I remember a thread on this subject from a while ago but I can't find it for the life of me; the search option always tells me it's disabled as well.

I'd appreciate a little advice / info on the following.

I want to be able two carry two average sized (one 18" frame / one 19") mountain bikes on the roof of my fabia. I crrently have no roof rails / bars whatsoever.

I just need to try and work out what i actually have to buy. I read the old thread carefully but it was a little confusing to someone who has no experience of roof racks etc whatsoever. I think I have deduced that I need two seperate parts - roof bars and then an actual cycle carrier.

I've also had a look on the skoda site and this would seem to make sense because they have a roof bars section and then a section for cycle carriers.

Could anyone confirm if this is actually the thing(s) I need to be buying? Would anyone care to recommend actual specific parts / numbers?

Finally... Since I've no experience with this whatsoever, I'm somewhat nervous about trying to fit any of this myself and then either mess my car up or just fail miserably. I think the skoda site said that the dealers will fit but from your experience do they try and charge an extortionate sum or are they quite reasonable? I need to get my car booked in for some warranty work in the near future so I could maybe try and get them to do it all at the same time.

Any advice appreciated as I fancy a mountain bike trip to wales in mid october!

cheers all.

Ok what you need is the cross bars for the fabia, they fit directly to your roof.

Then you will need the actual cycle carriers.

Send a PM to vRStu he used tro have a friend who might be able to help you with the official kit for an unofficial price delivered .

Here is my fabia with the Standard Skoda Cross bars and the Standard skoda cycle carriers:

Forgot to mention part numbers:

Roof Bars for hatch (As Pictured above): LAT410 001

Lockable Cycle Carrier (As Pictured above): LBT 009 003

Or

Lockable Aluminium Bicycle carrier (must be lighter or flashier??): LBT 009 004

They are very easy to fit as i'm whipping them on and off all the time. Only slight fault is the daft little plastic trims you must remove in roof before fitting. But some people have modified them with a spring...

If you don't want to go the Skoda route, Thule make very good equipment.

Direct Link to Fabia 5d hatchback page

I have the aero bars on my roof rather than the square ones. I think they look nicer

To go on the roof bars you'll need a bike carrier. Bike Carriers.

You can pick these parts up from Halfords, but they will probably have to the Fabia specific fittings. I recommend trying to find a local specialist rather than Halfords. In Southampton there is the Hampshire Roof Rack Centre who were cheaper than Halfords and had all the kit in stock.

Thule make all the Skoda Parts

Thanks for the replies so far.

I think I will try and stick with the official skoda route so as to avoid any problems in tracking down the compatible parts when going third party.

Fabia 12v >>> those pics are very handy and are obviously of the parts I looked at on the skoda site. If I was to go that route would you reckon I'd definitely be ok fitting them myself? As I said, I've no experience although I do have a brain!

As another little question... once I have these parts to what extent can I easily add/ remove them as needed. Will I be driving around with them on all the time to save hassle? IF it's as fiddly as some people have suggested to get the bars off would I just find myself removing the bike carrier but leaving the bars on????

I will pm stu and see what the situation with his 'supplier' is???

thanks

Tended to just leave mine on for a week as and when i needed them. Not that bad for on/off.

Have you ever driven a small car with that lot on the roof ?

I hated it and went the detatchable towbar route and quick fitting bike carrier.

Race you from scratch to get two bikes loaded and gone

Worst thing i found with the roof mounting was not being able to find a hose/pressure wash for cruddy mountain bikes before loading them up high :thumbdwn:

ooo forgot to add, I can still drive at 120mph loaded