Guys we only have a small hatch back, but expensive bikes plus kids bikes wondering what is the best to go for, Roof Racks or a Bike Rack on the toe bar? I have used a toe bar bike rack before and it was very unforgiving to the bikes... any advice / opinions appreciated!
Bike Rack vs Roof Racks
TomSynnott
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As I said upthread, I use a 2" receiver. What I didn't say, but will now, is that I would never, under any circumstances on any car use a 1-1/4" one. That seems to be an invitation for disaster. And for what? It makes no sense to me that they even offer those things.
For what it is worth, my two vehicles right now are a Honda odyssey and a Prius V. I've no concern about tongue weights with either, and I installed both hitches myself, about two hours each time. The hitch on the Prius V is a Torklift Stealth hitch, and is completely hidden from view except for the receiver.
I also think the message from this thread is that we all have experience and preferences to share, what works for one, may not be the right choice for another. Get whatever you think will cause you the fewer excuses not to ride!
For what it is worth, my two vehicles right now are a Honda odyssey and a Prius V. I've no concern about tongue weights with either, and I installed both hitches myself, about two hours each time. The hitch on the Prius V is a Torklift Stealth hitch, and is completely hidden from view except for the receiver.
I also think the message from this thread is that we all have experience and preferences to share, what works for one, may not be the right choice for another. Get whatever you think will cause you the fewer excuses not to ride!
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i use a hitch rack. 4-place top tube , 2" receiver on my Tundra and Pathfinder. We get dinged an extra $100 if we take the ferry off our island with roof rack - ouch.
but I see most MTB riders do this around here. Wonder why no roadies doing this
but I see most MTB riders do this around here. Wonder why no roadies doing this
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Being more of a mountain biker than a road biker; I would venture to say that's it because our MTB's hit the ground way more often than our road bikes. My MTB was ~ $8,000 and I don't think twice about it when it hits the ground. My road bike was ~ $5,000 and I would cry if it ever hit the ground.i use a hitch rack. 4-place top tube , 2" receiver on my Tundra and Pathfinder. We get dinged an extra $100 if we take the ferry off our island with roof rack - ouch.
but I see most MTB riders do this around here. Wonder why no roadies doing this
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No, I hear ya!
Del Sol actually has no towing rating, you should not tow it. The only hitch available IS the smaller format. The hitch is pretty minimal, I added a piece of angle where it bolted to the bumper beam which should beef up any twist perpensity. Sure could not make is worse.
I like a 2"receiver as well. The Equinox we have has a class three even though it can only tow 2klb with the AWD and 4 cylinder.
But the Nox does not get 39 MPG either...
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I've got a buddy that does that all the time with his Madone 5.9, and Willier cross bike.i use a hitch rack. 4-place top tube , 2" receiver on my Tundra and Pathfinder. We get dinged an extra $100 if we take the ferry off our island with roof rack - ouch.
but I see most MTB riders do this around here. Wonder why no roadies doing this
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OH I hate you. That's too sweet. You've completely messed up my plans for a 2016 Miata.
I do that as well, but often travel with a car load of camera gear so have to put the bike on the roof (rack added after this pic was taken)
Mazda5_3 by Morgan J Segal Photography, on Flickr
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Actually, I was being facetious.... "most" people, as you claim, have not driven into the garage and ruined their bike. Roof racks have been used for decades and there are perhaps millions of them out there, if people were crashing into low hanging structures in droves they never would have become so popular.
You only hear about random roof rack incidents because they are rather dramatic and people feel stupid and angry with themselves, so they talk about it more.
On the other hand, rear end accidents are the most common kind of accident, the odds are not good and it's out of your control (not to mention blocking your brake lights with bikes doesn't help), even a light tap could destroy your bike.
I've used a roof rack for nearly 20 years and never crashed into anything, but I have been rear ended 3 times. There are precautions you can take (not to mention apps now) to keep from driving into your garage with your bike on the roof, so unlike being rear ended you are at least in control of your destiny
IMO
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I saw a Miata with 2 bikes on it yesterday. Normally I would not pay attention to such a thing but it struck me as odd because the bikes dwarfed the car. They were both mtb's and they just looked huge on that car. I guess that you make do with what you have though.
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I don't think anyone "officially" makes a Miata rack but there's a tone of solutions for that problem. Most of the trunk racks are a decent simple solutions for s single bike and probably 2. There's lots of complaints about scuffing paint though. You can put a 1 1/4" hitch on a Miata. A number of enthusiasts use the hitch to pull a small trailer of 4 race tires to the track. Same kind of thing could be used to hall bikes. A super light hitch mount rack would work for 1 bike. For 2 light weight bikes I'd want to add a stabilization strap from the trunk to the rack. I'd probably do that for even a single bike.
There's even a roof mount option for the hard top and if you have a roll bar/cage you have other options but then you can't put the top up.
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When you're serious, you will eventually use one of these. Bikes stay inside and so can you. Anywhere. Any weather.
View attachment 304533
View attachment 304533
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I am buying a platform hitch mounted rack this week. I actually tried to get my wife to let me get a utility trailer instead. I even tried to rationalize that we could put the Xmass Tree and tow the golf card around on it. I thought that my logic was solid. The look that she gave me was a more definitive NO though. Oh well a platform rack it will be.
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When I have just the Scott Addict on my 20 year old Del Sol it dwarfs the car in value pretty much.
Never thought that way for minivan. I like it.
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hey I used to put a trunk rack on my Miata like 16 years ago to go riding in North Vancouver. We'd put two freeride bikes on it! Mine with a 40lb 'DHRace' bike. That was kind of crazy.
best car I had for bikes was a 78 Volvo wagon I had back in 92 or so. We could put four XC racing bikes in teh back, wheels off, and four riders in comfort, all over 6' tall. The car was so old I didn't care about the chains being in contact with the carpet, LOL. Might buy myself a V70 to relive the experience.
One of my riding buddies built a bike rack to carry his road bike .. on his motorcycle. I don't think he used that much though.
I've been rear ended more often than I have driven my bikes into a low overhang - and I have been using roof racks for over 30 years. I have never driven into a garage, drive through, tree branch, etc with bikes on the roof in those 30 years.
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LOL. I think that there is no one solution fits all when it comes to racks. I can see advantages and disadvantages to either. If I drove a Subaru or some small car, the roof racks would be great. Unfortunately for me, I drive a Toyota Sequoia which is much further off the ground. I am 6'2" so I am not vertically challenged but taking off my 30lb 29er would be a chore especially as I get older. My road bike would not be an issue though as is is much lighter. However, I rarely transport my road bike.
I will say that I just purchased the 4 Bike Performance Transit the other day. It is very heavy, as in 60+lbs. There really is no option that is ideal but thankfully there are many options that get the job done.
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In this case the other drivers insurance would cover the bike correct?
I use a tow hitch rack. No issues and it holds the bikes firm.
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