Car rack for carbon frame

I just bought a new road bike with a carbon frame and I think I may need a new car rack. I keep hearing and reading conflicting opinions on what type a rack I need. Currently, I use a typical car rack that attaches to a hitch (it is a Kuat, I think the Beta model) and has rubber straps to keep the bike in place. My lbs says the rack is fine for my bike, but the manufacturer (Felt) put a sticker on the bike saying not to clamp a carbon frame to a rack or trainer. Do I need to get another car rack with a tray rack, like the Saris-Thelma?

If I do buy a new car rack I would like one which can lock to my hitch, and I don't think the Saris-Thelma has a locking mechanism.

I love my bike and I don't want to damage it or have it stolen!

Any suggestions?

I have a roof rack (Yakima Sprocket Rocket). We initially tried a rear rack (can't remember if it was Yakima or Thule) but returned it because shaped carbon tubes did not fit into it very well, leading to a lot of sway that would cause scratching from the rack itself and would risk scratching if more than one frame were placed on the rack because the poor fit increased movement.

I really like the rack I have, actually. It's super solid -- if you put a hand on the bike, the bike doesn't move at all, but you can rock the car. I also bought the lock set, so not only does the skewer lock, but the rack itself locks onto the factory install roofrack with keys. I still won't really let the car out of my sight for any length of time with bikes attached (I heard a horror story of a thief actually removing the factory installed roof rack and making off with two custom sevens worth more than the car they were mounted on). But I feel totally safe driving with the bikes on the highway -- with a rear rack I was always worried either that we would get rear-ended or that sway (from sudden turns or slowing, from bumps, or just from wind) would cause frame damage and scratching (we usually have two bikes on at a time, so as mentioned above damage could occur between the frame and the rack or between the two frames).

The style roof rack I have requires removal of the front wheel and clamps the fork in front and the rear rim in back. I talked to several people in different LBSs about this style rack and all of them assured me it was safe for carbon frames. Then again, I also put my carbon bike in a trainer in the winter...

Hmmm, this is interesting. I never thought about my carbon ride being incompatible w/my rack. I own a hitch mount Yakima King Pin Two. Pretty sure it was replaced with the Double Down Two. I have the hitch lock system, and bike lock system. I love my rack. It has the straps you talk about. But, I would think it depends on how hard you strap it down. Obviously you don't want it swaying. Seems like one I strap tighter. The others a bit looser.

Thule T2 - best rack EVER.

http://www.thuleracks.com/product.asp?dept_id=8&sku=916

Rack has a locking pin to the hitch, each arm has a lock - AND I use a cable lock (a little paranoid LOL). The arm holds onto the wheel in the front and a wheel strap in the back.

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Originally Posted by liza

I have a roof rack (Yakima Sprocket Rocket). We initially tried a rear rack (can't remember if it was Yakima or Thule) but returned it because shaped carbon tubes did not fit into it very well, leading to a lot of sway that would cause scratching from the rack itself and would risk scratching if more than one frame were placed on the rack because the poor fit increased movement.

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+1 on this roof rack, I had a basic Yakima roof rack and upgraded to this because it fits my MTBs as well....very secure, easy to use and install, and looks cool.
HOWEVER:
a) don't forget to stick the wheel in the car. Sounds obvious, it's not.
b) don't forget to CHECK to make sure the fork is clamped correctly. My new carbon Colnago frame is a testiment to the opportunity for stupid user error.
c)don't go with this if you can't remember they are up there. I put a sticky note on my windshield....BIKES....to remind me not to drive into the garage.

I have been hesitant about getting a roof rack for my car. I would be putting it on top of a mid-size SUV. How hard is it to get the bike attached with a high car roof?

Thanks.

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Originally Posted by xanesdoc

I have been hesitant about getting a roof rack for my car. I would be putting it on top of a mid-size SUV. How hard is it to get the bike attached with a high car roof?

Thanks.

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I can't answer your question, but that was also one of my concerns. I have some back issues and was worried hoisting my bike up that high on the suv would bother me. Plus, I have heard from more than one lbs owner & ins agent that the number one reason peeps get damage to their bici frames is from forgetting the bici is on the roof of the vehicle before they drive into the garage! I'm half A.D.D. the way it is anyway so that sealed the deal for me lol.

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Originally Posted by xanesdoc

I have been hesitant about getting a roof rack for my car. I would be putting it on top of a mid-size SUV. How hard is it to get the bike attached with a high car roof?

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I have a Yakima roof rack on my subaru outback. Ten years and 230,000 miles ago when I first got the car I could put a heavy mt bike or my steel bike just fine, and then I would just step up into the car with the door open for added assistance after the bike was in the tray.

These last couple of years I use a step stool and throw it in the back after I've racked the bike, which is now a lighter carbon fiber. I'd never be able to put a bike on a small SUV without a stool, as I'd be too short.

Even with the step stool, you'll have to lift it up to at least your shoulder height and you'll be carrying the bike as you step up. Try this to test your strength: Find a step stool, take your bike, lift it/carry it as you step up the stool and just raise it to what would be the level of your roof and see how much control you have. You need a little control to put the bike in the tray.

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Originally Posted by mudmucker

I have a Yakima roof rack on my subaru outback. Ten years and 230,000 miles ago when I first got the car I could put a heavy mt bike or my steel bike just fine, and then I would just step up into the car with the door open for added assistance after the bike was in the tray.

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I have an outback and this is what I do too (step into the car door). I'm 5'6", and this works out pretty well for me -- I could lift a bit higher if I had to. I think I could do the same thing with a mid-size SUV, as the bodies are not necessarily much higher than a car, they just have more ground clearance, so you'd be stepping up higher but not necessarily lifting a lot higher. With a very tall-bodied, big SUV (Range Roverish profile), it might be an issue for me.

What is the benefit of a roof rack vs. the hitch type? I already have a hitch on the SUV so I don't have the concern of the expense of attaching one. The Thule rack that MtnBikerChk mentioned looks good. Anyone else have success with it?

The fork mount bike rack will be fine for your carbon bike (just make sure you buy locks for the rack mounts (4) and the fork clamp (1). the roof mounted racks also come in a version in which you do not need to remove the front wheel. If you can't lift the bike up onto the roof rack (e.g. SUV), then I would suggest a hitch mounted rack that is similar to the ones you see on city buses. both Yakima and Thule offers this version and you don't have to worry about your frame rubbing up againt another bike.

As an alternative to the Thule rack mentioned previously, Saris makes two versions of racks that hold bikes via the wheels: the Thelma and the CycleOn.

Clicky: Saris hitch mount racks

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Originally Posted by xanesdoc

I have been hesitant about getting a roof rack for my car. I would be putting it on top of a mid-size SUV. How hard is it to get the bike attached with a high car roof?

Thanks.

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I have a BMW x-3...I don't have a problem with getting my road bike (carbon fiber, 17 lbs) up there. My heavy-ish mountain bike is a little harder to wrangle up there, but I can do it without problem. On the Toyota Sequoia I had with my ex, I had a harder time...it is a lot taller than me.

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Originally Posted by xanesdoc

What is the benefit of a roof rack vs. the hitch type? I already have a hitch on the SUV so I don't have the concern of the expense of attaching one. The Thule rack that MtnBikerChk mentioned looks good. Anyone else have success with it?

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We've had/have both between us but I drive the Pathfinder - so there's no WAY my 5'2" body can get to the roof LOL

and the hitch rack is so easy to take on and off - so if I'm making a big trip to home depot and think I'll be in and out of the hatch a lot, I just take it off and leave in the garage.

Loading is super easy - I can even get DH's MTB in the rack without his help (I can't lift it over my head to put it on the roof rack on his Outback).

I'm sure they each have their benefits/drawbacks. I mean on the hitch, don't think I'm not a little paranoid about people rear ending the rack and the bikes on it.......but then again, I can pull into my garage with the bikes still on the back :)

Thanks for all the good input. I decided to get the Saris Thelma. It is fairly light weight compared to the other tray type racks. The only negative is that it doesn't come with a cable lock, but I can add one myself.

I have the Thelma and it is extremely easy to use.
Especially for a mechanically challenged person like me.