Bike roof racks on cars

[VamP]

Nope, when you do rescue you always end up with the "special" ones. The numbers are dropping now, we were at 13 a couple of years ago.

 

[CopperCyclist]

Thule 591 gets my vote. I have one and am looking for a second. However, it's worth remembering if you have a tall vehicle such as a Freelander that's it's much more difficult to lift bikes up that high, and you may want to bring a small foldable stepladder unless you are 6' 4" +!

If you aren't towing, I'd look at tow bar carriers with a Freelander. Will be pricey if you don't already have the tow bar fitted though.

 

[Kies]

I went with a Thule 591 and it works great.
You do need to be a certain height for your car so the mounting/unmounting of the bike(s) becomes easier

 

[stu1903]

I use the 591 on my 2006 Honda CRV. Thankfully I'm tall as my road bike is made of carbon so light to pick up.

 

[snorri]

Need a much bigger cage.
Dogs = 6

No worries, but I would recommend an extra couple of shock cords

 

[DRHysted]

No worries, but I would recommend an extra couple of shock cords

Not a fan of shock cords. Tend to use ratchet straps if I want it to stay still.

 

[EltonFrog]

Thule 591 for me too. I have two and have taken both our bikes, either the Hybrids or the Road bikes on many thousands of miles, safe with the knowledge the bikes are not going to fall off. Great bits of kit.

 

[snorri]

Not a fan of shock cords. Tend to use ratchet straps if I want it to stay still.

Me too, the dog box in the pic looks decidedly unsafe, hence my whistling smiley( ) .

 

[youngoldbloke]

I have a Thule 591 copy. It's nice and stable etc (just took my road bike the 800 miles to and from Scotland with no issues).

I have to say though I prefer my club-mates Thule 561 and find it easier to fit the bikes on. It also seems like a more stable design as there are 3 points of contact to the car as opposed to just the wheels, which also means the front end can't try to shimmy in the wind, which my 591 copy does without an extra bungie or tie-wrap securing the front wheel to the down tube.

With the 561 though you do have to have room in the car for the front wheel.

- I strap the wheel to the bike frame tubes and roof side rail. Provides extra bracing to the bike as well.

 

[Kies]

Thule 591 for me too. I have two and have taken both our bikes, either the Hybrids or the Road bikes on many thousands of miles, safe with the knowledge the bikes are not going to fall off. Great bits of kit.

Does anyone cover the bikes whilst on the roof .... thinking specifically about motorway speeds

 

[EltonFrog]

Does anyone cover the bikes whilst on the roof .... thinking specifically about motorway speeds

Not me.

 

[youngoldbloke]

No, too much hassle. Not sure it would help anyway. Find fuel consumption rockets as soon as I even think about putting the bike on top. Flies etc wipe off fairly easily!

 

[EltonFrog]

wot he sed /\

 

[Simon_m]

WE are pretty tall, 6.2 and 6.5, but it would be a hassle to lift them up, your right, not thought of that. A step ladder would be helpful, but not sure if we would be able to get the angle right to lift on top. Hmmmmmmm. Maybe just take the bike to bits and throw it in the back, and try not to buy too much wine. Thanks

 

[Teuchter]

WE are pretty tall, 6.2 and 6.5, but it would be a hassle to lift them up, your right, not thought of that. A step ladder would be helpful, but not sure if we would be able to get the angle right to lift on top. Hmmmmmmm. Maybe just take the bike to bits and throw it in the back, and try not to buy too much wine. Thanks

I found this problem after changing cars to a people carrier thanks to the need to sometimes carry 3 kids, 2 of whom are gangly legged teenagers and a dog (also gangly legged) in the back.

Had no problem lifting bikes onto the roof of the previous car (a Focus) but really struggled with the people carrier (Nissan Tino). The solution I eventually settled on (after taking a step ladder with me in the boot) was one of these:

Cost me about £3. It folds flat and fits under the driver's seat when not in use. Gives me just enough extra height to lift the bike up without any hassle.