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[D]

Just thinking about getting some roof bars/bike carriers for our holiday. I have no experience with them as we usually hire cycles at our destination. Thought about taking our own this year.

So whats good or recommended. Are they easy to fit/any issues?
Thule seems reasonable and keenly priced.

Would welcome any opinions re: both the roof bars and cycle carries.

[jonny2112]

I have a set of roof bars which I bought for holidays, and a roof box. The bars are Thule and I can't really complain though I have nothing to compare them to. They 'clamp' between the gutter and the underside of the roof. I always used a little piece of cloth under the ends to cushion / protect the paintwork. I've seen other roof bars that lock, but mine don't, and if fitted properly they're not coming off!

[D]

Thule seem to be a good choice, although Mont Blanc seem to have a well reviewed range.

I am worried about damage to the paint!

[jonny2112]

All depends on finance and expected usage I suppose. Omegas are quite unusual I think in their fitting. Whereabouts are you located?

[Hovelite]

Managed to put a nice couple of dents in the top of my rear bumper with a rack carrying the familys bonebreakers.

I'd stick to roof bars.  Strictly speaking you should have a trailer board behind the rear mounted racks as they will inevitably cover a chunk of the lights and reg plate.  That will require towing electrics so the rpice soon adds up...

[D]

Not really planning to tow, not my idea of fun.

Being a saloon the only real options are to tow or roof rack.

Price isnt a problem unless we start getting into 4 figures.

[hoofing it]

Ive seen three this year attached to the tarmac with a 45 ton iron crushing suite cases

[Rods2]

I've used roof rails and bike racks many times for holidays. I've had no problems, but you do get high wind noise at speed and also a hit on fuel consumption.

[Vamps]

I've used roof rails and bike racks many times for holidays. I've had no problems, but you do get high wind noise at speed and also a hit on fuel consumption.

We have some bars for the rails on the estate, not used for a number of years, seem to remember the fit easily enough but 'whistle' at much over 50mph.  Limited use but handy if you need them, need to check to see if they fit on the Jeep as the estate is going.....

[feeutfo]

Options

Drop back seats, remove bike front wheel, two will fit at a sqeaze in a saloon. No room for out else. Free, but mud in the car.
Roof bars, Thule. Strap the handle bars and saddle to the correctly positioned roof bars. £70(not sure on that actually)odd for roof bars, risk mud and scratches on the roof, being tall helps. And one day you WILL forget they are there and wipe the whole lot off the roof of the car on those anti pikey hight restrictions at the entrance to woodland car parks. Noisy.
Thule add on push bike attachment for roof bars. Makes life easier, locks the roof bars together at set distance. Locks bikes on iirc. Worth it if used regular. Just watch the height.

Toe bar attachment add on. Needs toe bar and a bracket. Restricts boot access, lights and number plate so needs a light board.
Robably safest option outside the car. Issues with reversing sensors.

Strap to boot lid rack. Expect damage to boot lid edges and wing. Can open boot lid but obviously weight over powers the boot lid struts. Rest as above.

[Entwood]

Work well on an Omega .... Got my bars and the roof box from the bay of fleas, also got the lockable "knobs" from there .. Fit well and with a little care there is no danger of paint damage.

This picture is 2 years old .. 'van has been changed now ..

[Vamps]

Options

Drop back seats, remove bike front wheel, two will fit at a sqeaze in a saloon. No room for out else. Free, but mud in the car.
Roof bars, Thule. Strap the handle bars and saddle to the correctly positioned roof bars. £70(not sure on that actually)odd for roof bars, risk mud and scratches on the roof, being tall helps. And one day you WILL forget they are there and wipe the whole lot off the roof of the car on those anti pikey hight restrictions at the entrance to woodland car parks. Noisy.
Thule add on push bike attachment for roof bars. Makes life easier, locks the roof bars together at set distance. Locks bikes on iirc. Worth it if used regular. Just watch the height.

Toe bar attachment add on. Needs toe bar and a bracket. Restricts boot access, lights and number plate so needs a light board.
Robably safest option outside the car. Issues with reversing sensors.

Strap to boot lid rack. Expect damage to boot lid edges and wing. Can open boot lid but obviously weight over powers the boot lid struts. Rest as above.

Or don't take the bikes......

[Varche]

I have some VX roof bars for a saloon and a set of halfords clamps. Roof bars S/H £15

Halfords carriers fit any racks? , £40?

Work but I stop frequently to tighten up and check bikes still there!