After several weeks of lugging the bikes around in the boot this “summer” the car is beginning to look and smell like a stable, so it is time to get the bikes up on top. I’ve already got a set of roof bars so I just need a couple of carriers (ones that don’t require the removal of the front wheel).
What is good that doesn’t cost the earth?
Im about to sell some cheap!
vw original ones. Crash city i think there called.
Mail me if interested.
edit like this
http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/owners/accessories/touring/6Q0071128A/bicycle-holder?mark=all&previousCategory=all&search=Bicycle+Holder
I personally find the added wind resistance of carrying on top and the resultant increase in fuel consumption put me off a 'permanant' roof mounted carrier. The fuel and speed goes down noticably with the bikes on the roof.
When I can, I carry them in the boot and use an old duvet cover to wrap around and wash it often but, when I want to carry them on the roof I have my own little system which doesnt use actual carriers.
I have foam covers on the roof bars (pipe lagging taped on would do), I then have 4 ratchet straps which I cut real short. The bikes go upside down with the bars along the roof bars, one forwards, one backwards. I then ratchet the grips to the roof bar each side, and finally put a third strap around the other roofbar and the upturned saddle.
Its rock solid, pretty quick to do(although not as quick as a dedicated carrier obviously), cheaper, and produces less wind-resistance than a couple of carriers in addition to your roof bars....
I just whip the roof bars off and stick them in the boot for non-bike trips. Saves petrol.
Nosey,
YGM
Harry
I've got some Atera Giro AF's that are OK. I had to send one back as the locking mechanism on the arm failed, but it was replaced no questions.
I now use a bungee cord around the clamp just to be doubly sure that the bike can't come off. It's a good visual confirmation that everything is tightened up that needs to be.
I've got a pair of Thule ProRide 591. Either the clamp or the wheel trays aren't far off being able to support the bike on their own, but together they don't move at all. They don't look too bad just left on the roof when you're not using them and with aero bars the fuel economy difference is negligible and they're non corrosive so they still look brand new.
Downsides:
They're not cheap, I got mine out of the classifieds for £40 and £50 and i've seen better deals come up everynow and again.
The locks aren't good enough to leave with bikes on out of your site for too long but they are good enough that the scalls couldn't get just the carriers alone off the roof at Salford Sainsburys the other day.
The clamp grips so tightly combined with a bit of peak district dirt has ground off a bit of the paint on my downtube.
I've got a Mont Blanc Barracuda that I'm looking to sell if your interested??
I found that they Fitted and secured the bike well round the down tube, Are robustly made, Lockable, No real issues with tyre width as I used nevegal 2.35 and needed nothing more than a wiggle to get the tyre seated, can be fitted left or right hand side
Same as - http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=50059
If your anywhere near Stockport/The Peak, used (obviously) but in great condition with keys and foot pack for roof bars. £40 collected or upon meet up.
e-mail in profile if interested
Carl