Cheep roof mounted bike carriers?

[MADB]

So with 3 or 4 of us now wanting to use bike for race days or take on holiday I need a cost effective way to transport up to 4 bikes. Hanging them of the back of the car is not an option as I also have 2 dogs that need to get in and out of the car, so really looking at the roof bar option. Has anyone on here got any first hand experience with the cheap bike carries from Ebay or the £20 ones from Halfords?

Thanks

Brian.

 

[hamster]

The San Remo type ones which are a simple dropout clamp at the front for the forks have worked well for 20 years for me.

 

[MADB]

But you then have to fill the boot with wheels, and my boot is full of bags and big hairy smelly labradores.

 

[Bullpup]

Well I more than sympathise about the labradors as I also have a pair.

I have tried the 3 bike towbar mounted racks and although good, they aren't ideal with the dogs.

I then went down the thule roof rack and bike carriers and though good for 2 bikes it is a pita for more especially when you are cold wet and tired.

In the end I bought some builders bars to mount on the top of my trailer and fit the bike carriers to that with luggage bags etc underneath and the dogs have the back of the car to themselves.

 

[FluffyChicken]

Re:

I find tghed thule pro really good and easy to use. I'd invest in some good ones, but of course check they fit your bikes.

Though if the bikes are cheap use cheap racks bit they wobble around more and are not as convenient to use.

 

[Bullpup]

Your local gumtree is your friend:

4 Cheap Thule bars:
http://www.gumtree.com/p/bicycle-access ... 1083206968

 

[drcarlos]

I have a set of halfords roof bars, two of their standard racks and two of their 'advanced' racks. The advanced ones are exactly the same as those Thule's in that ad they are suberb and much easier to use than the regular carriers. The value carriers are pretty ropey (I had one and returned it unused) and it worth getting the better ones used as you'll only get narked at the cheaper ones.

Carl

 

[konacarl]

Re:

+1 for Thule. Keep your eye out for the older ones (530) locally as they go pretty cheap, and, as they are heavy people don't like sending them. I got lucky and got a set of 4 for about £30 with a 50 mile round trip a while back.

 

[02gf74]

Nobody likes to spend money unnecessarily but if you bikes are cheap and you dont mind them getting damaged or coming off the carrier to possibly cause an accident then buy a cheap carrier.

 

[Russell]

Second hand Thule from eBay. Brilliant bits of kit.