Might be a silly question, but just got some new ones delivered…
Are they supposed to be slightly bent?
If i put them on flat surface then there’s 5-6mm gap under the middle.

Mine are dead straight.

Think they’re supposed to be straight tbh. Both of them a bit bowed?

So were mine

i’m sure mines have a bit of a bow in them, i will check (once the snow clears)

Yeah, both the same bow.
Not that the silly pictogram manuals tell you owt.
861’s
Guessing that how they should be.

Same here

They are supposed to be slightly bowed apparently.

I think ours are bowed as well…at a complete guess, I’m assuming they are meant to be so that when weight is put on them they straighten (rather than bending) – not really sure why though but that is my thinking…

Has anyone had both aero and standard bars? I have the standard and was wondering whether the aero were worth replacing them?

Has anyone had both aero and standard bars? I have the standard and was wondering whether the aero were worth replacing them?

Yes

For function no difference, for looking better on the vehicle than the black plastic bars then miles better

I prefer the square versions…mainly due to them being cheaper…they do the same job and I’m really not bothered about how they look…I’ve had square and aero and I honestly can’t notice any difference in fuel economy.

I’d have the square ones every time over the aero as they do the same job and cost less…

aero bars are supposed to look better and make less noise. I suspect that it is 90% of the former and 10% of the latter.

I have never noticed if mine are straight or not.

Have been putting off getting some bars for a while now but will need them once the snow clears. Where is the best price? All I need are the actual bars themselves as I already have the mounting bit.

halfords will sell you the bits you need, even if it is just the bars.
IIRC, the bars are the cheapest bit.

Had both. Epic fail on the Aero bars that left 2 canoes on the M54. I now use Atera:

http://www.atera.co.uk/bars.php

I used to rate Thule products, but I’m not convinced anymore.
Hth
Marko