The Factory Bob upright rooftop rack allows you to carry your bike on most factory installed load bars without removing your front wheel. It utilizes the same patented ratcheting quick-load (RQL) support arm as our Transport and Bob Ratchet racks. The support arm with ratcheting grip firmly secures your bike to your rooftop rack without contacting the bikes frame. This rack is great for lefty forks, disc brakes, and 3.0 tires.
Features:
Patented support arm with ratcheting grip
Adapts to most any factory cross bars
Load your bike in 10 seconds or less!
No wheel removal and No contact with frame
Perfect for: Lefty ( tm) forks, oversized, unconventional, full suspension, women's, children's, BMX, road bikes and more
Submitted by
Jonathan
a
from CAbmridge, MA, USA Date Reviewed: May 18, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
It seems very easy to use.
Weaknesses:
Secuirty. (See bottom line.)
Bottom Line:
After Thule bought Sportworks, the Bob Ratchet became the Sidearm with a potential to add a lock. I am not sure how secure that system is. Based on my observation, only the front wheel is locked into the rack. If someone opens up the quick release on the front wheel, he can probably take the whole bike frame along with the rear wheel off the rack, in 30 sec., since none of it is locked in. In contrast, Yakima Cobra has a security cable which can be looped around the frame. The Bob Ratchet/Sidearm seems to be a great product. Hopefully, they'll correct this problem.
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Submitted by
steve
a Cross Country Rider
from salt lake city, utah, usa Date Reviewed: December 10, 2005
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$117.00
Purchased At:
ors racks direct
Strengths:
mount directly to factory crossbars!!!! no front wheel removal!!!! no contact with bike frame!!!!
Weaknesses:
no locking mechanism....
Bike Setup:
attitude xv/slayer70/kikapu deluxe
Bottom Line:
These are the racks I've been looking for! I have an '02 Outback with factory crossbars, and these racks mount directly to them. This makes loading my bikes easy since they're not too high up. 5-10 seconds per bike and I'm done! No front wheel removal, and the bob ratchet mechanism doesn't touch my frames. There is no other roof mounted bike rack worth looking at.
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Submitted by
Bob Bournique
a Cross Country Rider
from Duvall, WA USA Date Reviewed: August 25, 2004
Favorite Trail:
the yard
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$130.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
quick loading and solid hold
Weaknesses:
no built in locking mechanisim
Similar Products Used:
Bob Ratchet, Thule fork mounts
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Superlight
Bottom Line:
Takes a little while to set up and put together. The integrated arm on the Factory is awesome for getting the bike closer to the edge of the vehicle for loading. Much quicker on and off than the fork mounts I had. The only drawback that I can think of is needing a seperate cable lock as there is not one integrated into the system. But, that's minimal. So, I give it a full five chilis for ease of use once installed. On/off wham bam...
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Submitted by
Matt Plude
a Racer
from Bellingham, WA Date Reviewed: August 21, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Sportworks
Strengths:
Easy loading. Mounts securely to the factory racks of just about any size. Detailed instructions for assembly. Removes the need for aftermarket load bars (which are SPENDY!)
Weaknesses:
The installation took quite a while because of all the parts although the fact that I didn't have to go out and spend a few hundred bucks on Yakima or Thule load bars made up for it in the long run.
Locking wheel arm mechanism would be nice to see but a cable lock works just fine.
Bottom Line:
Awesome rack for lighter bikes. I am a bit nervous to put my 45lb DH bike on the roof, I am sure the rack would work great but the factory Jeep load bars are what make me nervous. If you are looking to carry road/xc/trail bikes this would be the perfect rack. Saves the costs of load bars and mounting hardware. With a bit of patience and a little time you'll have these things mounted to your vehicle and ready to load bikes easier and faster than almost any other rack on the market. For SUV's loading a full size bike on the roof can be a bit tricky (especially for us shorter individuals) however the added stability this rack provides and the convenience of not having to remove the front wheel all make it a worthy purchase.
Check out the Sportworks FreeRider DH if you are looking for a rack to carry DH or heavier bikes with.
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