Roof Top Bike Rack

[andrewparker]

Hi all, I'm after a roof top bike rack for my son's 16" wheel Ridgeback. Anyone got any recommendations? I had been looking at the Thule ProRide 591, but I can't work out if it would take a smaller bike.

[h4rdy]

My mates wife forgot and..................goodbye £1.5k Specialized

I have a Saris Bones RS which is the daddy of rear ones might be worth checking to see if they do roof ones.

Thule are apparently very good with like a T bar mount system.

Check www.bikerader.co.uk for reviews.

[Deako]

I had a couple of Proride 591s. They are fully adjustable, i have 16" bikes as im a shortarse, and it fitted them fine. They are that adjustable, you could fit a toddlers bike on them to be honest.

[andrewparker]

I had a couple of Proride 591s. They are fully adjustable, i have 16" bikes as im a shortarse, and it fitted them fine. They are that adjustable, you could fit a toddlers bike on them to be honest.

Awesome, thanks mate!

I assume the fittings are pretty universal? It needs to fit OEM BMW and VW roof bars....

[Deako]

I had a couple of Proride 591s. They are fully adjustable, i have 16" bikes as im a shortarse, and it fitted them fine. They are that adjustable, you could fit a toddlers bike on them to be honest.

Awesome, thanks mate!

I assume the fittings are pretty universal? It needs to fit OEM BMW and VW roof bars....

Yeah, providing they have a sliding rail system for attached items, it fits fine. The rear foot can be adjusted to fit various distances of bar. They use a twist / push lock system to hold them to the bars and then lock into place with keys.

[Eccie]

Andrew I use the Thule 591's, my son is almost 10 and I've had every one of his bikes on the roof (even his first with stabilisers - it did look funny) so yes they take all sorts - its just a case of making sure you can attach the ratchet clamp to something.

My sons specialised hotrock mountain bike is on 20" rims

[rob_e]

Yep, thule proride's here too.

Fine for adult bikes and also no problem with the kiddie bikes:

[andrewparker]

Superb, thanks chaps.

My sons specialised hotrock mountain bike is on 20" rims

How does he find the Hotrock? We almost bought Jude the Hotrock 16 but were really put off by the coaster brake so went for the Ridgeback MX16 instead. Both are super cool bikes for little ones!

[Eccie]

Superb, thanks chaps.

My sons specialised hotrock mountain bike is on 20" rims

How does he find the Hotrock? We almost bought Jude the Hotrock 16 but were really put off by the coaster brake so went for the Ridgeback MX16 instead. Both are super cool bikes for little ones!

Andrew I lied to you Its actually got 24" rims  

We got it second hand for him, its actually a 2006 model http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/archive/2006/hotrockboys/hotrocka1fs2421-speedboys#features I told him it was retro so I can't comment on the latest models. I will say its been a cracking bike for £100 he has done loads of miles on it in 3 years or so. It is a quality, lightweight bike and that really makes a difference - i struggle to keep up with the little bugger going up hills.

He will out grow it before he finishes Primary school, in the next 2 years, so I will need to replace it - that said I think I'll still get £100 for it when i sell it. Following the Olympics he fancies a visit to the manchester velodrome, they do taster sessions for kids.

[andrewparker]

To be fair I don't think the Hotrock has changed for years - we'll probably get one for him when he's 6 or 7 - I do like the look of them, but the brakes were a bit of a worry. Seems the kids bikes from Isla, Ridgeback and Specialized all hold their value really well.