Do you guys use roof racks or rear racks to haul your carbon bikes
01-19-12, 09:53 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 417
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 41 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Do you guys use roof racks or rear racks to haul your carbon bikes
I have a hitch mounted rear bike carrier that I have used to haul my wifes and my hybrid bikes on long trips ( 700 miles) Is this method ok for our carbon road bikes too ? I have a full size Buick Lesabre car
01-19-12, 10:07 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 1,344
Bikes: '17 Trek Emonda, '16 Yeti ASR5, '14 Cdale F29 '08 Orbea Orca.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I use a roof rack for long hauls and a trunk rack for short trips. But lately, I've been placing it on my back seat with a blanket on the bench. It's quick and easy for short trips.
01-19-12, 10:15 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Malvern, Pa.
Posts: 439
Bikes: Trek Pilot 5.9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Hitch-mounted rear rack - a Thule Helium. It's a great rack. The bikes are held securely by the three straps on the carrier. I also use a short bungee cord to secure the front wheel against the frame so that the handlebars can't wiggle and let the front wheel thrash about.
01-19-12, 10:26 PM
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 417
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 41 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
do the hitch mounted racks hold it by the top tube ?? Thats how mine is but I have seen the ones that hold by the wheels but I dont know if they fit a car>>>
01-19-12, 10:28 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 2,012
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix SL3, Lynskey Cooper CX
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
01-20-12, 12:47 AM
#9
Senior Member
I've gone with a hitch mount because my cars OEM roof rack doesn't accept my old Yakima system. Too expensive to adapt my old system to the new cross brackets. The car is almost too tall for a roof rack anyway. The rear hitch rack is working out pretty well. I'm satisfied.
01-20-12, 12:58 AM
#10
got the climbing bug
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Diego
Posts: 10,204
Bikes: one for everything
Mentioned: 82 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 632 Post(s)
Liked 908 Times
in
273 Posts
roof rack...
__________________
Rule #10 // It never gets easier, you just go faster.
Rule #10 // It never gets easier, you just go faster.
01-20-12, 04:55 AM
#11
Peloton Shelter Dog
A more pertinent and typical 41 question would be 'are your racks water proof?'
__________________
https://www.cotsiscad.com
https://www.cotsiscad.com
01-20-12, 06:39 AM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Posts: 684
Bikes: Elephant custom road bike, 08 Redline D440, Motobecane Fantom cross Uno.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I don't use a roof rack for any bike. Threads like these just remind me why I love my Element so much.
https://www.mtbfunhog.com/2011/04/bik...a-element.html
https://www.mtbfunhog.com/2011/04/bik...a-element.html
01-20-12, 06:51 AM
#13
Super Modest
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Central Illinois
Posts: 23,460
Bikes: Trek Emonda, Giant Propel, Colnago V3, Co-Motion Supremo, ICE VTX WC
Mentioned: 107 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10961 Post(s)
Liked 4,616 Times
in
2,120 Posts
+1, Ditto, what he said.
My hitch rack is an older Sportsworks that uses wheel trays and an arm over one wheel - best rack that I ever owned and I've owned a few over the last 31 years including two roof racks which for me are dangerous. I'm not smart enough to remember that bikes are on the roof, I guess.
My hitch rack is an older Sportsworks that uses wheel trays and an arm over one wheel - best rack that I ever owned and I've owned a few over the last 31 years including two roof racks which for me are dangerous. I'm not smart enough to remember that bikes are on the roof, I guess.
__________________
Keep the chain tight!
Last edited by Trsnrtr; 01-20-12 at 06:55 AM.
01-20-12, 07:03 AM
#14
Peloton Shelter Dog
I gave up on external racks for the most part. I can fit two bicycles inside the back of my Lexus CT200h. If I have to carry more I'll get a Thule clip on rack for our other tree hugger mobile, the Prius.
You are all gas guzzling carbon spewing scum by the way. And you call yourselves bike weenies.
You are all gas guzzling carbon spewing scum by the way. And you call yourselves bike weenies.
__________________
https://www.cotsiscad.com
https://www.cotsiscad.com
01-20-12, 07:20 AM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 149
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I had a roof rack on my VW Jetta for several years. This last year I bought a Jeep grand Cherokee so I went with a hitch rack, but my rack has trays the tires sit in and a lever that clamps over the front wheel. This way there is no rubbing or swinging.
01-20-12, 07:24 AM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 2,745
Bikes: S-Works Roubaix SL2^H4, Secteur Sport, TriCross, Kaffenback, Lurcher 29er
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Your carbon bike will survive a hitch mounted bike carrier just fine.
01-20-12, 07:47 AM
#17
He drop me
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Central PA
Posts: 11,664
Bikes: '03 Marin Mill Valley, '02 Eddy Merckx Corsa 0.1, '12 Giant Defy Advance, '20 Giant Revolt 1, '20 Giant Defy Advanced Pro 1, some random 6KU fixie
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 138 Post(s)
Liked 12 Times
in
9 Posts
I also use a hitch rack...mainly chosen because of back issues (had back surgery) and aerodynamic issues. I get WAY better fuel economy with the hitch rack.
__________________
The views expressed by this poster do not reflect the views of BikeForums.net.
The views expressed by this poster do not reflect the views of BikeForums.net.
01-20-12, 07:50 AM
#18
Lost
__________________
https://less-than-epic.blogspot.com/
https://less-than-epic.blogspot.com/
01-20-12, 08:01 AM
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 403
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I started with a Saris Bones, then graduated to the Thule "T2" hitch racks that have trays and don't touch the bike's paint - 4-bike version on my Excursion and 2-bike version on my Jetta TDI. When it came time for the tandem, the bike(s) now go inside the Excursion - I feel like I'd have too much money riding on the outside.
01-20-12, 08:07 AM
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,569
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1851 Post(s)
Liked 678 Times
in
429 Posts
You are fine using a hitch rack on trips of all lengths. Do not waste your money buying a roof rack too.
In my truck, the bikes go in the truck bed. With my wife's Prius, the bikes go on the hitch rack - a Yakima. And my wife rides a 2011 Tarmac SL3 Pro. You will be fine.
In my truck, the bikes go in the truck bed. With my wife's Prius, the bikes go on the hitch rack - a Yakima. And my wife rides a 2011 Tarmac SL3 Pro. You will be fine.
01-20-12, 08:50 AM
#21
Peloton Shelter Dog
This rack is bad enough. Then there's that mind bendingly fugly Bianchi on top.
We will never speak of this again.
By the way, I hear the Iranian government is looking for a few angry scientists.
We will never speak of this again.
By the way, I hear the Iranian government is looking for a few angry scientists.
__________________
https://www.cotsiscad.com
https://www.cotsiscad.com
01-20-12, 08:56 AM
#22
Lost
well, that is my cross bike, and i agree - it's not the bell of the ball by any means, but it more than gets the job done.
__________________
https://less-than-epic.blogspot.com/
https://less-than-epic.blogspot.com/
01-20-12, 09:13 AM
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: NE, Ohio
Posts: 490
Bikes: 2010 Cannondale Supersix 3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
01-20-12, 09:15 AM
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: NE, Ohio
Posts: 490
Bikes: 2010 Cannondale Supersix 3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I use a saris pro wheel holding hitch rack for my aluminum bikes but my carbon baby rides in the back of the SUV when it needs to be hauled. No reason it couldn't ride in the rack just like to pamper it - a happy bike is a dependable bike - 