Had my first accident this summer. We were driving from Seattle to Colorado for a weeklong ride and stopped in SLC after a long hot day driving, my old Cherokee doesn't have AC. I missed the first turn into the hotel parking lot so dropped my GF off to go to the office. I decided to back up to the office entrance and didn't see the low cover. Fortunately the damage was minimal, broken saddle and one of the rain gutters partially ripped off. Was able to re-attach the rack and find a replacement saddle the next day and completed the trip.

I was able to epoxy the rail back on and am planning on replacing the car fairly soon. Plan on getting a hitch rack with whatever I end up getting for a new rig. I've always been a bit nervous about the roof-rack and we travel by ferry quite a bit and the fee is almost double with bikes on the roof because you are considered over the standard height.

Easy to be distracted, especially if you are someplace new.

Hope you get it all squared away and get the car and bike fixed/replaced.

That sinking feeling when you just realized what you've done is terrible.

Until your kids decide they would make perfect goal posts for their next soccer game.

I like this idea. I think it would be almost fool proof.

Do you have "Allen" brand racks where you are? Just wondering, not trying to change your mind.

Says the guy who must not have anything else on his mind.

Only problem with that system is that it doesn't work for other overhangs like parking garages, ATM drive throughs, fast food, etc.


For just your home garage, we accomplish pretty much the same things as the heads up, buy just putting away the garage door opener everytime the bike goes on the car.

I don't know if any car manufactures are doing this, but the technology already out there could be easily tweaked to avoid "rack accidents"

Just hit a button labelled "rack" and it could do a couple of things: 1) defeats your homelink, so the garage doors won't open from the car's button. That would be extremely easy, and pretty much just programming; 2) use the existing cameras from park assist to detect overhead hazards when the rack button is activated.

My car, and many others use electronics to detect hazards around the car as you park. It would only be a matter of adjusting angles, and programming to also cover overhead hazards with the rack on.

So create "rack mode" and bundle it with a factory mounted rack, and you've got a nice little feature to put a huge mark up on.

I clicked on this thread expecting to find a funny thread about a dude racking himself on his top tube. This is so much worse (and not anywhere near as funny). Bummer dude. I'm always afraid of how things like this (or tickets) will effect insurance premiums (especially over time).

I can't say I worry about insurance claims. I have about 8 policies. Over the last 20 years I have had two minor auto claims, two major home claims, and two minor home claims ( theft and this rack- cident). Even with one giant $50k home claim, the insurance companies have made a profit on me. Plus, with 8 policies, I bundle shop. Raise my rates too much, and then one of your competitors starts to look better. The only insurance policies I fear making a claim on are life and disability.

You can get Di2 for $150? Please post a link, I'm buying immediately.