Home
Introduction
About Us
Our History
Sitemap
Interact!
Forum
General Discussion
Wissahickon Related
Wissahickon Rides
Belmont Rides
Pennypack Rides
Other Area Rides
Contact Us
Plan.
Official Events
Public Calendar
Resources
News
Volunteer Work
Announcements
PMBA Publicity News
Random Humor
Medias
Photo Gallery
Videos
Blog Galleries
Rally in the Valley 2007
Rally in the Valley 2008
Market Place
Classifieds
PMBA Store
Links
Sponsors
Affiliates
Trail Guides and Other Links
Car Roof Racks
Philadelphia Mountain Biking Association - Forums
Philadelphia Mountain Biking Association - Forums
>
General Discussion
>
General Discussion
>
Car Roof Racks
Pages: [
1
]
« previous
next »
Print
Author
Topic: Car Roof Racks (Read 740 times)
DAGMTB
Amateur
Posts: 58
Why can't Ray's be closer?
Car Roof Racks
«
on:
March 14, 2008, 11:39:49 AM »
Whats everyone using? I am currently looking to get something for our Mini Cooper, in the near term it only has to carry my bike as we havent gotten my wife a bike yet but Im looking for a roof rack. Ive been checking ebay and craigslist pretty regularly but Im tossed up between Yakima, Thule, and Saris. The Saris racks can be had for cheap and I can get a Rocky Mount tray to fit it as well. Anyone have their own preferences? Also, if you have a 20mm TA fork, what are you using for a tray adapter?
Logged
Former collegiate DS/DH/XC racer
Current rides - Transition BottleRocket and Transition TransAM
Chuck U
Platinum Member
Expert
Posts: 274
Re: Car Roof Racks
«
Reply #1 on:
March 14, 2008, 12:16:01 PM »
I prefer Thule over the Yakima racks, mostly because they fit my VW much better, but also because I like the trays a bit more.
You may want to look into the way the towers mount to the cooper. On the VW (I have one, nick had one) the thule rack mounts to the factory rack mount points in the roof. The yakima rack that nick had wrapped into the doors and wasn't nearly as clean. I think thule worked with VW to develop the mount points and must own the rights to the usage or something...
Same for BMW I think, but may be different depending on your car.
Logged
Lust4singletrack
The trail/ tool guy
PMBA Moderator
Jedi
Posts: 1315
Keep trails friendly. Go by slow and say "Hello"
Re: Car Roof Racks
«
Reply #2 on:
March 14, 2008, 12:48:29 PM »
I've had good luck with Thule. Make sure you get one that does not require you to remove the wheel. They are well worth the extra cash and you don't have to worry about any adapters. Bike on and off in seconds.
Logged
"Trails help humans make sense of a world increasingly dominated by pavement. They allow us to come more closely in touch with our natural surroundings, to soothe our psyches, to challenge our bodies, and to practice ancient skills"
DAGMTB
Amateur
Posts: 58
Why can't Ray's be closer?
Re: Car Roof Racks
«
Reply #3 on:
March 14, 2008, 02:09:59 PM »
I think right now as far as towers/bars goes it depends on what I can get the cheapest, I keep tracking things on ebay so we'll see.
As far as the racks that you dont need to take off the wheel, that'll be difficult for me. The Tazer has a weird shaped frame and the type of mounts that require something to hold onto the downtube wont work. I think Thule makes a new rack that locks the wheel in place, maybe I'll check that out.
Logged
Former collegiate DS/DH/XC racer
Current rides - Transition BottleRocket and Transition TransAM
Rico
Platinum Member
Expert
Posts: 424
Re: Car Roof Racks
«
Reply #4 on:
March 14, 2008, 02:19:54 PM »
I have a hitch mounted rack that I got on craigslist for $45. I have never used a roof rack.
Can you mount a hatch-back type of rack on a Mini?
Logged
You must let nothing deter you in your quest for ALL.....No, ALL!
Lust4singletrack
The trail/ tool guy
PMBA Moderator
Jedi
Posts: 1315
Keep trails friendly. Go by slow and say "Hello"
Re: Car Roof Racks
«
Reply #5 on:
March 14, 2008, 02:25:03 PM »
That's what you want, the one that locks on the wheel. They are the standard nowadays. You could even get them on hitch mount so you don't have to leave it on your car. If your car does not have a hitch already than scratch that off since it would cost you to mount a hitch reciever to the frame of your car.
Also search for sportracks on ebay(I think that's the name), another brand name that is made by Thule.
Logged
"Trails help humans make sense of a world increasingly dominated by pavement. They allow us to come more closely in touch with our natural surroundings, to soothe our psyches, to challenge our bodies, and to practice ancient skills"
jpearce
Platinum Member
Addict
Posts: 523
Re: Car Roof Racks
«
Reply #6 on:
March 14, 2008, 06:28:38 PM »
... and here's a tip from experience. When your bike is on the roof rack, take your garage door opener off of your sunvisor and put it somewhere else. That way you'll remember not to instinctively open the garage door and drive in - with your bike on the roof.
Logged
We do these things not because they are easy but because they are hard.
Rico
Platinum Member
Expert
Posts: 424
Re: Car Roof Racks
«
Reply #7 on:
March 15, 2008, 01:12:37 AM »
Hmmmmm, Jon......are you speaking from experience?
Logged
You must let nothing deter you in your quest for ALL.....No, ALL!
jpearce
Platinum Member
Addict
Posts: 523
Re: Car Roof Racks
«
Reply #8 on:
March 15, 2008, 08:57:58 AM »
Well... yeah. Fortunately the point of failure was the place where the rack fastened to the roof, which on that car was under the doorsill. The only damage was a scratch on the roof, plus a bent rack that I was able to straighten. The bike was OK. But I have heard several stories from others who weren't that lucky. You don't want the experience of realizing what caused that crashing sound when you're starting to pull into your garage.
Logged
We do these things not because they are easy but because they are hard.
mtrostle
Platinum Member
Expert
Posts: 254
Re: Car Roof Racks
«
Reply #9 on:
March 15, 2008, 09:30:38 AM »
One of my best friends from VA destroyed a $3500 road bike almost the same way. He was pulling into a parking garage and had is bike on the roof. After he grabbed his ticket he floored it to through the gate to find a spot, only to hear a loud crushing noise and seeing his bike/rack come flying off the roof in the rear view mirror. He ran right through the low bar that hangs at the entrance and ripped the bike and rack off the top of his SUV. Turned out to be a very expensive mistake followed my a month of anger. Still gets made to this day when we tease him about!!!!
But, it can happen even if you have a rack that mounts to that back of your vehicle. I made the mistake of rushing to get to a group ride after work, leaned the bike against the back of my Jeep and was distracted by a phone call. Hopped into the Jeep, threw into reverse and thought I was backing up over a parking curb, only to realize I was backing up over my bike. Got a lesson in how strong my carbon fiber bar was that day. It was pinned under my bumper and picked the back of my Jeep up for about 5 seconds till it snapped. Again, very costly day and embarrassing to explain at the shop!!!
Logged
Keep the rubber side down.........
DAGMTB
Amateur
Posts: 58
Why can't Ray's be closer?
Re: Car Roof Racks
«
Reply #10 on:
March 15, 2008, 09:49:12 AM »
I managed to get my hands on a set of Thule aero towers on ebay so Thule it is. Im tossing around either the Sidearm or going with rocky mounts. although rocky mounts would be $70 plus $15 for the disc adapter and then another $50 for their 20mm adapter, makes more sense I suppose to get teh sidearm through REI after I join. I think I know what must be done...
Logged
Former collegiate DS/DH/XC racer
Current rides - Transition BottleRocket and Transition TransAM
fishnchips
Platinum Member
Addict
Posts: 815
Re: Car Roof Racks
«
Reply #11 on:
March 15, 2008, 12:47:47 PM »
wow those are heartbreaking stories! I was able to throw my ride right in the side door of the van without removing a seat, but I can't do that the the 29er. However, these event reports make me think I better find way.
TC and I pulled through a drivethru on the way to Bear Creek with bikes on the roof and he stopped just as the handlebars hit an overhang. No damage; combination of luck and a good save.
Logged
Kelly
Lust4singletrack
The trail/ tool guy
PMBA Moderator
Jedi
Posts: 1315
Keep trails friendly. Go by slow and say "Hello"
Re: Car Roof Racks
«
Reply #12 on:
March 15, 2008, 03:00:45 PM »
Yea I remember that. That was scary when I heard the sound and realized what I had done.
Logged
"Trails help humans make sense of a world increasingly dominated by pavement. They allow us to come more closely in touch with our natural surroundings, to soothe our psyches, to challenge our bodies, and to practice ancient skills"
dieselkarl
Platinum Member
Expert
Posts: 175
Re: Car Roof Racks
«
Reply #13 on:
March 15, 2008, 11:04:41 PM »
I prefer Thule myself. As far as trays, I go with the oldie but goodie Thule Big Mouth xt. The sidearms and criterions are very stable but security seems dubious as the frame isn't secured - only the wheel is.
Karl
Logged
And I will remember your name and face
On the day you were judged by the funhouse cast
And I will rejoice in your fall from grace
With a cane to the sky like 'None shall pass.'
-Aesop Rock
DAGMTB
Amateur
Posts: 58
Why can't Ray's be closer?
Re: Car Roof Racks
«
Reply #14 on:
March 17, 2008, 10:36:31 AM »
well after scoring what I thought was a good deal on a set of 400 aero towers, I scored an even better deal on 400XTR rapid aero towers and a Sidearm tray. Got both for less than $150 shipped! Ebay is a wonderful thing if you catch it at the right time.
now to finish the bike shake down and then get out there. Too bad Ive got saturday class for the next 2 weekends
Logged
Former collegiate DS/DH/XC racer
Current rides - Transition BottleRocket and Transition TransAM
Dmitri
Platinum Member
Addict
Posts: 900
Re: Car Roof Racks
«
Reply #15 on:
March 17, 2008, 10:47:29 AM »
Wow. I just did the same thing, 400XTR aero bars, and two trays, new from an LBS, cost me significantly more than $150...
Logged
I crash therefore I am!
DAGMTB
Amateur
Posts: 58
Why can't Ray's be closer?
Re: Car Roof Racks
«
Reply #16 on:
March 17, 2008, 11:08:26 AM »
Sorry to hear that, I figured I had time to wait so Im glad I did. Did you get a fairing too? I cant decide if it makes sense since the Sidearm sits so far forward on Mini's.
Logged
Former collegiate DS/DH/XC racer
Current rides - Transition BottleRocket and Transition TransAM
Dmitri
Platinum Member
Addict
Posts: 900
Re: Car Roof Racks
«
Reply #17 on:
March 17, 2008, 11:26:40 AM »
Neah, no fairing. I figured aero bars would be enough to offset the extra resistance of the rack. No sidearm either, I got regular old school fork mounts.
Logged
I crash therefore I am!
Lust4singletrack
The trail/ tool guy
PMBA Moderator
Jedi
Posts: 1315
Keep trails friendly. Go by slow and say "Hello"
Re: Car Roof Racks
«
Reply #18 on:
March 17, 2008, 01:16:49 PM »
Dont worry D. I'm sure the fact that you have no derailers. No shifters. No suspension! will help with the wind resistance.
Logged
"Trails help humans make sense of a world increasingly dominated by pavement. They allow us to come more closely in touch with our natural surroundings, to soothe our psyches, to challenge our bodies, and to practice ancient skills"
Dmitri
Platinum Member
Addict
Posts: 900
Re: Car Roof Racks
«
Reply #19 on:
March 17, 2008, 01:19:47 PM »
Nice!
I meant for when the rack is empty on the roof daily driving. I'm sure unless my gas mileage plumets to half of what it is without a roof rack there, i'll be too lazy to take it off the car. We'll see.
dz
Logged
I crash therefore I am!
Pages: [
1
]
Print
« previous
next »
Jump to:
Please select a destination:
-----------------------------
General Discussion
-----------------------------
=> General Discussion
-----------------------------
Rides
-----------------------------
=> Wissahickon Park
=> Pennypack Park
=> Other Location
Loading...
© 2009 The Philadelphia Mountain Biking Association
Joomla!
is Free Software released under the GNU/GPL License.
