Currently I put two bikes on the roof with genuine Multipla roof bars and Halfords bike carriers. The kids bikes go in the boot. Now they have all moved up sizes I need to accommodate 2 bigger bikes.

Option 1: Could I get four bikes on the roof? Anyone done this? I thought it might work given the extra width.
Option 2: Second hand towbar carrier. I've seen you can get new one for under £50 http://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4_tab.php?33109&gclid=CJbu87ntkswCFcyRGwod_gYCGg but knowing my luck I'd be the guy who came across that copper who pulls people over for obscured number plates!


Anyone done either of the above?

Ta!

provided you don't exceed the maximum load for the roof I would have thought it would be OK.

We regularly have four bikes on the roof - three full size adult MTB (none of them particularly "light") and a kids MTB (which weighs the same as a small tank in comparison) - on Thule bars with Thule bike carriers. The other two bikes have to go in the boot.

It takes some careful spacing so that handlebars don't clash / overlap / get tangled in cables, but we've done many miles like that with no issues.

We've also in the past transported three on the roof alongside a roofbox (had to move the handlebars sideways and remove pedals for that to work).

I can't remember what the total max load should be, and I suspect we exceed it. However, its been fine for us for the last 4 years.

According to the handbook max. load is 80Kg

Cheers, 80kg = four bikes that weigh a tonne (a 20kg bike would be hefty), though of course you need to include the weight of the rack too. Reckon we're under-weight with 4 on the roof, but perhaps close to it with 3 plus a roofbox full of summer holiday stuff. Never bother to weigh the roofbox though!

The OEM roof bars are only rated to 50kg. That's what it says in the installation instructions - they feel like they'd take quite a bit more than that to me!

widemouthfrog said:

The OEM roof bars are only rated to 50kg ... - they feel like they'd take quite a bit more than that to me!

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I would hope so. The extra G-forces due to bumpy roads, cornering, braking (and even accelerating) will exert a much higher force on the roof bars than a 50kg load on a stationary car.