Roof mounted bike carrier

[brad]

Where I live I have to back the car out of the garage to get the bikes, so that's not an issue. I have to get out of the car to open the garage (no auto door) so no chance of me driving into the garage. Roof carrier will suit us perfectly and still allow full access of the boot (where the kids bikes will go)

It's not so much the garage - it's the 2m clearance car parks, drive-throughs and low hanging tree branches as you drive to the trail head. If you go roof mounted then I recommend you put a simple sign on the dashboard that says something like "BIKES! 2.8m" or whatever jogs your memory.

[GTR27]

I dont plan on going to the shops with bikes attached to cars. It's for transport to and from cycling areas (Mountain bike). None of the routes I need to travel have such short height restrictions - plus its a good idea to put a warning on the drivers sun visor to indicate bikes on roof (a lot of carriers come with such a device already). Thanks for the heads up though.

[spud75]

I know this is a bit late, but got distracted while trying to reply when OP first posted. I have Whispbars, and they really are quiet. They take all the standard bike racks and attachments. Have had snow board carriers on as well as mont blanc barracuda bike racks. I have a fork mount for my aero frame road bike as there is no way to mount that with a frame mount. And I wouldn't want to. The barracuda (now called the roof rush) http://www.montblancgroup.com/roof-m...asy-go-21.html is used for alu road and alu hybrid with child seat on the back.

The only issue I have is that with the barracuda the weight of the hybrid brings the base of the rack REALLY close to roof, hence I put a cloth under the rack on the roof. Repositioning the rack and bars would prob alleviate the issue, or a different rack, but I have had the rack for ages. I love that that the bars sit very low on the roof, but the closeness can be an issue as I have said. I have carried two road bikes melb-adelaide on the roof with fork mount thule and barracuda, and once with just the fork mount thule. Zero issues when using either carriers for any trips. (one trip did push the A3 fuel consumption up to 5.0L/100km though...)

My whispbars are not through bars, as I wanted to keep the bars look clean and not completely destroy the look of the car. The A3 has similar bars.

The skoda has S44W's and were about $280 for the bars. I think Mazda uses then rebranded now. The bike carriers were about the $220? mrak when I got them. The fork mount is a thule. I got the whole lot from roofrack superstore.

http://www.whispbar.com.au/products/11/rail-bar

[Greg Roles]

Second thumbs up for Whisperbars here, have had all manner of roof racks over the years, and these both look the best and are the most quiet and aerodynamic. Front wheel off is always a better option for roof mount, as it both lowers the loading height, and drops the weight on the racks, and makes the whole setup more stable and aerodynamic. Just file down the quick release recessed area on your forks if you still have QR, or get a front axle kit that allows quick adjustment, makes your life a whole lot easier!

Like the former poster, I'm utterly in love with a towball mounted bike carrier now, but then I do have a Yeti with the big slab back, and it looks right set-up like that. I'd never go back.

[woofy]

I've been thinking of getting Whispbars for years now as they are what Hyundai OEM for the Santa Fe. I doubt the same set would fit on both cars now I have rails on both. I was intending to use a roof box or maybe a basket up there for camping once a year.

[GTR27]

Thanks for the replies guys! Gives me more to look at

[mjainoz]

Are the wishbars ok with the wagon and panoramic sunroof? No issues when the glass angles up to open? Always been a Thule man but I love the clean look and they come in black.
Thanks

[kiwijohn]

I've got them on my 2012 wagon. There's only 20mm clearance under the front bar which is as far forward as possible. Just wish I got the black ones.

[mjainoz]

I've got them on my 2012 wagon. There's only 20mm clearance under the front bar which is as far forward as possible. Just wish I got the black ones.

Thanks

[woofy]

I think you will get a different answer with the racks and the sunroof depending on whether it is mk2 or mk3. The Mk2s slid into the roof from memory whereas all the Mk3s slide up over on top.