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02-15-08, 10:31 AM
I'm trying to figure out what kind of roof rack to buy to haul my Xtracycle on my car. (I'm picking it up at the LBS tomorrow, and since I don't have a rack that will work I have to be driven there and I'll ride it home. I'll post pictures when I get it :).) And don't tell me to ride it wherever I'm going; I'm planning to use it to ride the length of the C&O Canal this fall, so I'll need to be able to transport it, and several other people's bikes, on my car to the starting point 180 miles away.:p
I think there are two options--the $80 rack from Xtracycle (http://www.xtracycle.com/this-long-bike-mount-carrying-your-p-52.html?osCsid=1579ac1d5d6e52dea0c0b1f7c45ff0cf), that's basically a fork-mount rack with a tandem-length tray, and a fancy tandem rack (http://www.thuleracks.com/product.asp?dept_id=8&sku=558p) that swivels so you can clip in the fork and not have to lift the whole thing overhead. The swivelly thing is appealing, because I know that I'm not strong enough to hoist the whole bike on top of my car (an older Subaru Outback) and attach it to the rack by myself. But I'm not sure that the Xtracycle is long enough that the rear wheel will still be on the ground when the fork is being connected to the rack, which would mean I'd have to support the whole bike's weight anyway to connect it, so there would be no advantage to the swivel option.
I know that the cheapest option would be to take the front wheel off and put it on a trunk rack (which I have), but I've got a really nice tray-type Thule hitch rack (http://www.thuleracks.com/product.asp?dept_id=8&sku=917) that is a pain to take on and off, and I use it to haul my other bikes often so I want to leave it attached.
I know I'm over-thinking this, but I'm wondering what other people do. Thanks!
I think there are two options--the $80 rack from Xtracycle (http://www.xtracycle.com/this-long-bike-mount-carrying-your-p-52.html?osCsid=1579ac1d5d6e52dea0c0b1f7c45ff0cf), that's basically a fork-mount rack with a tandem-length tray, and a fancy tandem rack (http://www.thuleracks.com/product.asp?dept_id=8&sku=558p) that swivels so you can clip in the fork and not have to lift the whole thing overhead. The swivelly thing is appealing, because I know that I'm not strong enough to hoist the whole bike on top of my car (an older Subaru Outback) and attach it to the rack by myself. But I'm not sure that the Xtracycle is long enough that the rear wheel will still be on the ground when the fork is being connected to the rack, which would mean I'd have to support the whole bike's weight anyway to connect it, so there would be no advantage to the swivel option.
I know that the cheapest option would be to take the front wheel off and put it on a trunk rack (which I have), but I've got a really nice tray-type Thule hitch rack (http://www.thuleracks.com/product.asp?dept_id=8&sku=917) that is a pain to take on and off, and I use it to haul my other bikes often so I want to leave it attached.
I know I'm over-thinking this, but I'm wondering what other people do. Thanks!