Universal roofbars

[mikeyr]

Until now neither car I've owned had had any sort of roof channel so I've been using the inflatable Handiracks for transporting one kayak (or two kayaks on occasion). Well now I am the proud owner of a car with actual fix points (a 2010 Peugeot 3008 since you asked!). Which means I can hopefully move away from the fun of relying on a couple of balloons to hold my kayak in place; although to be fair they've been good, just a lot of faff strapping things down.

It's only once a month on average so I don't want to go all out on a fancy expensive set. Just need the basic version really. So my questions are:
1. Are all fix points the same? E.g the bolt size etc? Or car/model specific
2. Any recommendations?
3. Are there common bar sizes for attaching things like kayak holders, etc?

Ideally I would like to keep the spend under £100 and I'm happy to buy second hand if that's a better way to go. But want to make sure I get something that fits my car!

[Mr Pointy]

When you know what you need keep a lookout on FB Marketplace as I found Thule roofbars turned up quite frequently.

[Bill]

Worth looking at roofbox.co.uk if only to see what might work. Roof fixings are specific to the car, but you normally buy a specific base and add the generic brackets and bars to make a kit. The carriers for kayaks etc fit into standardised grooves on the top of the bars.

[TwinKam]

Bought second hand for my last three cars through EBay. Go for OE if you can, they're always a better fit and better quality.

[chip*]

Yakima Whispbar, decent quality and quiet.
They are regularly available on eBay to save some cash.
Contact roofbox.co.uk to buy the cheap fixing suitable for your car.
If you change car in the future, just buy another set of cheap fixing from roofbox.co.uk

(Firstly, I would go on roofbox.co.uk and type your car details and check the roof bar options).

Edited by chip* on Thursday 23 January 12:15

Edited by chip* on Thursday 23 January 12:16

[mikeyr]

Thanks all, that site is good and I've found a set of bars with 75kg load so going to order them up and see what might be good in way of useful accessories.

[C n C]

Although you'll no doubt already have ordered them, I'l just add that I've got Cruz aluminium Aero bars from roofbox.co.uk on both my Civic and Octavia (neither car has any roof bar fixing points), so the bars sit on rubber pads on the roof, and hook under the edge of the roof.

As has been mentioned, you buy the generic bars, and the fitting kit/feet suitable for the model of car you have.

The Cruz are very similar to Thule and Yakima bars, supporting standard T track accessories, but are at a lower price. Quality is, however, very good, and they are extremely solid when fitted.

I've had no problems at all regularly transporting 2 or 3 decent sized creek/whitewater kayaks on trips from London to North Wales, Dartmoor etc.. As they are aero shaped, when driving without kayaks on the roof, and just the bars, there is very little wind noise - only really becoming noticeable at around 75-80mph and above. Very little impact on fuel economy as well.

[Steve Kimberley]

As above, Roofbox.co.uk are excellent, and I've had a few sets of Cruz bars from them over the years (steel square-section first, and the Aero ones now.
Always excellent.

[ColinM50]

Just looked at roofbox and their quote for bars for my Niro is £150 whereas Halfords is £90 so not sure what the extra cost is all about