Tandem Cycling - Need to purchase a roof rack bike carrier

Looking for any input pro's or con's. Need to purchase a roof rack system and a tandem bike carrier. Have looked at Thule and Yakima. Are there others to consider? Are either of these better / worse than the other. The price is almost exactly the same. The bike rack carrier is slightly different... In the end will be about a $700 investment.

Any and all advise welcome.

I have an old Thule v-rack that I no longer use. It will obviously fit a Thule cross bar system, but I think that there are adapters available to fit it to an oval Yakima bar. If you are not familiar with this rack, it supports the bike by trapping the rear axle in a quick release clamp. If you are interested, email me offline at: stobias@att.net. I could take some pictures if you like.

Tandem Topper:

http://www.atoc.com/tandemtopper.php

Need to purchase a roof rack system and a tandem bike carrier.

Just curious as to why you need a roof rack system? Or, put another way: have you considered a receiver mount and already ruled that out?

More discussion and link to alternative tandem portage approaches in yet another thread can be found here:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?488827-Noob-Best-way-to-transport-bike&p=7902782&viewfull=1#post7902782

+1


Tandem Topper:

http://www.atoc.com/tandemtopper.php

Yakima racks with Tandem Topper.

http://inlinethumb53.webshots.com/32436/2812919370103161311S500x500Q85.jpg

Tandem Topper:

http://www.atoc.com/tandemtopper.php

My first choice for tandem rack. I have the Thule branded one which is made by ATOC and it worked perfectly until I got tired of having the bike on top and bought a truck and shell.

Didn't really take a serious look at receiver type - thinking on a car, I'd have more flexibility with transporting additional regular bikes.... prob wouldn't hurt to take another look as 90% of the time will only be for tandem use.

http://www.rockymounts.com/tandem

I've been pleased with this one. You can find it cheaper from online dealers.

PM me.

I have a complete Thule roof rack system, towers, load bars, short roof line adapter, 2 single bike mounts, air foil and an old-style V tandem mount. I'd be willing to let it all go for a real, real good price. The only thing you'd have to buy are the Thule feet to fit your car.

Didn't really take a serious look at receiver type - thinking on a car, I'd have more flexibility with transporting additional regular bikes.... prob wouldn't hurt to take another look as 90% of the time will only be for tandem use.

I've had both roof (Yakima) and hitch mounted (Draft master)

In my experience, the draft master is much nicer for a tandem. And there's no reason you can't use the draft master for single bikes. Our Draftmaster is currently configured for 2 singles and a tandem, but you can configure it about anyway you want; i.e. 2 singles, 2 tandems, 4 singles, etc.

Thanks for the info... after much thought,,, I'm also leaning towards Draftmaster. I anticipate using the rack a lot and looks like draftmaster accomodates ease of use...

ATOC Tandem Topper all the way (LOVE HIS LOCKING SKEWER, COSTS EXTRA BUT WORTH IT), but helps to be tall enough to manage it. If you have a high ridin' vehicle, Draftmaster the sucka.