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

[tcb]

........ Get the Softride version that can hold4 bikes. It extends away with beatiful simplicity (think parallegrams), provides a small platform to sit on for shoe changing or to hold a beer. ...................

DougM

The will flip the hell out if I spend $300 + tax, and $130 on a receiver.... geeeeewwwww. She'll want to know why I didn't just buy her a new bike!

 

[bustanutley]

hitch mount no question. Get this Held by the wheels so you can carry any bike regardless of frame design or fork. Racks that support the bike with frame make me cringe.

 

[tcb]

hitch mount no question. Get this Held by the wheels so you can carry any bike regardless of frame design or fork. Racks that support the bike with frame make me cringe.

You cats are determined to bust my budget.... I'm looking to spend $300 TOPS for everything required to haul two bikes. These effin transformer bike racks are not in my near future.

But I agree with you. Racks that support by the frame make me uncomfortable too... especially with all the funky top tube angles in today's frame geometry.

Budget restraints have me between a used Yakima steelhead roof mount or the hitch mount cheap variety since I'm looking at blowing half the budget on the hitch receiver.

 

[carboncycles]

can't you fab your own receiver and mount the steelheads on them? i've seen a lot of folks get creative with their fab skills on making a hitch mounted receiver.

 

[tcb]

can't you fab your own receiver and mount the steelheads on them? i've seen a lot of folks get creative with their fab skills on making a hitch mounted receiver.

You have me mixed up with somebody.

The steelheads come with the $200 roof rack mentioned in the option A of the original post.

 

[carboncycles]

Geeze, CL always has trays listed for sale, and if you were close enough, i'd sell you my steelheads w/ sks core locks for cheap. i don't need them anymore so they sit and collect dust in my garage

 

[tcb]

Geeze, CL always has trays listed for sale, and if you were close enough, i'd sell you my steelheads w/ sks core locks for cheap. i don't need them anymore so they sit and collect dust in my garage

That's the one big adjustment I've had to make in moving from Memphis (a decent sized city) back to South Mississippi is that people down here would rather spend money and advertise stuff in the classified ads than to use craigslist.. CL sucks down here. The most active CL's around are New Orleans (90 minutes away) and Pensacola (3 hrs away).

... and findding quality cycling stuff down here sucks even more. There are literally 2 bike shops in South MS. So if you want anything other than Trek/Fisher or Specialized, you are SOL. My nearest Yakima authorized dealer is in Mobile (an hour away). I live in the cycling black hole.

 

[bustanutley]

I buy pretty much everything bike related online even though I live in bike "mecha" (coined from calphi27 ), I would say that it is the best option :flame suit on:

 

[tcb]

I buy pretty much everything bike related online even though I live in bike "mecha" (coined from denvercruiser ), I would say that it is the best option :flame suit on:

I buy a lot of stuff online too, don't have much choice... but I do like to support the local economy.

 

[hammer1]

We have ahitch mount for the mtb's. the only bad this is that its effin bulky to store. Take up a huge amount of space. I ended up putting it out behind my shop, up in some bloks.

 

[sirenmoses]

I've used both on several types of cars. Up top means you can also carry lumber (bike trays off) and gear (soft or hard shell carriers). Hitch mounts means unloading bikes anytime you need to get something outta the back.

Softride hitch mount = kayaks ? how ??? Old skool whitewater boats > 10ft

 

[calphi27]

I am sure you can piece a roof rack off ebay for under $200. Used is the way to go. Yakima and THule are way overpriced. They nickel and dime you to death.

I buy pretty much everything bike related online even though I live in bike "mecha" (coined from calphi27 ), I would say that it is the best option :flame suit on:

what is mecha? I said i live in beer mecca.
Mecha - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Butt Ugly Chuck]

I've got both, and while I often use the roof rack, I voted for the hitch rack. It doesn't affect gas mileage, you can drive through, you don't have to take the wheels off, and you can't drive into the garage and f' stuff up. Less chance of paint damage, like you said, as well.

Hitch mount wins hands down. Get the Softride version that can hold4 bikes. It extends away with beatiful simplicity (think parallegrams), provides a small platform to sit on for shoe changing or to hold a beer. It also converts into a snowboard/ski holder or a kayak holder - all behind your car in the windshadow where it wont hurt MPG. Leaves your trunk/hatch available for the rest of your luggage. What could be better, I ask??? It even has an integrated lock, and anti=rattle tightener for zero slack.

DougM

Go hitch mount X-...? I lost count. Racks up top, even empty, seriously cut your MPG.
Butt

 

[zebrabeefj40]

Hitch mounts means unloading bikes anytime you need to get something outta the back.

This depends on the car/rack. I use a DrawTite hitch and rack on my '96 Camaro Z28 and can open the hatch without removing the rack or bike. Roof mounts don't work too well with the t-tops. Pretty happy with the hitch deal but then I only ride a 10 year old Trek so I'm not quite as picky about the rack it rides on.

Nick

 

[mustardfj40]

The roof mount looks cool but a bit inconvenience and the chance of you scrwew up driving into your garage with bikes still on the top. Hitch mount is more convenience. I have been using hitch mount rack for ages now.

 

[Dusty 66]

I picked up this one on sale in june $159.95 including shipping !
sorry sales over

It's the Swagman 3-bike fold down came with locks too used it on vacation this summer 23000 mile road trip.
XP Rack: 3-Bike Fold-Down, Ball Mount - Specialty Car Bike Racks

Bike Racks/Bicycle Carriers, Roof Racks and Bike Stands from Bike Rack Shops

Good luck

 

[tcb]

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

 

[Fast Eddy]

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!"

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.

 

[mustardfj40]

Well hope it work out ok for you...A local bike shop closed door after some 30+ years in bussiness so they had 80% off sale and I picked up a brand new Yakima roof top bike rail for only 20 bucks I plan to mount it on my FJ40 Metal Tech full cage .

 

[GOZ 2 11]

pointed down?? are you drinking while on your pain meds again?

There aren't any tunnels in the great state of Mississippi.

Careful on I-10