whats the best roof mounted bike carrier system?

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whats the best roof mounted bike carrier system?

21 posts & 13 voices | Started 3 months ago by slimjim78 | Latest reply from andyl

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slimjim78 - Member

I've just bought a pair of 'aero' style roof bars for my car, and intend to use a roof mounted bike carrier (x2) from now on. Trouble is I have no idea what to look for and what to avoid.

Other than knowing 'Thule' is a highly regarded brand, what models/types should I be looking for?
What's the best fixing system?

I have been using a Saris Bones rack on the rear of my (former) car until now and despite being happy with it im not convinced its the safest method of keeping the paintwork intact on my seat tube, nor is it a great idea to repeatedly expose the paintwork on my boot/bumper to associated wear and tear.

Are the through axle types better for fixing bikes to roof bars, or down tube grips?
Whats the most comprehensive and best regarded out there?

Example links would be appreciated.

Posted 3 months ago #
theflatboy - Member

i personally like the thule 561.

Posted 3 months ago #
DaveyBoyWonder - Member

Thule 591s

Been using them for about 6 or 7 years and they're spot on. Rated to quite a bit in excess of the speed limit

Posted 3 months ago #
weeksy - Member

Thule Outride for me, secures bike on forks instead of frame.

Posted 3 months ago #
theflatboy - Member

yep, weeksy, that's the 561. it's quality.

Posted 3 months ago #
TroutWrestler - Member

No. The best is the Thule 594 Sidearm. You can't buy it in the UK though.

Posted 3 months ago #
theflatboy - Member

TW, never seen the 594 before - just googled it. that looks ridiculously sketchy, there's no way i'd put my bike in that and trust it!

Posted 3 months ago #
b r - Member

Just watch out for car park height barriers...

nor is it a great idea to repeatedly expose the paintwork on my boot/bumper to associated wear and tear.

All you've done is move the possibility of damage to the roof and sides of the car..., been there and done that - a pair of Bombers do a lot of damage as the bike pivots on the locked in rear wheel and rotates down the side of the car

Luckily it was a company car

Posted 3 months ago #
TroutWrestler - Member

The most common rack in North America by far. Ridiculously easy to load, and totally stable. Can be used towbar mounted to for the double win. Or in the pickup for the triple...

Posted 3 months ago #
ltheisinger - Member

591's for me. Been using them for the last 3 years and been many many miles with them - no issues at all.

Posted 3 months ago #
arcoolc - Member

I have a pair of the Barracuda racks like this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mont-Blanc-Barracuda-Roof-Mount-Cycle-Carrier-Pack-2-/200650437194?pt=UK_Sports_Leisure_Cycling_Bags_Panniers_SR&hash=item2eb7b2b24a

They are the only roof mounted racks I've owned so can't compare them with anything, but certainly seem to be on a par with the Thule racks I've seen when we're all parked up at group rides.

I was patient and got a badly listed pair from Ebay for £32

Posted 3 months ago #
slimjim78 - Member

is the 561, or any other similar axle clamp design, compatible with 20mm axles? I have a mix of standard QR, and 20mm axle's to consider

Posted 3 months ago #
slimjim78 - Member

ltheisinger
591's for me. Been using them for the last 3 years and been many many miles with them - no issues at all.

Any worries about that clamp design damaging paintwork on the downtube?
I'd imagine mud/sand/grit could become troublesome should any get trapped

Posted 3 months ago #
ltheisinger - Member

Always carry one of those 'squirty' water bottle things and clear off the muck before I tighten the rack on to the bike. Also got a piece of an old inner tube that I wrap around the frame first. No damage to my previous bike (painted) or no signs of damage after carrying the new carbon frame either?

I never fancied mounting one of the most expensive parts on the bike into the rack (561) which is effectively being used for the stability (i.e. the fork).

Posted 3 months ago #
weeksy - Member

Should be slimjim, i have the 15mm axle conversion kit for mine, and the QR kit also. I'm sure a 20mm one is available.

Posted 3 months ago #
franksinatra - Member

591 for me. Solid and reliable, highly recommended. Sometimes the mechanism freezes in very cold weather.

Slight thread hijack but the 'arm' on one of my 591's doesn't hold itself up, so when I am putting the bike up I need to hold the arm with one hand. This is quite tricky as I have quite a tall car. Does anyone know how to fix this?

Posted 3 months ago #
ted1983 - Member

Thule ProRide 591, took 2 bikes over 350 miles and never bothered to check them I am that confident with it. No messing about with wheels on and off and fits pretty much any style of frame.

Posted 3 months ago #
MikeWW - Member

591 for me as well. Have 3 on the roof-work great

Posted 3 months ago #
superfli - Member

Not sure whats best, but I have a mix of Thule 591 in the middle of the roof, as they are easier to clamp up and dont need gibbon arms to reach, and Thule Freeride 532 for the outsides.

With a mix of clamps I can accommodate most frames. Had a 07 Giant Glory clamped in the other day and they have a super thick downtube where the shock goes through

Posted 3 months ago #
andyl - Member

I've got two 591 and an old QR only fork mount as when I built my C456 I didn't want to clamp the frame.

My gripe with the 591 is that to use them properly you have to one going forwards and one backwards. Yes yo can swap the bits round but ideally you want the clamp jaws coming in from the non-drive side and being hidden behind the chainrings for maximum security. Also when you switch them round one bike ends up being further forward which annoys me.

The latter fork mounts ones can be used with QR or 20mm.

I was a bit unsure about mounting it by the fork drop out too but if it can take my 90kg going down hill and bouncing off rocks it should be fine with the bike by itself. Would be nice to have an arm up to some part of the frame though to reduce the sideways loads.

Sadly I changed car and no longer have a roof rack to use them all on. Old bars are Thule Aeros to fit 5dr peugeot 306.

Posted 3 months ago #
andyl - Member

franksinatra - Member
591 for me. Solid and reliable, highly recommended. Sometimes the mechanism freezes in very cold weather.

Slight thread hijack but the 'arm' on one of my 591's doesn't hold itself up, so when I am putting the bike up I need to hold the arm with one hand. This is quite tricky as I have quite a tall car. Does anyone know how to fix this?

on the bottom of the arm is an O ring inside the plastic housing. Tighten the housing and it should stiffen up the rotation so it stays put during loading.

Posted 3 months ago #

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