having just returned from the lake district for the weekend i am eager to get back up there, this time with my bike. I have a bike rack that i used to use that simply hooks round the boot lid, but, with a considerably more pricey bike now than when i last used it and the fact that it seems a very dodgy set up, i would like to look into a roof bar mounted system.

I understand thule are the ones to go for?

Any advice as to models or set up would be great....i have a Corsa 'C', currently no roof bars or anything but the holes to mount them....

also are these super sturdy, as i cant help but think holy cr@p my bike is above my head its gonna come off...

cheers AJ

Thule roofbars are great - as would the standard Vauxhall ones for your car be. The Thule bike holders vary but are all a decent quality although I prefer the Atera Giro - try www.roofbox.co.uk for all of it.

my brother has a thule roof system which he swears by. it keeps his bikes safe at speed, and even in heavy cross wind. they are picey though.

I've got these and they're great. I remember the first journey with them up to Scotland and I was very nervous and kept stopping to check them, they have been faultless however and I am now totally at ease with them and back to driving like a lunatic.

awesome...

as always the less spent the better....is there anything that could be terribly wrong with some second hand ones off of ebay? or is it best to go with new?

What with not being from Hull or as posh as DK, I have some used ones of these and they are fine. Though I do know the person I bought them from.

Prole

Surf

on a different path....anyone got a merc vaneo or vito? if so pro's and cons? in the market for a new car and the amount of times i could use one of these is ridic so may as well have a look...

superstat..

you'll have a good argument with the insurance company as they will automatically assume your going to use it for business and most domestic car insurance firms wont touch vans..

Your the chap with the I-drive arnt you?

it will fit on both the Pro ride and free ride racks...

my gt on a proride

On a slight tangent but still relevant I've stuck some Vauxhall roof bars (the base pack) on my Astra estate, I'd never put the bike on top but there's two grooves in the bar to mount bike carriers etc & without anything on they make a bloody howl at anything over 40mph. The car is quieter at 70 with a windsurfing board on top than it is at 40 with nothing. Worth a thought when considering what to get

Anyone bought Fapa roofbars and bike rack? roofbox.co.uk sell them, i can mount 2 bikes for 100 quid all in.

I use the Thule stuff on my Seat Ibiza. Very good kit for whole host of reasons. I haven't compared them like for like, but they are good. I picked mine up from eBay (sorry to those who can afford not to have to do that) with the aerobars and proride carriers.

They secure very easily to the car and are very stable at motorway speeds. The bikes wobble around a bit, but that is to be expected. They stay clear of most of the muck during winter, unlike when on the back of the cars.

When coming off a ride, it takes seconds to load them up, which is always good, especially if fingers are cold. It's also possible to lock the bikes to the car using their one-key system. I'm sure it's not foolproof, but in terms of locking the bikes while nipping into get a post-ride burger then it's top drawer.

I've been very impressed with the quality and have had no problems with them over the past two years, and would happily recommend them as fantastic kit.

hi' superstat, i've got the lock on vauxhall ladder rack to sell. if you have to get a rack make sure it locks on to the roof of your car, other wise someone can lift it all off, dont just realie on bikes being locked onto the bike rack, thats what happened near were i live, 4 men took a corner each, uncliped the rack & put it into a van 4 bikes gone in a flash.

how much noise and drag do the roof systems cause, i have images of stopping for diesel every hour because of the wind resitance!

also how fast can you go with them on, is 80-85mph ok (on a private runway of course)or are you stuck to about 65?

I've done 105mph (on a private runway of course)with mine, ave 80-85mph TBH. They are quite noisy but just turn the radio up, you got rid of your Passat ?

I guess economy is effected, not hugely though.

they do cause some resistance and certainly increase consumption of fuel by a few mpg. with the increase drag comes a whistling at certain speeds.

it's not a scientific answer but i'd say consumption increases by about 10-15% (i get about 380-400miles to a tank compared to my normal 440-450).

in terms of speed, i don't find they cause a problem at all. certainly over the past year or so they haven't stopped me comfortably keeping pace with outside lane traffic (and i've only got a little engine).

Got a Thule Towbar rack - about £90.

Solid as anything, easy to fit and to put bikes on. Bought for my VW T5 as the roofbars would be a tad high!!!

hmm ok, i may look at roof bars. No i havent got rid of the passat Karl i have just started camping quite a bit and when you have a 6 man tent and all the other stuff the bike just get in the way.