eMwolB

Time to bite the bullet and finally get roof racks...
Any recommendations besides the usuals (Thule, Yakima)...I saw a few on eBay, just not sure about them.
Additionally, I have several types of bikes that I'll be hauling around (road, foldable, bmx, mountain, hybrid)...I'd like to leave the wheels on...suggestions for trays??
Thanks in advance.
(SUV with rails but o cross bars)

Carbon Unit

I hear good things about Thule Big Mouth and Criterium which hold the bikes by the frame rather than the wheels. The side arm holds the bike by the tires. I don't use any of them. I put my bike in the back of my wagon.

However, if I had an SUV I would get a hitch rack.

This is expensive, but from what I have read it is the best hitch rack on the market.

https://www.1upusa.com/1upusarackhome.htm

eMwolB

Driving in bumper to bumper scares me with bikes on the back...I've seen several bikes destroyed.

c_mack9

you'll think differently when you forget they're up there and drive through something with low clearance. hich racks are the way to go, especially on a tall SUV. you wont like getting them up and down. yeah there is a chance of getting rear ended but its very small, and if you do at least their insurance is gonna cover it. if you pull into your garage after a long drive and you forget they are on top, you get to pay for em.

garysol1 

I prefer the fork mount type of roof rack. The bikes are more secure and they are lower. I use the Thule Echelon and can recommend them very highly. They lock and will fit just about any width fork dropout. I have hauled our jump bikes, roadbikes and 20in BMX bikes. Good stuff!

bassjones

I got a Rocky Mounts and LOVE it. A little less money than Thule or Yakima, but very well built. No issues whatsoever!

tombailey

+1

save10

Put your garage door opener in the trunk.

carpediemracing 

This year Thule sponsored the race series I promote. They have a wide range of products and a good dealer base.

On the west coast there is RV-Inno or INNO (not sure how they brand themselves). They're compatible with the Thule/"European" bar.

I own a combination of RV-Inno (bars, some mounts) and Thule (feet, tandem mount). They work well together and are solid. We've carried 3 bikes (one a tandem) for relatively long trips (5 hrs each way).

oldbobcat

If your bikes have carbon frames, use a fork-mount rack. Thule and Yakima both make good systems. I use Thule, but I lean toward Yakima because the fit system is in the less expensive adapters, not the posts. And look into Rockymounts.

ancker

Any reason for this?

midgetmaestro 

Definitely check out Inno racks (Jelly Belly and Shimano Neutral Support use them ) ....I just bought their fork mount 381 rack for my Subaru Outback with factory rails. It is well built, includes locks (the mechanism even prevents thieves from stealing the rack itself off of your roof rails) and is relatively inexpensive. I bought mine from ors.

GDA

Thule.

Run a roof rack on my BMW and a hitch mount on my Land Rover. Sturdy, parts and accessories are widely available and popular enough that they can be bought used to save you some cash too.

thirdgenbird

i'm debating taking the roof rack plunge.

(hows that for a worthless post)

sprintr

I am happy about this port. Just got one of these on a whim and I was not sure it would work. Same car! Thanks midgetmaestro...

midgetmaestro 

No problem!

M_Wales

I recently order a Thule 515 Prologue factory roof rack and just waiting for it to come in.

https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...5_10000_202378

JustinHorne

I heard a lot of comments that Thule roof racks had longterm reliability issues with the skewer threads stripping... Dunno if it's true or not, but I did end up going with a Yakima Viper. I dig it, it works.

JTGraphics

I have Thule bars and one Thule 517 Peloton fork mount and one Yakima 2000 Viper fork mount the Yakima Viper is better built.
Now if anyone has a Thule 517 Peloton fork mount tray and that plastic ratchet broke and will not clamp I fixed mine and use a Yakima Universal Lockable Skewer so for $20 you can fix it and it's better than it was.
If interested in the fix link here with pictures Thule 517 Peloton clamp fix

Carbon Unit

I have thought about that too. The 1UP is the only hitch mounted rack that I would trust. You have about four or five inches of medal to go through to reach your bike. That is like having a big bumper on the car. Unless someone hits you at high speed, I can't see any risk to the bike.


Here is a photo:

Bianchigirll 

Inside is the way to go. but I can put them on top too

c_mack9

agreed i have a honda element and i put mine inside as well.

thirdgenbird

im not speaking down on hitch racks (i may get one) but...

that is going to do nothing to protect your bike unless you have a class III or better hitch and you get hit by a small car at low speeds. a typical sedans class I hitch will probably fold under at most road speeds.

any truck/suv/crossover is going to hit your bike square on and shove it through the back of your car.

Looigi

Rock Mounts Tie Rods are very good and will mount to factory cross bars. You have the rails so will need the bars.