Tell me about roof-mounted bike racks (Page 2)

Depending on the type of car and type of bikes you plan to bring, you may have trouble with 6, especially if any are MT Bikes or Hybrids. 

Personally, I like fork mounted systems better, but that means you will need to also figure out what to do with your front wheels.  You can put them on the roof, but that will take room away from putting more bikes on the roof.  You may need to look at putting a few on the back in addition to on the roof.  Or like another poster suggest, get a trailer for the bikes.  It will be pricey no matter which option you go with.

I dont think you can go wrong with either Thule or Yakima.  Its really a matter of preference.

There are a few online retailers that I have heard good things about like Cracks and Racks or Rack Attack should be able to make a good recommendation based on your requirements.  

I'm truly not crazy about mine. I have a Honda CRV with a Honda roof rack.

Once, I went under a low bridge and nearly died of a heart attack when I remembered a split second beforehand that I had two bikes on top. THANKFULLY, it all cleared...probably within an inch.

It usually shaves about 7 mpg off my fuel economy, which, when you only get 26 to begin with, sucks.

Another time, I was driving alone when one of the arms malfunctioned and released my bike. It was safety-clipped in, but flapping back and forth on top of the car, gouging the roof and scaring me to death. Had to pull over and put it all back together alone, which was really tough on the side of a highway as a 5'6" woman unaccustomed to hoisting steel mountain bikes over my head.

And that's the final thing: lifting bikes over my head. I don't like it unless they're lightweight road bikes. But sometimes I like to bring my 1940s cruiser to the lake, or my mountain bike to the woods. It's nearly impossible to do myself...and with the cruiser, it IS impossible. 

Nothing makes me feel like a damsel in distress quite like an SUV roof rack. LOL

my problems were solved when my car was stolen.

I got the car back minus the roof rack.

1. the roof rack fit bad (Yakima)

2. eventually I would've forgot and drove into the carport with my Cervelo.

Now I just load it into the car, no more roof rack.

Thanks for all the info and thoughts everyone.  I've got a while to develop a plan.  BT is a great community.  Thanks again.  Maybe my car will end up looking like this:

or maybe I'll get a trailer...

Nice!! Looks like I will have to start thinking too since down the road, I will be transporting 5-6 bikes like you for camping or cottage trips.

Btw those bike carriers are the 549xt sidearm I mentioend to you.

the laptop would be covered by your HomeOwners Insurance if your car was broken into, minus any deductable depending on the coverage you have.

If someone rearends you, they would be responable to make you whole as the accident was their fault.  Their issurance company would be required to replace/repair the bikes up to the coverage limits... then it would be fair game on the driver in small claims court for any additional cost above the coverage limits.  Here in Georgia the REQUIRED minimum car insureance coverage for property damage due to car accident is $25,000.00.  Each state may vary in it's required limts...

As for roof racks... well, I stopped using them after I drove my 7,000 dollar bike into a parking garage 2 days before I was to ship it off to Nice, France for my 1st ever Ironman... worst sound I've ever heard, still have nightmares about it.

I have a roof rack.

Put a mirror on your garage door or right above it. You'll notice the bikes before you crash it.

yes, quite a bit.