Rack recommendation

[Matthew Williams]

Hi everyone,

My wife and I need a bike rack for her 2020 Honda Fit.

I'm assuming the best/most secure racks are roof-mounted.

Please post your opinions, pros and cons, experiences, etc. What do you folks use and recommend?

[Jeffrey Arita]

Matthew,

We use a Yakima-brand roof-type rack atop our 2004 Honda Accord.  We originally purchased that system back in 1989 (yes, they last a long time).  In transferring that system from vehicle to vehicle, we purchased IIRC *Q-clips* or some other such thing.  Parts that were specific to that vehicle.  This system was not inexpensive because we had to buy the towers, the clips and the crossbars.  After that, you then had to buy the specific sport attachment, in this case a bicycle rack.  One of the reasons we did do this was we enjoyed snow skiing (at that time) and so we purchased snow ski mounts as well.  One could also buy a space case, a basket or a canoe/kayak carrier.

For now, we have two single bicycle carrier trays and fork mounts (Yakima-brand) where you do have to remove the front wheel (downside).  The forks are secured by a quick-release lever and the rear tire rides inside the carrier tray.  A ratcheting strap secures the tire (and thus the rear of the bicycle).  Very secure (upside).  We've transported a pair of bicycles in very strong crosswinds at highway speeds (65 - 70 mph) without incident.  We also have a Yakima-brand tandem carrier.  Also very secure.  The tandem's bottom tube rides in a support which is then secured with two (2) ratcheting straps.  The front wheel is removed and the fork is secured with a very large diameter axle quick release.

The biggest downside to a roof-mounted rack is if one forgets that a bicycle is riding on top and you drive into your garage.  I did this once and yes, it is heart-breaking.  Not only the damage to the bike, but to the car, rack and garage.  Luckily for me, that one time it only caused minor damage.  But yeah, that is a very serious downside.  As others have suggested, if you put a bike atop your rack you could place an object inside your garage preventing you from unconsciously driving into your garage.  Or you could unplug your garage door opener or some other such idea.....

Since you currently have a new vehicle which kinda sits low (not like an SUV), you might want to consider a roof-mounted rack system.  Again, not inexpensive but if you need to transport your bikes to and from venues, it is a pretty secure way to do so. 

Good luck,

Jeff

Claremont, CA

[Roberta]

Are you requesting roof rack recommendations only? 

 Do any of your bikes have fenders?

[Matthew Williams]

Are you requesting roof rack recommendations only? 

Yes, because I'm assuming roof racks are the most secure, unless such is not the case. 

 Do any of your bikes have fenders?

Nope!

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[Paul Richardson]

i use a roof-mounted Thule and a Rockymounts (not sure the models--they're similar--both of the wheels stay on the bikes) on a Subaru Outback.  I am not 100% confident in either of them, though I do prefer the Rockymounts.  The Thule arm over the front wheel tends to slip, and I end up nervously eyeing the bikes thru the sunroof while I'm ripping down the expressway.  We just returned from a drive to Maine and back, and I am now very seriously considering installing a hitch and getting a trunk rack--the type where the bikes are secured by the wheels, not the frame.  Seems to me the bikes would be equally, if not more, secure, and subjected to far less wind whippage as well.  (I read on this board that headset grease can blowout at highway speeds, which seems like it wouldn't happen on the trunk).

I'd welcome any input from folks with experience using hitch racks.

paul

takoma park, md.