General bike roof racks

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General bike roof racks

seems obvious now, but i've never seen one attached close up before.....

next silly question then;

do you think you'd be able to fit 2 bikes on the roof of a panda, ie is it wide enough?!?

If your thinking of fitting two bikes on your roof it might be worth getting the Thule Aero bars that go across the roof. These will give you a bit more room , width wise, than the fiat bars, as you can fit the bike racks right on the edge of the aero bars. Looking at the fiat bars the bike racks are fitted a little bit further inwards on the roof, so there is less room. But i am sure that you could fit one bike one way and the other bike the opposite way as hp_source suggested.

Another benefit on using the Thule bars is that if your a short arse like me its easier to reach the bike, as it will be right on the edge of the roof bars.
A few inches makes all the differance when your lifting bikes onto a roof.
 
seems obvious now, but i've never seen one attached close up before.....

next silly question then;

do you think you'd be able to fit 2 bikes on the roof of a panda, ie is it wide enough?!?

Yep quite easily:)
 

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I have the fiat side-to-side bars and a Thule 591, been all over the country with it, no problems... get some funny looks, but hey! (y)

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Hello! I'm new here, so I don't know if I am replying in the correct way, so apologies if not. Can anyone tell me if the Thule bars fit in the boot please? I just wouldn't want them nicked when we're off riding. Thanks in advance for any advice.
 
The front clamp by the 'arm' has a lock built in, uses the same key as the lock on arm itself. I've never felt worried about leaving it on.

In fact I've now got in the habit of putting the bars/rack on when we have a night out, leave the car in the our favourite pub car park (about 15miles away), taxi home and ride back for it the next day, bike on top and drive home again, handy hangover cure!
 
An oldish thread, but seeing that I have a bike that needs transporting, I hoped there would be a relevant thread ;) plus I am sick of putting it into the back of the car...

So basically, on a 100HP with no side rails, the best bet is to get the OEM kit:

http://www.fiat-accessories.com/Fiat-Panda-Roof-Bars (I will shop around and see if I can get it cheaper)

And then get the Thule kit as above, code 591?

I take it there have no further updates or issues with this?

Oh, I will be carrying a Specialized Hybrid :)

How easy is it to get the bike on and off? Never really used one before...
 
cant help with the panda bit but the 951 is simple to use best off doing a run with a friend to start with but


space the 2 wheel retainers out for your bike (marking where they sit on the ally channel can help at a later date should they move)


next lift the clamping arm up (you might have issues on some bikes if you have a bottle rack but this can be over come by moving the 2 wheel holders back or forward)


next slip the bike between the jaws and turn the big knob till its tight and the bike is central (give the bike a shake to check) you can often get it a bit tighter.........

lock the lock to stop it coming open

then put the 2 ratchet straps thru the spokes and pull tight

not much more to it than that


if you go for the Thule Free ride you might need to stand on the sill as its clamp is half way up the arm


the proride is ideal if your a short arse or have a high car...



 
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Ah, I do have a bottle holder on that cross frame... The Freeride seems to get around that issue. Then again, looking at the pic above, it seems to clamp quite low down.

I am just under 6 foot, but the Panda does seem high.

Any difference on the yearly models, seen this on a Ford Parts place:

http://www.fordsparts.co.uk/product-info/591car £63.70 delivered :chin:

So would it be advisable to pay more for a 2011 model?
 
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I'm 6 feet tall and drive a Panda Cross that is a bit taller than FWD models. I use a Thule 591 cycle carrier to transport a bike with a bottle cage and have no problems getting the bike up on the rack or locating the arm of the rack on the cycle's downtube.
I bought my carrier through a Ford dealer advertising on the internet and found the price to be very good.
I used Jennings Ford, the company running the website you have mentioned. They sent the carrier from their Stockton branch to the Sunderland branch which enabled me to avoid delivery charges. I paid £59 just over 2 months ago.
I don't think I would worry about the year of the model of cycle carrier.
 
Excellent news, and for some reason the Ford price is a good saving compared to the rest of the market.

Just noticed that the Freeride is way cheaper though, £37 delivered from the same site - but I suppose that has a few disadvantages.
 
Just noticed that the Freeride is way cheaper though, £37 delivered from the same site - but I suppose that has a few disadvantages.


looks like they changed the free ride style recently mine came with U bolts and plastic thumb turn/nuts to secure it

she makes it look so easy with the free ride but i found the need to tighten the thumb clamp which holds the frame to secure the bike

also after its been used a bit the friction that holds the clamping part up at the right angle gets slack so you have to hold it up and the bike along with do up the thumb clamp three hand job sometimes
 
Ok, nice one - well I am thinking I should get the 2011 model of the 591 - it seems to be the Mk2 version, with some added benefits.


I'm now on a PC that lets me reply to posts. As per my PM to you the 2011 model looks better, for the extra 16 odd quid.

I've had my 591 for over a year with no problems. I am only 5ft 6" and i dont have any probs lifting my bike up, although its a very light Hardtail.
 
I just had a thought about some cables and bits on that part of the frame.

I will take a picture of it tomorrow to show you what I mean - hoping it won't affect the clamping action with the 591.
 
I just had a thought about some cables and bits on that part of the frame.

I will take a picture of it tomorrow to show you what I mean - hoping it won't affect the clamping action with the 591.

I have some gear cables on the down tube where the clamp goes, its not a problem. The only isue i did have was that i had to move my bottle cage to the upright tube so there was room for the clamp. I then had buy a side loading cage so i could get bottles in it. Got there in the end. (y)
 
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