Hi all,

I've had a 2010 170CR VRS Hatch for a couple of months and absolutely love it, I would highly recommend it! Unfortunately I can't say the same for my Thule roof bars.

I've had Thule bars before on others cars and never had any issues but I just can't get these to fit, not sure if I'm missing something or if the fittings are just wrong. I would be interested in hearing if anyone else has a 2010 VRS Hatch with Thule roof bars successfully fitted. Anyway, here's some pictures of the problem:

The car

The instruction manual stating a foot location of 33cm on the aero bar

One of the feet attached to the aerobar at 33cm

One foot attached (note that it doesn't fit snug at all)

The other end, hopelessly short

These are the part numbers I have:

• Rapid system 754
• Aero bar 869
• Kits 1594 & 1360 (tried both, neither fit)

Has anyone at all managed to get these successfully fitted?

Just move the feet out a couple of CM each side perhaps....

Looks like you have tighten the one side too much. Have both loose and then tighten each side a little at a time and alternate between the 2. The other thing would be to move them out a little as well.

Just move the feet out a couple of CM each side perhaps....

Looks like you have tighten the one side too much. Have both loose and then tighten each side a little at a time and alternate between the 2. The other thing would be to move them out a little as well.

I did try pushing the feet out a bit and although that solves the length issue it still doesn't seem to 'sit' correctly on the ridge that it should do. I would also be a bit concerned if I had a failure of the bars that I may have problems with insurance as they're not fitted as per the manufacturers spec.

In 4 and 5 is the bit not sitting right rubber? I wouldn't worry to be honest as all this did on the Bora was scratch the paint!

In 4 and 5 is the bit not sitting right rubber? I wouldn't worry to be honest as all this did on the Bora was scratch the paint!

Aha, you're obviously not a member of Detailing World

In fairness, it's not far off, but these kits are meant to be one off, specifically for the individual vehicle and so I expect it to fit perfectly. (And they did fit perfectly on my previous cars with Thule bars).

Aha, you're obviously not a member of Detailing World

In fairness, it's not far off, but these kits are meant to be one off, specifically for the individual vehicle and so I expect it to fit perfectly. (And they did fit perfectly on my previous cars with Thule bars).

I am a keen detailer - is there something im missing?

These kits are specifically for the vehicle - many fittings will fit many cars depending on the specs.

On the 5th picture it looks like the rubber foot would fit better the other way around, eg the inner edge should be the outer. Is it possible to fit it that way to see if better?

On the 5th picture it looks like the rubber foot would fit better the other way around, eg the inner edge should be the outer. Is it possible to fit it that way to see if better?

Unfortunately the rubber bit can only go on one way so it's not possible to turn it around. This isn't the right kit, but it shows the rubber bit and it's shape:

http://www.amazon.co...NA&linkCode=asn

Planning on giving Thule a call today.

I bought the Thule kit for the Fabia 1, wasnt impressed with the fit so sent em back for a refund and got the Skoda Dealer ones instead as the foot to roof fit was 100 times better.

Have you looked at the Skoda ones for the Octavia? I'll be looking to get some bars later in the summer once our car has arrived.

Cheers

ACSC

These are the part numbers I have:

• Rapid system 754
• Aero bar 869
• Kits 1594 & 1360 (tried both, neither fit)

Thanks this is great timing I am about to sort out a rack for bicycles and Thule is the best choice generally here in Australia.

The Australian Thule site recomends the 1360 fit kit only for the hatch so now I'm going to have to do some serious visual inspection at the supplier before I lay down the cash.

I bought the Thule kit for the Fabia 1, wasnt impressed with the fit so sent em back for a refund and got the Skoda Dealer ones instead as the foot to roof fit was 100 times better.

Have you looked at the Skoda ones for the Octavia? I'll be looking to get some bars later in the summer once our car has arrived.

I haven't looked at the Skoda one to be truthful. I have 3 Thule Proride 591 cycle carriers that fit to the Thule aerobars. Any idea if these will fit to the Skoda rails?

As suggested surely just move the feet out a bit and then tighten up a bit each side at a time?

I haven't looked at the Skoda one to be truthful. I have 3 Thule Proride 591 cycle carriers that fit to the Thule aerobars. Any idea if these will fit to the Skoda rails?

Its the Thule 591 carriers that I have, 2 went fine on the fabia bars (square style bars)

Cheers

ACSC

As suggested surely just move the feet out a bit and then tighten up a bit each side at a time?

I'm really reluctant to do this as I wouldn't be following the manufacturers specification and I've had to claim for a roof rack related incident in the past (think: car park, barrier, crunch) and I wouldn't be surprised if the insurance company try to wiggle out of paying because it wasn't fitted 'correctly'.

But you could easily prove that they correct way is the wrong way. The instructions have probably been type'od or lost in translation. Has no one else got these bars? I am thinking of getting some but now reluctant to do so.

I had the same Thule kit you have for my preFL Mk2 VRS and they fitted fine. I do not believe the roof line has change between the PreFL and FL models so it should fit fine. As I said above I had to tighten each side slowly and alternating between the two sides and they fitted fine with no damage to the roof. I think I may have not used the exact settings for the bars to ensure it fitted fine. Again the settings are a guide and if you need to deviate from them slightly to make it fit right then this is not going to affect any insurance etc. You will know if they are fitted right since they will be solid. The Thule set imho is a good set and fits very well. Infact I liked them so much I have just got the estate fitments for my new VRS estate.

But you could easily prove that they correct way is the wrong way. The instructions have probably been type'od or lost in translation. Has no one else got these bars? I am thinking of getting some but now reluctant to do so.

Yeah, I don't doubt that it's a documentation issue rather than a technical one.

I had the same Thule kit you have for my preFL Mk2 VRS and they fitted fine. I do not believe the roof line has change between the PreFL and FL models so it should fit fine. As I said above I had to tighten each side slowly and alternating between the two sides and they fitted fine with no damage to the roof. I think I may have not used the exact settings for the bars to ensure it fitted fine. Again the settings are a guide and if you need to deviate from them slightly to make it fit right then this is not going to affect any insurance etc. You will know if they are fitted right since they will be solid. The Thule set imho is a good set and fits very well. Infact I liked them so much I have just got the estate fitments for my new VRS estate.

The FL Mk2 VRS is wider, to my surprise, not sure if the roofline is different or not: http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/specs/Summary.aspx?model=1437&page=2

These are the bars I use on my pre FL Octy II and roofbox.co.uk are very good at this! The Altera are in fact the "factory option" bars but cheaper than buying them from the stealers..............

http://www.roofbox.c...qyTrMXUulOFlcP2

You will note that these are for a 2004 onwards and INCLUDE the FL as there is no difference whatsoever in roofline or mounting area. Please remember that the FL is just that; a "FaceLift" model - it is NOT a whole new car. Skoda have not changed the multi-million £££ press tooling for the roof!!

While it doean't help your current issues with Thule, I do wish people would look at other solution before jumping straigt in with Thule. There are (IMHO) better alternatives out there for less money! In fact now I look at your pictures I think the mounts are positivly nasty compared to the Altera.

Roofbars are designed to fit a particular model but the mounts could very easily have been adjusted incorectly at the factory; My Altera's both needed slight adjustment of the bar to mount interface to fit and this is why they are supplied with adjustment points, similar I would imagine to your Thules. I slackened off the bolts on both sides, attatched the mounts and adjusted the legnth accordingly. Yes it was a bit fiddly but only because I couldn't find a bit for my small rachet so had to use the supplied key. It only took 5mins per bar.

As with any roof bar I'm sure I don't need to tell you to be careful not to over-tighten the mounts and make sure the rubber pads and roof are clean before mounting.........and avoid driving under height restriction bars as it makes a real mees of the bars, roof, rear screen and your £4K Scott.........:-)

Contact Thule, ask the questions. If you don't get a satisfactory answer, send them back under Sale of Goods Act and buy a set of Altera.

Edited 23 June, 201015 yr by wardth

Right, I've spoken to an extremely unhelpful person at Thule UK who wasn't really interested or believed that it didn't fit with the feet at 33 as per the instructions.

Then spoke to a very helpful chap at roofbox.co.uk who is going to arrange a refund on the Thule kit. I'm going to try using the Prorack Whispbars next as these will fit both cars with only an extra 25 quid kit. These should arrive tomorrow so I'll let everyone know how it goes tomorrow night.

Edited 23 June, 201015 yr by omahn

Unfortunately the Prorack Whisbars don't fit either. Fits fine at the front but not at the back. Spoke directly to Prorack who confirmed that they don't have a kit that fits the 2010 Octavia Hatch so it's going back. Prorack expect to have the required kit on sale early 2011. Going to go with the Skoda bars now..

Thats a shame matey, guess I'll wait and order some next year or take the plunge with the Skoda ones again

Cheers

ACSC

Well im just about to get some 2nd hand Thule 869's to try off a Mk5 Golf - Just need a new fitting kit so will let you know how I get on! If not I will put them on the Bay and make a healthy profit hopefully.

Why do people ask for help and then completely ignore the advice?!!

The Altera's fit.

Edited 26 June, 201015 yr by wardth

I have a pre-FL 2009 vRS hatch with the Thule bars. I have checked a colleague's car which is a FL model and the roof line seems identical, the bars fit his exactly as they do mine, as long as I left the foot pack loose at first there was a slight adjustment to his, but I feel that may be the case form anyone car to another. I set mine up using the Thule measurements, but without tightening the foot pack. I then laid on the car roof and they were a little out so adjusted - but I mean mm not a cm. They then sit loose on th eroof with the adaptors well away from the holes. As sais above the fitting then needs tightening one side then the other, alternately until tight. If you, as you did in the photos, tighten one side then the other will never, ever fit. The Thule bars for perfectly, I suggets that you should have read the adivice of other owners and just tried again with that in mind. If you keep trying different bars you may never get it right, even the Skoda ones (whjich ar enot made by Skoda anyway and may well be Thule).

My advice? Listen to advice. So guess I wasted this then.

Edited 26 June, 201015 yr by fireftrm