Roof bars - aero vs square

FreddieFrugal

I've been looking to find a set of roof bars to fit my car with fixing points.

Cheapest I've found are Cruz ones from roofbox.co.uk

69.99 for steel square profile bars (+foot pack etc)
99.99 for aluminium aero bars


I'm wondering if it's worth the extra money to get the aero ones.

I know the idea is they're more aerodynamic so make less noise and drag, reducing the impact on fuel consumption.

Which I get...if you were driving around with only the roof bars on. But surely if you're carrying something strapped to them, like a roof box/bag or bike rack etc. Then the shape of the bars is surely going to make very little difference to the overall noise and dynamics of the load you're carrying.

If they're only for occasional use - holidays and the odd carrying a long item back from Wickes or similar - is it worth paying the extra money?

I mean it's only £30 so not going to break the bank - I'm just wondering if they actually make a difference while carrying a load or just if riding around on top of the car unused.

facade

Most people fit them and forget to take them off for months, so they might clock enough miles to save the £30 in fuel, but you are right, once you strap a couple of kayaks on there it wont make any difference.

Check the ends are capped, and tape over any slots/holes in the bars, as they will whistle and drive you mad.

AdrianC

Unless you're too idle to remove them, you're absolutely right. Aerodynamics also plays very little part below about 60mph.

Basically, it's a good way for the bar manufacturers to squeeze another few quid from the gullible.

RichardD1970

I only use mine occasionally for some holidays and always take them off when not needed, in fact I remove the whole lot including roofbox as one piece.

Don't know how much difference to economy or noise they actually do make but they do look better (if you are bothered by that).

I ordered mine from roofbox.co.uk and went for the steel but they didn't have them in stock so sent the Aero instead at no additional cost :T

Inner_Zone

I use my car for work and the roof bars are fitted all year around. I have Thule aluminium aero bars fitted, they are defiantly quiet when no ladders etc are being carried and they don't whistle. Mind you the OP prices are alot lower than Thule products.

wwpaddler

Have a look on gumtree / ebay. Can nearly always find cheap roofbars there which people are getting rid of when they change their car. Easier to find square bars as people "upgrade" to aero when they change their car.

Recently bought a set of Thule Squarebars with feet for my car for £40 instead of RRP £130.

IamNotAllowedToUseMyName

The other difference is the fixings. you can use. Check that the equipment you want to fix works with the U brackets. Some roof boxes and other fixings only work with the T tracks. I noticed the roof box I used was upgraded recently and they had standardised on T tracks and withdrawn the U brackets.

FreddieFrugal

I've been looking at roof bags - like handiholdall which attach via multiple straps rather than brackets.

FreddieFrugal

RichardD1970 wrote: »

I ordered mine from roofbox.co.uk and went for the steel but they didn't have them in stock so sent the Aero instead at no additional cost :T

Maybe I'll do the same then and hope I get lucky!