v70cat

Went to the BMW dealer last night and look at the "BMW" bike rack it is the Thule Criterium with a BMW name on it.

nhluhr

Do you really still not have a rack? :-P just go get it already!

kandyredcoi

lol when i got my "new" car i got my roof rack within days...thanks craigslist

v70cat

It is a birthday gift for me. My Birthday is not until the end of the month.

M_Wales

v70cat

Got the cross bars yesterday and they are great! They go on easy and can also be removed. The bars make almost no noise and look great. Now I have to purchase a bike rack and was thinking about get the
Raptor Aero https://www.yakima.com/product/details/raptoraero


or the

HighRoller https://www.yakima.com/shop/bike/top/highroller

Probably the best one is the FrontLoader since it is shown to be compatible with the WispBars.
FrontLoader

https://www.yakima.com/shop/bike/top/frontloader


Anyone have experience with Frontloader or others?

JohnJ80

I've been looking at those bars. They'd work great for my box on top, but the method of mounting other attachments was kind of a kludge. Have they gotten mounts that are better yet? I believe they were working on it. Unfortunately, my sprocket rockets won't fit on them. I'm anxious to hear what you have to say about them.

I have a Highroller and it's an ok mount. My beef with it is that the ratchet mechanism can't be examined to see if it's stripped. I had one that got stripped and I discovered that it didn't work only by chance. So, I'd prefer that the key mechanism is available to be checked since the consequences of a failure of the rack are pretty serious. The other issue with the HighRoller is that they are not very aero at all. They have a huge front cross section so what you gain with those neat bars you'd give back with the HighRoller. Same goes for the FrontLoader.

But it doesn't matter since the HighRoller is not compatible with those bars. You'll need to go with the FrontLoader or the Raptors. I think only about half of Yak's bike racks are compatible with those bars. The Forklift is the fork mount that is compatible with those bars and that would probably be my choice. Most aero, and I think the fork mounts are a more secure mount.

J.

v70cat

I will probably go with Frontloaders. I think a wheel mount is better since you don't have to remove and store the wheel.

v70cat

I just spoke to a salesperson at a rack place and he says that Yakima is coming out with new bike racks that will fit in the top edge of Wispbars. He said that they look sharp and will be released at the end of the year. Guess I will wait.

DinoShepherd

I would contact Yakima and confirm that with them.

You know how sales guys are...

- Z

patentcad

Roof racks all suck, but if you must get one, be sure to get one that is weatherproof.

v70cat

I would think that the guy would want to make the sale today. He had the front loader in stock and did not get the sale today.

v70cat

It is funny on the S5 thread I talk about how it is only looks and here I am talking about a rack looking sharp.

JohnJ80

what's a weatherproof rack? Better yet, what's one that isn't?

J.

v70cat

All racks are made to handle the weather Pcad was just trying to be funny or up his post count. That said racks will weather over time and I don't plan on leaving it on my car over the winter.

Beaker

I think the point is "end of the year" could be a loose term

v70cat

Yes but I don't really need it until spring. I have a estate car (wagon) so I can store the bike inside. I just need the rack for vacations/trips.

patentcad

Are you serious? This is the 41. There was a whole thread recently inquiring about the weather proofness of roof racks.

v70cat

Does that mean you need to instigate the stupidity?

This thread try's to provide information not just Pcad fluff.

AngryScientist 

for the record, i just completed another 1000+ mile road trip with my bike atop my BMW with the BMW fork mounted rack. smooth sailing the whole way. i love that rack.

v70cat

I am sure that fork mounts work fine but it just seems simpler not have to remove and store the wheel.

ClydesterD

If it's the PR3100, then it's worth the wait. I bought one from England because it's not available here yet, and I'm having it delivered by a co-worker sometime soon (I hope). You can see it here:

https://www.whispbar.eu/accessories/cycle

JohnJ80

Looks cool but....

you'd think they could have done something about the decidedly huge non aero hunk of plastic to mount it to the bar. Why did then not make it grab around the bar ala the Sprocket Rockets?

J.

mark1974

what kind of bmw do you have? model? year?

Fox Farm

I have been using Yakima roof rack systems since 1989 and they are very durable and designed to carry much more than a light weight road bike. I use the fork mount because I think clamping the down tube of a carbon fiber bike, or aluminum bike is a bad idea. Plus the mounting and oversized fork clamp mechanism is very strong on the Yakima. I also have one of their larger roof boxes and have had it with three road bikes up top of my Isuzu Trooper. Way up there! I have never had a bike come loose however one time I lost a wheel from the wheel mount because the quick release was not closed.

I have loaded and hauled lots of lumber, building supplies, 10 or more sheets of 4 x 10 sheet rock, 3/4" plywood, a sofa couch, shipping palates (10 of them), and just abut anything else that I could think of. The old gutter mount design was much stronger then today's modern foot on the roof designs, but cars are not made with rain gutters anymore.