Help with VE Commodore Roof Mount

[kunalraiker]

I'am sick and tired of damaging my boot door using a cheap bike stand.

Given that I know own decent Road Bikes, would like to purchase a roof mount.
The car is VE Berlina, not really sure what is required.

What do I need to get, also what model/brand is good and all doesn't cost an arm and leg.
Also would I be able to install it myself or do I need a mechanic.
Lastly where to buy all the requirements from.

Thanks guys, you've been always helpful with such requests.

[Bob_TAS]

Thule or Rhino should make something to suit. Racks plus mounts might cost a pretty penny though. Try Autobarn or equivalent rip-off merchant.

[RonK]

I'am sick and tired of damaging my boot door using a cheap bike stand.

Three reasons why it's a bad idea...

[clackers]

My wife and I have both gone with Thules on a Mazda 6 and Mazda 3. Not cheap but they work really well. Only one minor mishap between the two of us so far.

[Dr_Mutley]

U sure u wanna go roof?
Here's mine on my (POS) VE from a couple of years ago... Still going strong...

viewtopic.php?t=43326&p=657471#p656975" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[kunalraiker]

U sure u wanna go roof?

Why wouldn't I, seems pretty convenient, easy and more secure?

[Ross]

You are looking at about $329 for Thule roof rack and about $219 ea for Thule ProRide 591 bike racks. You often see the bike racks second-hand on eBay or Gumtree but be wary buying a second-hand roof rack unless it specifically came off the same model car as yours because the foot pack will most likely be different and by the time you buy the correct foot pack the price could well blow out to the same cost as a new roof rack, which obviously defeats the purpose of buying used in the first place.

http://thulestorebotany.com.au/vehicleguide.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://thulestorebotany.com.au/roof-mounted-c-2_27.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Dr_Mutley]

U sure u wanna go roof?

Why wouldn't I, seems pretty convenient, easy and more secure?

Sorry - Just a simple question... There's many reasons not to go roof... Here's a few I thought up quickly:
1) the hassle of putting bikes on roof
2) less secure
3) less protected - more risk of stone damage unless u go to the bother of putting bike bras on
4) takes much longer to put the bikes on & off
5) harder to secure them adequately against theft
6) more wind resistance - poorer fuel economy
7) noisier
height restrictive
9) hassle taking off front wheel then having to store them in the boot, taking up valuable boot space
10) look stupid (ok I was clutching at straws for a 10th!)

EDIT: looking at Ross's post about how about expense as no. 10! YIKES!!

However, I'm sure there are 10 good reasons against a hitch mounted carrier too...


Then u could always just refer to the picture above of 3 mangled bikes, which is the main reason I wouldn't put mine on the roof... As I'm stupid enough to forget they are up there and to destroy them like that poor fella...

[Ross]

With a rear hitch carrier you can still get stones and dirt flicking up from the road, obviously not badly if you are driving on sealed roads but definitely on unsealed roads.
If a car runs up your ar$e then your bike(s) are toast.
More rear overhang, car may not fit in garage with bike rack on and public car parks could be a problem too.
Theft is just as much of a (non) problem with rear mount. Both racks have locks available. Supplement with own bike lock if you want. Nothing is thief proof. Even if you put the bike inside the car someone can break a window or force a lock and steal the bike.
Takes 20 seconds to put a bike on a roof rack and probably less to take it down. One strap for each wheel and an arm that clamps around the down tube of the frame.
Roof racks may be a problem if you are short and/or are weak and are trying to lift a heavy MTB onto it but for an average CF road bike it's very easy.
As far as expense, the cheapest Thule towball mounted rear rack is $399, going up to nearly $1000.

http://thulestorebotany.com.au/tow-ball-c-2_28_31.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[drnick79]

Got one from ISI not long ago - http://www.isi-carriers.com/products.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and it is great! Not cheap, but built to last.



S

[Jesmol]

I have a Yakima front loader, seriously good bike holder. The trick is to never forget a bike is up there

[clackers]

If you want to go towbar, Grip Sports in Melbourne do a great design.

[kunalraiker]

I wouldn't like a tow bar - too expensive and looks ugly on the car.

[clackers]

Let me get this right ... a Commodore is too classy for a tow bar?

[drnick79]

50mm box on mine, nothing in it 99% of the time.

S

[Dr_Mutley]

No tow bar required, just a 50mm hitch

[kunalraiker]

Let me get this right ... a Commodore is too classy for a tow bar?

It seems like you drive a flash car, well good for you

[Big_Red]

I recently bought a 4 bike towball mount channel rack from T7 for $180 which holds 4 bikes, along with the light board for $40 while on special + an accessory plate from PPQ ($66! ripped off being a qld'er, as plates are cheaper in every other state). Sofar, i've put my roadbike, 26" hardtail mtb & son's 20" bike in it and it is as solid as a rock. Nice thing about having a hitch mounted towball is it is so easy to remove from the car when it isn't being used. The rack weighs about 13kg all up and is easy enough to lift on and off the towball and stash inside my car (i have an x-trail mind you) while being solid enough to last a while. Those thule & ISI carriers are nice pieces of kit, but you'll have to weigh up the costs. I'm very happy with t7 rack, and it's getting used every week.

[clackers]

Let me get this right ... a Commodore is too classy for a tow bar?

It seems like you drive a flash car, well good for you

No, it's not an antique Hispano-Suiza Bearcat, it's a Mazda 6, a mass production car like yours - with a tow bar as well as a roof rack.

[Dr_Mutley]

Let me get this right ... a Commodore is too classy for a tow bar?

It seems like you drive a flash car, well good for you

No, it's not an antique Hispano-Suiza Bearcat, it's a Mazda 6, a mass production car like yours - with a tow bar as well as a roof rack.

Just much better quality than my VE Calais!

[spirito]

I'am sick and tired of damaging my boot door using a cheap bike stand.

Get an older Commodore.

/end of thread

[Bob_TAS]

The boot of my VE Sedan fits my 56cm bike and two sets of 700c wheels no worries. You must be one heck of a tall blighter unless you're carrying multiple bikes at a time.

Edit: [Sedan]

[NhiTrac]

I bought a roof mounting system from Seasuckers and it's worked flawlessly for me. I still picture myself on the news/radio having a bike fall off on the motorway each time I use it, but fact is these suck like an angry giant octopus and work as advertised every time.

Good:
- extremely quick to mount/dismount both the system and bike
- no cross bars on the car when not needed
- placement of bike can be a lot lower than traditional roof racks. Eg mine is mounted with front fork at the very rear of the roof where it meets the rear window, with the back wheel on the boot lid.

Bad:
- security is minimal
- that funny gut feeling each time you plod along at 110km/hr with a bike attached to your car using suction cups

[TomBikes]

I bought a roof mounting system from Seasuckers and it's worked flawlessly for me. I still picture myself on the news/radio having a bike fall off on the motorway each time I use it, but fact is these suck like an angry giant octopus and work as advertised every time.

Good:
- extremely quick to mount/dismount both the system and bike
- no cross bars on the car when not needed
- placement of bike can be a lot lower than traditional roof racks. Eg mine is mounted with front fork at the very rear of the roof where it meets the rear window, with the back wheel on the boot lid.

Bad:
- security is minimal
- that funny gut feeling each time you plod along at 110km/hr with a bike attached to your car using suction cups

You forgot one good, all the pro teams use them.