Four bikes on car roof - possible?

proto
proto Posts: 1,483
edited October 2012 in Workshop
Five of us off to Ireland for a jolly and need to take four bikes, luggage and general stuff with us. Car is a large Estate jobbie (SAAB 9-5). I've got a Thule two bike carrier setup - the front wheel out, clamp the fork dropout type and can borrow another couple of carriers.

Question is, will the bikes fit on the roof, two facing forward, two facing backwards?

Anyone tried it? Squeeze a couple of wheel carriers on as well?

Comments

  • millymoose
    millymoose Posts: 117
    Four of us travelled to the Alps in July in an A4 Estate. 4 bikes on roof, 4 loads of luggage including tent and 4 blokes! Easy!!
  • Giraffoto
    Giraffoto Posts: 2,078
    Do take a moment to check the weight that your carrier/car is rated for - I've come across figures as low as 33KG! 50 - 75Kg is more usual.
    Specialized Roubaix Elite 2015
    XM-057 rigid 29er
  • nwmlarge
    nwmlarge Posts: 778
    check your ride height before setting off
    i had my a4 avant (all beit lowered) loaded up with 4 snowboard bags 4 suitcases and 4 people and when i pulled over the rear tyres were smoking!
    2013 Saracen Ariel 162
    2010 Specialized Allez in Matt Silver
  • navrig
    navrig Posts: 1,352
    Last year I took the family to Burgundy from Scotland. We have a 9-5 estate and it had the following:

    Thule tow bar carrier with 4 MTBs, Thule roof carriers with road and MTB bike and the estate full of luggage and food for four of us. Car coped well although clearance between tyre and rear wheel arches was minimal (less than a finger width).

    I have had 3 bikes on the roof and there was space for a 4th so should fit.
  • Todd Sweeney
    Todd Sweeney Posts: 117
    Just spotted this. I carry 4 bikes on the roof of my Peugeot 307 sw without any problems, using 4 Thule Proride 951 carriers (which are excellent). I've driven to the continent with them 3 times now, to Holland (twice) and the Loire, along with my wife, 3 kids and loads of luggage. The fuel economy takes a massive hit and it is noticeably slower up hills, but no issues apart from that.

    My youngest is now getting to the age where I will need to take a bike for her too, so I'm now pondering how to fit 5 on!
  • night_porter
    night_porter Posts: 888
    I have put 4 not so light mtb's on a Thule carrier on the roof of a Mondeo estate and the only problem was synchronising the pedals, saddles and handlebars. Because the pedals needed to rotate to get the gripping arms into place and the saddles caught on the handlebars. Once that was sorted no problems at all.

Categories