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Roof Bike Rack

Lishap

Lishap

New member
Hello, so I'm looking at purchasing a mountain bike in the coming months before spring/summer and need a solid bike rack to hold it. I want a roof rack as opposed to a hitch rack because i don't want to have a trailer hitch on the back of my car. I have searched on Thule and Yakima but they don't make ones specific for our cars. I know i have seen someone that had a thule one on their car but cant seem to find the info on it. Any help is appreciated. Also if you have any recommendations of a decent mountain bike (in the $300-$550 range).
 


Based on experience, my recommendation would be to reconsider a hitch rack. They are more affordable than roof racks, it is many times easier to load and unload your bike, and it is also extremely easy to remove you rack system all together.

Given the price range you are looking in, your bike will likely weigh around 35lbs. With a roof rack, keep in mind every time you load and unload your bike you have to lift it very high over your head and secure it in the rack - it can be annoying. Also, you run the risk of driving into your garage with your bike(s) on top - not a good thing.

If you worried about how a hitch will look, they are barely noticeable. Only a small square tube sticking out under the rear valence.
 
is the only reason you dont want a hitch mounted rack because it looks bad? I think the hitch mounted rack has more advantages than the roof rack, but to each their own. You should be able to get an entry level hard tail for 350, I recommend the Specialized brand, but there are other brands out there that are decent. Your best bet is to go to the bike store and test ride all the ones in your price range. Every body is different, one bike may fit you better than all the others. depending on the type of riding you plan on doing, a 29er may be a good idea, they also make bikes that have a 29" wheel in front and a 26" wheel in the back. there are many different options available.

here is a website you can check out that is good for mountain bikers:
http://www.mtbr.com/
 
Yeah i prefer the look of the Roof rack better, the trailer hitch just looks so odd to me on a car, but if i cant find a reasonable roof one ill go with the hitch. Also i was definitely looking at a hardtail and was looking at Specialized and Diamondbacks. I'm 6'2" and have been trying to do a lot of research but i've been out of the biking loop for a little while (10years about) and not as familiar with mountain bikes.

also here is the car i saw it on and really liked the look\
http://www.gpona.com/forums/appearance-f14/roof-rack-on-updated-painted-engine-parts-t25519.html
 
I agree, the roof racks look cooler. In my opinion, that is where the advantages end.

If you go with the hitch you would be ready to tow if the need should ever arise :th_thumbsup-wink:
 


Thanks Bronco, never heard of that brand but they seem to have pretty good reviews from a quick google search. and yeah the hitch would prob come in hand eventually.
 
that roof rack just doesn't do it for me. you will have a lot more wind resistance with that rack on top, and driving down the highway the car will be more unstable with a bike on top of it. the roof rack is limited to 2 bikes max, where you can get 3 or 4 on a receiver rack, but the rear springs will probably sag. the receiver is much more inconspicuous.
 
Lishap said:
Thanks Bronco, never heard of that brand but they seem to have pretty good reviews from a quick google search.
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No problem. Thule owns them now, but SportRack has always been an entry level product, typically sold at the big box stores. I've had the line for 2-3 years now and have had very few problems with it.
 
I've owned Giant bikes, and a really good suspension bike will go for $450-650; more money than you were looking to spend, but they also have hard tail bikes in your price range. And when I bought my hitch-mounted rack, it was for a Sunfire; you barely knew it was there (the receiver, I mean)!
 
Yeah im definitely looking at a hardtail, currently searching craiglist to see what is there, just a little weary because as i said im not to experienced with mountain bikes.
 


Lol at a really good bike going for 650. 650 wouldn't even buy you a high end front suspension fork.
As far as the bike goes, go ride a few. Then look on CL for deals......you will get way more bang for your buck there. But you need to know what your looking at.
 
April Thompson said:
I've owned Giant bikes, and a really good suspension bike will go for $450-650
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Just, no. See following for a really nice full-suspension bike (note price):

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/trail/fuel_ex/fuel_ex_9_9_27/

And Trek's entry level version of the same bike (note price):

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/trail/fuel_ex/fuel_ex_7_27/


Initially, I wasn't going to touch the "decent bike for $300 dollars" statement but this simply isn't true. I would consider myself an avid mountain biker and would generally classify retail prices as such:

less than $1k is low end
1-$2k mid-low
2-$3k mid-high
3-$6k high end
6k+ top shelf

My current bike was a high end demo for a shop, with one previous owner after the shop and I paid $1900. That was a good deal.

koRnhead said:
Lol at a really good bike going for 650. 650 wouldn't even buy you a high end front suspension fork.
As far as the bike goes, go ride a few. Then look on CL for deals......you will get way more bang for your buck there. But you need to know what your looking at.
Click to expand...

Thank you for saying this. I also support looking used but that will be difficult for someone who doesn't know what they are looking for (as you said).
 
Appreciate all the help. I know that with the price range im looking at im not going to get a top of the line bike. But also not trying to spend car money on a bicycle. Just looking to get a reliable bike that can take some bumps without falling apart.
 
If you are looking for a good value rack, one company you can look into is Swagman . The older ones had some quirks but they are sturdy and a price that is hard to beat. Looks like there are plenty of dealers in the New York area too.
 
stocker said:
Just, no. See following for a really nice full-suspension bike (note price):

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/trail/fuel_ex/fuel_ex_9_9_27/

And Trek's entry level version of the same bike (note price):

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/trail/fuel_ex/fuel_ex_7_27/


Initially, I wasn't going to touch the "decent bike for $300 dollars" statement but this simply isn't true. I would consider myself an avid mountain biker and would generally classify retail prices as such:

less than $1k is low end
1-$2k mid-low
2-$3k mid-high
3-$6k high end
6k+ top shelf

My current bike was a high end demo for a shop, with one previous owner after the shop and I paid $1900. That was a good deal.



Thank you for saying this. I also support looking used but that will be difficult for someone who doesn't know what they are looking for (as you said).
Click to expand...

if you buy a trek, you are supporting Lance Armstrong's salary. also, my wife and I bought the new Specialized FSR Enduro. it a full suspension 29er. while shopping around we test rode Trek's version of the same bike. It was the same price, but it felt like a piece of junk, the brakes were not responsive and it didn't shift very smooth.

Buying used is sometimes a good idea, but not if you dont really know what to look for.
 


SgtMarshal said:
if you buy a trek, you are supporting Lance Armstrong's salary.
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^^:th_scratchhead:

That's fine if you like another brand - there are lots of companies putting out good bikes. I will say Trek is typically at the forefront of bicycle technology along with many other companies.

I was just using Trek as a baseline for my idea of what a new bike may cost. The FSR starts at $2,700 so we are in agreement there. Looks like a really nice bike!
 
Just go ride a ton of stuff at your local shop. This is a great time to buy, if you find one you like. As the new model year will start showing up soon.
 
stocker said:
^^:th_scratchhead:

That's fine if you like another brand - there are lots of companies putting out good bikes. I will say Trek is typically at the forefront of bicycle technology along with many other companies.

I was just using Trek as a baseline for my idea of what a new bike may cost. The FSR starts at $2,700 so we are in agreement there. Looks like a really nice bike!
Click to expand...

I was in Afghanistan in 2012, so I must have missed the news on Trek's break with Armstrong. I am not disappointed though. I paid 1800 for my FSR, it was a couple years ago, so prices must have gone up.
 
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