lyrictenor1

After dealing with a trunk rack (Saris Bones 2) and not being able to access the trunk without removing the rack (believe me, I'll take whatever storage space I can get with my car), I made a DIY mounting solution based on an idea I saw on the Miata forums. Basically it's a fork mount mounted to where the hard top would mount, with the rear wheel being held in place by a Seasucker mount. The trunk is too short to mount the bike longitudinally with the top up. I'm investigating other solutions for mounting the bike with the top down, but would like to hear your opinions on whether or not this solution below puts excessive force on the fork/frame.

I've tested it to speeds up to 80mph,and it seems pretty stable. Just haven't done it for long drives (multiple hour) yet.

lyrictenor1

Btw, I should add that the Miata forum member that has done this has carried his bike this way for a year without any problems, although he has a alloy mountain bike (as opposed my CF road bike).

fietsbob

As you seemed concerned about the side Forces, Perhaps you can add some Bracing straps running across the bike


Front to back on the car, Ala guy Lines; mast stays .

so the sudden potential stop's force wont all go onto bending your fork dropout tips.

MikeWMass

Nor the tremendous acceleration!

FBinNY 

The only way you'd have to worry about the fork is if you hit something hard enough that it would be the least of your problems. If you're worried about the bike pulling off in a hard braking or emergency stop, tie a web strap to the top tube or seat post and trap the end under the back of the trunk lid. Pull out the slack, but don't actually tension it.

fietsbob

Hopefully not rear ending a stopped car on the Freeway..

K100Fran 

I think the coefficient of friction due to wind will raise exponentially from 65 to 80. Keep the speed down and you should have no worries over the long haul.

cale

No worries. You're good to go.

Kopsis

The fork is probably stronger than the cowling it's attached to. The aerodynamic drag forces, while significant, are still well below the kind of load cornering with an average adult male rider puts on the fork.

lyrictenor1

Okay, thanks all! Good to know that! Guess I may not need to come up with an alternative mounting solution until Seasucker releases this (which I hope won't be too pricey) :

RoadGuy

I'd be worried about a dent forming on the trunk lid.

I'd think the best mount on a Miata would be receiver trailer hitch mount. More secure than anything will ever be on the trunk lid, invisible when you remove it when not using it. Try to find one that mounts using existing holes (piggyback the bumper mounting holes?).

More expensive than a generic trunk, but heavier duty, and you can take it with you to your next car, when you get rid of the Miata.

RoadGuy

Nothing beats a roof rack mount when you have a roof rack, or a trailer hitch mount if you have a hitch.

FBinNY 

Miatas aren't known for their towing capacity. I've seen a few fitted with 1-1/4" hitches for towing small garden trailers. And I've considered adding a hitch to tow a small lightweight trailer for small loads, but no more. I'm sure that a single bike or two light ones might work with a trailer hitch, but the car is sensitive to changes in balance, and any significant weight that far back will affect handling.

lyrictenor1

Exactly regarding handling. I can easily tell the difference in balance between a full/half/almost-empty tank of gas, and I'd rather not carry the weight of a hitch when I don't need to take a bike around. There were some instances with a couple of hitches on the gen 3 Miatas (like mine) where cracks developed in the subframe where the hitch was mounted (it seems though it was limited to a specific hitch model, though).

Canker

I really doubt it would be a problem. I ran a hitch with two mtn bikes on the back of my 94 miata for a awhile.



If the autox people can handle doing that I don't think a lightweight road bike will be a problem lol. It is called a tire tail btw.

lyrictenor1

I heard that production of tire tails were ceased. I was looking for one for my NC when I could still afford to do track days.

We weren't saying that carrying a road bike would be a problem; however there have been documented cases on Miata forums about damage to the rear subframe on the NCs due to certain hitches. I was personally saying that I'd rather not carry the weight of the hitch when I don't need it. That's all...

Centaurious

While I see this as a very elegant solution it looks like 4 seconds to release 4 suction cups and the bike and mount is gone. If is starts to fail going down the highway you could loose everything. I would want some sort of tether for security.

lopek77

Install some roll bars, and then you will be able to attach some better bike "carrier" to it. You probably looking at $400++. Miata is a cool and sporty little car, but a terrible choice if you into cycling, and using it as a bike hauler....but you know that already.
Your current setup looks good, but it's only safe when the car is not moving. In every emergency situation, it may, and probably will damage your bike, and hurt someone.





Check ClubRoadster.net I'm sure you will find a ton of help there.



Hitch mounted bike carrier is your best option, and the safest choice. $130 for a hitch + $100-$300 for a bike rack.

lyrictenor1

Here is version 2.0:

JanMM

Version 2 looks much better.

Retro Grouch 

Here's a single data point that you might find interesting. I once saw a department store quality bike that neatly folded over at one of the dropouts on a fork mounted roof rack.

fietsbob

... in fair weather , as You can't put the Top Up, if it starts raining.

lyrictenor1

I'm aware of that. I'm actually keeping the other mount in place in case I do need to put up the top. Luckily, that isn't too often in my neck of the woods. ;-)

lyrictenor1

Hmmm, I'm not really shuttling around department store quality bikes on my car, so that is of little interest to me. The thought is appreciated, though.

EnsitMike

Always appreciate some solid creativity. Nicely done.

Also, don’t forget to keep a wrench and allen key, because the locknut washers on the back can’t be hand tightened when you have to remount the fork-mount to the base. (if that is the same mount of the sea sucker)