Thule roof set up...basics

[Tiggsy]

have I got this right.......I buy feet that are specific to my car.....then bars.......then the actual bike holder?

So if I'm looking on eBay and see a bargain for a different car....can I just then get new "feet"?

Car is a Toyota verso so no roof rails as standard.

[CoolC]

Pretty much yes.

Although you might get lucky as there are only a certain number of different "feet" that all attach to a lot of different cars.

Look on the Thule site to see which feet code fit your car, then search Ebay for Thule ###

[Tiggsy]

Cool. Last question. What's the difference between the bars? Square, aero....is it all looks? I assume any will attach to a Thule bike holder?

[NWMark]

You need the folowing

fitting kit eg 3039
feet e.g. 753
bars e.g. 861 (7xx square, 8xx aero, 9xx wing)

bars - aero (now replaced by wing) and square will fit all feet and all bike carriers, its just aero/wing are prettier and quieter.

You can also buy complete bar and feet units now where the bar doesnt extend past the feet, these are car specific and the range isnt currently massive.

[Tiggsy]

ok - all makes sense.....and is there anywhere to save? i.e - can I get cheaper mounts/bars and go with the 951 proride unit? or is every Thule bit of the system vital to it being a decent set up?

[anonymous-user]

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
Numerous sites tell you which parts you'll need for specific car. Then search EBay etc if you can be bothered !

[anonymous-user]

Have a look at the Seasucker Talon, it's very much not the budget option but it's a smart bit of kit and looks great.

[Tiggsy]

thats not bad at all - cheaper than a Thule set up

[oldcynic]

Depending on the car and driving the square bars can be very noisy, especilly in the rain. I have some in my armoury but avoid them like the plague except when using a roof rack which has U-bolts that won't reach round the aero bars.

I have found that despite what Thule tell you, sometimes shorter bars are better if they will actually reach across the car as you're less likely to knock your head on them getting in and out of the car - so the 105cm bars which were specified for my Golf are ideal on my V70 (which is meant to need 120cm bars)

[Dammit]

That's interesting - what age of V70 was it? I ask as I have an 850, and I am thinking of getting a roof carrier to bolt onto the roof-rails.

[oldcynic]

My V70 is 2003 with the standard roof rails.