Bike rack... Roof mount or Hitch mount. Help me decide.

[tcb]

Don't ever put the garage door opener where you can reach it when there are bikes on the roof. Pack it in a bag in the back.

I don't have a garage...

 

[tcb]

Careful on I-10

Where is that? Not Mississippi. I could put my subaru on 50 inch swampers and still have clearance for a bike in that tunnel.

 

[GOZ 2 11]

Where is that? Not Mississippi. I could put my subaru on 50 inch swampers and still have clearance for a bike in that tunnel.

I-10 in Biloxi I believe. And you're right...I never claimed any of my Coast Rat buddies as being Mississippians.

50 inch swampers on a subie....hmmmm.

 

[GOZ 2 11]

Wait...that's Mobile. Never mind.

 

[tcb]

I-10 in Biloxi I believe. And you're right...I never claimed any of my Coast Rat buddies as being Mississippians.

50 inch swampers on a subie....hmmmm.

That's a negative, Ghostrider. No tunnels in Biloxi. That tunnel pictured is the Mobile bay tunnel, I believe. That's Alabama.

 

[MANUCHAO]

hitch... get a sportworks if you can find one.. the new thule suck..

I had a wrx with roof racks lost a wheel on a dirt road, then I sold it and fix my fj60 with a hitch rack...

Life is good now

 

[car-car]

Upgrade...

Alright... went with the roof rack... half instant gratification factor and half I know I can get my money out of it if I hate it factor. Washed and waxed the car and the rack today and got it installed. Fairly straight forward. Looks good. No noticeable increase in wind noise despite what I'd read ahead of time. Thanks for all the thoughts and insight. I'll let yall know when I eff something up.... bike, car, garage, etc.. so all you hitch mount guys can say, "I told you so!"

Thanks again,

tCB

Not a fan of the Yakima Steelhead trays. If you can, upgrade your Steelhead to a Viper tray when you run across a used one for a good deal (keep an eye out for a used one on eBay or craigslist, etc., since Yakima components are ridiculously pricey). IMO, the Viper is much easier to use, more sturdy, and secure. I upgraded one of the trays to a Viper since most the time am just hauling one bike; and if others are riding with me, then I'll use the Steelheads. Enjoy.

 

[tcb]

Not a fan of the Yakima Steelhead trays. If you can, upgrade your Steelhead to a Viper tray when you run across a used one for a good deal (keep an eye out for a used one on eBay or craigslist, etc., since Yakima components are ridiculously pricey). IMO, the Viper is much easier to use, more sturdy, and secure. I upgraded one of the trays to a Viper since most the time am just hauling one bike; and if others are riding with me, then I'll use the Steelheads. Enjoy.

Thanks... I sold the Subaru... and then sold the Yakima....and put a freebie hitch mount rack on my 80.

 

[car-car]

Thanks... I sold the Subaru... and then sold the Yakima....and put a freebie hitch mount rack on my 80.

Wow, I was just recommending to upgrade the tray on the rack, not the whole vehicle and rack. But whatever works. Freebie rack definitely works. Enjoy.

 

[mano002]

I have an 06 Impreza, and we got our hitch right from the dealer when we bought the car new. It does have a bend in it to go under (or over) the exhaust, so you might be OK to clear the exhaust. I was under the impression the WRXs can't have a hitch due to the wind rake that is under the bumper.

About the bike rack: When driving on dirt roads, the bikes take a hell of a beating, rock chips everywhere. I'm looking for some big mudflaps to try and stop this.

The other consideration is after a long ride (think jello arms) do you want your wife/GF to be lifting her bike and scraping a pedal up the side of the car? or dropping it on herself?

I decided I'd rather have rock chips on the bike than big scrapes on the side of the car (or my woman)

 

[tcb]

I have an 06 Impreza, and we got our hitch right from the dealer when we bought the car new. It does have a bend in it to go under (or over) the exhaust, so you might be OK to clear the exhaust. I was under the impression the WRXs can't have a hitch due to the wind rake that is under the bumper.

About the bike rack: When driving on dirt roads, the bikes take a hell of a beating, rock chips everywhere. I'm looking for some big mudflaps to try and stop this.

The other consideration is after a long ride (think jello arms) do you want your wife/GF to be lifting her bike and scraping a pedal up the side of the car? or dropping it on herself?

I decided I'd rather have rock chips on the bike than big scrapes on the side of the car (or my woman)

lolz.... you act like my is going to put the bike on the rack regardless of type... WTF do you think she keeps me around for?

 

[Family 40's]

Personally I am a fan of the roof rack because it keeps the bikes clean, and if you get rear ended you are out of a car not a bike too, and if you have as much invested in your bikes as I do you will agree with my logic. Then the next question is what kind of roof rack. Personally I like the thule criterium : http://www.thuleracks.com/product.asp?dept_id=8&sku=598 I have had racks that require me to take the front wheel off and it sucks thats why i love this rack. It will work for both road and mountain bikes. Good luck.

 

[trainrech]

Shoulda checked the date of the poll first...