Roof bars with bike carrier

[steve12345]

Hi all,

Apologies if this has been done before.

My wife very kindly brought me a very nice thule roof bike carrier for my birthday. However she didn't realise that you need roof bars to use it -whoops.

This has got me thinking what would be a simple and easy solution for us, and im not sure there is one. Before having a baby I used to fold the rear seats down all the time and chuck the bikes in the back. I could get both mine and wife's road bikes in the back with luggage packed around it and both of us in the front seats for weekend or day trips - perfect.

Obviously with a baby not possible anymore. However my son is old enough now to enjoy being on the baby bike seat attached to my bike and we've done lots of local rides with him during lock down. The wife is thinking ahead of doing rides in more scenic locations now.

So anyways, we live in a flat and it would be a nightmare for me to go up and down the stairs to set up the bars and then go back for the carriers, then go back to get the bikes, bags, wife, baby, etc etc etc. Is it a one man job to fit the roof bars and bike carriers to the car? I presume it would need two people right?

Is it sensible to fit the bars and bike carriers and then just leave it there all year round? how much MPG's will I actually loose? will it create too much wind noise? will it effect handling or anything like that? of course it will ruin the look of the car a bit but ignoring that is this really a sensible option? I'm not sure?

Other option would be to exchange it for a bike rack that attaches to the boot lid, the type that you just hook onto the panels. I know that is a fairly simple one man job. Although probably not as practical as the roof option as you wont be able to access the boot any more.

A bigger car wouldn't make a difference either as you still wouldn't be able to get a bike into the boot of a car with the rear seats still up? or can you? This is a bit of a extreme option though that would be very expensive.

hmmm not sure what to do? any thoughts before I invest in roof bars or exchange for the rear / boot lid bike rack type thing? Any other solutions that I haven't thought of?

Thanks in advance

[mcmaddy]

Skoda Superb estate will get you almost everything but the kitchen sink in 

[Watts]

I've got no idea but I enjoyed reading your post!

You may just have to suck it and see, what about getting a s/h set of roofbars and if it doesn't work out you'll be able to sell them on without it costing too much.

[fredgroves]

You could possibly fit the bars on your own but I'd be scared of whacking the paintwork. I've had a set of thule bars for almost six years now. They are good but..

I'd also not leave them on all of the time or you will mark the paintwork plus the intrusion into the door rubbers can cause leaks in driving rain. Definitely not something for the winter.

[Ian_C]

I’ve got a set of vw roof bars and Thule bike carrier. Pretty straightforward job to fit and remove on your own. 15 mins or so if you’re taking care.

[jv]

Sucker the bike(s) to the roof? Front wheel and baby biz in the back? Certainly take up much less space than full roof bar kit.

[kmpowell]

Exchange it for a Saris Bones. Job done. 

[pixelcellar]

I bought a SeaSucker Mini Bomber last year to go on my Polo, largely due to a lack of decent roof racks for the Polo and as I knew I was getting rid of it (for the Golf) I wanted something that would defo fit on both vehicles. The fact it's more portable and actually fits in the under floor space in my boot when not in use is amazing, that was a fluke but a welcome one!

[steve12345]

I bought a SeaSucker Mini Bomber last year to go on my Polo, largely due to a lack of decent roof racks for the Polo and as I knew I was getting rid of it (for the Golf) I wanted something that would defo fit on both vehicles. The fact it's more portable and actually fits in the under floor space in my boot when not in use is amazing, that was a fluke but a welcome one!

oooo the seasucker mini bomber - wow

I think you may have solved my problem. Thank you!

I take it you like it? and it's sturdy enough for motorway speeds?

[pixelcellar]

I bought a SeaSucker Mini Bomber last year to go on my Polo, largely due to a lack of decent roof racks for the Polo and as I knew I was getting rid of it (for the Golf) I wanted something that would defo fit on both vehicles. The fact it's more portable and actually fits in the under floor space in my boot when not in use is amazing, that was a fluke but a welcome one!

oooo the seasucker mini bomber - wow

I think you may have solved my problem. Thank you!

I take it you like it? and it's sturdy enough for motorway speeds?

Yeah defo sturdy enough at 70 and slightly over, I tend to be a bit cautious with bikes on the roof using it but even on longer journeys I'll stop to check/re-pump the seals as advised but they've never needed it especially, always well within the guage.
You can get a set a bit cheaper than I paid at the moment too, nearly £75 off their normal price from Tweeks Cycles.