riverdrifter

Hi everyone!

I’ve been avoiding this for a while, but I’m at the point where I have to do something about my car rack situation.

I have a Saris 3 bike trunk mount rack. My wife and I now have 2 kids riding big bikes. We ride from our house a lot, but we’d like to take some family trips further away to some rail trails.

Are there any of the universal racks for naked roofs that are good?
Would I be okay at highway speeds for long distances putting mine and my wife’s bikes on top, and putting the kids bikes on the trunk rack?

Thanks for any advice and suggestions!

Rick

Go to the different rack sites on the web and use their rack finder.

Steve B.

“Are there any of the universal racks for naked roofs that are good?
Would I be okay at highway speeds for long distances putting mine and my wife’s bikes on top, and putting the kids bikes on the trunk rack?”.

Yes. Nothing “universal” as the manufactures need to build a custom fit kit specific to the cars roof design. You could get away with 4 bikes on the roof if needed. Look at Rack Warehouse, Rack Attack and especially REI as they may be running a sale and they frequently discount Thule and Yakima stuff. While I like the quality of Thule and Yakima, the stuff is expensive. Also look at Rhino Rack and Malone Auto Racks.

Polaris OBark

Or just get an emasculating minivan.

Ours with middle seats housed 3 kids, 2 adults and you could cram 5 bikes inside (although we also had the obligatory Yakima roof rack).

HelpSingularity 

Just a bit off topic.
Believe it or not, people forget very quickly that they have bicycles on the roof of their car. My solution is to have 3, 4 or more 3 x 5 cards, with something scribbled on them, i.e. Bikes on Roof. Then tape them in front of the driver, rear view mirror, dashboard, windshield.

I had to learn the hard way, don't be like me.

riverdrifter

I ended up piecing together a Yakima Q Tower round bar rack. It’s all lightly used or NOS parts, and a mixture of marketplace local and eBay. I also got 4 LockJaw bike carriers with the rack.

I realize it’s all outdated and discontinued stuff, but the price was right.

I would appreciate any advice or tips from anyone else who has ran a Q Tower system.

Thanks!

Steve B.

Only “up to date” roof rack bike systems have the front tire clamped, not a swing arm clamping the downtube, which you don’t want on a carbon bike. Other then that, 30 year old rock stuff still works as intended,

riverdrifter

Thanks Steve. I don’t have any carbon bikes, I do have aluminum ones though.

Does anyone have an opinion on if the Yakima wind fairing makes a difference to noise or mpg? Thanks!

Steve B.

The Yak round bars are noisier then the aero versions, thus maybe helps on round bar systems. I wouldn't bother unless you are using round and they really howl. And I would seriously doubt they do anything to mileage

PrincipalRider

What kind of car do you drive?