Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Roof racks & winter

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Huzzah
11-04-07, 06:00 PM
Winter is coming quickly which will put my outdoor riding into hibernation. I bought a trainer so I don't have to battle the darkness, snow, ice, and cold. My question is in regards to my Yakima roof rack. Should I take the rack off before it snows or is it okay to leave it on all winter?

Thanks,
Steve

flip18436572
11-04-07, 06:10 PM
What is there to be damaged on your rack? If you think there is a problem area, then I would take it off. If you don't see any problem area then I would leave it on.
Wogsterca
11-04-07, 06:41 PM
Winter is coming quickly which will put my outdoor riding into hibernation. I bought a trainer so I don't have to battle the darkness, snow, ice, and cold. My question is in regards to my Yakima roof rack. Should I take the rack off before it snows or is it okay to leave it on all winter?

Thanks,
Steve

I would take the rack off, as it will make the car easier to clean off without the rack on it. Also check all fluids, and if your battery is more then 5 years old, then get it checked as well.

Velo Dog
11-04-07, 08:03 PM
The snow and ice won't do the rack any good, and the ultraviolet will accelerate wear on the soft parts (straps, plastic stuff, whatever you have up there). Having said that, though, you have to replace that stuff every few years anyway and you might not notice any difference.
What I wonder, though, is why anyone would even THINK of leaving a rack on if you're not going to use it. I put mine on and take it off for every ride that requires transport (not many; I'm lucky to live in an area where I can do good rides from home). Installing or removing the rack takes less than five minutes (I can take it off in less than two). Leaving it on increases wind noise dramatically on the highway and cuts my gas mileage from around 32-34 to 27-29. Makes no sense to drive around with it on the car if I'm not going to use it until April.
Huzzah
11-05-07, 11:36 AM
Velo Dog - It's a roof rack that is mounted and locked onto my roof. It's not something that can be done in 5 minutes or less. I have a fairing on the front so there is no wind noise and I have noticed no difference in gas mileage, I checked.

Thanks for the input, I think I'll go ahead and take it off.

Steve
jyossarian
11-05-07, 11:58 AM
Mine stays on all winter as I need it to transport my bike all winter. :)
CastIron
11-05-07, 02:21 PM
The question is: why leave it on if you're not using it?
Huzzah
11-05-07, 07:05 PM
The question is: why leave it on if you're not using it?

Because it was a pain in the arse to get installed correctly!
flip18436572
11-05-07, 07:21 PM
If it isn't hurting gas mileage and you don't have any parts that will wear out and you don't want to take it off, don't take it off.
CastIron
11-05-07, 09:46 PM
Because it was a pain in the arse to get installed correctly!

5 minutes on my car.
v1k1ng1001
11-06-07, 12:20 AM
If you don't need it, take it off. Some of those parts will rust a lot slower if you garage your rack.