car roof bicycle racks

[63tb]

Folks,

My daughter and her husband want to get roof bike racks for their BMW X5. The car has the raised rails, but they need crossbars.

They want either frame or wheel mounts (not fork mounts). Can anyone recommend one type over an other?

Is it best to get the same brand rails and racks?

The only brand we've heard about is Thule. Are they good?

Any other tips would be appreciated.

Thanks

63tb

[morfiend]

  Have they considered trailer hitch mounts?

  Would seem to me to be easier to load/unload the bikes.

 Another thing to consider,what are the manufactures recommendation?

  You can find some trailer hitch mounts at cabelas if that helps.




   

[shppr01]

Thule is a great product .. The best thing to do is gop down to the local Bike shop and ask someone there what they think. Sears also carries a good line of bike racks. Just make sure you get the one that you want , not the one they sell the most of !

[63tb]

Their car doesn't have a factory hitch. They checked around and found that putting a hitch om the X5 is a big job. Not only does the bumper have to come off, it has to be cut to clear the receiver.

63tb

[Rob52240]

Yakima makes fantastic racks.  Thule makes good racks too.

[icepac]

I've seen more bikes crushed right off of car roofs than one would think.

[Shuffler]

I've always used fork racks.

[RTHolmes]

I use a Thule tailgate mounted rack - remove front wheels and the bikes are out of the airflow. means they dont get damaged/covered in dead flies/lose bits/generate wind noise/create as much drag compared to a roof rack. tailgate racks are frame mount which is quicker, and access is better than the roof.

reusable cable tie the rear wheel to the frame too - stops the wheels spinning at 100mph which is annoyingly loud with Hope hubs (and causes unecessary wear and tear on the freehub pawls.)


edit: or since its an X5 just bung em in the boot

[63tb]

RT, by "tailgate" do you mean one of those that staps onto the back of a car, or do you mean one that goes into a trailer hitch? If it's one that straps on the back, how do they attach so that the car isn't damaged?

Icepak, yeah they are a little concerned about that, especially things like bank drive-thru's and parking garages, but I gues like anything else you just have to be careful.

It's a shame that a hitch install is such a pain for the X5. I went to a site that specializes in hitches and they rank installs by difficulty. Almost all applications were 2 or 3 out of 10. X5 installs were ranked 9 out of 10.

63tb

[RTHolmes]

one of those that staps onto the back of a car

thats the one, they have thin clips which attach to the top/bottom/sides of the boot/tailgate with straps (that you do not want too tight ) I'd be amazed if they dont make one which fits the X5. the bikes hang off their top tubes.

[Babalonian]

My family prefers the fork style that adapt/mount to a typical towing hitch on the back.  Very sturdy and stable and, most importantly, we found these are usually the most securable with a chain and padlock if there isnt a locking method already designed into the rack.  With the roof racks you notice some drag but mostly you'll notice that drag at the gas pump (especialy if it's a long distance trip).  Their worst quality, especialy with people used to "low" cars, you forget your vehicles vertical clearance just increased ~3-4'.  With the tail gate or hitch style, you only gain 1-2' profile on your rear.    Just don't be too lazy to remove these rear-styles when not in use, that's when people really don't notice them beause there isnt a bike hanging off it (but my neighbors just might be worse drivers than your neighbors).

[SPKmes]

http://www.etrailer.com/question-23042.html

try this site.... it has the hitch type.... I have seen these in use and seem to be ok ... but damage wise ??? you can only be as careful as you can I spose.... best thing is once you are done... you just pack em away...

[Rob52240]

I'd like to add that I've witnessed 2 cheap roof racks end with a bunch of sporting equipment flying off and ending up as worthless junk on the road.

[Shuffler]

I'd like to add that I've witnessed 2 cheap roof racks end with a bunch of sporting equipment flying off and ending up as worthless junk on the road.

Any cheap rack, no matter where it is located, can do this.

[63tb]

SPK,

Thanks for that link. I will show them this option.

63tb