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Roof Rack for SUV
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 2012-10-01 12:22 PM |
New user 347  |  Subject: Roof Rack for SUVare there any real differences between the manufacters' quality of the roof racks? I see Inno and Rocky Mountain racks for as low as $75.00 and then Yakima for $150-200. I'd hate to save $100. and ruin a $3k bike... I even see a big difference between the same brand- there's an Inno for $79.00 and an Inno that looks the same for $129.00. Wondering what I should be looking for.. thanks... |
| 2012-10-01 12:28 PM in reply to: #4435164 |
Regular 129 | Subject: RE: Roof Rack for SUV I have had both Yakima and Thule (currently). Although more money, I have confidence in the racks and do not worry about the rack doing its job. |
| 2012-10-01 1:07 PM in reply to: #4435164 |
| New user 31 | Subject: RE: Roof Rack for SUV i've heard good things about rocky mountain. personally have a thule tray. bought it from REI, know i can get spare parts for it as needed, and have been nothing but impressed with thule's customer service and product quality. that said, the only time i regretted getting a roof rack on my SUV was when i had to take the bike off the top to get through an underpass with a low ceiling while en route to a race when i was already running a little behind. otherwise, just remember to take your bike off before parking in the garage. |
| 2012-10-01 1:23 PM in reply to: #4435243 |
| New user 347 | Subject: RE: Roof Rack for SUV funny you mention the overpass- every time I've driven a car with a roof rack I always feel like I'm going to hit something... I guess if the difference is only $50.00 and the customer service sounds really good, probably worth the peace of mind and can probably get a good end of season deal.. |
| 2012-10-01 1:30 PM in reply to: #4435164 |
Master 2946   Centennial, CO | Subject: RE: Roof Rack for SUV I also bought mine at REI. Yakima though. Benefit of REI is the cost went to my refund check. |
| 2012-10-01 3:21 PM in reply to: #4435164 |
Pro 6520  Bellingham, WA | Subject: RE: Roof Rack for SUV I know its not the question but have you considered a hitch mounted rack? |
| 2012-10-01 3:29 PM in reply to: #4435602 |
Master 2725 Washington, DC Metro | Subject: RE: Roof Rack for SUV popsracer - 2012-10-01 4:21 PM I know its not the question but have you considered a hitch mounted rack? Not wanting to support the thread detour, but that is what I use for my SUV. I find it better for many reasons, but I guess the biggest drawback is the dreaded rear end collision. |
| 2012-10-01 3:32 PM in reply to: #4435164 |
| New user 37 | Subject: RE: Roof Rack for SUV I've had the cheapest Inno racks i could find attached to the factory roof rack for 4 yrs now with no worries or issues. Even wacked the the wife's bike into the garage without any noticible damage to the racks (was low speed with quick realization). Locks down tight and have gone 80+ mph with the bikes on top. -Mike |
| 2012-10-01 3:37 PM in reply to: #4435164 |
| 631 | Subject: RE: Roof Rack for SUV I also use a hitch mount on an SUV. Seems easier than lifting to the roof. |
| 2012-10-01 3:44 PM in reply to: #4435164 |
Elite 3277 Minnetonka | Subject: RE: Roof Rack for SUV I have a yakama rack with two bicycle attachments, and a ski/snowboard attachment with locking cores and universal mounts that will be hitting CraigsList soon. I now drive an Acura Mdx and with the rack on it's too tall to fit in the garage.... Just another thing to consider... |
| 2012-10-01 4:30 PM in reply to: #4435602 |
| New user 347 | Subject: RE: Roof Rack for SUV I've considered and would prefer the hitch mount, but I don't have a hitch. I realize I can add one, but that's additional cost that I don't want to put into my MDX which is older. My wife uses the single-car garage, so that's not an advantage. |
| 2012-10-01 4:41 PM in reply to: #4435164 |
Veteran 501 Seattle, Washington | Subject: RE: Roof Rack for SUV I have Rocky Mountain roof racks and they are great. Personally, they are a lot easier to use than the older Yakima's and Thule racks some friends have. Then again, those were older models, so I do not know how they compare to the new ones. I actually got mine because they had great reviews, were a bit cheaper and I could get colorful ones! I've never had a problem with mine at all, have driven >80 with bikes up there no worries. Always worried about driving into the garage, but haven't yet. My biggest issue is that I have trouble with steadily lifting my mountain bike up that high. Even then, I get it up there no problem. I'd recommend them to anybody. That's my two cents. |
| 2012-10-01 5:56 PM in reply to: #4435622 |
Veteran 513 Chicago (Old Town) | Subject: RE: Roof Rack for SUV Sous - 2012-10-01 3:29 PM popsracer - 2012-10-01 4:21 PM I know its not the question but have you considered a hitch mounted rack? Not wanting to support the thread detour, but that is what I use for my SUV. I find it better for many reasons, but I guess the biggest drawback is the dreaded rear end collision. True, but that risk is offset by forgetting you have a few feet on top of the car when going through a low clearance..... |
| 2012-10-02 7:40 AM in reply to: #4435889 |
Master 2725 Washington, DC Metro | Subject: RE: Roof Rack for SUV julio26pt2 - 2012-10-01 6:56 PM Sous - 2012-10-01 3:29 PM popsracer - 2012-10-01 4:21 PM I know its not the question but have you considered a hitch mounted rack? Not wanting to support the thread detour, but that is what I use for my SUV. I find it better for many reasons, but I guess the biggest drawback is the dreaded rear end collision. True, but that risk is offset by forgetting you have a few feet on top of the car when going through a low clearance..... Agreed... I guess as weird as it sounds I'd almost feel better if I ruined my bike because I was the idiot! |
| 2012-10-02 7:50 AM in reply to: #4435164 |
Expert 839 Central Mass | Subject: RE: Roof Rack for SUV ried0428 - 2012-10-01 10:22 AM I even see a big difference between the same brand- there's an Inno for $79.00 and an Inno that looks the same for $129.00. Wondering what I should be looking for.. thanks... Within model lines, the differences are usually in the attachment points. For example, the bottom of the line Yakima, the Boa, is just basically a small tray that goes on the back bar with a strap and a locking QR on the front bar. Not even a full tray. Pay more for a flat tray, pay more for a wavy tray (lower bike height over the roof), pay more for a frame holder (to not take the front wheel off), pay more for a snazzy front QR. My former local REI had all the Thule trays out in the summer so they were easy to compare. |
| 2012-10-02 8:39 AM in reply to: #4435889 |
| New user 31 | Subject: RE: Roof Rack for SUV julio26pt2 - 2012-10-01 6:56 PM Sous - 2012-10-01 3:29 PM popsracer - 2012-10-01 4:21 PM I know its not the question but have you considered a hitch mounted rack? Not wanting to support the thread detour, but that is what I use for my SUV. I find it better for many reasons, but I guess the biggest drawback is the dreaded rear end collision. True, but that risk is offset by forgetting you have a few feet on top of the car when going through a low clearance..... I think both systems have their pros and cons. Obviously, it's easier to load up onto a hitch rack and some of them even allow for the tailgate to open without having to unmount the bikes. But, as mentioned before, there's always the risk of someone rear-ending you. Although, that may not be that bad (i.e., new bike covered by insurance? P5?) With the roof rack, yes, it may be a pain to through your bike up top. It's easier on sedans, but it's not too terrible suvs. Also, if the roof rack allows for a little more flexibility by allowing other attachments (e.g., kayaks, skis, roof boxes, etc.). As far as which one is more secure, I personally feel that the roof rack may provide more security, but that's just my opinion; no facts to back that up. The low clearance is always a danger, but whenever I'm driving with my bike on top, I'm paranoid that something/anything will smack it so I've never "forgotten" it was up there. When looking at which trays to get from which manufacturers, I think the price difference is all in the locking mechanisms. I know for the low end Thule trays, they use a lot of plastics, while the higher end tray is an all metal locking system. I would like to think that regardless of the tray, they're all secure enough for your bike as the manufacturer would be incredibly stupid to sell a product that fails during normal use (these aren't huffy bikes that people are going to throw up there). With all that said, if I had to do it all over again, I'd probably choose the exact same route. My situation may be different from yours, but I can switch the roof rack system between both cars, and one of our vehicles doesn't have a hitch receiver. |
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