sunchaser Posted November 19, 2020 Share Hi guys, I upgraded to a car that comes with a roof rail ( ). Please advise what I need to get my bike on the roof of car. I assume I need roof rack first, then a bike rack to secure the bike...???? Please share your knowledge. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dicky DQ Posted November 19, 2020 Share Don't do it if you don't have insurance on your bike/s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louis for real Posted November 19, 2020 Share towbar/hitch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marq001 Posted November 19, 2020 Share Don't do it if you don't have insurance on your bike/s ... was there a bad experience along the way? please do share.. Been looking at this option instead of going to fit a tow bar and buy a rack.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertusras Posted November 19, 2020 Share You're on the right track. Thule's website is pretty helpful with what you need for your car. But essentially, you need 3 things: - Some form of clamp to attache to your roof rails- A WingBar or other - A Roof Bike Rack If you're willing to take the time, you'll be able to source everything through Gumtree/Facebook Marketplace at a steal. Just find out which Rail Clamps you need, and what length Wingbar you need and scour the classifieds. You're able to buy the correct fittings for the Rail Clamps for your car direct from Thule, so even if you find one that isn't exactly correct, you can still get the correct parts. As for the towbar vs. roof rack debate. I've always used roof racks as I've never owned a car with a towbar. I probably would switch to a towbar rack if I had a towbar, only because your fuel consumption takes a beating with the bikes on the roof, especially at highway speeds (and I generally carry 3 bikes). With a single road bike it's not as bad. I've not once had a close encounter with anything overhead, but I am pretty diligent about it though. YMMV. Edited November 19, 2020 by bertusras Headshot and sunchaser 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunchaser Posted November 19, 2020 Share You're on the right track. Thule's website is pretty helpful with what you need for your car. But essentially, you need 3 things: - Some form of clamp to attache to your roof rails- A WingBar or other - A Roof Bike Rack If you're willing to take the time, you'll be able to source everything through Gumtree/Facebook Marketplace at a steal. Just find out which Rail Clamps you need, and what length Wingbar you need and scour the classifieds. You're able to buy the correct fittings for the Rail Clamps for your car direct from Thule, so even if you find one that isn't exactly correct, you can still get the correct parts. As for the towbar vs. roof rack debate. I've always used roof racks as I've never owned a car with a towbar. I probably would switch to a towbar rack if I had a towbar, only because your fuel consumption takes a beating with the bikes on the roof, especially at highway speeds (and I generally carry 3 bikes). With a single road bike it's not as bad. I've not once had a close encounter with anything overhead, but I am pretty diligent about it though. YMMV. Aah bertusras, you hit the ball out of the park...this is what I am talking about boys! Thanks for pointing me in right direction AND advice... Headshot 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunchaser Posted November 19, 2020 Share Don't do it if you don't have insurance on your bike/s Never had on my bikes. I will need to get a quote. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Headshot Posted November 19, 2020 Share You're on the right track. Thule's website is pretty helpful with what you need for your car. But essentially, you need 3 things: - Some form of clamp to attache to your roof rails- A WingBar or other - A Roof Bike Rack If you're willing to take the time, you'll be able to source everything through Gumtree/Facebook Marketplace at a steal. Just find out which Rail Clamps you need, and what length Wingbar you need and scour the classifieds. You're able to buy the correct fittings for the Rail Clamps for your car direct from Thule, so even if you find one that isn't exactly correct, you can still get the correct parts. As for the towbar vs. roof rack debate. I've always used roof racks as I've never owned a car with a towbar. I probably would switch to a towbar rack if I had a towbar, only because your fuel consumption takes a beating with the bikes on the roof, especially at highway speeds (and I generally carry 3 bikes). With a single road bike it's not as bad. I've not once had a close encounter with anything overhead, but I am pretty diligent about it though. YMMV.i recently upgraded to a taller SUV style car and was able to transfer my Wingbars and racks to it. Luckily I'm 1.88 m or it would be really hard to get the bikes in the racks because off the increased roof height. It also increases the clearance you need a bit, the biggest problem being low hanging branches in the burbs. Just something to be aware of.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddy Gordo Posted November 19, 2020 Share i recently upgraded to a taller SUV style car and was able to transfer my Wingbars and racks to it. Luckily I'm 1.88 m or it would be really hard to get the bikes in the racks because off the increased roof height. It also increases the clearance you need a bit, the biggest problem being low hanging branches in the burbs. Just something to be aware of....Or Bridget the truck-eating bridge Edited November 19, 2020 by Eddy Gordo Jewbacca 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shebeen Posted November 19, 2020 Share ... was there a bad experience along the way? please do share.. Been looking at this option instead of going to fit a tow bar and buy a rack.. Edited November 19, 2020 by Shebeen Headshot and Kom 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jewbacca Posted November 19, 2020 Share Or Bridget the truck-eating bridgehahahaha Our office overlooks Bridget. Endless entertainment! Eddy Gordo and Mtree 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uphill battle Posted November 19, 2020 Share As per bertusras above. Load bars that attach (clamp) to your rails, and then a bike rack.I've done this for years now and far prefer it to the tow hitch option. Hi guys, I upgraded to a car that comes with a roof rail ( ). Please advise what I need to get my bike on the roof of car. I assume I need roof rack first, then a bike rack to secure the bike...???? Please share your knowledge. Thanks. Edited November 19, 2020 by Uphill battle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Headshot Posted November 19, 2020 Share hahahaha Our office overlooks Bridget. Endless entertainment!But is it actually low enough to take out a bike on an SUV? I'm not going to try and find out and luckily I don't need to drive that way, ever. Jewbacca 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jewbacca Posted November 19, 2020 Share But is it actually low enough to take out a bike on an SUV? I'm not going to try and find out and luckily I don't need to drive that way, ever.I don't know. I doubt it. The big fridge trucks get caught because of the hill. The anount of insulation foam I've seen strewn across the road there is ridiculous. I reckon bikes on cars would be more than fine. Eddy Gordo and Headshot 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave303e Posted November 19, 2020 Share I don't know. I doubt it. The big fridge trucks get caught because of the hill. The anount of insulation foam I've seen strewn across the road there is ridiculous. I reckon bikes on cars would be more than fine. lift kit on my bakkie + roof Rails + thule roof racks + K1 canoe is good at removing the light bulbs in the underground parking at work. I certainly would be nervous with bikes up there. Jewbacca 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jewbacca Posted November 19, 2020 Share lift kit on my bakkie + roof Rails + thule roof racks + K1 canoe is good at removing the light bulbs in the underground parking at work. I certainly would be nervous with bikes up there.Yeah nah..... I definitely wouldn't try it if I put bikes on top of the Landy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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