Roof Racks for Mountain Bike

nothing but this... mounting bikes on the roof is soo 2001... lol

gmtech said:

Bike Racks

1UP USA builds the most durable, hassle-free hitch-mounting and bike-loading racks you’ll find—anywhere. Our unique “no hitch pin” design increases depth adjustability and reliably eliminates wobble and play to keep your bike(s) incredibly secure. Plus they attach and unattach to your vehicle in as

www.1up-usa.com

nothing but this... mounting bikes on the roof is soo 2001... lol

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This! For so many reasons. Clearance, gas mileage, etc. Also, if you have eBikes, it's a no-brainer - you're not going to want to lug those up onto the roof.

I also use a hitch mount. The roof is for the kayak

Thule bike mount on Thule bars on the top when needed and Kuat hitchrack in the back.

My bikes are worth more than my car. I would never use them as bumpers.

Always on top, or in the back.

serotta said:

My bikes are worth more than my car. I would never use them as bumpers.

Always on top, or in the back.

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I find that hard to believe but if they are light enough then it's not a big deal to put them on the roof. My e-bike weighs 75lbs.

My tandem weights under 40 lbs, the single bikes are all 20 lbs or less, easy-peasy for getting them on the carrier rack. Plus they are fork mounted, so the weight of the front wheel is not included. My better half has mounted bikes on the roof with no trouble.
Mounted on the roof rack keeps the bikes from the harm of other drivers, especially in parking lots.

With that said, I haven't used the roof rack since I bought my first F150 in 1997. I can fit 5 bikes comfortably in the beds on my 2x4 handmade racks with Bike Tights holding the forks.

BUT, if I had a 75 lb. eBike I'd be using the bumper mount too.

Thanks for the info everyone!

Trying to figure out how to mount a roof rack on a mountain bike in the first place

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Thanks for the information! I'll take a look at this type of roof rack then! I just need to get the crossbar first.
Pretty easy to remove and put on your roof?

DSM said:

@PegCitySubaru I thought I'd add this as most people just gave hitch rack recommendations despite your specifically asking about roof racks. I recently got this Subaru specific (I think because of the weird angles of the Aero crossbars) Thule Roof Rack and quite like it! Part number Subaru SOA567B020, I found it online for $158 with free shipping from Rafferty Subaru. I've taken it on winding back roads and on the highway and it feels very sturdy and stable. I have an XL frame 29inch wheel bike, any larger might not fit. The bike will fit inside the car too with the seats down if I take the front wheel off, just in case you were curious about that as well. Have fun and Congrats on the new Crosstrek! View attachment 316900 View attachment 316901

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DSM said:

@PegCitySubaru I thought I'd add this as most people just gave hitch rack recommendations despite your specifically asking about roof racks. I recently got this Subaru specific (I think because of the weird angles of the Aero crossbars) Thule Roof Rack and quite like it! Part number Subaru SOA567B020, I found it online for $158 with free shipping from Rafferty Subaru. I've taken it on winding back roads and on the highway and it feels very sturdy and stable. I have an XL frame 29inch wheel bike, any larger might not fit. The bike will fit inside the car too with the seats down if I take the front wheel off, just in case you were curious about that as well. Have fun and Congrats on the new Crosstrek! View attachment 316900 View attachment 316901

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Thanks for the information! I'll take a look at this type of roof rack then! I just need to get the crossbar first.
Pretty easy to remove and put on your roof?

DSM said:

@PegCitySubaru I thought I'd add this as most people just gave hitch rack recommendations despite your specifically asking about roof racks.

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That begs the question why a roof rack is better than a hitch mount? If someone is coming here for advice regarding transporting bikes, I think it's relevant to offer alternatives that may work better.

AstroKats said:

That begs the question why a roof rack is better than a hitch mount? If someone is coming here for advice regarding transporting bikes, I think it's relevant to offer alternatives that may work better.

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Never said it was better. But it is the type of rack they specifically asked about in the thread title and didn't get much feed back on, so I offered what I could in relation to what they asked.

PegCitySubaru said:

Pretty easy to remove and put on your roof?

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@PegCitySubaru I'd say it's "ok-good" in terms of putting on and taking off haha. Not great but not terrible. If you were to plan to remove the rack after every time you used it, I think that would get pretty old pretty quick and I would probably suggest to look for something else with a quick release type feature for better ease of use. I'll probably just leave it on until winter and take it off then for the season, so in that scenario a once a year install/removal is definitely tolerable. If you were open to other options, a hitch rack as others suggested may indeed be easier/quicker to remove (but I've never owned one so I can't completely say). Also, you'd also have to buy a hitch if you don't already have one. Another thing to consider with the roof rack, if you aren't tall it could be a bit of a struggle getting it up there. Hope some of this helps!