Bike Racks - Roof Mounted or Tow Hook Mounted

jaynana · Post by **jaynana** » Sat May 12, 2012 9:00 am

All, i want to buy a bike rack. preferably a 4 bike carrier cos i have 4 in the family!!

Roof mounted or tow-hook mounted? is my question. here are the pros and cons i see:

Roof Mounted: Pros
1. I already have thule 757 foots and roof bars, just need bike careers
2. footprint of the car stays the same

Roof Mounted: Cons:
1. Difficult to mount/unmount, being a 4x4 and the height
2. overall height becomes rather high - can't go through low tunnels, most hieight restricted places incl some parking blocks
3. added wind resistance due to extreme wind signature due to height.

Tow-hook Mounted: Pros
1. I already have a tow-hook
2. No added height
3. Easy mount/unmount

Tow-hook Mounted: Cons
1. Added length means parking restrictions
2. 4-bike career will extend a long way out, even if its just 1 or 2 bikes i want to carry!!

anything else?

i'm swaying towards the tow-hook option.

any opinions, advise, experiences welcome pls, along with any suggested models..

thanks in advance

j

IanP · Post by **IanP** » Sat May 12, 2012 9:05 am

I have the tow bar carrier, and am happy with it. It means no trying to fit muddy bikes onto a carrier at roof height, however you cant get into the rear hatch without dropping it on the towbar which can be a pain. (I think some carriers have an easier method of doing this?). Other cons are that you cant tow a trailer at the same time, and that the bikes may be a bit easier for low lifes to get at.
Mine is a 3 bike one and the extension at the rear hasnt caused any problems, but dont forget the rear PDC is switched off when the lights are plugged in

Cannondale · Post by **Cannondale** » Sat May 12, 2012 9:43 am

I transport bikes a lot and use a towbar mounted Thule.

It is better it you want to travel fast IMO, also if your bikes a dirty you car will stay clean.

On the back they dont seem to effect MPG as much as on top either.

If you get a rack I would always buy Thule, mine is over 10 years old and still work fine.

Only problem I have is when the caravan is on the back I will need to use the roof option.

Richard...

jaynana · Post by **jaynana** » Sat May 12, 2012 12:28 pm

Thanks both, that's in line with my thinking

Good one on the muddy bikes situ. Didn't think of that.

dirtymonkey29 · Post by **dirtymonkey29** » Sat May 12, 2012 4:27 pm

Never mind a caravan section, we will need a bike section soon.
Just got mine built after collecting parts for a couple of months.

IanP · Post by **IanP** » Sat May 12, 2012 6:44 pm

Just a thought, I am not sure how the roof mounted racks hold bikes, but the tow bar ones do allow the bike to rock from side to side slightly no matter how tight the fastenings. Managed to scratch my carbon frame this way

jaynana · Post by **jaynana** » Sat May 12, 2012 7:17 pm

[quote=""IanP""]Just a thought, I am not sure how the roof mounted racks hold bikes, but the tow bar ones do allow the bike to rock from side to side slightly no matter how tight the fastenings. Managed to scratch my carbon frame this way[/quote]

Bikes may rock a bit, but not so much as to come in contact with the car, right?

Dirtymonkey, what's the spec?

dirtymonkey29 · Post by **dirtymonkey29** » Sat May 12, 2012 7:19 pm

Hmmm. Mines a carbon too. Would be interesting to see if anyone else has had a similar experience. Also are they collapsible for storage.

dirtymonkey29 · Post by **dirtymonkey29** » Sat May 12, 2012 7:59 pm

It's a 16" on one 456 carbon frame
150mm rockshox revelation rlt ti dual position forks 20mm maxel
Full XT groupset
Hope tech m4 brakes with 203 disc on the front and 183 on the rear
Hope pick n mix headset and head doctor
Race face respond stem (60mm) and race face respond handle bars 710mm wide
Lizard skin grips
Thompson elite inline seat post
Selle Italia saddle
Stans flow wheels with straight pull spokes and hope pro II hubs
Maxxis TT Larsen tyres 2.35 Kevlar.

Think that's about it lol

IanP · Post by **IanP** » Sat May 12, 2012 8:54 pm

[quote=""jaynana""][quote=""IanP""]Just a thought, I am not sure how the roof mounted racks hold bikes, but the tow bar ones do allow the bike to rock from side to side slightly no matter how tight the fastenings. Managed to scratch my carbon frame this way[/quote]

Bikes may rock a bit, but not so much as to come in contact with the car, right?

Dirtymonkey, what's the spec?[/quote]

No they dont touch the car, but the bike rocks slightly as the wheel fastenings are on the bottom, this can cause the support on the upright to rub on the frame. I wrap a rag around mine, but will be putting helicopter tape on the frame shortly.

dirtymonkey29 · Post by **dirtymonkey29** » Sat May 12, 2012 9:11 pm

Can you fork mount to towbar racks?
Anyone used a "fork up" device?

Cannondale · Post by **Cannondale** » Sat May 12, 2012 9:25 pm

TBH if the wheels move on a towbar mounted rack all you have to do is use a bungie around the wheels the clamp that holds the frame will not allow the frame to move on a Thule rack.

Mine has been fine and I use it for both Carbon road bikes and Carbon MTBs. Been up to over 90 with them on no bother.

Rich...

dirtymonkey29 · Post by **dirtymonkey29** » Sat May 12, 2012 9:29 pm

So Thule towbar rack then. When the rack isn't in use does it fold up for easy storage?

Cannondale · Post by **Cannondale** » Sat May 12, 2012 9:31 pm

Mine folds flat so you can hang it on a wall in the garage

Not cheap Thule stuff but does last and its quality

Rich...

dirtymonkey29 · Post by **dirtymonkey29** » Sat May 12, 2012 9:32 pm

Just need a towbar then.

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