Bike Racks - Roof or "trunk"?

bentes

Hi all!

I had a Thule Proride 591 fitted to my old car (Peugeot 307). But now I changed cars and found out that the roof bars (horizontal) for the new one (VW Golf V) are very expensive (around 250€). So I did some digging and found this solution http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=28383 wich is a lot cheaper and allows for 3 bikes.

These:

or these:


So I was wondering what you guys think is best, the roof racks, or these trunk racks.

Thank you for all your help.

Best regards,
RB

ads4

I had Thule 591s on my Golf GT MKV but found them very noisey. Changed cars and now have the Saris Bones rack which is excellent, very secure and quick to fit/detatch.

Cheshley

I have roof mounted Mont Blanc racks but before that I had a Halfords boot mounted 3 bike set up similar to the one in the link. The rack itself was very secure but I would make sure you buy extra straps to hold the bikes on and if you're carrying more than one bike make sure to check carefully for anywhere they can touch and pad them and the rack itself well with something (I used foam pipe insulation).

ScottAspect45

I always worry about boot racks damaging the car, they seem to have massive metal hooks and whatnot?

nicklouse

Tow bar then roof.

Miggins

I've got one of these:

http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.204-2168.aspx

It's great - rock solid.

bentes

thanks for your opinions guys,

I really like my thule roof rack, pitty about the bars, so maybe for that amount I may buy a decent system that allows me to carry my and my girlfriends bikes.

I am a little affraid the boot racks damage my car also, although Thule is known for its quality, I think.

Thanks for the tow bar idea, gotta check that out (and also see how much a tow ball costs. )

rudedog

my order of preference would be tow bar carrier then roof carrier

I'm really not keen on the 'hang on' ones as aside from being less sturdy, you can't get into your boot once they are mounted

Although that Thule one from Tesco seems like one of the best designed I've seen of that variety - looks like it will do a very good job of preventing 2 bikes from rubbing while in transit.

paulbox

I would always go for roof carrier over boot mounted ones, you should be able to find other manufacturers of the mounting bars that are cheaper than you have quoted. Amazon UK have many cheaper versions.

Some positives for roof mount over boot mount:

Less likely to damage your car Less likely to damage bikes (if carrying more than one) Most roof carriers have locks which means that you can leave the carriers on the car when off for a ride, the bikes are also more secure while you pop in to a pub... Access to boot with bike mounted

bentes

After seeing your helpful answers and a little googling, I think it's down to towbar or roof racks.
I think they're safer "bikewise" and "carwise", and also "thievewise".

I'm inclined to towbar ones because it seems like I can get one to carry 2 or 3 bikes for the same price as a couple of roof bars and an extra roof bike rack.

Still gotta figure out how much a tow bar costs since I got none fitted to my car.

Thank you for all your inputs and advices. Please keep them coming as they are all very welcome.

nicklouse

bentes wrote:

I think they're safer "bikewise" and "carwise", and also "thievewise".

thief-wise there are no options other than not leaving them on/in the car.

just have a read through the stolen sections on here.

Muddy1182

Before you shell out, try and see if you can see a Thule 9106 rack fitted.

From the jist of things, peoples opinions on here are that rear mounts aren't as sturdy as roof bars. I can honestly say i can hang on mine and it doesn't budge. It's great for 2 bikes and can be added to if another person comes along who needs a bike.

I tried roof bars, but hurt my back strecthing onto the roof of my Mk5 Golf which ruined my days ride. The Thule clamps and locks each bike in place. Used it on the motorway and the bikes didn't move.

I was tempted to go for a tow bar rack, but didn't want the extra expense of having it fitted. My main criteria was having the bikes secured by both the frames and wheels. Each being locked in place. Unremoveable without keys.

Highly recommed it. Oh and as for damageing the car, i have 2 x 12" lengths of old inner tubes covering the already soft powder coated hooks just in case.

Briggo

PaulBox wrote:

Some positives for roof mount over boot mount:

Less likely to damage your car Less likely to damage bikes (if carrying more than one) Most roof carriers have locks which means that you can leave the carriers on the car when off for a ride, the bikes are also more secure while you pop in to a pub... Access to boot with bike mounted

In terms of theft I disagree, the Thule 591's are awesome and yes do lockup however if you reeeeaaaally think about it and really look at them you'll see how ridiculously easy it would be to take the carrier off the roofrack with bike attached.

Snip snip snip, done...

Basically no carrier is safe and I certainly wouldn't leave the bikes on top without the car always being in full view.

thelonegroover

Depends on how many bikes you want to carry. If you need 4, then I think a roof mounted system will be needed.

pemsey

http://www.towequipe.co.uk/

Have a look at Towequipe for towbars and advice - and bikeracks too - good prices and very helpful. Fitting the towbar yourself is not too difficult either - guess you might need vehicle specific electrics or bypass relays if it's a "newish" car though.

At least with a towball rack there's something fairly solid to run chains etc through if you do have to leave the bikes on the car - I've used roof mounted racks and I reckon most of them would give way with just a decent tug on the bike frame as the main securing arms are only fixed on with rivets in most cases. Even ones like the OP linked are only alloy tube - If leaving out of sight I'd always put an extra lock on just to make thing s slightly more difficult for the toerags.

Also worth remembering that a lot of car parks have height restrictors - I've seen it done and it's not pretty and generally very expensive :!:

I use a Witter ZX88 rack fitted behind the towball - it has the advantage it breaks down quickly and easily and takes up hardly any room in the boot of the car - handy as it's always available then if needed Others such as the Buzzracks Moose Bars also look good - but don't forget to check the nose weight max on the towbar setup - a lot of cars are only 50kg which only takes a couple of bikes and a rack to exceed

scale20

Briggo wrote:

PaulBox wrote:

Some positives for roof mount over boot mount:

Less likely to damage your car Less likely to damage bikes (if carrying more than one) Most roof carriers have locks which means that you can leave the carriers on the car when off for a ride, the bikes are also more secure while you pop in to a pub... Access to boot with bike mounted

In terms of theft I disagree, the Thule 591's are awesome and yes do lockup however if you reeeeaaaally think about it and really look at them you'll see how ridiculously easy it would be to take the carrier off the roofrack with bike attached.

Snip snip snip, done...

Basically no carrier is safe and I certainly wouldn't leave the bikes on top without the car always being in full view.

How would you snip snip the bike carrier off the rack? The roofrack locks to the car, the bike carrier locks to the roofrack and the bike carrier clamp locks down onto the bike. I use the Thule aero bars and the 591 slides onto the roofbar via the groove and little square tabs. Once that's on it aing goin anywhere.

The rear mounted carriers are way too easy to have away. I know of an incident where 2 bikes got nicked still on the rack, all the thieves had to do was cut the webbing straps and they were away in seconds with a van.

I am inclined to go with a towbar mounted rack for my next car however I always have that thought in the back of my mind that if someone smashes into the back of your car the bikes get it too.

No matter which way you look at it there are pro's and con's.

Briggo

The three clamps that hug around the roof bars, the T bolt that hangs down from the 'lever' could be cut with some bolt cutters and the whole thing lifted up.

Not sure how the Thule Aero bars work but my 591's certainly don't slide onto the roof bars, they sit on it and its clamped down by the T bolts and ajoining U shaped arms.

heez29

Briggo wrote:

The three clamps that hug around the roof bars, the T bolt that hangs down from the 'lever' could be cut with some bolt cutters and the whole thing lifted up.

Not sure how the Thule Aero bars work but my 591's certainly don't slide onto the roof bars, they sit on it and its clamped down by the T bolts and ajoining U shaped arms.

Aero bars have a channel on them and therefore the carriers can clamp into the bars aswell as clamping around the bars.

Briggo

heez29 wrote:

Briggo wrote:

The three clamps that hug around the roof bars, the T bolt that hangs down from the 'lever' could be cut with some bolt cutters and the whole thing lifted up.

Not sure how the Thule Aero bars work but my 591's certainly don't slide onto the roof bars, they sit on it and its clamped down by the T bolts and ajoining U shaped arms.

Aero bars have a channel on them and therefore the carriers can clamp into the bars aswell as clamping around the bars.

Info I didnt know and am now tempted to look into getting the proper Thule bars, was rather worried when I first put the Thule591's on the Ford bars and seeing potentially how easy it would be to bolt cut off.

bentes

heez29 wrote:

Aero bars have a channel on them and therefore the carriers can clamp into the bars aswell as clamping around the bars.

Peugeot bars also had that channel, so they were pretty cool. And only cost around 100eur.

Just been in the volkswagen dealer, the towball system (without the carrier) would cost me 900€! :shock: almost 400 for the towball, 300 and something for the electric wiring and around 70/90 for another "bumper skirt" - the bit of plastic that comes under the rear bumper...

Oh well... I guess I'll give another look on the roof bars and the Thule 9106 rack that Muddy1182 sugested.

Once again, Thank you all!

Southern Monkey

Best option that works for me is the Thule Aero bars with the 'T' adapters and Thule 591 bike racks, it takes 5 mins to put the bars on as I leave the carriers on the bars permanently. I have managed to squeeze five bikes on mine and if we are leaving the bikes outside the pub we just d-lock the bikes to the bars.

I have tried the bike racks but these are not so secure, have caused dinks in the paintwork and i've also had the paranoia of expecting to see my pride and joy bouncing back down the road in my rear mirror.

I have been looking at getting a tow hook but I would have to cut the rear lower bumper of the car so check if you would need to do this before ordering a tow hook.

paulbox

Just to clarify my point, the roof bar solution is definitely not totally secure, I wouldn't leave my car out of site with the bike on top, however, I am happy to risk the carrier left on the car while away for a ride.

Rear mounted carriers are nearly all held in place with straps which can be stanley knifed and away in seconds.

Muddy1182

The rear mounted carriers are way too easy to have away. I know of an incident where 2 bikes got nicked still on the rack, all the thieves had to do was cut the webbing straps and they were away in seconds with a van

This can not be done in the particular instance with the Thule 9106 and VW Golf in question. They'd have to steal your rear hatch to get the bikes off. All fits so snuggly that the boot need to be opened when fitting or removing.

1. Lift onto bumper and slip top hooks into gap between hatch and roof.
2. Open hatch and slip bottom hook under edge of hatch and clamp down and shut boot.
3. Fit bikes, lock with locking Knobs.

You can even open the boot with bikes aboard.

I am inclined to go with a towbar mounted rack for my next car however I always have that thought in the back of my mind that if someone smashes into the back of your car the bikes get it too.

The bikes sit at window height. So you'd have to be hit by a lorry to cause damage at that height. Then again, any accident would cause damage to the racks.

I was looking at it earlier after readin this thread and will be adding my own safety feature of adding a couple of additional locks for the wheels as some one could remove my quick releases and be away with my wheels, but would have to saw the locking knobs off. 2 holes in the gullys holding the wheels, and a couple of cable locks, Job done. Without the front bike being removed first, the 2nd bike is safe. But i haave added a 2nd locking knob, just to slow the littlef#[@ers down. [/quote]

scale20

I see what you mean about that perticular rack, I was on about the cheap bootmounted racks with webbing straps and the towbar mounted racks that sit at towbar height.

ads77

Hi,

I have the Thule Aero Bars and a Thule 591 roof holder. Works a treat and is very easy to get both the bike and the holder on and off the roof.

Also, somebody mentioned and rightly so, that your car boot is not designed to be a load carrier whereas your roof will be fine with holding alot of weight.

A.