[Closed] Thule cycle carriers for roof bars - any good?

very good indeed (make sure you do the straps up though).

notice it most after a ride - no faffing about when knackered, just pick it up, put it on roof, and you're good to go.

We had a Ford Ka and I used it with Thule 530 bike roof mounted carriers all the time. Very easy to load the bikes as the car was quite low. Only thing was that when you had the boot open, the window would hit the back of the carriers but didn't do any damage and could still access the boot fine. Great car...gutted when I scrapped it 🙁

(Still got the original Ford roofbars if anyone needs them)

I used to use the freeride ones (cheapest ones I think). They were great for my old Stumpy, and my brothers hardtail, but wouldn't take my Patriot as the forks were too long. Haven't tried them with my new bike as they aren't long enough to go on my astravans roof bars (got a rhinotube so can't put them closer together). Just make sure your bike will fit. I preferred them to a boot mount as they seemed more secure, and you can get in the boot easier.

Ive just taken 3 bikes on the roof to Morzine and back (one of which was a Spesh Big Hit) using new thule carriers. Absolutely faultless and faff free.

+ If you are prepared to shop at Evans, they will price match any on line supplier, so I got mine for £63 each!

I've the 591 carriers, quite impressed with them, but starting to think the ones where you remove the front wheel and attatch the fork dropouts would be more stable, and avoid the telltale signs of paintwork marking on downtubes! Also some frames are not suitable on these carriers.

Just remember they're on top! Seen to many smashes into carpark barriers! Otherwise they're great!

Thule 951's here, no problem at all even at speed on the autobahn.
They wont take many DH rigs though as the arm is too short and or the clamp goes were the shock mount is. They will take most trail bikes though with ease.

What mickasaki said. I've used 591s for several years with no problems whatsoever.

But I'm going to get the one where the front wheel comes out and the forks clamp to a QR on the rack, just because the linkage on my Commencal is right in the way of the 591 clamp.

Will definitely be getting Thule though.

Hmm, i have a Wolf Ridge & the shock mount takes up pretty much all of the down tube, plus having 20mm axles means i can't QR the forks to the carrier.

Will have to look & see if one fits the bike. G/F's bike will be fine though!

Stick some heli tape on the tube where the clamp grabs it, or they will damage the paint over time. Otherwise, they work well with minimal hassle at the end of a muddy ride.

Some forks aren't recommended for rack mounts - my DT for one - different set of stresses with the direct side to side movement I think.

I've the ones where you remove the front wheel and attach the forks to Thule carrier as described above. They are great!

Adaptable to suit both Aero bars and normal roof bars. Once on the roof the bikes are totally safe and solid (and lockable - not an expert on Thule so not sure if the 591's are the same). We've driven with both bikes on the roof for several week long camping trips now with no problems. I would totally go with the comment of ease and simplicity of putting the bike on the roof especially if you've been ragging it and are done in. If space in a Ka is an issue or, if like me, the dog wants the whole boot to himself and isn't into sharing it with wet shoes, sweaty camelbaks and muddy wheels then the wheel carriers are good too. Two bike carriers + two wheel carriers easily fit within the width of the car

put a strap between both the bikes too. seen my mate's let go at very low speed, and the bike fall to the side, and cause a dent to match the one on the other side of his car's roof ( wheels still held in place ). he was understandably a bit ticked off. then watched him have to get his keys out to unlock the clamp in order to refit the bike. the ratchet thingy had just slipped. not good.

Also have Thule Aero bars and 591 carriers (x2) - pretty much faultless.

muddydwarf - Member
Hmm, i have a Wolf Ridge & the shock mount takes up pretty much all of the down tube, plus having 20mm axles means i can't QR the forks to the carrier.

Will have to look & see if one fits the bike. G/F's bike will be fine though!

If the Thules don't fit then look at the Atera Giro.

591's are good but if your precious of your bike's paint job a put bit of H-Tape around the downtube where the clamp goes, as there's always a bit of play and a muddy gritty frame in there will get scoured pretty quick.

I had the coating rubbed off my rp23 on my old hemlock because the clamp of the 591 was rubbing on it - not to happy about that! I ended up using a bit of pipe lagging on the shock after that. I assume it would be a similar problem with trek fuels etc where the lower shock mount is on the downtube near the bottom bracket. The previous frame, an 07 wolf ridge only just fit the rack because the clamp had to go between the swingarm mount and the bottom bracket, and didn't go all the way in. I didn't replace the marin with a newer wolfridge, as i suspect they wont fit at all due to the change of shock/swingarm mounts. Fairly sure that Thule do racks that accept 20mm axles now though, so i'm probably going to change to them when i get some spare cash!

I've got 2 591 and one of the front wheel off clamp ones in the middle, they are changeable for 20mm and QR and I've made an adapter to take my 15mm.

all been great and I've had loads of different bikes on them and driven all ove the place.

(Still got the original Ford roofbars if anyone needs them)

Will they fit a 2008 (old shape) Fiesta Zetec S? Thinking of getting roof bars as I can't fit a boot mounted one and a towbar is bloody expensive (not to mention ugly).

How are they at motorway speed though - do they ruin the mpg and are they stable?

[i]Will they fit a 2008 (old shape) Fiesta Zetec S?[/i]

Sorry Tom as I'm not sure. They fit directly into slots on the roof and then as you screw them up the two Ls expand out into the slot...clear as mud explanation 😕

haha that makes sense, won't fit mine then as its got no roof mount slots.

_Tom_

yes of course they effect MPG but depends if it's your only way to transport your bike/s you have to do it.

Stable, yes I also put some extra straps/bungees on for "peace of mind" but there is no need if you strap/lock the racks down properly

Just bought the Halfords Advanced cycle carrier twin pack for £69.99 🙂

Seems identical to the Thule freeride one so happy with the price.

The clamps are adjustable to take different downtube sizes & we even managed to get the wolf ridge to fit!

Obligatory plug for [url= http://www.roofbox.co.uk ]Roofbox[/url] - excellent service, unbeatable price, and they've a configurator thing on the website where you can plumb in your car details and it tells you what you need.