colin79666

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• May 11, 2010

• #1

Tried getting my bike in the back of my GP yesterday and it seems my bike is exactly 2" longer than the distance from the front seat backs to the tailgate so no go that way.
I'm not overly keen on the strap on the back style carriers and given the GP has the lights mounted on the pillar I don't think that style of carrier will work as it will cover the lights (and I'm not wanting to start installing connectors for a light board).
So that leaves me with the roof rack option. Got a quite today from my local dealer and it worked out about £150 for the official bars and a bike carrier attachment. Price isn't everything to me though so I have also looked a Thule aero and standard bars which look like they would be easy to put on and the Thule bike carrier accessory seems expensive but the best of the lot so easy of use.
I'm fairly tall (6ft 2") so lifting my bike up onto the roof shouldn't be an issue. My only concern is the bike carrying rail on the roof system needs to be long enough as my bikes wheels are about 120cm apart.

Anyone successfully carried their bike on the GP and if so what's your advice?

 

Andy Monty

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• May 11, 2010

• #2

well the Fiat bars seam to be cheaper than the Thule however the chances are when you eventually change the car its modular so you might get away by just changing the foot pack and adjusting the clamp and bars accordingly.....



as for what bike rack to use it depends what kind of bike you have....

i have the Thule Pro ride and free ride racks the Pro ride is a bit problematic on some bikes especially if you have a water bottle rack on the down tube like wise the Free ride wont fit some frame shapes so your best of taking your bike to a shop and seeing what it will fit

However out of the two the Pro ride seems more secure and much faster and easier as its all adjusted at roof height but since your tall that shouldn't be an issue

if you have a really fully shaped bike this looks like the ideal solution

http://www.raleigh.co.uk/p_details.aspx?id=3706

 

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Last edited: May 11, 2010

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colin79666

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• May 11, 2010

• #3

Cheers for the detailed and informative reply Andy.

Halfords is within cycling distance so I might go along on the bike.

Found the aero bars, foot pack, fitting kit and barrel locks for £159.80 online including delivery which undercuts the Halfords price by some margin.

 

Andy Monty

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• May 12, 2010

• #4

well find which carrier fits then tell halfords you will come back for one in the car

 

N

NachtDerUntoten

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• May 12, 2010

• #5

I chose to buy Fiat's own steel roof bars, then a Thule 591 cycle carrier to go with them. I couldn't justify the silly prices that Thule were asking for the bars and foot pack alone...

 

Az234

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• May 13, 2010

• #6

I have the thule aero bars with the 591.

I dont know about the fiat bars but the thule aero bars have a grove cut out so that the carrier slides in so there is no chance of it going anywhere.

Again not sure how the carrier attaches to the fiat bars.

591 is by far the best carrier for bikes, fits all models I have tested.

 

M

Mozarella

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• Mar 7, 2011

• #7

Summer is cummin'

I bike a lot and bought a rear hatch bike carrier, against my better judgement. By the time I've fitted it, got the bike on, scratched the paint, and then realise I need to get in the boot, it's winter.

I bit the bullet and ordered the Fiat roof bars for my 3 door. They're on offer on the Fiat UK site for £70, inc shippping. Mont Blanc do a neat alloy bike carrier, for about £32.00

Mont Blanc Scott - Roof Mounted Cycle Carrier (Upright): Amazon.co.uk: Sports & Leisure

I hope it fits my bike. Total: £102.00

Pix when it arrives. Incidentally, if you pick up a new bike, it will fit in the back of a GP with both wheels removed. But, when it's a filthy mud-spattered mountain bike there's no way it's going back in the boot. Innit?

 

Last edited: Mar 7, 2011

Andy Monty

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• Mar 7, 2011

• #8

just buy a dirtworker





got some very funny looks using a refillable water fire extinguisher a while back lol

 

M

Mozarella

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• Mar 9, 2011

• #9

I bought a copy of MBR magazine today - I think it stands for Mad B*st*rds Riding, they reviewed bike pressure washers. The 'best' with 10 stars was - a bucket of water.

Fiat Accesories have shipped the roof bars quickly, but I was out today, so I'm still roofless. Hahaha.

 

IronHorse

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• Apr 21, 2011

• #10

I need something similar, Although the bars aren't listed on the Punto Evo so cant be sure there the same?