Car rack for carbon frame

[VeloVT]

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.

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.

[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?

[MtnBikerChk]

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?

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

[xanesdoc]

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.

[Crankin]

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

[yetigooch]

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.

[TrekWSDmechanic]

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