Car roof carrying

[Geogcyclist]

Hi
I’m looking for advice on carrying four bikes, 2 adults 2 kids
I don’t have a tow bar so I think the cheapest route is probably on the roof, tow bar fitting sounds expensive and the car is getting old.
I already have a pair of Renault roof bars.
What brand of bike holder can I use with these bars? Are fittings universal? Or do I need to get a new set of roof bars to match the carriers? Our bikes aren’t mega expensive and I would probably be driving at most an hour with bikes rather than a big holiday. I mean I want to be safe but I probably don’t need to lock them on the roof
Thanks

[Barrowman]

I like 'San Remo' Fittings . Search it on e Bay. It's a front wheel out job . (I am not keen on clamping around the frame tubes which front wheel in carriers rely on )
The San Remo are a paired Alloy block that fit around your existing roof bars , quick release at the front and a wheel channel at the back with strapping provision.
Note from my tame cycle mechanic, have the bikes facing backwards if you can, reduces stress on the Headset.

[Norman H]

A picture of your Renault roof bars would be useful. Most bike racks attach to the roof bars using either T bolts or U bolts, some can accommodate both. To use T bolts the roof bars require a corresponding machined T track. U bolts are generally used with square section roof bars.
I’ve carried up to 4 bikes on the roof using Thule ProRide 591 racks. The bikes stand upright and are steadied by an arm that clamps around the downtube. As far as I know the Thule ProRide racks are compatible with all Thule roof bars. Whatever rack you choose make sure that it can accommodate the children’s smaller bikes.

PS
Gumtree is a good source of secondhand bike racks, the ProRide racks generally sell for around fifty to sixty pounds but you may well get a better deal if buying more than one.

[Jdsk]

Welcome

Fittings are not universal. But solutions are usually available.

Please add some photos, as above.

And if you go to Halfords you can rummage around in the boxes and see what you need. (I have heard that they have a paid fitting service but I've never used that.)

Jonathan

[Jdsk]

...
I mean I want to be safe but I probably don’t need to lock them on the roof

When they're on the roof I lock them to each other and the rack, but that's it. Make sure that the lock can't fall and damage anything.

Jonathan

[Toffee]

Hi
I’m looking for advice on carrying four bikes, 2 adults 2 kids
I don’t have a tow bar so I think the cheapest route is probably on the roof, tow bar fitting sounds expensive and the car is getting old.
I already have a pair of Renault roof bars.
What brand of bike holder can I use with these bars? Are fittings universal? Or do I need to get a new set of roof bars to match the carriers? Our bikes aren’t mega expensive and I would probably be driving at most an hour with bikes rather than a big holiday. I mean I want to be safe but I probably don’t need to lock them on the roof
Thanks

What is the weight of the bikes and racks and what is the max weight you can put on the roof?

[Geogcyclist]

I don’t know the exact weight
My bike she the kids are aluminium so the total weight should be okay

[Geogcyclist]

Welcome

Fittings are not universal. But solutions are usually available.

Please add some photos, as above.

And if you go to Halfords you can rummage around in the boxes and see what you need. (I have heard that they have a paid fitting service but I've never used that.)

Jonathan

Sorry , I can’t see how to add photos
Are square bars standard for cycle carriers?

[Jdsk]

...
Sorry , I can’t see how to add photos

You can link to images on another server or upload them here.

To upload them here... open a Reply post, click on the Attachments tab and then on the Add files button.

Jonathan

[Pinhead]

Replacement Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross sunroof £1200 after bike fell over LOL

[priyan.tantrige]

Welcome

Fittings are not universal. But solutions are usually available.

Please add some photos, as above.

And if you go to Halfords you can rummage around in the boxes and see what you need. (I have heard that they have a paid fitting service but I've never used that.)

Jonathan

Sorry , I can’t see how to add photos
Are square bars standard for cycle carriers?

I've used this company before as I live close enough to pop in and have them look at the set up. I carry 4 bikes on the roof and being able to lock everything with the same key is convenient and gives you piece of mind. They may be able to advise over the phone:
https://www.roofracks.co.uk/thule-roof-bar-guide/c/544

[rjb]

Think outside the box and you can come up with several solutions and ideas. I used to transport our tandem on an aluminium ladder by clamping the front forks in a threaded bar attached by an offset to the rungs, positioned so the rear wheel sat between a pair of rungs and seecured with a toestrap. I could slide the ladder onto the roof bars and secure them with more toe straps. We travelled thousands of miles with it held securely. The weight on the roof was noticeable especially when high speed cornering or in windy conditions so no rallying around roundabouts.

[emleyman]

When I saw the title I thought you meant something like this

[Barrowman]

Square bars aren't nessescarily needed for carriers.
I have been putting bikes on cars for years now.
First iteration was a bike specific LP Rack that fitted in the car gutters ( cars did used to have gutters)
Current car has built in longitudinal roof rails, cross bars are a good fit on them.
Altura rails I think which have a cunning fatening system using a custom splined socket (only have one so hope I never lose it )
More recently I have used Elite San Remo Fittings that clamp around the roof bars using two Allen head bolts.
Not cheap but well made.
San Remo have done a few styles.
Earlier ones whilst effective were a bit chunky for lightweights and the fork mount damaged paint
Next style work well.
Front wheel out (I don't like racks that clamp on the frame) and forks fit over an axle with quick release.
Back wheel sits in a mounded cup. The cup can slide in a slot to accomodate different wheelbases . Toestraps around the wheel . I have a large luggage strap over the down tube and the front roof bar. The fitting block is designed for square section roof bars. .
Have recently acquired the latest San Remo which seems to be designed for either square or aerodynamic roof bars.
You can also get forks to clamp on the roof rails for the front wheels.
( It's a classic occasional tale of folk forgetting the front wheel)
Was out using it yesterday, 3 bikes on the roof , no dramas , just need to ensure all the fittings are nice and tight. It takes a bit of time and thought for initial set up. And as someone else has said, no 'boy racer' driving helps.
Friend who runs a bike shop says back wheel of the bike should be at the front of the car to minimise the strain on the Headset.
Can't offer a photo, the set up does create some drag so I don't leave it on the car .
I am aware that some roof bars have a slot in the top and fittings can be found to fit the slot but have no practical experience of these. It's a bit of a lottery I am afraid.
AND Do your roof bars match your car. Until recently roof rails ( the ones that go the length of the car) had a gap underneath, the cross bars hooked under. Later ones sit on the roof, the cross bars still hook under but I suspect some may not be a universal fit. Just been into my garage and was reminded of this.
And as JDSK said below you can get racks you can load alongside the car and they cantilever up. But perhaps they are just for one machine. I ride leather saddles so don't want them getting chafed in a 'Holster'
And don't forget they are up there.You might need a note if the height on your desk. I saw the aftermath of 2 Classic Machines coming second to a height barrier which was open when we arrived for an event but had been shut during the course of the day.

[Jdsk]

I like to put the bikes, and especially the tandems, upside down with the saddle in a holster and clamps on the bars. This gives better control of the frame than clamping the wheels. And it's easier to put them up there because it's easier to hold an inverted frame. And you don't have to take the front wheel off.

But one of my children has a lovely system that takes the bikes the right way up and locates the wheels securely as you lift it into position.

Jonathan