amckimmey

I posted this in the commuter forum and no one seems to care to help, maybe someone here. I just don't want to mess up.

Is there a right or wrong way to mount a Roof top bike rack?

I have 3 Inno Fork Lock, and I am wondering about how to mount it. I got them not to long ago and haven't used them. The first time I will be using them are when I move 2104miles away, so I want to make sure I do this right.

First.
Is it OK to mount at least 1 backwards? Is there anything I should know about that.
Is there a specific distance I need to between both cross bars?
And should a have any more straps to keep the bike safe for such a long distance, or will that just be a problem.

Also I am using factory Cross bars on My 2000 Plymouth Grand Voyager.

Thank you for any help

Robert Foster

How many bikes? If it is three sure one can mount backwards. All you have to remember is how wide your bike bars are and allow space between for the rear of the middle bike. I believe with that system the rear wheel will be high enough to interfere with the two bike bars touching each other. So leave enough space for the rear tire to fit between the bars. I would advise setting up the center bike first to see how close you can get the other two to fit together. The closer to the center of your mini-van the less likely you are to have something hit your bikes as you pass it. And use extra straps if you have them. Better safe than sorry as they say.

amckimmey

thanks

DesnaePhoto

I moved 2000+ miles with three bikes on the top of my Ford Focus. Outer two face forward, center to back. Tough part was the spare wheels. those carriers are mounted between bikes, situated so I can avoid 2 of them with how I put bikes on/off the roof. I can see putting a 4th carrier up there soon. That will make life a little more interesting.

Hint: Don't speed. I just drove 65, as I did not want to see my mileage drop too much lower. The resistance the bikes creates will really take it out of the tank. Not enough to not have a roof rack though.

amckimmey

Does it matter how far apart the cross bars are, like should i mount them as far apart or closer, or inbetween

DesnaePhoto

The directions will tell you where to mount the cross bars. The clamps are intended to go to a specific area.

amckimmey

Not true, the directions are really general with the whole installation, and i mean yeah they clamps are intended to go in 2 of the 30 holes, going all long the back, of the tray,

carpediemracing 

The holes are there so you can adjust where you mount the rack.

In general you want the crossbars pretty far apart. 25-30" would be fine. You can go to 16" but that's kinda short - the rack is plenty strong, the problem is that the car under it isn't - roof will dent or factory mounts may pull out.

You can mount one backwards.

You don't need anything else to secure the bikes. Lock/lever up front, strap in rear.

Here's a car with a lot of Inno stuff on it:



I helped install Inno racks on the JB cars and had the privilege of driving one to/from CA-NV. I also helped with Inno at Interbike for a couple years (unpaid). They have a good, well tested product. They test their products at Honda's high speed track at 200 kph (124 mph), on their bump track, etc. I have some mounts (yes I got a discount) and sold my other rack after doing some research/learning.

cdr

amckimmey

photoDSCN3890.jpg

DesnaePhoto

Do the Inno racks have a fork lock? Like those available on Thule and Yakamma racks?