Recreational & Family - help w/ 2 bike roof rack search?

hey,

trying to find a two bike roof rack system.

i have the square section Thule bars i use for general purpose.

looking for a best method to carry two bikes (my fixed commuter and wife's fat tire beach cruiser) on the roof w/o removing wheels.

i looked at the Thule Big Mouth rack, but can find nothing that says i can mount two side by side.

experience? suggestions?

thanks for any help.

You can mount them side-by-side.

If it were me and had a hitch, I'd go hitch-mount. If no hitch, I'd look into getting one. They install easily enough that one can do it at home. Hitch-mounts offer better fuel mileage, your bikes don't take a beating with rocks and bugs, bikes are easier to access, and there's never a worry of hitting something overhead with your bikes. For what Thule wants for two bike mounts, you can easily get into a hitch-mount (Swagman (http://www.hitchfinder.com/products/XC_2__Hitch_Mount_2_Bike_Rack,S-64650) I paid $100) and hitch (hitchfinder.com (http://www.hitchfinder.com/)). Though, if budget isn't a factor, the Kuat NV (http://kuatinnovations.com/index.php?page=NV) is the nicest I've seen. Just throwing some ideas out there.

If you already have the crossbars on your roof, all you need are two of something like this:

http://mudflaps.com/i-7340674-thule-594xt-sidearm-universal-mount-upright-mounted-carrier.html

or this:

http://www.amazon.com/Inno-Locking-Upright-Rooftop-Bike/dp/B00120QGG4

If you're willing to remove the front wheel, fork-mount racks are a lot cheaper:

http://www.amazon.com/Inno-Locking-Fork-Mount-Rooftop-Bike/dp/B00120J1YS

thanks, lots of food for thought!

I'd second this. I had a roof rack for a while and then later installed a hitch rack. (on my toyota corolla) Much easier, for my wife too. Especially for a heavier beach cruiser. I just went to a Uhaul to get the receiver.

You can check craiglist for a hitch mounted bike rack, they are always on there.

I use Yakima Frontloaders with my stock Honda Element roof rack. Never need to remove the front tires.