Which bike rack?
Discussion
I have a 2005 Audi C6 A6 Avant, and I would like to buy some kind of roof rack for my, and my wife's mountain bikes. There isn't currently a roof rack fitted, although it does have factory fitted roof rails. We are weekend bikers only, and it will only be used locally so entry level kit will be fine. Can anyone recommend me something - with a link?
Thank you!
Thank you!
So looking on eB@y it seems I need to get some roof bars first. Hopefully I can pick up some second hand genuine Audi ones for about £80. Then maybe something like this:
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=...
Will I be able to leave the above on durring the week without a bike in place. Seems expensive?
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=...
Will I be able to leave the above on durring the week without a bike in place. Seems expensive?
After trying a couple of different (I.e. cheap and useless) boot mounted racks, we went for Thule aero bars and the ProRide carriers:
http://www.thule.com/en/gb/products/carriers-and-r...
Not especially cheap, but if you're a British Cycling member Halfords give you 10% off and we got them to fit ours for free, not that it's difficult.
Dead secure and simple to use, plus they're probably the best looking roof rack too.
Oh, if you have carbon bikes you may need a carrier that doesn't clamp on to the frame; some say using one risks splitting / damaging the bike.
http://www.thule.com/en/gb/products/carriers-and-r...
Not especially cheap, but if you're a British Cycling member Halfords give you 10% off and we got them to fit ours for free, not that it's difficult.
Dead secure and simple to use, plus they're probably the best looking roof rack too.
Oh, if you have carbon bikes you may need a carrier that doesn't clamp on to the frame; some say using one risks splitting / damaging the bike.
I got a Thule 561 bike carrier as I've got a carbon frame. Only downside is with a through axle front fork you can't use the standard locking mechanism that comes with the carrier.
You have to buy a £30 adaptor just to mount the bike.
Cost me £86 for the carrier. Halfords did a price match for me.
You have to buy a £30 adaptor just to mount the bike.
Cost me £86 for the carrier. Halfords did a price match for me.
I couldnt justify the cost of Thule bars and fitting kit, I went for a Cruz aero kit for my car.
I did however buy 2 of the Thule 591 carriers as they are just the best and quickest to use,
Best place I found was Ford online, think I paid £65 each delivered for them.
If you have the side rails fitted already it may reduce the number of options on roof bars, but some (like the Cruz bars) have the same slots as Thule so you can fit the carriers using their fitting kit supplied.
Oh to add, Ive got a carbon frame MTB, the clamping forces arent that massive, though it is quite an oversize tube that it clamps on. No signs of damage so far....
I did however buy 2 of the Thule 591 carriers as they are just the best and quickest to use,
Best place I found was Ford online, think I paid £65 each delivered for them.
If you have the side rails fitted already it may reduce the number of options on roof bars, but some (like the Cruz bars) have the same slots as Thule so you can fit the carriers using their fitting kit supplied.
Oh to add, Ive got a carbon frame MTB, the clamping forces arent that massive, though it is quite an oversize tube that it clamps on. No signs of damage so far....
Edited by With these feet on Sunday 19th April 11:19
Look for Thule or Mont Blanc on ebay.
It's also worth doing generic search for "roof bike" or "cycle roof" incase someone puts stuff in the wrong section.
I got a cracking deal on my mont blanc racks as the seller had them in camping equipment, because they only used them when they went camping .
It's also worth doing generic search for "roof bike" or "cycle roof" incase someone puts stuff in the wrong section.
I got a cracking deal on my mont blanc racks as the seller had them in camping equipment, because they only used them when they went camping .
Thank you all for the information. Firstly, I'm shocked at how expensive everything is. I think I priced £500 worth of kit it Halfords yesterday! So I'm going to try and buy second hand on eBay. I'd rather buy better used kit, than new rubbish that I'm going to end up buying twice!
My wife does however have some concerns about being able to put the bikes on the roof on her own? She is 5'8 and slim build? So, she would rather one of those boot racks, which I'm not keen on....
My wife does however have some concerns about being able to put the bikes on the roof on her own? She is 5'8 and slim build? So, she would rather one of those boot racks, which I'm not keen on....
My missus is 5'4" and can get a bike on my HRV. On my car it does need a little technique, but when the car is lower its a 10 second job, open the clasp, lift the bar so the down tube sits in and the bike will lean into the carrier. Support with one hand and tighten with the other, do up the wheel straps and bingo.
Only issue is when you have 3 or 4 on the roof, but I'd assume the man of the house would be there to help then....
Only issue is when you have 3 or 4 on the roof, but I'd assume the man of the house would be there to help then....
Thule stuff sells for high prices, even second hand. OR sellers won't post (collection only).
Best solution for long distances is a tow-bar mounted solution. It's rigid, can tilt to allow you to open your tailgate, partially shields the bikes from the wind-rush, and doesn't touch the car. Requires a tow-bar though. Factor this into the overall costs and see how much the difference is.
The tow-bar mounted racks are heavy though, and you wouldn't want to leave them on the car because they add to the length of the car. If it suits you better to leave your carrier on the car, you want a roof rack and bike carriers. You can quickly chuck a bike on when you need to without having to worry about mounting the carrier first.
Best solution for long distances is a tow-bar mounted solution. It's rigid, can tilt to allow you to open your tailgate, partially shields the bikes from the wind-rush, and doesn't touch the car. Requires a tow-bar though. Factor this into the overall costs and see how much the difference is.
The tow-bar mounted racks are heavy though, and you wouldn't want to leave them on the car because they add to the length of the car. If it suits you better to leave your carrier on the car, you want a roof rack and bike carriers. You can quickly chuck a bike on when you need to without having to worry about mounting the carrier first.
I use a thule wing edge roof rack as it looks the coolest although I saw a BMW like mine with a lower profile rack in traffic the other day but I'm yet to find out what rack it was and exodous cycle carriers I paid £75 for a pair from halfords then bought another 2 for £20 from ebay can't fault them.
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