Enough Clearance?
 

Mini van blew up a couple weeks ago, and the new car doesn’t have room for my bikes. Was able to install a hitch and wife allowed me to pick up a Kuat Sherpa 2.0.
I get super sketched out putting my bike on a rack, guess I have been spoiled the last 5 years. Anyways, I have heard stories of exhaust ruining wheels. Does this look like enough clearance or do I need to get the attachment to raise the rack. Will be driving to Dallas in a week. 19 hours with a bike on the back. :twitchy:

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Not high enough for my steep driveway. You'd be dragging if you tried to go up. And you probably plow the asphalt in the road if you tried to back out with it. Bikes will be fine though as long as the hitch doesn't start to bend .

Don't have an answer for you, but now you've got me worriedly wanted to check my clearance.

Referencing the exhaust to rim clearance. I have a steep AF drive way as well, actually did okay today.

That's good then. Just means my drive might win the steep AF driveway award between the two of us! <grin>

I've have had cars that I can't even back out without dragging the back end. As well a bike rack on a Jeep Liberty that hit the road backing out until we got the offset attachment to make it not have so much so low sticking out from behind. Part of the issue is that on the road they just paved over the the existing asphalt several times without removing the old layer. And the crown on the road has gotten extreme for times it's approached from 90° as a driveway does.

Maybe go to the local auto parts store to see if you can find a pair of exhaust turn-down tips that will fit?

I think you'll be okay. Just to be safe, you could get a muffler shop to put turndown exhaust tips which would guarantee no heat issues. Wouldn't cost much either.

I'll add, as a sidenote, that I think you underestimate the interior space in a CX-5. Unless you've usually got people (kids or otherwise) in the back seat whenever you ride, fitting that bike inside without removing the wheels should be easy. I regularly fit my 61cm road bike in the back of my 2008 Impreza hatch with the back seats down and don't need to remove either of the wheel. The CX-5 has more space and is a bit longer, you can fit that bike in the back no problem with the seats down. Seats up, you might be able to get away with only removing the front wheel. What's preventing you from hauling it inside?

Seats down, this madone took the whole back of the car. Also, for Dallas, I’ll be there for 30 days so packing a bunch of stuff, plus my trainer. Bike will def not fit then.

Move the bike to the other tray, the one that's further aft. That'll give you at least another 20" or so away from the exhaust, if your rack is set up like mine.

Other option is to mount a set of old alloy-rim wheels while transporting the bike, and put the fancy cf wheels inside the car. Or just roll the dice.

Oh, I got your reference -- Kaut makes something to do what? Raise (vertically) everything? I would probably do that, just to be on the safe side.

Might just throw the alloy wheels on, and swap em when I get there. Thanks.

ya I was gonna suggest the cheap alloy backup wheels route. That's what I do when transporting my TT bike, for example.

Kind of a PITA, but would be pissed if I got to Dallas and my wheels were toast. Just hope the tires that are one the allow wheels will actually fit the emonda, that might be a problem.

swapping wheels is not a PITA! maybe slightly more so now in the era of thru-axle, but still, its pretty EZ and fast