Roof Rack or Hitch Mount?

Triathlon Forum
1

First off let me say that I always put my Tri and Road bikes in the car. This is for my mountain bikes when they are covered in dirt. What do you guys do.

I have had a roof rack before but did not like always having them on and scrathing the roof. I have never had a hitch mount unit before but I am thinking about that more now.

What do you guys use when you have to have the bike on the outside of the car.

Tom, I know you hate racks but I own a car and mud inside is not an option.

Let the abuse start.

2

Hitch mount, if only for the ease of putting the bike on it. The only reason I can think not to go with the hitch mount is if you have a hatchback or something, and you wouldn’t be able to open it with the rack attached.

3

Based on information gleaned from this site, I recently purchased a thule/sportworks T2 hitch rack and am very pleased.

http://www.thuleracks.com/thule/featured_product_sportworks.asp
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Not cheap. Buy it quick, as “they” say the price is gonna go up pretty significantly in short oder.

4

Hitch mount so low trees and bridges don’t destroy the bikes.

5

Based on your requirements and usage patterns, I’d say hitch all the way. A roof rack will get mud and grit all over the roof of your car, and mountain bikes tend to be pretty heavy - especially if you’re into DH or North Shore/bit hit type stuff.

6

I was looking at the Thule / sports works T2 and was going to ask about it. I think it would be a great rack. How does it work for your tri bike. Seems like the wheel trays are a bit on the big side for a 23mm tire. Does the bike move around a lot on this rack.

Thanks.

P.S. Khai, you are not the only guy with Pieceful Tribe gear in the lower mainland anymore. Picked up my longsleeve today and my cap. Very nice. Do not worry as I am out in South Surrey. No one will mix us up.

7

I have a hitch mount rack. I have two friends that have roof racks. Those two friends have both run their bikes into their garages…twice. Damage to bikes and house.

8

Take all of your bikes with you when you go to shop for a rack. My trunk mount bars are about 3 inches too far apart for my steep geometry Tri-bike triangle to fit on it. I have both and use the roof more often. No way to lock your bike up on the trunk mount, any jackass with an exacto knife can steal your ride when you are in the Quicki-Mart getting your post ride slushy.

Cheers, Karma

9

Pretty hard to take all my bikes with me when I do not have a way to carry them all there. This is the problem I am trying to solve but your idea does not help. Also I am not looking for a trunk mount unit. The best one ever made was the EuroShuttle from RhodeGear but they do not make it any more. I do like the fact that I can have a hitch style unit that I can slid in and out when not used. For the most part I ride my bikes to where I want to ride, take the Tri bike or Road bike in the car as I totally agree with Tom. Better in the car.

Sometimes I just have to carry more than one bike and when I am mountain biking, there is no way the bike is going into the car. I am leaning more towards the hitch mount style.

I have to say to all the people with roof racks, how the hell do you drive into something. I had them on my VW for 7 years before I got my Honda and never even got close to driving into something with them on the roof. I do know a lot of people who have but I just never understand how you forget about your baby on the roof.

10

I was looking at the Thule / sports works T2 and was going to ask about it. I think it would be a great rack. How does it work for your tri bike. Seems like the wheel trays are a bit on the big side for a 23mm tire. Does the bike move around a lot on this rack.

Works great for tri and road bikes. The front wheel tray has a “V” profile, so wheels of all width fit snugly. The rear wheel is secured with a snowboard binding-esque strap.

I use the T2 rack on a Jeep Wrangler. The bikes don’t move at all in transit. The whole thing is eerily competent. The rack folds up against the spare when not in use and folds down a bit to allow access to the tailgate.

I don’t mean to come across as a shill, but the T2 is the tits for hauling two bikes. I had reservations about spending $350 on a bike rack, but my expectations have been far exceeded.

11

Price does not matter much as if I want to get a roof rack I will have to spend around $750 as I have a CIVIC SI and you have to get the third support towers to make it work so it becomes pretty expensive in it own rights. I think the hitch mount style will still be cheaper in the end.