Evening gents, after strugggling to find a reliable rear bike carrier, one that doesn't feel like it's going to scratch my G, I've decided my best option is to find a cycle roof rack. Can anyone reccomend a decent/stylish set of roof bars? I've seen the official roof bars but it's more than I can afford to spend! As these are £200!
Evening gents, after strugggling to find a reliable rear bike carrier, one that doesn't feel like it's going to scratch my G, I've decided my best option is to find a cycle roof rack. Can anyone reccomend a decent/stylish roof rack? I've seen the official rack but it's more than I can afford to spend!
Yep. Removable tow bar on mine - rack stays solid & no interference with bumper etc.
I tend to leave the tow bar on during winter as it seems to deter Audi drivers from sitting right on your a**e.
Edit: I do also own a set of Cruz roofbars I got from roofbox.co.uk. They arent' as pretty as the AR ones but do have the right fittings including the little 'peg' that inserts into to hole inside the door recess. They've been fine on the few occasions they've been used.
I've got alfa roof bars for my 156. Do the job but split the rubbers on the rear door seal. I had a big roof box and assorted camping items strapped up there with elastic bungees and string. Looked proper pikey but survived a tour of France.
If I was to do it again I'd just get a transit van and be done with it. Alfas aren't meant to carry bicycles or have tow bars.
Having said that, my G does have the ride height of an suv.
I recall reading somewhere that the G roof isn't really structurally up to carrying heavier loads. Bikes on roof carriers will exert quite a lot of force when cornering etc. After looking at all the options I decided to go for the Saris Grand Fondo. This is like a roof carrier but it's boot mounted. Plus points are the bikes don't interfere with each other or the car, it leaves rear window, lights and number plates unobscured so no need for tailboard, and it supports the bikes by the wheels. More expensive carbon frame bikes can be damaged by carrying by the crossbar.
The downsides ... Makes the car very long as the bikes 'stand' on the back, and it's not very collapsable. Takes a lot of garage/boot space when not actually used for carrying bikes. However I've found it very quick and easy to fit (2 minutes all in) .
There are 2 large rubber feet that rest on the paintwork so you need to make sure you clean those areas thoroughly before using.
Best is always towbar, but in the absence of one might be worth considering the Saris.
Do you have any pics of what the Saris looks like on a G please? I've used Saris bones on previous cars but I'm not sure if I could on the G with the rear spoiler.
I had a Saris but never had the courage to use it when I saw the damage my aunt was doing to the edges of the bootlid with another boot rack. It rests on the bumper too which has some give designed into it.
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