Date: Mon, 24 Jun 2002 03:57:20 GMT From: John Davies <johndaviesNOSPAMnopsam.net> Subject: Re: Which bike rack for 9000?
On Sun, 23 Jun 2002 22:31:07 -0400, "Geo" <nonopsamom> wrote: >Any bikers out there? I'm not sure which bike rack to get for my 93 >9000CSET. A hitch mounted rack would be ideal but I don't want to spend the >considerable $$$ for the hitch. Alternately I could get a generic hatch >mount but I'm wondering how secure it is. I have the Saab roof rack so a >roof carrier seems like a logical choice but isn't it awkward and difficult >getting the bike up and down? And scratching and denting the body seems like >a good possibility. Any feedback? Thanks. I have.....let's see - 6 bikes in the family at the moment. I use exclusively roof racks, on all my vehicles. I realy like the fact that the bikes are secure and up off the "traffic area" of the cars. Unless you forget that they are up there and enter a garage, there is not much risk of damage. Putting the bikes on the back has one advantage - the bikes are easier to lift into place. But they obscure the tail lights of the car, get much more covered with road debris, rattle around more, and if you are tail-ended you can just kiss off ALL those bikes. Since you already have a roof rack, it really is a no-brainer. Buy a good Thule or Yakima bike tray that secures the bike by the front fork. You don't have to reach nearly as far to secure it as a tray that holds the entire bike, and it is a very solid way to carry the bike. A wheel holder for the front wheel is optional - I try to carry my fronts inside if possible. To mount the bike, lift at two secure points, such as the front fork leg and the seat tube. First posiition the rear tire in the rear part of the tray (be sure the strap is open first)), then straighten up the bike and lower the fork drop-outs straight down into the skewer and snug the clamp lightly to hold the front of the bike stable. Then strap down the rear tire and fully secure the front, locking it (unless you were a cheapskate and did not buy the lock cores). As long as you _always_ keep one hand on the bike somewhere, there is practically no risk that you will drop the bike on your shiney roof. I have used the Yakima Copperhead type trays for many years. I like them, but they develop slop in the forward mount after a few years, and there is not much that can be done about it besides buying a new one. A Copperhead is about $US80. http://www.yakima.com/products/dynamic/8002064_1.html I also have one Thule Velo-Vise, which is quick and solid, but I am a bit afraid of the front mount. It is a single allen bolt. If that shears or loosens, the bike will depart the car. I do not think I would buy another. About $90. http://www.thuleracks.com/thule/product.asp?dept_id=8&sku=589 The Yakima Boa might be a good one to consider. It consiists of a front fork mount "pod" that screws solidly to the crossbar with 3 allen bolts, and a seperate rear wheel tray. The tray can be taken off in 30 seconds and stored in the trunk, leaving almost zero stuff up top. I bought two a few weeks ago, but have not yet done an off-road test with my mountain bikes up top. They are quite cheap at $60 MSRP. There are online sorces that have them for around $50. http://www.yakima.com/products/dynamic/8002065_1.html BTW, all the Yakima products fit Thule (Saab) bars now, I believe. John Davies Monroe WA USA 2001 Saab 9-5 Aero Wagon 2000 Audi A4 quattro 1.8T 1991 Jeep Cherokee Laredo 4x4
