Recommend me a roof mounted rack!

[Ray Luxury-Yacht]

Morning all.

Off up to Norfolk on Monday, and I would like to take two mountain bikes with me.

I would like one of those roof racks where the rack and bikes will be nice and secure and unlikely to come crashing off at 70mph on the M25!

What is a good unit please and where from? Car is a 2001 Skoda Octavia if it makes any difference.

Thanks in advance!

[Andy OH]

Have a look here http://www.thule.com/en/GB/Products/Base-Racks and search for products specific to your car and here http://www.thule.com/en-GB/GB/Products/Bike-Carrie... the Thule Pro Ride 591 is the choice of many.

or pop down to Halfords and see what they recommend

Edited by Andy OH on Friday 30th December 13:11

[duff]

I've been using a Thule 591 for a few years with no problems. Cheapest online (Towbarman on eBay) but as you need them fast I think they're around £80 each in Evans. Obviously the bars/footpack are going to be from Halfords etc. Not a cheap set up, prob around £250-300 for a couple of carriers and the bars.

[Watchman]

Another recommendation for Thule 591 bike carriers on a thule roof rack..!!

[Teebs]

I paid £200 for 2 x carriers, bars and feet from "the roof box company". Quick delivery also.

The 591's are the best carrier in my opinion.

[936ADL]

Thule 591 here too. The best on the market!

[Ray Luxury-Yacht]

Thanks chaps, looks like the 591 will be the one - but I didn't expect the price

It had better last me a lifetime!!!

[CoolC]

They do work out expensive when buying the whole lot in one go.

It's a shame you need them in a hurry as with a bit of patience there are some bargains on Ebay.

I found roof bars for my A3 and two Barracuda racks for £40 as they were badly listed.

[fid]

Not sure how much is usual for the 591 rack but I've just noticed this whilst looking for other things so thought I'd post! http://www.fordonlineparts.co.uk/product/Thule_591...

[gary71]

Sorry to resurrect an older thread but before I make an investment in four Thule 591s for our family bikes has anyone used one with a bike that has cables on the downtubes? My old Cannondale has both gear cables on the front face so I guess clamping will be a problem.

Any ideas?

I could get one of the fork mounted ones for my bike, but then I'm not sure all four would go on the roof!

[CoolC]

I can't see it being a huge problem as long as your careful loading it.

If it does bother you though, the Baraccuda racks I mentioned in my previous post clamps the sides of the down tube. THESE

[Watchman]

gary71 said:

Sorry to resurrect an older thread but before I make an investment in four Thule 591s for our family bikes has anyone used one with a bike that has cables on the downtubes? My old Cannondale has both gear cables on the front face so I guess clamping will be a problem.

Any ideas?

I could get one of the fork mounted ones for my bike, but then I'm not sure all four would go on the roof!

Yes, I have exposed cables on my downtube and the 591 has rubbed the paint off my downtube. I spotted it but I'm not too precious about my bikes and it's only a little rub but clearly it's not an ideal arrangement.

In fact, I wondered why they didn't make it so it clamped the sides of the tubes - would have made more sense to me.

[anonymous-user]

i use proride 571s but stick some foam pipe insulation on the frame where it clamps and it protects the frame and cables. it also stops the bike from wobbling a bit if its not a standard frame design. i find the 571s fine for regular hardtails but anything with an odd down tube can cause problems, especially if there is a shock or mounting point in the way. also i dont like clamping stuff really tight directly onto the carbon frame so the pipe lagging helps there too.

some cling film wrapped around the forks and shocks will protect the seals from wind and rain if you use a roof mounted rack, if the bike is on the roof and you are doing 70mph, chances are dirt and stuff will get pushed into the shocks etc especially on the way back from a wet ride.

[dicktracy]

Plus 1 for Thule 591. We have two and they work with both road and full sus mtbs..

[gary71]

pablo said:

some cling film wrapped around the forks and shocks will protect the seals from wind and rain if .... chances are dirt and stuff will get pushed into the shocks etc especially on the way back from a wet ride.

Shocks? What are they This must be some new fangled invention.

Thanks to all for the comments, I don't want to scratch it anymore than it already is so I'll chose my carrier carefully and maybe use some extra padding as well.