Roof Rack mounting forward vs. backward
1 - 20 of 50 Posts
Joined
·
450 Posts
I have one facing each direction...because of space issues, they have to be close together bc my ski rack is also up there, that way the handlebars don't interfere w. each other.
really all depends on as someone said, which end you want to hit the garage/carport with, I find the front is better bc my rear wheel is behind the rear crossbar, so the tray bends before my bike does. Also depends on which side of the bike you want to clean dead bugs off of more.
really all depends on as someone said, which end you want to hit the garage/carport with, I find the front is better bc my rear wheel is behind the rear crossbar, so the tray bends before my bike does. Also depends on which side of the bike you want to clean dead bugs off of more.
Joined
·
9,122 Posts
Ha ha!giantsaam said:
I run backward because it clears my Subaru's lift gate, but on a sedan that wouldn't matter.
What did matter is that I previously owned Yakima Cobras, which hold the bike by the front wheel. The Cobra has a problem with the tightening knob becoming loose on longer drives, but this was less worrisome to me with the racks / bikes facing backward.
Joined
·
464 Posts
2 door Blazer requires that they go on backward. Forward didn't work and I'm not too concerned about it.
Joined
·
2,826 Posts
Forward!
If you have a choice, run it facing forward. Here is why.
I had a 2002 WRX wagon, and because of clearance with the tailgate, I had to run the rack backward. One day I went for a ride on my road bike, and when I got done I was a little wasted and spacey, and I clamped the fork in, but forgot to strap the rear wheel into the tray. I got on the highway, and when I hit about 65mph, the wind lifted the rear wheel out of the tray, and the bike pivoted back around the front axle clamp so hard that it came out of the rack altogether. Imagine my surprise when I heard a big bang, and looked in my rearview to see my $3000 road bike flipping down US36. Ouch.
The bike ended up right in between lanes. Traffic somehow avoided it for the 2-3 minutes it took for there to be a gap big enough for me to retrieve it. I just tossed it in the back of the car, thinking it was toast. Believe it or not, after replacing the rear wheel, one pedal, and one crankarm, I am still riding the bike....Ti is tough stuff!
Bottom line, if you make the mistake I did, and you are facing forward, the bike might pop out of the tray and dance on your roof a bit, but it will probably stay upright and safe. Put it backward, and you may get a different story. Of course, you hope you always remember to strap the wheel in, but given the number of people who tear bikes off their roofs driving into garages, you are better off minimizing the possibilities.
YMMV.
If you have a choice, run it facing forward. Here is why.
I had a 2002 WRX wagon, and because of clearance with the tailgate, I had to run the rack backward. One day I went for a ride on my road bike, and when I got done I was a little wasted and spacey, and I clamped the fork in, but forgot to strap the rear wheel into the tray. I got on the highway, and when I hit about 65mph, the wind lifted the rear wheel out of the tray, and the bike pivoted back around the front axle clamp so hard that it came out of the rack altogether. Imagine my surprise when I heard a big bang, and looked in my rearview to see my $3000 road bike flipping down US36. Ouch.
The bike ended up right in between lanes. Traffic somehow avoided it for the 2-3 minutes it took for there to be a gap big enough for me to retrieve it. I just tossed it in the back of the car, thinking it was toast. Believe it or not, after replacing the rear wheel, one pedal, and one crankarm, I am still riding the bike....Ti is tough stuff!
Bottom line, if you make the mistake I did, and you are facing forward, the bike might pop out of the tray and dance on your roof a bit, but it will probably stay upright and safe. Put it backward, and you may get a different story. Of course, you hope you always remember to strap the wheel in, but given the number of people who tear bikes off their roofs driving into garages, you are better off minimizing the possibilities.
YMMV.
Joined
·
2 Posts
I'll tell you what certain guys will think!
I agree look out for running it backwards due to physics but there is always a hidden meaning.Like earring in the right ear kind of meaning if one chooses the posterior mounting method, you might find unwanted company following you to the trailhead. That is of course unless you like that kind of thing.:thumbsup:
I agree look out for running it backwards due to physics but there is always a hidden meaning.Like earring in the right ear kind of meaning if one chooses the posterior mounting method, you might find unwanted company following you to the trailhead. That is of course unless you like that kind of thing.:thumbsup:
Joined
·
450 Posts
I run two way on the outside of my WRX wagon (outside of the 'feet') when my ski rack isn't on, they are far enough to the side that the liftgate can clear them.honkinunit said:
Joined
·
131 Posts
Wow,Harry P. Nice said:
Joined
·
7,308 Posts
Not so. My car went from ~22mpg to close to 24mpg on the Moab outings with the bikes facing backwards vs forwards on the Sportworks Bob Rachet rack (T2 prececessor). The added benefit of not having insects cake up the stanchions was an added bonus.Nickle said:
I then went with a hitch and I get right around 30mpg; my bikes started getting really dirty, though, on rainy/snowy drives; that is a bit of a PITA as I have to cover up the critical components on those occasions; however, I now typically take the wheels off and put the bikes inside for the drives out and back.
_MK
Joined
·
7,308 Posts
Sure, that's the best singe serving measurement to present, though. I also observed an increase in average fuel economy (the computer holds an average over 1000 miles or so; on top of that when I lived in Boulder and worked in Boulder the only time I touched my car was to drive to the trailhead). The trips above were numerous in each configuration. In each case there were 2 bikes involved.Nickle said:
_MK
Joined
·
4,005 Posts
I prefer to face them forward. That way the downward pointing saddle provides aerodynamic down force which enhances my traction, though at the expense of fuel economy.
Besides, the bike are less likely to get motion sickness. They're delicate, you know.
Besides, the bike are less likely to get motion sickness. They're delicate, you know.
Joined
·
2,826 Posts
How many stitches do you have in your scalp from banging your head on the chainrings?Coloradoxj13 said:
Joined
·
4,542 Posts
So you have a smaller boundary layer created over the roof of your car near the front. With less stuff (bars, fork, dead bugs) sticking out and above that layer (i.e. the bikes are backwards so its only the rear wheel) I can see where it is more efficient to put these items further back along the roof. There they will be encompassed by the larger BL and be exposed to air that is moving slower relative to the car making their presence less of an impact on the fuel economy of the car.
For that matter, lower your seat and drop that travel adjust fork. Might as well take the bars off for the duration of the trip. Crap gas costs money, why even go? Sell your bike on craigslist, take the money and roll around on it in your living room.
For that matter, lower your seat and drop that travel adjust fork. Might as well take the bars off for the duration of the trip. Crap gas costs money, why even go? Sell your bike on craigslist, take the money and roll around on it in your living room.
1 - 20 of 50 Posts
Join the discussion
