BMW X3 Forum
BMW X3 Forum
Welcome to the ultimate BMW X3 community.
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      10-08-2011, 01:50 PM   #1
TuffLittleUnit
Lieutenant
United Kingdom
112
Rep
516
Posts

Drives: G26 420d MSport Pro
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Leeds, UK

iTrader: (0)

Atera Roof Bars - pics

For those looking for alternatives to the BMW roof bars, here are pics of my Atera Signo AS bars. They're light yet sturdy and can be attached in no time at all - simply tighten the clamps at each side (there's a little lift up flap with a locking nut underneath on each foot).

My Thule accessories fit nicely. I'm still trying to work out the best position to put the bars in on the rails but I'm really pleased as these cost me £120 when the BMW bars are £200. The Atera bars are wider with a track of 122cm which means I can get more on them, too.
Attached Images
     
__________________
G26 420d Gran Coupe MSport Black on black, MSport Pro Pack, Comfort Plus Pack, Harman Kardon audio
Appreciate 0
      10-08-2011, 02:21 PM   #2
bairen
New Member
10
Rep
24
Posts

Drives: 2012 X5 5.0
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: SF Bay Area

iTrader: (0)

looks good -- so, are these much easier to install/remove than the BMW ones?
Appreciate 0
      10-08-2011, 05:10 PM   #3
Bustofa
Lieutenant
United Kingdom
7
Rep
470
Posts

Drives: F25 X3 XDrive20D SE
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Washington, UK

iTrader: (0)

Crossbars look good.
How easy do you find lifting your bike onto the Thule rack?
Appreciate 0
      10-08-2011, 05:35 PM   #4
TuffLittleUnit
Lieutenant
United Kingdom
112
Rep
516
Posts

Drives: G26 420d MSport Pro
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Leeds, UK

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bustofa View Post
Crossbars look good.
How easy do you find lifting your bike onto the Thule rack?
Hehe ... didn't get time for that given that it was raining and I still need to adjust both the bars and the bike racks for an optimal fit. I suspect it's going to be a bit of a strain 'cos my bike (Scott Tampico) isn't that light.

Just washing the roof of the car made me realise how much higher the X3 is compared to previous cars I've had.
__________________
G26 420d Gran Coupe MSport Black on black, MSport Pro Pack, Comfort Plus Pack, Harman Kardon audio
Appreciate 0
      10-09-2011, 09:56 AM   #5
Bustofa
Lieutenant
United Kingdom
7
Rep
470
Posts

Drives: F25 X3 XDrive20D SE
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Washington, UK

iTrader: (0)

Thanks, Tuff. Let me know how you get on when you do give it a go.
Appreciate 0
      10-09-2011, 12:26 PM   #6
TuffLittleUnit
Lieutenant
United Kingdom
112
Rep
516
Posts

Drives: G26 420d MSport Pro
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Leeds, UK

iTrader: (0)

You've got me worried now - I think I'm going to need a crane.
__________________
G26 420d Gran Coupe MSport Black on black, MSport Pro Pack, Comfort Plus Pack, Harman Kardon audio
Appreciate 0
      10-09-2011, 02:05 PM   #7
Bustofa
Lieutenant
United Kingdom
7
Rep
470
Posts

Drives: F25 X3 XDrive20D SE
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Washington, UK

iTrader: (0)

Haven't tried it myself - haven't got my X3 yet - but I am a bit worried that I might need to carry a stool around with me if I go for the roof carriers!
Appreciate 0
      10-09-2011, 03:13 PM   #8
TuffLittleUnit
Lieutenant
United Kingdom
112
Rep
516
Posts

Drives: G26 420d MSport Pro
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Leeds, UK

iTrader: (0)

Washed my car for the first time yesterday ... I had to use a step ladder to wash the roof (honestly!) and I'm 5'10".
__________________
G26 420d Gran Coupe MSport Black on black, MSport Pro Pack, Comfort Plus Pack, Harman Kardon audio
Appreciate 0
      10-10-2011, 11:23 AM   #9
GenX3
Private First Class
27
Rep
159
Posts

Drives: 2012 X3 35i
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Colo Spgs

iTrader: (0)

Cirque De Soleil Act to get bike off rack...

No matter how we do it, it's always a bit of a balancing and strength act to the the bikes off the roof rack. Step up on the door-jam, balance on one foot, release the bike (hope you didn't forget to release the wheels), lift up high so as not to hit the door, bounce down without looking behind you, and bam... you're done.

Definitely would have have considered to the hitch bike rack, but honestly, the price point is ridiculous.

Those are some of the nicest racks I've seen. Well... for a car. Ummm... So, the one thing I like about the BMW racks and wonder if you considered was the overhang of the bar. Can you get the thule bars shorter so the don't hang over as much? Is this something you considered?
Appreciate 0
      10-10-2011, 12:52 PM   #10
TuffLittleUnit
Lieutenant
United Kingdom
112
Rep
516
Posts

Drives: G26 420d MSport Pro
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Leeds, UK

iTrader: (0)

I deliberately went for bars with an overhang - they don't look as elegant as the BMW bars but the track is wider which is more practical. My view is that when I'm loading stuff onto the roof then style largely goes out of the window. I won't be riding around with just the bars on - they'll come off as soon as I'm done.

The Thule aerobars for the X3 are even wider at 127cm compared to the 122cm for my Atera's. That's an extra inch overhang either side for the Thules.
__________________
G26 420d Gran Coupe MSport Black on black, MSport Pro Pack, Comfort Plus Pack, Harman Kardon audio
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:33 PM.




xbimmers
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST