Thule Freeride 532

[mcshroom]

I have two. They are easy to use and grip the bike well, even at Motorway speeds. Make sure the tie straps are holding the wheels down firmly. The straps can also be reversed so that you can fit the carrier on either side.

Also worth putting a visual aid in the window to remind you that there's bikes on the roof.

 

[Crackle]

I've had the predecessor to the 532's for twenty years, still going strong. Two of them and two 591's. Slightly more faff than the 591's but that combo allows four bikes to be mounted on top and the 591's inboard make the mounting relatively easy.

It does add up though. I needed new bars and mounts for the new car and then spent a few hours getting the four set up on top.

Also. If there's any possibility that I might leave the bikes out of sight for a few minutes, motorway services or such, I also use a cable lock from the bike around the carrier body/car, as it's relatively easy to rip the bike off even though it's locked.

 

[John the Monkey]

[QUOTE 3868838, member: 45"]I prefer the 532s to the more expensive 591. They're lighter, narrower (can get more on a rail) and grip the bike better.[/QUOTE]
This. I prefer that they clamp the downtube side to side, not up and down like the 591.

The 591 is easier to mount a bike on though (that turny doodah near the rail is used to raise and tighten the arm and clamp, so no need to get the steps out).

 

[John the Monkey]

If your dont have roof bars already be aware that you will probably need the correct fixing brackets for your car in addition to the roof bars and the bike carrier. When it's all added up the cost of getting towbar fitted doesn't seem so out of the question.

FWIW, when we totalled up the cost for our last car, it was still cheaper to get bars (we use Atera, supplied by roofbox.co.uk) and carriers - that may depend on the car you have, and how many carriers you need, mind.

The bars are also pretty easy to move on once you change cars - we've generally made between £40 and £50 on each set, which defrays the cost of the next lot somewhat, although we didn't include that in the towbar/roofbar calculation.

 

[fossyant]

I have 4 532s on my car. They are badged Halfords Advanced but are 532s. Got them for about £120 excluding the roof bars on a bog off sale. Had them some years. Don't think you can get 4 pro rides on.

 

[fossyant]

PS once you start getting more than two racks on then it's a two person job to fit. They are heavy.

I would also recommend you use an additional toe strap on the front wheel to stop shimmy due to aerodynamics.

 

[fossyant]

[QUOTE 3869359, member: 45"]It's easy to do if you fit the bars first then the racks individually.[/QUOTE]

I have mine all built up and we usually take it off whole. That's blinking heavy.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I would also recommend you use an additional toe strap on the front wheel to stop shimmy due to aerodynamics.

On that subject, I found the rear mudguard bridge of my bike broken after the last long journey. I'm guessing that the wind caused some flutter in the mudguard, causing the bridge to get fatigued and fail. Or perhaps it was just coincidence. Nothing that a couple of cable ties couldn't fix.

 

[fossyant]

[QUOTE 3869443, member: 45"]I can imagine. I take ours apart as it's easier to store.[/QUOTE]

I hang mine up in the garage. Bloody heavy though.

Had the Fixie on the roof last two trips and the guards did seem ok on the motorway although will need to keep an eye on that. Much easier with one bike on the roof than 4 at motorway speeds.

 

[Crackle]

I have mine all built up and we usually take it off whole. That's blinking heavy.

That's what I do. I used to be able to manage it myself on previous cars with roof rails but the current one is too wide and no rails means it needs to go exactly on the fitting points, so it's a two person job.

 

[hobbitonabike]

Yep...it's possible! Bloody hard work when you are short though!!

 

[fossyant]

Yep...it's possible! Bloody hard work when you are short though!!

That's good going. I have seen a photo of 4 bikes on a mini roof.

I have my outer two racks fitted part way over the roof feet, but that's with the cheaper 532.

 

[hobbitonabike]

Wow a mini! That must be easier height wise lol.

 

[fossyant]

Wow a mini! That must be easier height wise lol.

But not very wide.....

 

[Rustybucket]

My Dad's new Mini & Tandem bike rack - nearly longer than the car!!!