Which roof rack?

FST4RD · May 16, 2011

Looking at getting a pair of roof bike racks for my car.
Been looking at Thule, Mont Blanc & Elite San Remo (last 2 from CRC).

What are peoples experiences? Do I go for one where you take the front wheel off, leave the front wheel on?
Is it worth spending the extra and going for the Thule ones?

These are the Thule ones I was looking at:
http://www.torpedo7.co.nz/products/TUCA ... -bike-rack
http://www.torpedo7.co.nz/products/TUCA ... -bike-rack
Mont Blanc:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=50059
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=50061
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=50058
Elite San Remo:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=57879
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=57881

FST4RD · May 16, 2011

All my bikes including my modern ones are standard QR. Only my 3 DH bikes have 20mm through axles, although I would say none of these racks would be strong enough for a 40 pound DH bike?

jonnyboy666 · May 16, 2011

i used to have the 598 racks aswel as the 516 versions, both were good and had no problems.

i have driven to morzine from southampton 7 times in the last 10 years which is a drive of about 1200miles, with several different types of bikes on the roof, downhill bike on the 598 (giant dh team with boxxers) and 2 mtbs either side most times.

it should be said that i was very heavy right footed and i had no issues at all up to and over 100mph for long periods.

i would however recommend some extra wheel straps for the racks though especially if you run big tyres as the standard straps weren't that long although this may have changed since i owned mine (sold them because i now have a van)

PhilStone · May 16, 2011

I've got a Thule 591 used it for the first time on Friday driving from Weymouth to Paignton, took it careful at first as never used one before and was worried about both my pride and joys being damaged at the same time, but after numerous checks and getting braver, the bike stayed put, admittedly it wobbles but thats about all...
Went for a ride on yesterday and forgot the bike was on the roof at one point.. M Coupe on coil overs and very well known twisty roads but the bike was still there when I remembered myself!

All-in-all - definite thumbs up for the 591..

BerthaPog · May 16, 2011

I've used a couple of Thule racks - one with large jaws, and looks to be an earlier version of the 591 and better for bigger downtubes, and two 530's ( http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_751101_langId_-1_categoryId_165515 ). Worked fine at all speeds.

Prefered these to the wheel off type, as you didn't have to find somewhere to put a muddy front wheel (or three). Now use a Pendle wheel support hitch mount if I need to move more than one bike, as you don't have to lift to the roof of the car (muddy or otherwise).

andrewl · May 16, 2011

I've been running 4 Thule 591 on two cars (ie two per car) for the past 6 years with zero problems at all.

As mentioned by others they are fine with twisty roads, high speeds and you don't need to find space for that muddy front wheel at the end of the ride. A bit of 3M tape on the downtube also stops and frame scratches.

Which roof rack?

FST4RD

Senior Retro Guru

FST4RD

Senior Retro Guru

jonnyboy666

PhilStone

Retro Guru

BerthaPog

andrewl

Senior Retro Guru

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