Skoda Rapid liftback 2012-2019 with Menabo Tema Steel roof bars and anti-theft locks

On a first-generation Skoda Rapid liftback (2012-2019) we fitted roof bars Menabo Tema Steel, with an oval profile and anti-theft locks included. We did the fitting at our SuportBicicleta.ro showroom, which is at Drumul Lunca Corbului 2, Sector 3, Bucharest, Romania.

About the car: Skoda Rapid liftback, first generation (2012-2019)

The first-generation Skoda Rapid was built in the Czech Republic for Europe between 2012 and 2019, on the Volkswagen Group A05+ (PQ25) platform. The liftback has 5 doors, because the rear window opens together with the tailgate. On Wikipedia it carries the code NH3, while in the roof bar kit titles it appears as Rapid (NH1), 4-door, 2012+. It received a facelift in 2017 with a revised front end and new headlights, and from 2019 its place in Western and Central Europe was taken by the Skoda Scala.

On a roof without roof rails, the bars fix directly to the body, at the fixing points that the Skoda manual shows on both sides: A at the front and B at the rear. The manual allows 75 kg on the roof, bars included, and states that a roof bar system with a lower capacity sets its own limit. In our case the limit is 50 kg, the capacity of the Tema Steel bars.

What we fitted on this Skoda Rapid

Menabo Tema Steel roof bars for the Skoda Rapid are a well-established product from the Italian maker. The steel bars have an oval, aerodynamic profile, 30 mm high and 48 mm wide, and are 1,300 mm long. The set weighs 5.8 kg and contains 2 bars, 4 feet, 4 vehicle-specific fitting kits for the Rapid, 4 locks with keys and an Allen key.

The metal parts are finished with a rubberised anti-corrosion coating, and the bars are wrapped in a protective plastic layer. The bars are TÜV and ISO approved and have no T-track on top, so a bike rack, roof box, ski rack or kayak rack is fixed with the classic U-bolt fitting around the outside of the bar.

Video: Menabo Tema roof bars fixed to the body: overview

Details and tips

• The capacity of the Tema Steel bars is 50 kg; subtract the weight of the accessory to see how much you can load.
• The 75 kg that the Skoda Rapid allows on the roof includes the 5.8 kg of the Tema bars, but the limit that applies here is the 50 kg of the bars.
• Anti-theft locks are included: the package contains 4 locks with keys.
• An oval profile lets the air pass more easily than a square one, which helps with noise but does not remove it completely; more in the the guide to roof bar noise.
• With accessories on the bars the car becomes taller, so watch out for underground car parks, garages and car washes.
• The instruction manual is included in the box.

Frequently asked questions

Which roof bars with anti-theft locks fit the Skoda Rapid 2012-2019?

On the Skoda Rapid liftback 2012-2019 we fitted the Menabo Tema Steel roof bars for the Skoda Rapid (NH1), 4-door, 2012+, which come with 4 locks and keys included. They fix to the body, at points A and B provided by Skoda.

How much weight do Menabo Tema roof bars carry on the Skoda Rapid?

The Menabo Tema Steel bars have a maximum load of 50 kg, while the Skoda Rapid manual allows 75 kg on the roof, bars included. On the Skoda Rapid with Tema bars the 50 kg limit applies, and the weight of the accessory is subtracted from it.

Do Menabo Tema roof bars make noise on the Skoda Rapid?

Menabo Tema bars have an oval, aerodynamic profile, and oval bars are usually less likely to whistle than square ones, but any roof bar changes the aerodynamics of the car. Menabo recommends a maximum of 130 km/h with the bars fitted. Details in the guide Why do my roof bars make noise while driving.

What accessories can I fit on the Menabo Tema bars on the Skoda Rapid?

On the Menabo Tema bars on the Skoda Rapid you can fit a bike rack, roof box, ski rack or kayak & canoe rack. All of them fix with the classic U-bolt fitting around the outside of the bar, because the Tema Steel bars have no T-track.

We are waiting for you in the showroom

For roof bars with anti-theft locks included for the Skoda Rapid, our SuportBicicleta.ro showroom is at Drumul Lunca Corbului 2, Sector 3, Bucharest, Romania. There you can see the Tema bars and the accessories that fit on them. Take a look at our roof bars or ski racks for roof bars, and if you have questions, contact us through our contact page or at [email protected]. contact us through our contact page or at [email protected].

You can also message us on WhatsApp.

Sources: Wikipedia, Skoda Rapid (2012): generation, liftback code NH3, production years, platform, 2017 facelift, replacement by the Scala · Skoda Rapid 2015 manual (ManualsLib), p. 87: attachment points A and B for roof bars · Skoda Rapid 2015 manual (ManualsLib), p. 88: maximum roof load 75 kg, roof bars included · SuportBicicleta.ro guide: roof bar noise while driving · product pages on suportbicicleta.ro