Looking at both, thule looks good quality as ever (591 is out my budget) but mont blanc looks well thought out - only niggle is having to let air out my MTB tyres to fit it (max 2.2 tyre width) but as I have a tall car (berlingo) then maybe the the freestand feature before you secure the arm will be good? I also like that it can hold kids bikes too.
Any thoughts?
We had some old thule freerides (were much heavier than the one you are looking at) and they were great. We changed cars and we had to loose some weight of the roof (weight limit of the new roof was less), so changed carriers to some german brand. They were rubbish (would come undone!), so we now have the 591's.
I would recommend the roofbox company, as they were really good when our others failed and they changed all carriers after about a years use. Also I think they are a good price on their site.
I think the 532's are lighter than the 591's now, which is good, especially if you are carrying 4 bikes and need to keep under the car's weightlimit for the roof.
I do find the 591's fit any bike (so far, from kids to 29'ers and our norco b line 24), with minimal adjustment. We were a little concerned about the single arm not being stable, but all is well after several long trips (alps, holland). We did like the security of the freerides with the double arm, but a pain to adjust for different bikes.
Sorry bout the rambling, hope it helps (a little)
Simone
Cheers for the advice - really like the 591's but price is a bit steep at about £80, the 532's seem good value - the only downside is the lack of adjustability on the arm.
I like the fact that the mont blanc holds the bike in place before you clamp the arm - but it is bulky. will consider the 532's - weight is not a major issue as I would only fit one, maybe 2 carriers as I can get a few bikes inside car.
Look up the ford spares place as they have 591s for under £50 each.
I have 2x 591 and one of the older front wheel off ones I picked up for my carbon bike. The newer front wheel off ones can be adapted to different axle types.
Personally, if starting out again I would fit a tow ball and get a tow ball mounted thule. Either the dedicated bike one or the platform you add bike racks or other things to.
ahh they are now £58: http://www.fordonlineparts.co.uk/category/Towing___Carrying/Bicycle_Carriers,i.html
They were about £47.
I've used the Mont Blanc in the past for over 12 months with no issues of fitting the 2.35 Nevegals or the 2.35 Rampage in the front wheel holder, maybe just a bit of a wiggle to get it in but never had to let air out. Found them to be very secure and dead easy to use and adjust and as you say can take pretty much all bikes inc kids/road etc.. apart from a tandem ;-).
Cheeky highjack/link but I do have one for sale if your interested, if you want any photos drop me a mail - http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/fs-mont-blanc-cycle-carrier
Carl
I have the barracuda one. Seems pretty good to me and no problems fitting an awkward shaped full-sus into it. The fact it stays upright is quite good too. I'm looking for another one at the moment but might go down to the mont blanc scott. (carlos - i'd be interested in your barracuda but it is only 50-55 quid posted at a lot of places). They seem to be cheaper than the equivalent Thule and come with all relevant bolts to fit into aero bars.
I have four 591's on our CRV. They carry everything from a BMX to my 29er with very little adjustment. Letting air out WOULD niggle you, the whole point of the carrier is that it is fast and secure. As others have said fordonlineparts have them for £58.32 today.
You may also need one of these of you have more than two...
[img] 
[/img]
Cheers - nearly bought the 591 from ford parts but I think they have ran out as you can't actually buy them on the site, only the old 530's
In the end went for the 532 from skidrive at £45 posted - seems good value. I will buy a second rack and think I may go for the mont blanc for the road/cross bike (£55 posted) and use the thule 532 for the MTB. However if the Thule works I will buy another.
The cheapest I could find the 591 was about £75 or so.
Not looked at any of the prices for your specific ones but Fordonlineparts (or similar) had great deals on the 591s which I bought and are fantastic.
Nothing wrong with the Freerides, very good racks. Only issue is they clamp at the top of the arm. I use the Freerides on the outside bikes and have bought the more expensive 591 for the inside bikes. Its a tallish car (Honda FRV) and I'm only 5'8". The 591 makes clamping the bike down a lot easier as you dont have to reach the top of the arm, it also stays in position whilst you hoyk the bike up.