Forum home› Road cycling forum› Road buying advice

Roof mounted bike carriers- advice needed?

tonysjtonysj Posts: 386
edited January 2019 in Road buying advice
Hi All,
I'm after 3 probably 4 roof mounted cycle carriers to go on my roof bars and was looking for advice on which to buy.
I thought the Thule 591 will be a good model but the price, if I buy 4, is a bit steep for something I wont use all that often.
I spotted this one on an auction site and wondered if anyone has one who could offer advice on its suitability for mountain bikes and carbon/Alloy road bikes.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Roof-Mou ... 1438.l2649

They are obviously from China but posted from the UK so was hopeing they may be useable and worth a dip as at £33 each they are a lot cheaper than the Thule 591.

Putting them inside is my car is not an option or towbar mounting as I will towing a caravan some of the time when I need the bikes.

Any advice appreciated.

Regards.

Tony.

Posts

  • poptart242poptart242 Posts: 531
    We have a Thule 598 and an Elite San Remo, which was pretty cheap by comparison. It's rock solid - only thing is you need to store the front wheel. Not an issue if you've got the caravan to stick it in, I guess?
  • oxomanoxoman Posts: 10,746
    Personally Thule 598 is the best, 591 doesn't clamp as good.
    Too many bikes according to Mrs O.
  • navrig2navrig2 Posts: 1,743
    For road bikes and my wife's hybrid I use these:

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/Electric-Life- ... B002RVUH76

    You have to buy an adapter for through axles and I wouldn't be so sure about using them for heavy MTBs.

    You have to put front wheels in the car or have separate carriers on the roof.

    If you go for the Thule style carrier and have MTBs to carry too make sure the channel is wide enough for modern tyres and the strap will fit around an inflated tyre. If the strap is too short you have to let the tyres down a bit meaning the first thing you have to do is pump them back up.
  • tonysjtonysj Posts: 386
    Poptart242 wrote:
    We have a Thule 598 and an Elite San Remo, which was pretty cheap by comparison. It's rock solid - only thing is you need to store the front wheel. Not an issue if you've got the caravan to stick it in, I guess?
    Thanks for that as Id not seen the San remo before. Does the Elite San remo take QR and mountain bike through axles? I've checked but cant find the info.
    Regards.
    Tony.
  • StillGoingStillGoing Posts: 5,207
    Personally wouldn't use a roof mounted carrier that clamps to the downtube. Seen far too many marked and damaged downtubes. Before I went to a tow ball mounted 4 bike carrier (far cheaper by the way if you already have a towbar) I used Thule 561 Outriders. I switched to a towball carrier because I drive a Touareg and the height of getting bikes on and off the roof was difficult at times. Wished I'd done it sooner.

    https://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbveh ... ure%60xMXA

    4 bike carrier.
    https://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbveh ... C4urewQ03D
    I ride a bike. Doesn't make me green or a tree hugger. I drive a car too.
  • arlowoodarlowood Posts: 2,543
    philthy3 wrote:
    Personally wouldn't use a roof mounted carrier that clamps to the downtube. Seen far too many marked and damaged downtubes. Before I went to a tow ball mounted 4 bike carrier (far cheaper by the way if you already have a towbar) I used Thule 561 Outriders. I switched to a towball carrier because I drive a Touareg and the height of getting bikes on and off the roof was difficult at times. Wished I'd done it sooner.

    https://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbveh ... ure%60xMXA

    4 bike carrier.
    https://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbveh ... C4urewQ03D


    The OP has a tow bar but can't use it as he'll be towing a caravan, as well as taking the 4 bikes
  • StillGoingStillGoing Posts: 5,207
    arlowood wrote:
    philthy3 wrote:
    Personally wouldn't use a roof mounted carrier that clamps to the downtube. Seen far too many marked and damaged downtubes. Before I went to a tow ball mounted 4 bike carrier (far cheaper by the way if you already have a towbar) I used Thule 561 Outriders. I switched to a towball carrier because I drive a Touareg and the height of getting bikes on and off the roof was difficult at times. Wished I'd done it sooner.

    https://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbveh ... ure%60xMXA

    4 bike carrier.
    https://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbveh ... C4urewQ03D


    The OP has a tow bar but can't use it as he'll be towing a caravan, as well as taking the 4 bikes

    Stick them inside the caravan when towing it then.
    I ride a bike. Doesn't make me green or a tree hugger. I drive a car too.
  • poptart242poptart242 Posts: 531
    TonySJ wrote:
    Does the Elite San remo take QR and mountain bike through axles? I've checked but cant find the info.

    Definitely QR - my other half's bike is rim brake so that's what we stick on it. I have through axles and use the Thule. If it did have adapters though that would be amazing - I'll keep an eye on the thread in case anyone knows of any.
Sign In or Register to comment.