmac have any rues on carrying bikes on the roof. I don't think they do, but I've only ever caught the ferries having cycled there

 

[Sharky]

In the old days, we just used simple ladder racks, with no special cycle carriers. Just turn the bike upside down and rest the brake hoods on one of the racks. Use a couple of toe straps to make secure. Then a sponge under the saddle, resting on the other rack and another toe strap to make secure. Took my bike to Brittany using this method. No problems.

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

Two things that have not been asked/mentioned are;
What car is it?
How heavy are the bikes?

We used to have a Ford C-Max (damned horrible thing that it was - totally hateful). & getting items into a roofbox was bad enough, as it was higher than the normal Focus it's based on
I once had the bike-rails up there, & nearly ruptured myself putting daughters (usual gaspipe special) up on it

I prefer a towbar-mounted rack, for a number of reasons: less wind buffeting and less effect on mpg, not having to lift the bikes up onto the roof, being able to see them while you drive, no problem with restricted height (some ferries charge more for bikes on roof). I didn't have a towbar, so just factored that into the overall cost. The rack has done, ooh, roughly 10,000 miles up to speeds of about 85mph, and nothing's ever been damaged. And that's just a cheapo Halfords 4-bike rack (£180)

I concur, having used all 3 types
I'd go for a towbar mount, given the choice

In the days of old, I'd get one fitted at a local specialist, then wire them myself, including the 'audible warning device' (for indicator function)
Some of my Land Rovers, even had an 'tell-tale' in the instrument panel. once the relevant relay was changed, the little (trailer shape) light flashed too

Sadly, nowdays, with CAN-bus wiring, etc, it tends to be a rather more specialised job