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Best Roof Rack

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Best Roof Rack

Old 10-05-11, 07:22 AM
  #1  
v70cat
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Best Roof Rack

I have a wagon (535XIT) that I want to buy a cross bars and bike rack for.

My considerations are:

1) Good rack for the bike, I have carbon wheels and carbon frame and not sure if I should get they type where you remove the front wheel or not. Also what rack will hold the bike the best without scratching it or the wheels.

2) I will like a rack that I could quickly remove when I am not using it.

Your suggestions would be most appreciated
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Old 10-05-11, 10:04 AM
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I have the Yakima High Roller on the Subaru, no contact with any parts other than the wheels, and it has a lock built in to lock it up. Installation/removal takes about 5 minutes with the Mity-Mounts from Yakima (my car has factor crossbars).
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Old 10-07-11, 07:09 AM
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It is funny that my fancy BMW does not come with cross bars.
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Old 10-07-11, 09:57 AM
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Did it come with the rails for the cross bar or do you need the whole thing?
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Old 10-07-11, 09:59 AM
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I have a subaru outback with factory rails and I love the RockyMounts TieRod. I also have a Thule rack on my wifes SUV with the Thule peloton bike rack, but I much prefer the RockyMounts rack.

https://www.rockymounts.com/tierod_bike_rack_p/1012.htm
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Old 10-07-11, 10:14 AM
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I don't know which rack is best for your car. A handful of people had told me Yakima racks tend to work better on Subarus, and whether it's true or not, that's what I wound up with. Mine has a slightly higher weight limit than the similar Thule, which means I'm able to drive two kayaks around.

Originally Posted by v70cat
2) I will like a rack that I could quickly remove when I am not using it.
There's another thread about that ... the 41's wisdom is that you should take your rack off the car so it isn't diminished by rain or wind.
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Old 10-07-11, 10:25 AM
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Originally Posted by Bighec
Did it come with the rails for the cross bar or do you need the whole thing?
Yes it has rails
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Old 10-07-11, 10:30 AM
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Originally Posted by noise boy
I have the Yakima High Roller on the Subaru, no contact with any parts other than the wheels, and it has a lock built in to lock it up. Installation/removal takes about 5 minutes with the Mity-Mounts from Yakima (my car has factor crossbars).
Uh, isn't that on backwards? And that thing isn't on the tire right?
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Old 10-07-11, 10:32 AM
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WhispBar. Yakima makes them.

A BMW should wear nothing else.

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Old 10-07-11, 11:17 AM
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Originally Posted by Creatre
Uh, isn't that on backwards? And that thing isn't on the tire right?
So put it on in the "correct" direction and never open the trunk?
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Old 10-07-11, 11:42 AM
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Originally Posted by sjmartin
So put it on in the "correct" direction and never open the trunk?
Beat me to it. Yes the rack "grabs" the front wheel, and straps over the rear wheel. I have done thousands of miles with the bike on the roof, it's never been a problem.
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Old 10-07-11, 11:46 AM
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Originally Posted by sjmartin
So put it on in the "correct" direction and never open the trunk?
I've seen people hacksaw the excess tray length once they figure out how long they need it, which allows some flexibility in mounting (if you have to mount more than 2 bikes, one of them should probably be turned the other way).
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Old 10-07-11, 11:50 AM
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Originally Posted by nhluhr
I've seen people hacksaw the excess tray length once they figure out how long they need it, which allows some flexibility in mounting (if you have to mount more than 2 bikes, one of them should probably be turned the other way).
I considered that, but decided that I didn't care that much. I put both mine and the wifes bike up there, both facing backwards without any problems.
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Old 10-07-11, 12:00 PM
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Originally Posted by noise boy
I considered that, but decided that I didn't care that much. I put both mine and the wifes bike up there, both facing backwards without any problems.
Good to see GGA's with bikes on top, by the way.
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Old 10-09-11, 08:16 AM
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Originally Posted by DinoShepherd
WhispBar. Yakima makes them.

A BMW should wear nothing else.


How are they different than Thule
AeroBlade Load Bar
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Old 10-09-11, 08:22 AM
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Looking at Thule they have a number of different system to hold the bike. Which would be best for a Carbon Cervelo?

594XT Sidearm
598 Criterium
599XTR Big Mouth

594XT Sidearm
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Old 10-09-11, 08:33 AM
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I'm a big Yakima fan. Having used both the Q and railgrab towers, I can say that the systems are solidly built. Though, if you're going for sleek looks, then perhaps the whispbars that DinoShepard recommended would be better than the current generation of the railgrab towers + crossbars. In terms of the actual racks, I would suggest fork mounted ones, especially for composite materials.

Though I don't personally own a carbon bike, I'd still have reservations about the bike rack connecting to a carbon DT for support. YMMV.
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Old 10-09-11, 08:42 AM
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Originally Posted by v70cat
How are they different than Thule
AeroBlade Load Bar
I have Thule Aero bars that I take on and off a 328i wagon. They look great and instal easily BUT trying to mount a Thule Prologue carrier was a PITA as the bolts/washers they include don't work properly with the aero bar adapter (bolts are too short and the rack wobbles). It's an easy fix involving a hardware store, buy not what you should have to be dealing with. I like the bike carrier and used it for a few years with Thule square bars without issue. If you're interested in a Thule carrier but you need to purchase an Xadapt kit to fit it, you may need a similar fix.
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Old 10-09-11, 08:45 AM
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Originally Posted by KiuBWhy
Though I don't personally own a carbon bike, I'd still have reservations about the bike rack connecting to a carbon DT for support. YMMV.
+1 not just for CF
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Old 10-10-11, 08:49 AM
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Which is better Thule or Yakima

Is WhispBar better than Thule Aero bars? Are BMW cross bars just repackage Thule?
I have the feeling that Yakima is a supposed to be a lower cost alternative but they end up cost almost as much.
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Old 10-10-11, 09:06 AM
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Originally Posted by sjmartin
So put it on in the "correct" direction and never open the trunk?
Interesting. Never thought about that, and always seemed weird when people had it on backwards like that.
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Old 10-10-11, 09:14 AM
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Originally Posted by cpjolicoeur
I have a subaru outback with factory rails and I love the RockyMounts TieRod. I also have a Thule rack on my wifes SUV with the Thule peloton bike rack, but I much prefer the RockyMounts rack.

https://www.rockymounts.com/tierod_bike_rack_p/1012.htm
+1 to Rocky Mounts and Subaru!!
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Old 10-10-11, 01:41 PM
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Originally Posted by KiuBWhy
I'm a big Yakima fan. Having used both the Q and railgrab towers, I can say that the systems are solidly built. Though, if you're going for sleek looks, then perhaps the whispbars that DinoShepard recommended would be better than the current generation of the railgrab towers + crossbars. In terms of the actual racks, I would suggest fork mounted ones, especially for composite materials.

Though I don't personally own a carbon bike, I'd still have reservations about the bike rack connecting to a carbon DT for support. YMMV.
I agree, the downtube on my CAAD9 feels like it is made from beer cans, I definitely wouldn't be comfortable clamping that. The wheels, on the other hand, can support my weight and withstand all of the dumb crap I do, so I am pretty sure they can withstand the rack.
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Old 10-10-11, 04:48 PM
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From Pcad:

You have to get the bike carriers that grab the down tube. Fork mounts can fail, happened to me. I had the one below, it worked great.

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Old 10-10-11, 05:33 PM
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Whispbar is actually owned by Yakima now.

I just purchased the Thule AeroBlade...had a hitch mount Thule Helium but it doesn't work so well with my new mtb.
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