Thule Roof Bars

[mrmitch]

I want to get some roof bars for the Silver Machine to carry at least two cycle carriers, and a narrow(half-width), shiney-silver roof-box from time to time - occassionally all at the same time if this is possible!

For full flexibility (should I change the motor some day) I reckon Thule kit is the best bet.

There are two types of bar - regular (black) square bars (761's) or silver (shiney) Aero bars (861's).
Then two types of feet - 'standard' 755's or 'lower profile' 775's.

Can anybody tell me what the pro's and con's for various combinations are - my preference is for Aero Bars (shiney, to go with my silver roof-rails) with lower profile 775 feet (possibly lower wind resistance? and lower centre of gravity?).

Predictably, my choice seems to be the most expensive combination by about £30 on www.roofracks.co.uk but does that mean it is the best?
Are there any drawbacks to this combination in anyones experience?

PS - I suspect the VW bars and carriers are very similar to Thule, maybe even the same, but more expensive (no surprise). They offer a Thule roofbox on the Accessories List. Does the VW kit have any advantages over Thule gear and can you fit different feet to the VW bars for a different car?

SEL TDi 170 DSG Est, Reflex Silver, "The Silver Machine"

[Ozdub]

Hey Mitch

I have the Thule Aero bars and 755s on my silver machine. The 755s are a piece of cake to fit, and the bars seem to have minimal wind noise. I can't comment on the Thule square bars but had another brand of square bars on another car and they were very noisy.

The 755s are reasonably low profile - in fact I personally wouldn't want them any lower or else ski and snowboard bindings could touch the roof.

The other great thing about Thule is that if you have a brain snap and change cars, you can always find new feet, even for really obscure cars. This my third car (first VeeDub) with the same bar - I've just bought different feet. They are built to last and spares are readily available, although I've never needed any. They're worth the money IMO.

Cheers
OzDub

[Astonm]

I have the aero bars with the 755 foot pack and they are great. Very easy to fit with very limited wind noise. I liked the look of the silver and it matches the car perfectly, I also have 2 cycle carriers (silver of course)

[gazza007]

I just been using my 755 feet for the 1st time, I have borrowed some 761 bars (120cm) as my old one's that I used on my Alhambra are 15cm too wide so a friend is going to chop them down by 7.5 cm each side & increase the adjustment grove by the same amount. Personally I would stick to the cheapest option unless you have chrome rails or you are using them all the time. Not really on view once you are loaded up. I originally got mine from this place & delivery is included. Cheaper than roofracks too.

http://www.skidrive.co.uk/bars/selector3.php?idx=1583

http://www.skidrive.co.uk/bars/selector3.php?idx=1582

[RIDGMONT61]

I have also bought Thule roofbars from Skidrive - excellent service and excellent price. I watched on eBay for a while for the bars but the prices they go for are more expensive than from Skidrive for new ones!

I went for the 861 bars and 755 feet (skidrive recommended going for the 755 feet and not the 775 as they are easier to fit).

I am very impressed with the bars, and following the Thule instructions I mounted the bars fairly close to the rear of the car - this produced no wind noise.

If you have the chrome roof bars - I think that it is a no-brainer that you must go for the aero bars - they look much smarter. With the saving that Skidrive offer (I think £95 all in) they are only slightly more than the black square bars.

[mrmitch]

Thanks Guys, it looks like the 861 Aero Bars with 755 feet.
£97 from Skidrive seems like a good deal compared to £132 from Halfords!!
Just have to get the plastic out now.

Cheers

'57 SEL TDi 170 DSG Est, Reflex Silver, 9k, "The Silver Machine"