How all do you carry your bikes......

[ttora4runner]

I was just wondering how all you carry your bikes on/in your vehicle?

I currenty have a Thule rack that attaches to the rear hatch of my 4runner but it has cause paint damage do to the straps rubbering on the paint where it attaches to the hatch.

I'm thinking about building an interior one using the fork attachment piece (can't think of the correct name for it)and attaching to a 2x4 bolted down to the floor using the interior attachment points alreay in place. With that piece attached to it.

Then just removing the front wheel and attach the bike to it via the fork mount.

[BikinCO]

I have used all types over the past 20 years. I used a 2x4 mount on the inside of my Disco and my F250. It works well and is the most secure but it takes up a lot of room. I am currently using a hitch mount Thule T2, which I like a lot. I have not used it on my Jeep yet, as I just put the receiver on it. I have used it on my F250 and Honda Odyssey. I swings down enough to lower the tailgate on my truck and to raise the hatch on the van.

[Flounder]

Racks like the Thule T2 are probably the most useful system if they fit your rig. Many vehicles have spare tire issues that make many hitch racks tough. I always prefer to roof carry my bikes, but the obvious challenge there is the occassional tree or Mr. Burger in rural Colorado with the low drive through....just saying...:(

A roof system is ideal for longer trips. A hitch system is often best for short hops to the trailhead.

[IntrepidXJ]

I have a carrier that mounts to my rear tire carrier. Slides on and off very easily/quickly. It also keep the bike up high to help keep it out of danger when exploring the backroads.

http://myxj.net/g2/d/137569-2/IMG_5095.JPG

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/147198-2/IMG_6632.JPG

[Corey]

When I had my '90 Toyota Extracab I carried them inside the bed under the canopy with a fork mount thing mounted to a railroad tie, no lie :D
It worked great.

Then when the kids got older I put them all on top using Yakima Lockjaws.
Those were nice as you did not have to remove the front tires.

I used that setup on the roof too when I got my '91 4Runner.

I just picked up a new Specialized Rockhopper Pro a few weeks back, and a roof mount is out since I have a roof top tent.
The shop suggested a very rugged Thule T2 hitch mounted rack that can take the abuse of off roading very well.

Here are some pics the day I picked up the bike.

http://www.pnw4runners.com/bike_stuff/2009_rockhopper_pro/1.jpg

http://www.pnw4runners.com/bike_stuff/2009_rockhopper_pro/2.jpg

http://www.pnw4runners.com/bike_stuff/2009_rockhopper_pro/5.jpg

At the position it is in my rear door will not open, but you pull a pin and the rack will slide down to the ground.
Not shown (no pic) is you can swing the rack up flush with the rear door when not using the rack.
It is very heavy duty, and fully adjustable.
Not a cheap rack, I think I paid $325 with 10% off buying the bike.
http://centercycle.com/itemdetails.cfm?libid=52512
http://www.thuleracks.com/product.asp?dept_id=8&sku=916

More images here including it folded up.
http://www.etrailer.com/p-TH916.htm

http://www.etrailer.com/mErchant2/graphics/00000001/pics/T/H/TH916.jpg http://www.etrailer.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/trs/th917_vehicle.jpg

The guy who sold me the bike at the shop had an older one made by someone else, then Thule got the rights to it to build it.
Thule's version is much lighter and less prone to rust like his was.
His had rust on it, the Thule has much more alloy in it than heavier steel like his.

Great rack though, I really like it.

PS, it does indeed just clear my 285x70x17 spare tire too.
Nothing from the rack hits the tire at all.
The shop was pretty surprised, and they said it mates very well with my factory hitch.
They thought I might have to have an extension welded on to clear the tire, but it worked out perfectly.

[Silver dude]

Yakima hitch rack
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/silverdude/DSC07310.jpg

Roof rack is to tall for trees on Midwest expeditions.

Inside the cab is nice but, I have to break the bike down and it takes a large volume of interior space.

My plan is that once I fab a tire carrier I will fab it with a 2" hitch in the center bore of the wheel. I would them create a loop to hold the bikes that fits in the hitch. In the off time I would get one of those light up hitch covers to use as a third brake light.

[TCM]

I only carry bikes on the roof. My current setup is a Yakima fork block bolted to the floor of my roof Rack, not the typical fork block that clamps to Yakima or Thule style bars. I also use a wheel fork for the front wheel which resides right along side the bike. Nothing else is as secure and rattle free as the good old fork mount. The bike is never damaged and neither is the vehicle. In my experience this cannot be said for the various hitch, trunk and spare tire mounts. Plus I am intolerant of having to move the bikes out of the way to access rear cargo as is required by many of the "off the back" style mounts. The down side of a roof carry is wind resistance resulting in lower fuel economy and increased clearance height. That said, I very rarely need to remove the bikes to get under a low hanging branch in my usual stopping grounds of Colorado and Utah, maybe once every 5 trips or so.

[ttora4runner]

Thanks for the replies guys.

For those with the bike's on the roof rack, how hard is it to get bike up on top? I've seen a step that goes on the tire to help put the bike up there does anyone use that? Have you notice any increased drag or reduction in mpg?

I know when I had a Thule roof rack on my camry it reduced the mpg some.

The hitch version is a consideration.

My old setup on my camry:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v681/tbox/my%20car/IMG_0027.jpg

[weezerbot]

Certainly not trying to freak anyone out here, but Corey you might want to take a good look at your new rack. There is a thread on the mountain bike forums about a local AZ guy who had a failure with this rack (and not the first) and ended up totally losing his bike as it came flying off on the highway. Probably lucky no one was killed!!

This is the part in question:
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_OUn1JaeQCTU/Sn5mfT3WceI/AAAAAAAACiY/kw6bDS5eyaU/s576/bike%201.JPG

And here is a picture of the failure:
http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/7340/rack1ak6.jpg
This pic is NOT from his car, so obviously this has been some kind of issue with this design, not just his rack.

We are looking into getting a rack that we can share between the two trucks and right now we are leaning towards this: http://www.thuleracks.com/product.asp?dept_id=8&sku=912

[Corey]

Thanks Heidi.
That was the old company Sportworks.
My sales guy had that one on his Scion toaster car.
His was about four years old and plenty of rust.

Thule bought the rights to copy it from what I was told, and mine uses more alloy than steel.

Hopefully Thule has that problem worked out since the rack is redesigned from that older Sportsworks model.

Do you have a link to the thread on that forum?
__________
Edit
Looks like Thule bought out Sportworks too.
http://www.mtbr.com/cat/accessories/bike-rack/sportworks/transport-t2/PRD_364974_98crx.aspx
The review is mixed as it contains reviews for both the discontinued Sportworks Transport T2, and the redesigned Thule T2 like I have.

Most reviews look very positive though.

And here are reviews to the actual Thule T2 after buying out Sportsworks and redesigning the rack.
http://www.mtbr.com/cat/accessories/bike-rack/thule/t2/PRD_416010_98crx.aspx

[crawldit]

I'm a member of that forum and read the same thread the other day. Here's a link http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=531427

[Corey]

Member there too, I am Corey52, just joined a week back.

Yes, that rack is not the Thule like I have, but the older Sportworks one.
But AZ who posted did have the Thule.

I am going to look into how to beef mine up in that area.
Do not want my brand new Rockhopper Pro doing an imitation of a shuttle launch.

[weezerbot]

Member there too, I am Corey52, just joined a week back.

Yes, that rack is not the Thule like I have, but the older Sportworks one.
But AZ who posted did have the Thule.

I am going to look into how to beef mine up in that area.
Do not want my brand new Rockhopper Pro doing an imitation of a shuttle launch.

Ya I was going to say the guy who had the recent failure was a Thule. Hopefully its just a fluke, but its enough to make me nervous!!

[Howard70]

As long as I remember to avoid low branches, I prefer carrying bikes up out of harms way....although it doesn't do much for fuel efficency!

http://www.visualescapesimages.com/photos/122744192_K8ZiL-XL.jpg

http://www.visualescapesimages.com/photos/120630258_BjzV3-XL.jpg

Howard Snell

[77blazerchalet]

Cheapo Thule generic for hatchbacks. Works great after using two bits of packaging tape to secure the lower hooks to the hatch. (1977-era Raleigh 5-speed, needs a couple of lower gears...)
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=28691&d=1242495031

[dustboy]

I'm currently developing an expedition-grade bike rack system. I can't tell you much about it until it's ready for sale, but you won't have to worry about looking in the rear-view and seeing your Specialized under a dump truck.

Stay tuned..we are due to launch in the Fall.

[TCM]

For those with the bike's on the roof rack, how hard is it to get bike up on top? I've seen a step that goes on the tire to help put the bike up there does anyone use that? Have you notice any increased drag or reduction in mpg?


I find it easy to get the bike up on top. I hold the bike in one hand and pull myself up to the rack with the other hand while stepping on the door sill. The hit to my fuel economy is 1-2 mpg at 65 mph.

[dustboy]

I find it easy to get the bike up on top. I hold the bike in one hand and pull myself up to the rack with the other hand while stepping on the door sill. The hit to my fuel economy is 1-2 mpg at 65 mph.

Call me a sissy, but I've nearly killed myself several times trying to do that with my 45 lb downhill bike. "Ow, there's a spoke stuck in my spleen."

[TCM]

Call me a sissy, but I've nearly killed myself several times trying to do that with my 45 lb downhill bike. "Ow, there's a spoke stuck in my spleen."

My bike is 27 pounds, but at 45 pounds I have to agree, injury is likely.

[XJMatt]

yakima hitch rack, it has worked perfectly for many years

[ttora4runner]

Went to REI yesterday (great store by the way:sombrero:) and looked at the bike racks. They had both Thule and Yakima models for the roof and hitch and after looking at them both I may just end up going with a hitch mounted one.

Since I really don't feel like lifting my bike up and over and head. Knowing my luck I'd drop and damage my vehicle or myself.

Thanks for the replies guys. Ebay here I come.:elkgrin:

[Cackalak Han]

Good call on the hitch mount. My neighbor recently proceeded to drive straight into his garage with his $3000 bike on the roof. Ouch. You'd also have to watch for tree branches, parking garages, etc. I'd be just too paranoid. In my Tacoma, I am fabbing up a 2x6 with a QR fork mount to put in the bed. (I think $20 total cost).

Maybe you can get a custom swing out carrier with a bike mount. :D That would be awesome.

[Flounder]

My neighbor recently proceeded to drive straight into his garage with his $3000 bike on the roof. .In '91 I was driving our team van with 6 dudes sleeping in the back and 12 bikes complete with at least 20 wheels on the roof. I pulled into a small drive through burger place at about 11 PM exhausted after a month of racing and traveling... and.....crunch. I took out the first 5 bikes.

Guess what 6 angry dudes in a van looks like.


And as luck would have it, that wasn't the last time I did that. You do have to watch what you're doing with a roof rack, not that several people haven't backed into stuff with hitch racks.

[Cackalak Han]

Wow, that must have sucked. I hope dinner was on you! :D

This is why I really like my idiot proof truck bed. But I'm sure I'll think of some way of damaging the bike.

[Corey]

I ran bikes on my roofs of two vehicles for years with Yakima mounts.

http://www.pnw4runners.com/pics/old_camping/more/camp1.jpg

http://www.pnw4runners.com/bike_stuff/bike_temp/bike2.jpg

http://www.pnw4runners.com/bike_stuff/bike_temp/lockjaw.jpg

While it was pretty easy to lift them up there, I almost hit the bikes once following a friend through a drive-thru on our way up to go mountain biking at a ski resort one summer.

I did not think anything about it until I was already in line.
Luckily there was room by just inches for me to go through.

The hitch rack on my FJ earlier in this thread is so much easier to load/unload the bike now.
Plus I think it is more protected from road debris this way too.
With them up on the roof they are subject to anything flying through the air.
Long ago my black Raleigh above took out a bird in Spokane.
What a mess.

With them on the back of the rig (my first hitch mount), they are somewhat protected by any debris from the rear door shielding them.

[85CUCV]

I just assembled our new Thule T2 this morning. Looks well built. I'm looking forward to trying it out. After using cheaper racks for years I think this will be a nice change.

[Corey]

Congrats on the T2.

Keep the two wheel straps for the T2 in your rig so kids do not take them.
They can come off pretty easy since they are not connected all the time.

[Cody1771]

http://northshoreracks.com/

http://northshoreracks.com/Assets/Images/full%206biker17.jpg

[mauricio_28]

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll96/mauricio_28/IMG_2485s.jpg

[FLnative]

I use Rocky Mounts.

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm216/FLTacoma/DSC01538.jpg

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm216/FLTacoma/DSC00570.jpg

[Corey]

My rack worked out great, even over pot holed washboarded roads up where I went camping.
Checked the rack when I got home, all is tight.

The Thule T2 is a great off road rack for back country exploring.

http://www.pnw4runners.com/camping_trips/aug09/1.jpg

Used a 7' Kryptonite cable and padlock at night to secure the bike to the trailer hitch ring where you mount the chains.

http://www.pnw4runners.com/camping_trips/aug09/21.jpg

[Funrover]

In my Dodge I use fork mount
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/Funrover/Dodge/bandimere.jpg

Yakima on the Mercedes
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/Funrover/Mercedes/Palmerpark2-09004.jpg

Yakima on the Rangie
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/Funrover/Bike/Palmer%20Park/Dec%204%202008/IMG_9208.jpg

Not pictured is the swing away hitch mount Yakima on the Disco

[theMec]

I have a Yakima Bighorn 4 bike hitch mount - got it off Craigslist for $120 brand new.
Here's a picture of the bikes dropped down:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/s_mestdagh/3813712990/sizes/l/in/set-72157622015943910/

Pluses:
I don't have to take off the bikes to drop it down. (at least on my truck)
MPGs aren't affected as much as a roof top system.
The curvature of the receiver attachment doesn't kill the departure angle too bad.

Minuses:
Even w/ the bolt anti rattle setup, it wobbles around like hell on moderate off road. I would not take this on a even a moderate 4WD road. Thules look to be of similar design.
The bikes get caked w/ dust.



Anyone have a better option for a hitch mounted system?

[FreeManDan]

http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/28/l_ca5f05b330a1e31f161e69dbd07b2d09.jpg

http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/58/l_c1b2278084b0f15975542d7375d3504e.jpg

http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/103/l_fc9cbbf04cfc528f1d31c812943008aa.jpg

http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/45/l_de67fc932b36a9a40bbebfac29860c14.jpg

Items: 2x4 from construction trash heap, fork holders, screws, cable lock to bed

[DaveInDenver]

I kinda do whatever works. Much prefer a good roof rack layout, works out best off highway to keep the bikes from banging around. The fork mounts in the bed work very well for that, too, although with the topper that is less practical for me if I need to carry more than one bike. But the height is an issue in some places, low branches, low rock overhangs (like on White Rim, at the bottom of the Mineral Bottom switchbacks, don't ask how I know that) force a hitch rack.

31530

31531

31532

[Lemsteraak]

The Thule T2 is a redesign of the Sportworks rack. I have one of the old Sportsworks and it is a really strong rack all welded like the racks they make for buses. I had it on my truck for years with a big 2" hitch. We just crossed the country with my wife's car and the best I could do is one of the wimpy 1 1/4 inch hitches on her car, I was a little unsure at first but it performed brilliantly with two touring bikes on the back.

I was concerned about how the 1 1/4 inch hitch would handle the torque twist going over large bumps so I attached two lines from the rooftent back to the bicycles to help stabilize things. Don't know if it was necessary but it might also help on the Thule T2. It was great having both the rooftent and the bicycles. We could park anywhere and then explore. Had a folding two man expedition kayak in the trunk but were so busy with the bikes, never got out kayaking.

Travelled over 5K and averaged over 23 MPG fully loaded. Two-thirds of the nights were spent in the tent. It gave us a great deal of freedom, may look a little odd but had no problems doing the 75 - 80 MPH you need going through Montana and Wyoming.

[JamesDowning]

I fashioned one up for about $35 using a DeltaCycle Bike Hitch (below), some U bolts, and some rubber strips. Very simple. I made it work in conjunction with my Baja Rack... since I couldn't find any other products that would work.

http://www.hudsontrail.com/getproductphoto/13109/

The end result:

http://www.thedownings.us/images/tb/baja/8.jpg

http://www.thedownings.us/images/tb/baja/10.jpg

[Bike_Mech]

Thule Revolver. It's big feature is it swings away from the receiver to allow us easy entry into the camper. Holds 4 bikes, locks to receiver, built in cable lock, arms fold down when not in use. Retails around $480'ish http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2445/3874240571_191dbd264c.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2594/3875037996_9480924422.jpg

[ttora4runner]

Okay, I've narrowed it down to two one is a hitch mount the other is a roof type carrier.

Roof carrier - Yakima Forklift, it fits directly to my factory cross bars. No fit kit needed.

Disadvantage is having to lift my bike up there. Did a dry run where i saw if I could lift my bike up to roof of my 4runner and I'm a little short

Hitch Mount - Thule Parkway 2, no stores around here carry it so it would have to be ordered. One of the things i like about it is that it folds down allowing you acess still to the rear hatch.

Disadvantage someone hitting you from behind and if I want to tow a trailer I can't (then again I can just put the bike inside my 4runner then).

So that's what I'm looking at. Both of these are about the same price and the most I that want to spend at the moment.

[Silver dude]

Go hitch mount, nothing is easier to use. All of the Yakima racks fold down as well. Its just so nice not having to break the bike down at all. After riding throw it on the rack drive home. You can drive as you normally would, no worries of low drive through windows and forgetting to take the bike off before driving into the garage. Minimal wind drag, no bugs embedded in you bikes finish.

With the overhead rack I have to remove the front wheel. In my case I have to rig up a 20mm fork adapter. I then have to lift it carefully over the body of the truck. Fasten it down, suffer with the bad highway mileage and watch for low overheads to the trail head. Once I get to the trail head I have to reassemble my bike I have use a brake pad spreader to spread my pads so I can get the wheel back on. The only time use the overhead is if my brother borrowed my rack or when wheelin out west. Here in the Midwest roof racks are no good for wheelin, to many trees.

[MIGZ]

I have used these racks for the past 4 years and I would uses this over any Yakima or Thule.

Reason being is weight and easy of storage.

http://www.raxterracks.com/

Look them up on MTBR nothing but good things.

[ttora4runner]

Well, I picked up a Thule Roadway 2 today.

The only thing I really don't like about it is that is sways left to right while driving. Is there anyway to fix that?

[Silver dude]

If its like my Yakima you just have to tighten the hitch bolt up. Yakima has a threaded pin, not sure if Thule does?

[theMec]

Well, I picked up a Thule Roadway 2 today.
The only thing I really don't like about it is that is sways left to right while driving. Is there anyway to fix that?

Assuming you're using the threaded receiver pin to reduce hitch/ receiver movement, you'll have to live w/ it. Drive real slow off pavement. In the instructions you find a statement about not recommended for off road use. My drop down Yakima is the same.

I'm thinking the tire supported hitch mounts would have a reduced sway off road due to a reduced vertical moment arm.

[ttora4runner]

Assuming you're using the threaded receiver pin to reduce hitch/ receiver movement, you'll have to live w/ it. Drive real slow off pavement. In the instructions you find a statement about not recommended for off road use. My drop down Yakima is the same.

I'm thinking the tire supported hitch mounts would have a reduced sway off road due to a reduced vertical moment arm.

We will see about that. :sombrero: