lennyparis

I am considering getting some type of rack for my car to use for my expensive carbon bikes

Have always just slid one or two bikes inside my Subaru Crosstrek but now want to load them outside to carry other people/stuff inside the car

Any suggestions for type (roof, trunk or hitch) and brand?

Only have roof rack but no cross rails

Vaportrail56

I have been using the SportRack 2 from Uhaul for about a year now and I am very happy with it. I carry two mountain bikes or two road bikes. I got it for my Mustang. It has very thick soft foam around the hold down bar that goes over the top tube. I have aluminum bikes but I think that it would be good for carbon bikes too. It folds up out of the way when not in use and you can also access the trunk too. it weighs about 40lbs.
I just snug the hold down bar down and tighten it up and put some small bungee cords around the tires for added security.
https://www.uhaul.com/MovingSupplies...-Rack?id=15600

Penny4

I just purchased the Kuat Sherpa 2.0. It is a hitch mounted tray style rack. I like that it is lightweight (approx 30 lbs), sturdy and fairly compact to store off the car. You can tip it fully loaded, so you can access the trunk, while bikes are in the rack. It is also stylish looking. It has locking mechanisms for the hitch and the bikes to the rack, though they are not fully integrated like some other racks. Very happy with it so far!

t595

I have used Kuat for a long time and highly recommend them. Only issue is that you need a receiver trailer hitch.

bowser29

I got my bike rack from etrailer. Plenty of options for your Crosstrek. I dont like my bikes touching the car so I got a hitch-mounted rack.

99Klein 

Cant imagine putting my bike out in the elements without my ass on it. I get enough rock chips, dirt, bugs... at riding speeds.

mpath

Roof rack if you can afford it, as buying the crossrails allows increased versatility for future carriers - box, skiis, kayaks, etc. Otherwise, hitchrack from a good name brand. Bonus if you get one with the swing feature so you can open your hatch door without removing the rack. Mine's a Thule, had it for years, supremely reliable.

JohnJ80

I've had all the roof racks (well, maybe not all, but a lot). Work great as long as you don't drive them into a low overhanging tree or your garage. I've done it. And when I talked to Yakima about it, they said it happens *all* the time. A lot of people I know have done it too. So..... Ask yourself if you're feeling lucky.

What I have that i really like are the 1UpUSA racks. Hold the bike by the wheels only. I have it as a hitch rack which, I think, is a lot safer for the bikes. They are pricey, but they are really nice, they are modular so you can add as many bike spots as you need when you use it. They are easy to store, the fold up and you hang them on the wall.

I agree with you about getting your bikes out of the car. Just think what would happen to you if you got in a bad accident with the bike in your car.

J.

gsindela

+1

topflightpro

Get a hitch rack.

If you don't have a hitch, figure out on Curtmfg.com which one you need, then google the model to order it. They're usually about 40% of MSRP. It's been awhile since I looked at the instructions, but I think the Crosstrek hitch is pretty easy to install, but triple whatever Curt estimates for install time and google how to install it. Having installed three curt hitches on three different vehicles (Prius, BMW 128, Honda CRV), I can say their instructions are not the clearest.

As for the actual rack, we recently went with a Kuat NV2.0. We had a Yakima Hold Up. It was ok, but rusted and creaked. The Kuat seems very nice. I also considered the Thule T2 and 1up racks. 1up is highly rated by the MTB crowd, but my wife thought it was ugly.

Bike Rebel

The RockyMounts TieRod mounts perfectly on factory aero crossbars of my Crosstrek in just a few minutes. They are not too expensive, ride low and are much quieter (wind noise) than my old Thule rack it replaced. I personally like them on the roof.

hsuehhwa

expensive bike --> hitch rack.


Big Name: Thule, Yakima...


Less known but an excellent band: 1UPUSA.com


Type:
1. If you intend to install/remove the rack frequently from your hitch, get a light-weight aluminum rack.
2. If the rack will stay there semi-permanently and particularly if you intend to carry beach cruiser or mountain bikes as well, get a solid platform rack, which could be a lot heavier.

topflightpro

This is pretty good advice. I Kuat makes a lighter weight rack, around 30lbs, compared to the 60lbs of the NV or Yakima Hold Up.

Also, I used a 20% off coupon at Performance plus points to buy a Kuat a month ago. And I got another $38 in points back. They are running another 20% off sale today.

GlennR

My son had a roof rack and noticed a 3-4mpg drop when it was on the roof. He regularly drove 350 miles from home to college and finally took it off since he wasn't training with a friend and now only needed to transport 1 bike.

Or use both if you're transporting half the cycling team.

JohnJ80

^this. 1UpUSA.



Actually, the material has little do do with the sturdiness or the solidity of the rack. It's almost totally in the design - just like bike frames.

MarioT

I got the Rhino roof-mounted rack. I find it looks sleeker than other brands. I'm very happy with it.

dirtydozen

A cheaper alternative : ropes and fingers crossed

woodcraft

1UPUSA.com- my son has one, & seems to be the cult favorite- owners high five each other as they pass.

I disliked Yakima roof rack, & like INNO- simple fork mount.

It's a trade off between roof & hitch mount. potential garage disaster vs backing/ parking lot, etc.

I had a loaned bike return with a delaminated tire, which likely came from being heated by a tail pipe.

PeregrineA1 

Another vote for OneUp. Easy, well thought out, light.


They make two bracket designs. One straight out of the hitch, special order. The other swept up as it leaves the hitch.


Do watch where the exhaust dumps. A friend melted a carbon wheel.....

the sci guy 

So I'm in the market for a hitch rack for our new 2018 Crosstrek as well, so I'm glad this thread came up when I searched. Though I'm not sure you posted a resolution?
I was hoping to be able to fit both our road bikes into the back of the Crosstrek with the seats down, but it's definitely a no-go. I can't even fit one in, upright, with a front wheel off. It's just too tall. And I'm not laying a bike one top of another bike, so....
How did you get two bikes in the back??

What kind of rack did you end up with?

Like I said -and this is posed to everyone - I am in the market for ahitch rack. I've looked at some of the suggestions in a few other threads as well and the Kuat and 1up racks are pretty cost prohibitive.
I've kind of got it narrowed down to the following from:
Yakima: Hold Up, or the Two Timer
Saris: Freedom EX-2, or the Freedom Superclamp two bike. Though I'm curious about the Thelmas as well...

Anyone have any info or suggestions about those for transporting two carbon frame road bikes??

Hapsmo911

Another vote for 1up...

Laurido92

I have a Saris Freedom Superclamp 2 and love it. Easy to load/unload bikes and nothing touches the frame. Clamps lock the from & rear tire plus a strap holds the wheel in place.

Elvo

1upusa or Kuat NV 2.0

prophet99

Kuat nv2.0
Had mine a couple months now. Rock solid, and one of the best looking racks out there. On a wrx hatch.

Danny01

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This one has been working well for me for the past 2 years. I use a microfiber towel between the clamp and the top tube to protect the finish. I can't see myself dropping $500 on a rack.