Roofbars, myth busted...
lm_trek
Posts: 1,470
..well i think so!!
Many a time of heard bikers and other roofbar users complain the roofbars damage the roof of the car they scratch due to dirt getting under the grips and between the metals, ive seen this on many threads across mbuk and whatmtb.
Well today for the first time in 18 months i removed mine, and nothing no marks no damage nothing, ok there is some damage to the plastic sill that runs the length of the roof but i did that to get access to the screw in points for the front bar. I cleaned the contact areas and popped the roofbars back on again, car looked naked without them!!
So what did i do differently???
Firstly i used citroen bars for my citroen car, no thule or halfords makeshift jobs i paid extra for the offical bars, secondly i cleaned the contacts before fitting the roofbars and used the clear plastic stickers trimmed for size for the rear bar as they latch above the rear passenger windows, all cleaned before hand.
Ensured bars where straight and secured in place, and thats it!! cant understand all the fuss other people make.
The reason i use roofbars is i drive a C2 VTR, and there is no room for 2 bikes in the car and all my other stuff when going on holiday so the bars came for that great trip to scotland last year and have stayed ever since.. but i would recommend thule cycle carriers they seem the best at the moment!!
Many a time of heard bikers and other roofbar users complain the roofbars damage the roof of the car they scratch due to dirt getting under the grips and between the metals, ive seen this on many threads across mbuk and whatmtb.
Well today for the first time in 18 months i removed mine, and nothing no marks no damage nothing, ok there is some damage to the plastic sill that runs the length of the roof but i did that to get access to the screw in points for the front bar. I cleaned the contact areas and popped the roofbars back on again, car looked naked without them!!
So what did i do differently???
Firstly i used citroen bars for my citroen car, no thule or halfords makeshift jobs i paid extra for the offical bars, secondly i cleaned the contacts before fitting the roofbars and used the clear plastic stickers trimmed for size for the rear bar as they latch above the rear passenger windows, all cleaned before hand.
Ensured bars where straight and secured in place, and thats it!! cant understand all the fuss other people make.
The reason i use roofbars is i drive a C2 VTR, and there is no room for 2 bikes in the car and all my other stuff when going on holiday so the bars came for that great trip to scotland last year and have stayed ever since.. but i would recommend thule cycle carriers they seem the best at the moment!!
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Comments
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Erm......Well done?0
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are roof racks any better than the ones you put on the back of the car? anyone able to give me some pro's and con's of them?0
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My roof bars do mark the paint work where the rubber seals touch the roof. Last time I had the rack off, I polished the marks out, and put on some small bits of clear vinyl to protect the paint.
It's one of these things that'll depend entirely on the roof bar design.0 -
Balls!! why didn't I think of clear tape on the car???
You could well of saved me a couple of grand there! My Punto's tailgate is a bit battered from the Saris bones rack I use. If the sun ever comes out and I get a chance to wash and T-cut the marks I'm gonna have to get some 'copter tape.0 -
I wouldn't personally use copter tape on car paintwork.
Copter tape can be quite difficult to get back off, whereas vinly will quite easily come off with the aplication of a bit heat.
Go to your local signwriters and ask for some clear off-cuts.
I used off-cuts from my Bro-in-law, as he cuts his own vinyl logos.0
