[thebulls]

Yakima used to make a magnetized sign that you'd put on the hood and that would flip up when you slow down, to remind you that you've got bikes on top of the car. They don't seem to make it any more. Does anyone know where to get something like this? (A sign on the rear view mirror doesn't seem as useful -- you just get used to it and then forget and crash the bikes ...)

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[TandemGeek]

Not a clue, but it wouldn't be hard to cobble one togeher with bits from the home improvement store. In fact, just about any magnetic "thing" can be placed on the hood when your bikes are up top and will serve the same purpose.

Are you worried about the garage at home or overhangs while away from home? If it's at home, make a sign that says "Got Bikes?" and hang it about a 1' high on the backside of your garage door from two short pieces of chain or wire. When you open the door, the sign will hang down in plain view (pat. pending - I should manufacturer and sell these).

If you're concerned about drive-through joints, lay a white paper sign on your dashboard with the word BIKES UP in black printed in mirror view. It will reflect into your windshield like a heads-up display. Just don't forget to put it away when you don't have bikes otherwise your subconscious will ignore it.

[turtlendog]

I open the sun roof. Of course that only works if you have one...

[phinney]

How about a removable flag that attaches near the front bumper and is about the same height at the tandem?

[Murrays]

How about a removable flag that attaches near the front bumper and is about the same height at the tandem?

They have these all over western Michigan for driving in the sand dunes, looks pretty silly!

The key is having something unique that you will notice, especially right before you pull into the garage or parking ramp. I think the pop up sign on the hood would be good because you wouldn't notice it when you're up to speed.

-murray

[phinney]

You could also put the garage door remote in a seat bag on the bike. If it were me I'd go with a flag. Even if you forget the flag will hit the garage and you should stop in time to save the bike. The flag will also work for other overhead obstacles.

[Eurastus]

I used the "hide the remote" method for many years...until I purchased a pair of cars with the built-in HomeLink buttons on the sun visors. Since then, I use a plastic, magnetic, "STOP" sign that's about a foot in diameter. I have to back the car/van out of the garage to put the bike on top. At the same time, I stick the STOP sign to the outside of the garage door (I placed several iron bars on the back of the door for the sign to stick to). When I come back, there's the sign...big as life.

Works for me.

[TandemGeek]

Yakima used to make a magnetized sign that you'd put on the hood....

Just remembered what they called those things.... Yakima Load Alert.

I have no idea if this is still a going concern or a valid item, but here is a link to an Etailer who lists the Load Alert as being in-stock for $16.95:

http://www.usoutdoorstore.com/istar.asp?a=6&id=31874%21328&csurl=%2Fistar%2Easp%3Fa%3D29