 Guys
I have been reading various historic posts/threads regarding transporting my bikes. It would seem the general view is that on the roof is best, and that Thule are one of the best brands.
I have pretty much decided on a rapid fit/aero bar system for my vw golf (£100). However there are several cycle carriers to choose from. I am looking at the 575 at around £25-30each rather than the newer 591 at twice the price. Both grip the bike by two wheels and the downtube.
Does anyone use the 575, will it grip my s-works HT securely?
I can't see why the 591 is so much more expensive!?
Thanks
Dave
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Hi Dave, Toola (apparently) bars are the topdog. Carrier wise i started cheap and bought four for me and the kids and nearly lost my attack trail one heart stopping morning. It's basically down to tube shaping. The cheap style grips round tubes fine but you need the more expensive type, mine was about £50-£60, for other shapes or higher bb bikes. In a nutshell dont skimp or you will be pissed when it carries on through the junction on it's own.........last warning....!!!
Also the expensive ones lock on to the bars also.
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 Don't buy a roof mounted one which uses your dropouts to fix the bike, there's been some horror stories on here about them and how they kill your forks.
I recommend www.roofbox.co.uk in their bargain section. I know you are looking for roof mounted but I thought I'd mention that I bought a towbar mounted one for 3 bikes (adapted it for 4 now) for £80 complete with lights and the works. Having tried all variants of rack, I far prefer the towbar ones which you just stand the bike on as it's quick and easy with no risk of scratching your car. Plus you can stick it on any car with a standard hitch.
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Queeg
where did you get tow bar mount for £80
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Thanks
Can't do towbar, its a company car :(
I was planning on the 575 model (THule) which uses the downtube and two wheels to secure the bikes.
D
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 Take a look at the Atera Giro AR2216(www.roofbox.co.uk) It is well engineered and the most flexible fit I've found - doesn't seem to care what you ride and I've had a Stumpy, Mount Vision and even a Raven on it at some point.
Once set up it's a piece of p*** to use & well worth £60.
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 I just got the 575 as it clamps the sides of the downtube not the top and bottom as per 591 - useless as thats where the cables are routed on my Sepecialized.
Im pleased with it and it feels very secure, but I am still worried about driving too quickly incase my pride and joy falls off!
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Max Biker 1 - Look here: http://www.roofbox.co.uk/cgi-bin/binGen.cgi?type=det&prodID=11761&qty=0&discountgroup=12398&price=%A380.00
Ignore the price it shows on the page as it will be discounted to £80 when you click on the buy button. Others shown here: http://www.roofbox.co.uk/cgi-bin/binGen.cgi?type=summ&query=REBIKETOW
As it turned out, I didn't use the tilt mechanism though I did adapt the support bar so that it quickly folds flat so you can stick the rack in the book when you're out for a ride. Yes, you can take it off easy enough with the stock model but with the rest of the rack being so quick and easy, I couldn't be arsed to undo 4 bolts. Now it's just two R pins to release. :) Mind you, it wasn't until I tried to rig up a locking mechanism that I discovered a handy padlock hole on the clamp unit so security is pretty easy too.
Mine's very sturdy. When I put it on, I tested it by standing on the back of the racks and jumping up and down. Since then I've driven over speed ramps with several bikes on but with no wobbles. The trick is to put the wheel straps at the furthest point so that they hold the bike in tension - no sideways movement at all that way.
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 i've used volvo branded thule racks for the last 13yrs. never had any problems (except for driver ineptitude once) with them and have used both fork and down tube mounted ones.
Fork Mounts: Simpler to use (put fork in, push bit down and the bike is attached) and never had any fork problems (v. old Bombers, judys and headshok forks), but won't work easily with a lefty
Down tube mounts: need 3 arms... one to hold the wheels in the rack, and one to do the clamp up (and possibly adjust it..) Need to reach up higher to work the mechanism on some of them.
fork mount has proven to be fairly idiot proof, especially the latest velovise one. Drove into a monkey storey car park, and forgot about the bikes and the rack... unwedged the bikes eventually to find that part of the rack had failed, and was able to get it replaced easily enough.
We've probably covered over 20000 miles with the various racks and have never had bike loss or any problems. Have seen boot / towbar mounted ones bikes leaving the cars on the M3 on the way down to the coast though!
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 I'm currently looking at buying roof mounted carriers for my roof bars but I'm stuck between the downtube style carriers and the Thule Velovise carriers. The only thing that puts me off the fork mounted approach is the possible damage to the drop outs. I read about this butI can't remember which fork manufacturer stated that they would not honour the warranty if the fork had been attached to a fork mounted carrier. Something to do with the fork not been designed to withstand the vibration/shock associated with being attached to these carriers. Anyone got any information or an informed opinion of his?
PJ
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Guys
Thanks for all your advice. I ended up ordering Thule aero bars and two 575 Thule bike carries (total £165 with matching lock barrels and aero t-bar clamps) from Skidrive who seemed cheap and helpful. Its all arriving tmrw hopefully and will be fitted at the weekend fingers crossed!
Dave
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PJ, Here's the link you're after I think:
http://www.singletrackworld.com/article.php?sid=1412
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 I've been using the 575s for a while now, moved them to a different car 2 weeks ago.
Been totally secure up to 90 with 4 bikes on. That was at a test track obviously :)
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Dave
How did the 575's work out? Thinking of getting a couple myself.
Russ
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Hi, long reply ahead.
We have just been through this process, trying to decide between the much cheaper 575s and the 591s. In the end, we opted for the pricey 591s for a number of reasons. One, very easy locking and loading, all from roof level, which is unlike the 575s I believe. And two, we only intend to buy them once, and I would have hated seeing a better designed bit of kit passing me on the motorway all the time on the way up to the Lakes! We have not been disappointed, you simply turned the locking knob until it clamps the bike tight, and then off you go, very simple, and extremely secure. Usually sit on 85mph and they surprisingly (unbelievably) stable. Roof mounting does not do your fuel economy much good though, but I guess being mountain bikers, we are use to things being expensive!
We found the cheapest retailer was 'fasteronline.co.uk'. The two guys running it were very good and they were a lot cheaper than anyone else.
Hope this helps.
Paul
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I've now got the thule aero bars (t track) and the thule 510 tour carriers.
Both are manufactured to such a high standard, function perfectly and are loackable.
Wish that I had got them earlier but the initial cost put me off, managed to find the bars and carriers on ebay virtually unused.
Lucky me!
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 "Not the top and bottom as per the 591 - useless as thats where the cables are routed on my specialized"
Not so.......
A 591 works fine on my Enduro, the clamp gives a very secure grip, but not one so tight that it squashes the cables.
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 I got the 591 on my corrado and there great.
Did look at the 575 but I went for the 591s as I think if you going to put a 1k plus bike on top it worth spending the money. Think it cost me in total £216 bars, foots pack and 2 591.
Plus they look good..
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