Road Cycling - Best rack for traveling...roof rack??

Alright, I have a cheap rack for my commuting needs for work. However, I never feel secure with that, but the ride is only 10 miles. However, I have just purchased a new compact mini van and was thinking of getting a roof rack with a locking system. This would be for the longer trips that would require not being next to the bikes at all times for stops and such. Im always affraid of scatching up my road bike and mashing it on a rack with 3 or 4 other bikes doesnt sound good to me. How complicated are the roof racks, do they need to be professionally installed?

I think a roof rack is a good idea for you.

They're fairly simple to use; most have two places the bike is attached to the load bars (you must have these on your van before you purchase the actual bike rack). One is a strap for the rear wheel, a ratchet system. And, for the front, a sort-of quick release or slightly different locking system.

Roof racks don't need to be professionally installed. They're designed to be installed pretty simply, actually!

The dealership installed my roof rack when I bought my Jetta. I like the roof rack system. Yet there is a fair amount of shifting going on up there. The systems I see going down the road, I do not see bikes swaying about.. My is a Thule system with a claw that clamps down on the down tube to secure the bike..
I like the system yet the swaying bothers me.. On long trips to secure the bike better and less wind drag on the car, I probably would use my rear Hollywood rack. I am not sure any system offers total security?
I once showed my roof rack to myLBS for any ideas about the sway. They could see no way to lessen the sway.
I once possed this very question on this forum and another Thule owner thought it normal.. All in all, my first choice would be a roof rack system..

Originally posted by cyclezealot
My is a Thule system with a claw that clamps down on the down tube to secure the bike..
I like the system yet the swaying bothers me.

Yes, there are two types of roof racks: fork mounted and upright.

I have a Thule fork mounted, and I do believe that it is much more stable than any other upright bike rack. Like you said, I see bikes sway on some other cars, but they're all upright bike racks.

When it comes down to it, and you decide on a roof rack, I'd recommend a fork mounted type.

Velo.. Somewhere I read a review that fork mounted rack put tension and can cause damage to the fork. The sway of travel is at the base of the mount where the fork attaches. Is this true?
If so, that would effect my buying choice.. Probably in particular it would effect carbon forks. Seems I have seen upright sytems with a more stable support arm than the one I bought from Thule..
One response on this forum said the sway is normal. I am not so sure...

Originally posted by cyclezealot
Velo.. Somewhere I read a review that fork mounted rack put tension and can cause damage to the fork. The sway of travel is at the base of the mount where the fork attaches. Is this true?

Probably in particular it would effect carbon forks. Seems I have seen upright sytems with a more stable support arm than the one I bought from Thule..

One response on this forum said the sway is normal. I am not so sure...

I don't think a fork mounted rack will put any more tension than a regular quick release on your wheel will. The sway of the bike should be together with the sway of the car. If it is not, then the bike is not secure in the first place. Plus, the bike attaches on the wheel, which, if secure should hold the bike in place. I think it all comes down to having the bike attached tight enough to the rack.

I have a carbon fork, and have had no problems with a rack. I don't know of anyone who has.

No, I really don't think sway is normal. Like I said, I think you just have to make sure that the bike is very securely tightened before leaving it.

I like the fork clamp down style. Can I get the whole package with a secure lock? Can I purchase one of these and expect to install it on my mini van or toyota camery? What is a middle of the road cost for one. thanks for all the responses.

I have a Yakima rack and have used it for years on a variety of cars and minivans. I use the fork mount and it has worked out fine. I've had up to three bikes and a tandem on a van and no problems. Make sure everythingh is aligned properly, tight and you should be set. Just don't EVER forget that they bikes are up there. I have a friend that on a dark early fall night (his wife was driving the van) was in a hurry, tired and late getting home drove right into the garage and trashed a beautiful Waterford bike.

They now have a magnetic, spring-loaded sign that flips up at low speeds to remind you to "look up" Good insurance.

I'd look around, but plan on spending around $250-375 for the rack and accessories. Go to the Thule and Yakima sites. There is a ton of good information on fit, and what to look for as far as your needs.

I have to agree with Velo. I have a Yakima fork mount system and it is the most stable system. Sway occurs in the upright mount systems because, imo, they are unstable.
Here are the advantages, imo, of the fork mounts:
1. most stable setup- even off road.
2. security- someone is less likely to attempt theft if the front wheel is not there.
3. more aerodynamic than upright
4. you can fit more bikes/ other equipment on the rack with a fork mount.

I also have a hitch mount system:
1. much more aerodynamic
2. stable, don't even think about crosswinds or wind noise from the bikes
3.easy to use, load and unload.

Both systems have their drawbacks. If ultimate security is most important, as Nikos mentioned, than the roof fork mount would be best I think.

Personally, I like Yakima but Thule is excellent and Sportworks for a hitchmount (although mine is Yakima- just so all my parts/accessories will match).

Oh and I have never heard of any problem with stress on the fork. It is the same as if you had a wheel locked in there. I run a full carbon fork-no problems.
If anything, I would think the stress of a clamp on the frame (in a way that the frame was not designed for) as an upright mount has would cause more stress.

Originally posted by bikeman
Go to the Thule and Yakima sites. There is a ton of good information on fit, and what to look for as far as your needs.

Yes, they actually have a place where you type in your actual model of your car, year, everything; they'll tell you what system will work best. It's very convenient.

I have Thule upright carriers for my bikes and have never had a problem whatsoever with them. Yes there is some sway but it's not like the bikes are coming off the roof. It certainly does no harm to the bike to have it sway and to be perfectly honest with you I would rather have the bike sway little than have all that pressure being taken up by my front fork. I have also read that the fork mounts do cause pressure on the forks and can cause alignment problems.

As for taking up room on the roof, I don't think it makes much difference which system you go with . The bikes are the same width with or without the front wheel on and you can't put anything in front or behind them once they are oneanyway. I can easily fit 4 bikes on my rook at one time with the uprights. The other problem with fork mounts is where to put that front wheel when it's not on your roof. I hate to throw it in the back of the car where someone might throw a heavy bag or tool box on it and end up wrecking a few hundered dollars worth of wheelset.

I would avoid a hitch mount system if you can because it is a sure way to have your bike squashed. All you need is one careless person in traffic to rear end you and your beautiful machine is scrap metal. That or you back into something yourself. Ouch!:mad:

Good thing neither of my cars have the hitch option. Roof rack I think is the way to go..... however, does anyone use those very popular Saris Bones trunk racks?

I have a riding buddy that has the Saris and just the other day he was commenting on how well he thought it was designed. Easy to set up on a variety of cars and well made. The main hassle with racks of that type is you have to mess with it whenever you want in the trunk or hatch and of course if it is easy to put on, then it would be easy to steal too unless you locked it on the truck somehow.

Well even though I use the roof mount most of the time, I feel like the hitchmount needs to be defended:)
Once you live with it for a while, the convienence and speed of use is soooo welcome! Just plop your bike on there and lock. Thats it!
Now there are rear end collision concerns but there are a few options:
1. I noticed that Thule has a hitchrack that sets the bikes higher so that even if you were rear ended, it would not hit the bikes. Maybe it's so you can also tow as well as using the hitchmount.

2.If you have a taller vehicle, like a truck or suv, the bikes are sometimes high enough that at least a car rear ending you is not a issue for your bikes.

3. The actual hitch is really strong. Mine is rated to 5000 lbs towing. Someone rear ended me and really smashed the front bumper. The tow hitch stopped him. I didn't even get a scratch on my truck. Obviously, if my rack was on there it would have been toast but a rack and bikes are pretty unusual and highly visible.

4. I'm not sure how a fork mount gives any more stress than jamming on the bars during a sprint or out of the seat climbing, throwing your bike around, etc.
I'm not saying upright mounts are bad. I just think they are less stable than fork mounts, harder to use and take up more room (at least with Yakima's uprights, the actual racks are wider than fork mounts so 4 bikes isn't an option.

5. Hitch can be rear ended but the bigger and much more common accident is when people forget about their bikes on the roof and hit the garage, low sign, drive thru roof, etc. so accidents to your bikes are actually more common with a roof mount.

anyway, like I said, both roof and hitch have their pluses and minuses.