I had a month long training to go to in Pensacola, FL and decided I would take my bike with me. I installed a Thule roof rack on top of my '08 VW Rabbit with a 'Peleton' bike holder. I also opted to get the wheel holder. I drove from Seattle, WA to Pensacola, FL in late march and just made the return trip last week. On the trip down there my cruising speed was between 74-79 (4 over whatever the speed limit was at the time) and I did not have a bike bra on the bike. The actual bike mount held up perfectly and so did my bike. The front wheel holder held the wheel fine, but at speeds above 40 mph the wheel develops a pretty nasty wobble. I think the wobble was just something that made me nervous, but I ended up placing the front wheel inside the car after approx. 1,000 miles. The bike made it just fine but if you have to do a similiar trip make sure that you wax the front edges of the frame and fork and put a thick lube on the drivetrain. We went through absolutely torrential downpour and even some snow over the continental divide.

On the return trip, I picked up a bike bra because it took me awhile to get all the bugs off and didn't want to have to do that again. I wasn't as worried about the bugs as I was the rocks and dirt just sand blasting my bike! The bra worked great but the constantly little flaps rubbed some black spots on my white bar tape, no big deal, I rewrap them every couple of months anyways. My speeds on the return trip were the same with a small venture into the low 90's to pass some semi's on a back road in Colorado (yes I realize CO is way out of the way but I stopped to visit a few friends). I virtually eliminated the wobble from the front wheel by pushing down on the rim while I tightened the QR. It worked for the most part but I'm not sure if I like any wobble at all.

My final notes. If you get a roof rack, make sure that you get the fairing for the front of it, I believe that it significantly reduces wind noise. I don't have that loud wind noise like some people claim, I don't know if it is because of the fairing or that VW actually makes a decently quiet car. Make sure that you check the mounting bolts for the Peloton and the front wheel holder, they will loosen ever so slightly.

Any questions, feel free to PM me.

-Barry-