For a 12my Octavia estate. I like the look of the whispbars, I really want to fit and forget so the slimmer and more aero the better. I only ever use them to carry a bike, so they don't need to be super strong.

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There was a set for sale on here yesterday have a search

Not the best picture but I went for Thule...

http://www.thule.com/en/GB/Products/Base-Racks/LoadBars/Thule-WingBar-960_-_963,-969

Thule always has good quality, fit and finish. Easy to install too. I've installed countless roof rack sets from different manufacturers and Thule always wins.

The bar on the picture is the aerodynamic "wingbar" but you can also get a significantly less expensive square bar made from normal steel covered in black plastic. Square bars don't look as nice but there's one huge advantage to them. Many roof rack accessories mate to the bar using a U-shaped bolt and aerodynamic bars are usually too wide. Square bars are all the same size regardless of manufacturer.

Aerodynamic bars usually have an "inverted T track" where you slide in a screw from the side, and bolt things straight on. A very clever design that unfortunately isn't supported by all accessory makers. Pictured below is the predecessor to the Thule Wingbar: the "aero" bar.

And as far as carrying capacity goes it doesn't matter which kind of roof rack you choose. It's always the car manufacturer that sets the limit anyway. Usually 75kg or thereabouts. I don't know the specific carrying capacity of the Octavia but I bet it's in the owners manual.

Edited 17 February, 201313 yr by Perc

I had a set of skoda bars for the hatch I had previously.

Halfrauds sell the Thule and the Exodus bars (both in aero and in square profile). Both use an ugly great clamp though, and the bars overhang the edge - just looks messy and aerodynamically like two bricks on the roof!

The Thule bars come in four different lengths and I've sometimes noticed that you can go slightly shorter than what the Thule Fit Guide recommends.

And you can always cut them to fit your car perfectly.

I went for Prorack Whispbars, S44 was the one I needed to fit my 2011 Scout, they work really well, and are really quiet if left on the vehicle, but to be honest fitting is a 10 min job so I only fit when required. In fact just taken them off this morning after getting back from this year's ski trip. Where I have them they would interfere with opening the sunroof, but if you don't have one this won't be a consideration.

I think they look really smart and as I didn't need massive width, or at least not any wider than the roof rails themselves, I thought they were ideal

The roof box is a Hapro Zenith 8.5 and I got it as it came complete with clamps that open wide enough to fit the bars; the Thule clamps wouldn't open wide enough, I did try them! The bars also have the t-track slot in them but I have no need for it right now. The only reason for mentioning the box is I was able to do 90+ mph on the autobahns and the bars were rock solid.

Agree with Perc

Another thumbs-up from me for Thule

I have the same as toonfan. They really are quiet and I don't notice them when they're on. They're great, just be aware that the roof clearance is only just enough for bungee cords and you can easily scratch the paint when tying things down.

I have genuine skoda ones for sale ATM

G

I have Whispbars. They are great but as they don't overhang they have limited T track width. This isn't an issue for me as I only carry a roofbox but for multiple cycles I would go for Thule or the Skoda ones (also made by Thule). These have the slotted track all the way across. The Whispbars track stops about 10cm in from the line of the roof rails.

I have the thule wingbars on my vrs hatchback. Don't seem to affect economy and very little wind noise from them.

I use Atero Signo ASR roof bars purchased from The Roofbox Company. They also sell Cruz, Thule and Whispbar roof bars.

Those Prorack whispbars look just the ticket if you want to leave them on permanently.

I only use my roof bars with my roof box.....so they are only on a couple of times a year at most. So I went for a set of Lidl roof bars for £24.99. They are absolutely brilliant for the price...they even have a T track (but no fittings to use it), but look a bit ugly to be in place all the time.

Edited 17 February, 201313 yr by booke23

I love toonfans set up. I have the OE bars on mine which are ok but those prorack bars look great, plus the hapro box looks cool too. The only thing you need is a stubby aerial mast to fit under the box.

I love toonfans set up. I have the OE bars on mine which are ok but those prorack bars look great, plus the hapro box looks cool too. The only thing you need is a stubby aerial mast to fit under the box.

I did buy a stubby 8cm aerial to fit when the roof box was fitted (it's the longer version of the roofbox I have so length of the roof is at a premium so tailgate can open fully - there's only a couple of mm clearance - without it sticking out too far over the windscren) but annoyingly short as it is it rubbed on the roofbox (really really REALLY annoyed me as it squeaked as we drove along, took ages to work out what it was) so the solution this year was to hacksaw it down to half size and use it just to act as a weather seal for the aerial screw connector - no great problem as who listens to European radio stations anyway

I guess this re-inforces Huskoda's comments that the Whispbars are 'low profile' because the box sits very low to the roof, although I still have to book on Eurotunnel as a vehicle over 1.85m high.

The Whispbars look the dogs doo dahs, and I only have one bike carrier. I also have a roof box that uses a U clamp. It fitted OK on a 2nd Gen Espace that had the aero bars, but the whispbars look even longer.

Had a pair of Atero Signo bars on a Honda accord, the rubber strip in the track is a right PITA to remove and replace. Guess that's the same for any bar with that design.

Atera racks are also a fiddly pain to install compared to Thule.

Thule do a similar bar to the whispbar, but the price is ludicrous: (It's the wind egde bar 9582)

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_926128_langId_-1_categoryId_165618#tab1

Wow......I thought £150 was horrendous enough for the Whispbars.........£235 for the Thule equivalent!

+1 for Thule. I bought these for my estate at christmas and they seem to be really good. Slightly noisy but apart from that there is nothing wrong with them.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_212484_langId_-1_categoryId_165618

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_712317_langId_-1_categoryId_165618

I got the more expensive (there are two available) original accessory bars (code: LAS620002A). Really happy with them, cost £122 at a local Seat reseller in Stockholm.

I bought the square Thule bars for about £80 from Halfords. Easy fitting, secure locking and do the job.

Dave

Just ordered the Prorack S44 whispbar same as toonfan66 from Roofbox.co.uk. Only concern was the depth of the bar and fitting a roofbox, but they do an adaptor kit so that you fit the box to the T Track. Job done then.

I use my old Hyundai bars on my Scout :-)