Roof bike carriers?

[lisak]

Any recommendations for a roof bike carrier (for a Subaru Outback if that makes any difference)? We were thinking of the Thule 591 but have heard mixed reviews about whether it may damage a carbon frame.

[theFightinPussy]

I've got Thule ones (don't know what model) and I have had no problems with them or with the bike.

[Ross]

Torpedo 7 have roof bike carriers on special this week - http://www.torpedo7.com.au/products/T7CAON9FR/title/TORPEDO7-Freeride-Roof-Mount-Bike-Rack

No idea of the quality, wouldn't be as good as Thule but probably quite OK still.

You'll still need to purchase the actual roof cross bars if you haven't already got them.

Thule is a good brand, they are sold through Subaru dealers, I can do you a deal on them through my work if you like. PM me the details (year model of car and what you actually need ie just the bike carrier or crossbars as well) and I will get you a price.

You can get the bike rack that you need to take the front wheel off or you can get the one where you leave the bike complete. There are also different cross bars, plain square ones or oval shaped "aero" ones. I think the aero ones cost a bit more.

If your budget doesn't extend to new ones then eBay can be a good source for used bars/rack - caveat emptor!

[SueP]

I was told that the racks that you take the front wheel off and clamp the front forks onto were not good for carbon frames so bought the Thule ones that clamp onto the frame with both wheels on. However I have since been told by lots of people who spend a lot of time with bikes that either are fine for the bike - and I tend to believe that as if the forks/frame can't handle just sitting on the roof then why would you trust them at 75km/hr+! The handy thing about the frame clamp version though is that you don't have to take a wheel off.

I have Subaru Imprezza with the subaru bars - when they fitted them for me they said that you need a slightly different attaching bolt for the subaru cross bars (I bought them from the bullbar place in Fyshwick and they fitted them on the spot for me).

[Startrek]

Most cyclists i know use Thule ,i have ones that Holden do, look good but after using a friends Thule i know what i would be using next. Really it is time consuming taking wheels off why bother when you can buy racks that you dont have to .

[RobF]

I have an outback with thule bars and a rack(the kind that you leave the wheels on and grabs the frame.) No issues with any of them.

[Driver]

I'll reiterate the points above - I've been using the Thule that you leave the wheels on - they are bloody great. I had the model that you need to take the front wheel off prior to that and they weren't as good, firstly you gotta put the wheel somewhere, secondly it's wasted time removing/reinstalling the wheel

[lisak]

Thanks heaps everyone for the feedback! Looks like we'll get a Thule one that clamps onto the frame.

[Hoops]

I've got a Thule setup up as well. Using the Outride which is the fork mounted jig; http://www.thule.com/en/AU/Products/BikeCarriers/RoofCarriers/561000.aspx.

Chose this one over the frame mounted option because it gave me a lower clearance and I've always heard the possibility of bad outcomes clamping a carbon frame (though don't know of any actual cases).

As far as removing the front wheel, well I've had bigger hassles in my life.

[SueP]

I've got a Thule setup up as well. Using the Outride which is the fork mounted jig; http://www.thule.com/en/AU/Products/BikeCarriers/RoofCarriers/561000.aspx.

Chose this one over the frame mounted option because it gave me a lower clearance and I've always heard the possibility of bad outcomes clamping a carbon frame (though don't know of any actual cases).

As far as removing the front wheel, well I've had bigger hassles in my life.

LOL -you hear something different from everyone you talk to! I was told not to clamp the forks and also not to use the rear towball mounted (because the top tube is then taking all the strain which it was never meant to do). I am led to understand that the roof mounted clamps on the downtube are fine though?? Likewise - never heard of a bad outcome in any case.:confused:

[Driver]

The only gripe I've had with the outride setup is that you have to have the fork dropout clamps done up super tight otherwise they worked themselves loose on long drives. I resorted in the end to taping the adjustment barrels so they couldn't work loose. That or checking them every couple of hours.

Having said all that, the dropouts should be able to take a lot of clamping, after all that is their job.

[TheCoach]

Anyone who has seen the "coach-mobile" will know that I have a different option on top of my car. I chose Thule 594 carriers.
Why?
I dislike the fork-mount carrier for the mentioned problem of having to remove the wheel and then store the wheel every time you want to carry a bike. What about Cannondale Lefty forks? What about through-axle forks?
I have used other peoples 593 carrier several times (that is the whole bike carrier mentioned above by several) and the arm that grabs the downtube almost always wants to grab my bike at the bottle cage. They are pretty secure, but I just didn't want a big clamp on my expensive TT bike downtube for a drive to Qld or Vic for a big race.

So I got the downhillers choice. It is a bit lumpier than the 593 - but it takes approximately 10 seconds to put the bike on it, and less to remove it. Best of all it only ever touches the tyre. Like the ACTION bus racks, the thing that holds your bike on the roof goes over the front tyre.
It makes my car the ride of choice for those with odd MTB forks or expensive frames since the rack doesn't touch either.

So now you have 3 options (fork mount, downtube grabbing, front tyre grabbing).