I need a bike rack and I’m torn between a roof rack and a trunk mounted rack. Which is “better” meaning which will be nicer to my bike?
Here’s the deal: I’m going on vaction in a few weeks and I want to take my bike along. I’m a confirmed “bike inside the car” guy but no way is my bike going to fit in the van with all the other “important” stuff I have to bring, like my the family and their detritus.
I’m leaning towards a roof rack since I’ve used them in the past without issue and I can get one that will fit on the factory racks for a reasonable sum. But, we’ll be selling the van in about 6 months so I may end up with something I can’t use again. A trunk rack would be more useful long term since it holds more bikes and will fit multiple cars but these have always looked a little scary to me.
Using the roof rack on the new vehicle is complete dependent on what you buy. Even if you have to buy a few adapter parts that is only $40 or so. I would not use a truck mounted rack because some one could rear end you and trash the bike. Depending on your luck, they might not even have insurace.
I am a fan of the roof rack- it makes your trunk accessable/ back side of your van accessable all the time for the rest of your race/ ride related things. I used to use a trunk rack that I put on and off and I would inevitably leave a helmet or something in my trunk and have to remove the whole set up to get it.
Seems like most base roof systems can be used on most vehicles, you just have to buy the car specific clips for your new car…well, Yakima seems that way.
STP,
I would also agree with the people that recommended a roof rack. I am college student and have to transport my life around 2-3 times a year and that doesn’t leave any room for a Soloist inside. One thing I would HIGHLY recommend is one of those covers or Skinz I believe they are called. They deflect all the bugs and protect against and pebbles kicked up off of cars in front of you. Especially in the summer, you will not believe how many bugs this things stops from hitting your bike. The downside is that it is not exactly aerodynamic and you will lose some gas mileage and your car will have to work alittle harder. So you have to decide, do you love your car or bike more?
You could do a yakima version that hangs the bike via top tube, possible scuffing, or…
You could also use one of the tray designs that you set the bike on and it clamps on the front tire and straps the rear. I think sportworks or something is the brand. a buddy has a motorhome with one and it’s sweet. It even pivots up if you dont have a bike or two on it. I’ll probably get one of those someday. No bugs on th bike, nothing touching the bike
My Yakima roof rack has no faults except the gas mileage, mine goes from 30 to about 26, and the noise. There is a significant amount of windnoise from it on my passat wagon.
did you mean “hitch”, 'sted of “trunk”? i had to choose between a hitch rack and the roof and went topside and no regrets. i got a Thule which connects to the factory rack, and i can remove and switch to a different vehicle provided the roof rack on the next one is similar enough.
biggest issue i think you will find with roof mount is hopefully you will be very careful what you drive into or under. that is fully under your control.
with a hitch or rear mount…you are at everyone else’s mercy.
First with a hitch/trunk rack, when your bike gets smooshed it will most likely be someone elses fault, so they have to pay to fix it. Frustrating part is that you don’t always to get to control who rear ends you.
With a roof rack, when you drive into your garage or through a drive through and rip the bikes off the roof, you only have yourself to blame. Good news is if you are lucky the rack will just rip right off the car and the bikes won’t be damaged much. At least with a roof rack, you are in control of destroying your bike, not someone else.
After using a roof rack for four years, I think I’m about to switch to a hitch rack (even though my new car doesn’t have a hitch and will need to have one installed). A roof rack completely messes up your aerodynamics, and in my case made it impossible to use the moonroof, as it destroyed the windflow and made it way too noisy even without a bike in it. I was also completely paranoid about forgetting I had a bike on the top and driving into/under something without enough clearance. I also didn’t like the way the bike would vibrate at highway speeds; I kept waiting for something to break or fly off.
Plus, a hitch rack (at least some that I’ve seen) will tilt back, so you can still get to your trunk with the rack on. The rear-end collision scenario, while a valid one, is low-risk enough for me to accept.
If you are a real multisporter like me and my family, the roof systems also allow skis, boats, roof boxes, cages, lumber racks, and lots of other stuff. Go with Yakima because they are the best supported system in the U.S…
Hitch mounts are nice but not as versatile.
Strap system trunk racks are a last resort due to failure rates (not necessarily mechanical).
Another downside to roof systems is access; you’ll probably want to travel with a good step ladder or folding step for safety and ergonomic reasons.
I changed from trunk to roof and like it much better. Just be careful when pulling into garages, overhangs, etc. I had my trunk rack on when I was driving to drop my bike off at IM. I had my disc on and I looked into my rear view mirror and saw that my bike was parallel to the ground because the wind was carrying my bike! Scared the crap out of me so much I decided to get a roof rack. I love it.
