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Now we have mini-me, & I can't get a bigger car for a couple of years, looking at buying a [url= http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_709053_langId_-1_categoryId_165500 ]roof box[/url] to take extra kit. Thing is, I'd like one that'll take a bike if necessary, which means it will protrude about 300mm forward of the line of my windscreen. I presume the mpg will be ruined, but wondering if it affects steering at all, say, at 70mph down the M6? Anyone had 'the pleasure'?
Thanks in advance.
Why would you want to put a bike in a roof box? I've done it with small kids bikes, but an adult bike?
I travel lots with bloody gert windsurfers strapped to the roofrack and they,ve never affected the handling. At times you think the unsupported 900mm in front of the roof bars might snap off when travelling at 90mph into a 40mph headwind and spear through the windscreen and kill you but it's never happened ye...............ugh
Put wife and kids in roof box.
If you drive fast enough, you won't hear them.......
Roofboxes are affected by side winds a bit but not much, certainly not as much as a van for example
Would you not be better with a slim roof box and the bike alongside?
Just got a roofbox & was surprised by how quiet it was when driving. Doesn't overhang the windscreen right enough, but if you have the rails spaced properly can't see there'd be much of a problem unless it starts to interfere with vision. It should be designed to have as little wind resistance as possible so wouldn't act like a wing if that's what you're thinking
Just got one recently, and I would echo the comments above about not really noticing it. Mine does say inside to distribute the weight 25/50/25 front to back across the bars, I would assume that applies to most, so maybe something to consider for your intended set up. I did however notice that with the box off, the bars make quite a loud whistling noise if the rubber strips aren't in place (Thule aero bars).
Thanks for the comments. To address some...
Why would you want to put a bike in a roof box?
Mainly in colder weather - we travel 4 hrs north or south to my / her folks, and if I can take the bike in the box then our bags etc. wont have to deep freeze it on the trip.
Would you not be better with a slim roof box and the bike alongside?
Looked at that, but the slimmer box is actually 300mm longer, & I aint keen for my bike to be out in salty corrosion during winter. Probably will go for it, gotta do something for happy transportation times 🙂
Dont forget if you have a roof aerial at the front of the car that cannot be laid down that it will cause an issue. I run a huge aero Thule Box on the thule aero bars and there is way less wind interference with the box than with a single bike. the overhang may cause an issue with screen aerodynamics if your vehicle is shaped like a brick but as long as it is positioned as per innstructions there should be none.
Our roof box affected mpg by about 5mpg averaging about 80mph.
Its quiet with it on, but noisey if just the roof bars. Ours does get quite effected by side winds but our car is a people carrier type thing.
If your worried about spray affecting your bike I'd avoid riding it outdoors at this time of year.
Seriously just hose it down when you arrive. Much easier than the pain of trying to fit a bike into a box on top of your car. And then getting grease on the next thing you put in the box.
Also before buying from Halfords have a look at [url= http://www.roofbox.co.uk/ ]Roofbox[/url]. They may have a bigger range. And their advice in generally good.
Remove wheels and saddle from bike - place in car...put sheet over bike stuff and then put bags and other stuff on top of bike...close boot, pack child and wife in 2 seats, you get in drivers seat...go drive.
Why the need for the box at all? Everything will fit inside, but it'll need packed with thought.
If you do end up with roofbox, make sure the strap is put round it...seen too many rip open due to a sidewind and the owner not wrapping the strap round the box.
Bike inside box? How big a box do you plan on using? Slimline roofbox (if at all) and bike on roof...if you are that bothered with salt and stuff, wash the thing when you get to your destination (or take it for a very wet and muddy ride, that'll get the salt washed off!).
Sounds like you are looking at buying a problem to solve an rather simple situation...
Thanks for that link matthewjb - some better-value looking stuff to be sure. While I don't mind the bike on the roof for short runs, there's no way I'm subjecting it to 4+ hrs of fully-enveloping A9 / NW Highlands best road de-icer (rather anal on the cleaning front).
I've travelled to SW France about 15 times at max speed with 2 very long surfboards (9' and 9'9'') and two bikes on the roof. I can't say I noticed any difference with anything.
Wheels off it should go in a roof box ok. Most cars spec 75kg max on the roof. We use one for hols, with clothes in soft bags. It seems to make towing our caravan better. Will need some padding though, as it will slide abut a bit inside.
After having our car roll with our two young children inside, & seeing how stuff gets tossed around inside the car in such an incident; I'd not travel with children in a car packed to the gills with nice sharp bike wheels & frames.
Seems a bit anal to me!
Bike would hardly get touched by the spray if its on the roof. Just give it a wash and a lube when you get there if your that concerned.
4 hours on top of a roof, wont freeze it up, or make it disintegrate!
I would hate to see if you got a stone chip or something on the bike!!!
How about getting a hard bike case/bag, then loading/attaching that on to a luggage tray type roof rack. Bike specific, so less faff customising the padding of a standard roof box.
Seen some crazy sh1t carried on roofs / in boxes but never a bike in a box. You'll need one of the 'square' ones for starters and even if you get it in there it will make getting other kit in with it very awkward.
Hell, even Roadies dont do this - do they? Shove it in the car if you're that worried about it and put the wife in the box.
I aint keen for my bike to be out in salty corrosion during winter.
Aint gonna make the slightest jot of difference, whereas putting it into a box will be a right faff, and it's gonna get scratched. Stick the bike on a rack FFS! 🙂
Wow, transporting a bike in a roof box is a really dumb idea. In practice it will be a right faff.
I'd be very surprised if you got a bike in a roof box without taking the wheels, bars & forks off and possibly even the pedals.
Take the wheels off a bike and lay it on the ground with the bars horizontal - it's a big shape!
It's surprising the assumptions people, including myself, make.
take a bike [b]if necessary[/b]
Mainly in colder weather - we travel 4 hrs north or south to my / her folks, and if I can take the bike in the box then our bags etc. wont have to deep freeze it on the trip
The bike will generaly be taken in the boot, and bags in the box, once temperatures start rising & we're travelling for easter / summer etc. It'll just be good to have the option that I can fit the bike, wheels off & well padded, in the box if needed. Might well be going for [url= http://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4_tab.php/roofbox/kamei_delphin_380_roof_box_right_side_opening_no_km350_08135007_/njNA_vp%7BgnY2%40%7Br16%7BZ%7BKupZ7vsRWE%2C ]this one[/url]... having measured the frame etc. of my biggest bike on the ground it looks about right.
Thanks for the discussion, it would seem the answer to original question is 'no significant effects'... 🙂
I would be very surprised if you can get a bike in that Kamei Delphin. We have that one, or the one one volume size smaller and there is no way on earth a bike would fit in it. Its the box height and width that would restrict you. (I ride a small frame too)
Its much more sensible to fill the roof box with as much soft stuff as you can ie clothes etc so it is full to capacity, then put awkward stuff in the car.
Now he's worrying about how cold his clothes are gonna get 😉
You could always microwave clothes when at the destination if its a big problem?
Let's see if we can completely lose sight of the original question; "which battery tumble dryer..?" 🙂
Rob, I am with you on not wanting to subject my bike to an 80mph salt jetwash, so never put my bike on the roof. Ignore the ignorant posse
Go with a Thule box. IMO they look like they have been designed with a bit of thought for aerodynamic efficiency - for instance the bottom of my box drops slightly in front of the front mounting bar to divert the wind.
It will effect mpg, but have never noticed a significant effect on stability etc
Ignore the ignorant posse
Ignorance? You're havin' a laff, right? It's a MOUNTAINBIKE for pity's sake! They get battered by rocks and mud and chucked down big hills! Stick it on a rack like the rest of the world and stop mithering! 🙂
PP - that was meant slightly tongue in cheek. My bike gets covered in mud, clattered against rocks and generally abused but I don't jetwash it which is what you're doing in heavy rain at 60mph. In Scotland in winter that's a salt jetwash.
I also have the luxury of access to 2 cars, one of which will take me and the bike inside, the other will take me, two mates and 3 bikes inside. I don't keep a rack on either car so putting one on each time would be a right faff. Aside from that from a security perspective I don't really want £3.5k's worth of bike sitting on the roof if I'm having a pint or a meal somewhere
We have one and it hasn't really effected MPG at all (been on for the last 18 months) - it still hovers around the 32/34mpg mark (always was a thirsty car). Made several long journeys including one to Cornwall from Yorkshire and no handling problems at all. In fact I barely ever notice it is there at all unless there is a strong side-wind.
Car is a 2l Sport Mazda 3
A bike in the rain on the roof of a car travelling at 60 mph + is not the same as a jetwash is it? It's not even close. You can prove this too. Next time it's lashing down and you are in a car, wind the window down and stick your hand out. It'll get buffetted by wind and it will get wet, but that's about it. Next fire up a jet wash and spray it at your hand* from a foot or two away. It will sting / hurt, probably quite a lot. It's way, way more powerful than rain.
*actually, don't do that, it isn't sensible and could end up in tears!
pdf, completely non provable either way, but 2 facts to consider:
1) a car moving through rain will deflect rain and spray upwards over the roof to exactly where the bike would sit on a rack
2) a bike on a rack could be subjected to high speed salt water continuously for a couple of hours, as opposed to a couple of seconds with a jetwash
"Next fire up a jet wash and spray it at your hand* from a foot or two away. It will sting / hurt"
Have you tried cycling in to rain at 60mph? It hurst like hell !
I'd rather ride into a 60mph wind than ride into the spray from a jet washer!
Anyway, from [url= http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/rainwear+how+it+works.html ]this website[/url]:
3psi far exceeds the force of typical rain. Some comparative figures:
?Wind-driven rain: approximately 2 psi (1,408mm).
?Hurricane-force rain: 10 psi.
?Fire hose: 100-300 psi.
?Pressure washer: 1,000-10,000 psi.
So thats a massive difference
If you are putting a roofrack on your car get a good quality one and check its tight regulary and maybe even take it off and examine it.
OCD? not realy regulary on the M5 in the summer there are delays and crashes due to items falling off cars. I have seen roofracks at the beach that I wouldnt put a wind break on but yet they have a mountain of windsurfing kit on them. Many moons ago in Tarifa the roof rack of the car hire gave up the ghost when we came out of a cutting and hit the wind at full force the only thing that saved us was the fact the straps went throught the doors.