Bikes on the roof?

[DrBee]

Okay - here's my quandry. We're moving in less than 3 weeks and need to transport our bikes (3). Obviously I'm not going to let the movers come anywhere near my bikes!

I'm debating between a roof rack or a hitch mount or trunk mount. I have a Honda Element that will be packed to the gills with kids, dogs, cats, and other stuff the movers won't take. We do not currently have a hitch on the car, so that's an added expense. I realize the roof is waaaayyy up there, but the bikes are light.

So - suggestions?

[Bikingmomof3]

We have a hitch mount Thule carrier and we love it. We have 5 bikes to carry and it works beautifully and is so easy to use.

[Surlygirl]

We have a hitch rack. I think it's the Yakima. I like it because being short I don't have to try and lift them onto the top of my Honda Pilot. The arm also folds down when not in use so you don't have the arms sticking out. We've had up to five bikes on it no problem. The biggest reason I like the hitch rack, I can go into Dunkin Ds for my Ice coffee and not worry about knocking the bikes off the top on the overhang.

[Dogmama]

If you use a roof rack, be sure to remember the bikes before you pull into the garage!

A good way to do that is put the garage door opener inside of a cycling glove.

[Tuckervill]

My Beetle has a hitch mounted rack. I don't want to lift mountain bikes to the roof. I can barely reach to the middle of the sunroof by putting my body against the car. Too much of a hassle, and I got enough of putting stuff on the roof when I had the Explorer. I see a lot of Beetles with roof racks, though.

My friend has an Element and she puts her bikes inside, but she also has a rack that attaches to the back door. Those aren't as expensive as putting a hitch on. If the Element will be packed, you're probably not going to need to open it in transit anyway, so that'd be my choice.

If you go with the hitch, try etrailer.com to find the right hitch for your car. We've had bag luck with so-called "universal" hitches.

Karen

[DrBee]

Thanks for the advice! I've been looking around online and think maybe a trunk rack will work for now. I wasn't sure I could get a trunk mount for an Element. And - as Tuckervil said - they're cheaper. For sure!

I'm starting to move further away from the idea of a roof rack because I keep picturing how many bugs accumulate on the windshield when making this drive and all of those bugs on my beautiful bike! That's not a pretty site!

[ClockworkOrange]

Thanks for the advice! I've been looking around online and think maybe a trunk rack will work for now. I wasn't sure I could get a trunk mount for an Element. And - as Tuckervil said - they're cheaper. For sure!

I'm starting to move further away from the idea of a roof rack because I keep picturing how many bugs accumulate on the windshield when making this drive and all of those bugs on my beautiful bike! That's not a pretty site!

Good luck with the move, it's so much hassle.

Sally

[Trek420]

Dogmama "If you use a roof rack, be sure to remember the bikes before you pull into the garage! "

and measure the height, you could even encounter a drive through that's too short. I'm thinking trailer hitch.

[Quillfred]

I bet a trunk mount would be the cheapest. I would go that way especially if you aren't going to use a rack much. I know to add a hitch would have cost at least another $200 for me.

I have the roof mounts but I haven't used them yet. I transported a FS mtn bike in the back of the Forester because it was too heavy to get up and down off the top. Around here, I don't leave my car unattended for long with a bike on or inside.

Enjoy your new place.

Quill

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Thanks for the advice! I've been looking around online and think maybe a trunk rack will work for now. I wasn't sure I could get a trunk mount for an Element. And - as Tuckervil said - they're cheaper. For sure!

When you find a back trunk exterior bike mount for your Element that works well, could you please let us know?
We have an Element too, and though usually we just stand the 2 bikes up inside (works great for that!), we do anticipate camping with a fully loaded interior and an outside bike mount might be the thing for us too, rather than a roof rack.
Keep us posted!