Bicycles On Roof - How Fast?

[Leanny]

My family and I enjoy the occasional biking trip over the weekend. Since our car is a Ford Mondeo though, we normally just rent the bicycles. But that could change soon since we saw this, which is why we were wondering how to attach a bike rack to the roof of a car. Do you have to use screws and maybe even a drill? Or is it possible to clamp the rack to the car windows? Or do the roof rails come into play? What’s the fastest you can drive with a fully loaded bicycle rack?

[btmaldon]

You need to buy a set of roof bars and suitable foot packs first. The bike rack then bolts onto that. Have a look at the thule roof bar systems on the thule website. Decide what parts you need, then go look for these on eBay.

A good roof bar system will cost you £180 at full price. I managed to get it for half that on eBay.

[AlanW]

My family and I enjoy the occasional biking trip over the weekend. Since our car is a Ford Mondeo though, we normally just rent the bicycles. But that could change soon since we saw this,

You are much better to get this version HERE

A number of reasons :-

1) You don't end up damaging the paintwork on your bike.

2) It is easier to load your bike on it.

3) It is certainly more secure at speed.

4) Look what version the pro teams use.

5) More aerodynamic.

I have two on the roof of my Mondeo ST and you can quite comfortably cruise at 80 mph with two bikes on the roof.

BUT....be warned that it will kill your fuel consumption at a rather alarming rate, no matter what your speed!!!

[Danny87]

I was in a friends car a year or so back and we had mountain bikes on the roof with all our camping gear in the boot. Glanced at his speedo a couple of times and he was pushing near 100MPH... :o I wouldn't have done that while driving loaded with bikes on the roof, you'd have to be stupid or just gutsy!