Thule Roof Rack?

canada16

Ok guys.

I finally got some money by selling some bits from my bike and I was going to buy a bike rack

I am sick and tierd of waitng for my mate to come out as he has a van, and If I want to go anywere I need to take my wheels off and SQUEEZE the frame in the back of my fiesta, and I mean squeeze. Oh and I cant put down the seats as I have child seats in the back and they are a nightmare to fix in.

I only have about 100.00 maybe squeeze to 125.00 I need a carrier for a 04 fiesta 3 door, and have no idea what I am looking for, whats good ect.. .

I really like the roof racks, but I cant find a full pack including legs ect. and would really like the thule ones, unless another one is better,

Please help

Thanks so much

msloan

i am looking at buying one of these, not a great deal over your budget and you can see the replies to my post about the saris bones 3 here, hope this helps

canada16

Hi thanks for that.

But would really like roof racks.

Has anyone got the thule racks, what do I need and costs ect..

Any help would be great.

Thanks again

canada16

Hey does anyone know what I need?

Sorry been looking for ages, and its a mine field.

I like the thule ones, but cant find a pack, the bars alone are over 100.00 plus 65.00 for the rack.

Do these come in kits to buy the whole thing?

Thanks again, just urgent to get one soon.

sniper68

I've had roof bars on my last 4 cars and swore by them.My new car has a computer and its frightening how much extra fuel it uses with the racks.It a diesel Vectra estate and i can get 50-54mpg on a run at 75mph.With bikes on that drops to 35mpg :shock: With just the racks on(no bikes) it drops to 44mpg.Around town etc with just the racks its 30mpg :shock: compared to 40mpg without racks. I now put the bike in the back of the car,and only use the racks if there's 2 of us.Bear in mind that you'll probably leave the racks on the car as they're fiddly to fit,so your fuel consumption will rocket.
I think rear mounted carriers are much better for fuel consumption and cheaper initially to buy.My roof bars cost £110 and 2 barracuda bike racks cost £100.

canada16

Uhmm thats quit a bit of fuel. :shock:

what are the rear ones like to fit?

As I would assume you take them off when you are done

couldashouldawoulda

I've got both a boot mounted carrier and a Cruz roofrack with bike carriers from http://www.roofbox.co.uk/bike-carriers/ ... -deals.php

You can get bars specific to a fiesta and 2 bike carriers for about £75. The carriers are basic but do the job well and include locks on the arms. The only fiddly thing is that you have to remove one of the bolts to mount the bike then put it back in once the bottom bolt is tight. I'm sure you can spend more on better carries and get better looking ones / easier to use.

I got fed up with the boot mounted version - taking it off to get into the boot was too much hassle eg when we were away for the weekend getting our luggage out. So now I use the roof bars all the time and even leave them on most of the time. I like them so much I got another set for the second car!

I dont notice much difference in fuel economy with the bars on - maybe 1 or 2 mpg with no bikes and 3-4 with bikes on - in both cars.

Imo the only downside of roof systems is that if it rains on the way back from a ride you end up with mud on roof of the car so sometimes I give the bikes a quick clean before mounting them,.

sniper68

Rear ones take about 5 mins.I believe the saris bones is the strongest.Remember though if any part of your rear lights or numberplate is obscured you need a light board.So get a high level rear carrier like this:

http://www.leisure-mart.co.uk/shop/vclo ... =140004239

It only takes one jobsworth plod and you'll get 3 points and a fine for obscuring lights/numberplate.

sniper68

couldashouldawoulda wrote:

I don't notice much difference in fuel economy with the bars on - maybe 1 or 2 mpg with no bikes and 3-4 with bikes on - in both cars.

That's what i used to think until i got the computer.If you're set on roof mounted try these
http://www.bikerackshop.co.uk/mont-blan ... -racks.htm
They actuall hold your bike in place so your hand are free to lock the arm,straps etc.Mine are the older version and still going strong at 5 years old.

timmys

canada16 wrote:

Hi thanks for that.

But would really like roof racks.

Has anyone got the thule racks, what do I need and costs ect..

Any help would be great.

Thanks again

You need the roof bars and a rack for each bike.

I got some used thule bars off ebay for about £60 and then bought two thule proride 591's for about £60 each (new).

Look at the Thule website and I'm sure it will tell you what parts you need for your car. You basically need the actual bars (there are standard square section ones or more aerodynamic aluminium ones) and then the right "feet" and "fitting kit" for whatever car it is. When you know what you need you can seach around for the best prices and compare used ones on ebay to new prices.

Here's where you check what you need:
http://www.thule.co.uk/appguide/

canada16

Will keep looking as dont want to pay like 150.00 just for a rack

Was also looking at this as well

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Thule ... 360045246/

jake_tenfloors

For thule bars from halfords your gonna be looking at about £30 for the fitting kit, £30 for the bars & about £70 for the footpack.

Then the bike carriers are gonna be about £60 each to put on the bars.

Altough they do some of there own Advanced carriers which are about £80's for the pair because they're bogof at the moment.

Jake

dostle

i got a complete thule roof rack including bars and 2 x 591 pro rides and 2 x 530 free ride bike carriers for just under 200 quid at roofrackshop.com (i think) so you mut be able to get what you want for cheaper than that, ebay ??

btw, the carriers and roof racks are excellent, would highly recommend the 591 pro rides as its one handed operation.

nwmlarge

any tips on how to carry an orange patriot on a roof rack ?

canada16

Had a look at they cost 120.00 for the feet locks and bars.

Then 65.00 for the rack, bit to much for me.

canada16

Just found out that I cant get that one from wiggle.

I need the 9305, which is a high rear and people say its heavy, it doesnt store well and its a nightmare to put on and off.

So looks like roof racks are my only option.

So expensive though, might have to leave it,

Thanks for your help guys.