Quote Originally Posted by xanesdoc View Post
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?
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.