Mini roof bars and Thule 591 bike racks?

Mini roof bars and Thule 591 bike racks?

Author
Discussion

fivesixseven8

Original Poster:

6,146 posts

229 months

Tuesday 7th April 2009
quotequote all
Does anyone use this combination? Can you confirm that the carriers fit to the roof bars ok?

I'd rather buy the Thule bike carriers than the Mini ones as they just seem a bit sturdier and with £4k's worth of bikes up there I don't want them falling off!

RKDE

569 posts

212 months

Tuesday 7th April 2009
quotequote all
hi

Which model mini are you talking about? or which age, on the r56 shape the stock bmw one is a good strong unit, but on the r53 shape the bmw required the roof to be drilled to fit.

I use either my tow bar from minidomore.com or from what I have seen the thule seams to be a good system

fivesixseven8

Original Poster:

6,146 posts

229 months

Wednesday 8th April 2009
quotequote all
R56 shape with the factory mini roof system.


RKDE

569 posts

212 months

Wednesday 8th April 2009
quotequote all
OK

I have seen the factory one and my friend uses it for one of his 2k bikes, it is very supportive. The week part in the setup is actually the roof bars they do brake quite often where they clamp to the roof.

I have used the thule on another car the they where fine unfortunately I can't help with the fitting to r56. I would have though the will fit as they are adjustable

fivesixseven8

Original Poster:

6,146 posts

229 months

Wednesday 8th April 2009
quotequote all
Thanks for that.

Our bikes are around the same sort of value so you can see why I'm keen to get something decent!

The bars will be fitted for us by the dealer and will probably just stay on the car. If they break then I'll be straight back to them.
I'm planning to go to halfords for the Thule bike racks and have them trial fit one first.

RKDE

569 posts

212 months

Thursday 9th April 2009
quotequote all
The rack its self has a brass nut which you are given a small torque wrench to put on to the specified load but they often brake. the majority of people I know with the rack just leave it on because they are fed up with them.

The rack is locked to the roof too as well as the bike support being locked so you can keep the bike secure but I have seen some friends put on extra bike locks to the rack

Good idea to get the test fit!

Edited by RKDE on Thursday 9th April 12:20

fivesixseven8

Original Poster:

6,146 posts

229 months

Thursday 9th April 2009
quotequote all
RKDE said:
The rack its self has a brass nut which you are given a small torque wrench to put on to the specified load but they often brake. the majority of people I know with the rack just leave it on because they are fed up with them.

The rack is locked to the roof too as well as the bike support being locked so you can keep the bike secure but I have seen some friends put on extra bike locks to the rack

Good idea to get the test fit!

Edited by RKDE on Thursday 9th April 12:20
I'll make sure I get the wrench from Mini when we collect it then.
I'm 99% sure it will just stay fitted to the car as the wife and I are both rather lazy!

ss29

42 posts

206 months

Friday 17th April 2009
quotequote all
I have the Thule roof bar system on my 06 cooper it's alright and quite secure
but the rubber pads mark the roof quite badly. I'm currently going to change
back to my last system which is a towbar with the Thule three bike carrier
in my opinion it a far better system far more secure and let's you drive on
allot faster without feeling your carrying a bike. I cover allot of miles with
my bike on the car and also my friends as well and we have two expensive
bikes the towbar solution is far better and works out the same price if not cheeper

ss29

42 posts

206 months

Friday 17th April 2009
quotequote all
I have the Thule roof bar system on my 06 cooper it's alright and quite secure
but the rubber pads mark the roof quite badly. I'm currently going to change
back to my last system which is a towbar with the Thule three bike carrier
in my opinion it a far better system far more secure and let's you drive on
allot faster without feeling your carrying a bike. I cover allot of miles with
my bike on the car and also my friends as well and we have two expensive
bikes the towbar solution is far better and works out the same price if not cheeper