Roof bike rack- ugh

[Reinout]

1up definitely builds good stuff! Considering it. Was your melted rim in a 4runner with a vertical Yakima rack? That would suck!





I am considering a vertical rack. Seems to be a good option!


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They are. Trays are great too.

There are essentially 3 types of hitch mount bike rack:
-Vertical like NorthShort and Yakima Hangover (and others)
-Tray style: Like 1Up, many Yakima, Thule, INNO, etc.
-Hanging style: Like the Yakima FullSwing: FullSwing | Bike Hitch Rack | Yakima Racks

The pro for the last one is that it's the smallest rack and generally the lightest so it's easier on-off the vehicle and doesn't take up as much space in storage (and the one in the link happens to swing away so you can get to the trunk without taking the bikes off).

The CON is that the bikes hang down: with all the full suspension bike designs they bike will not hang "level" and the front wheel generally angles down closer to the ground. And if you hang it just right/wrong, in front of hot exhaust. Hot enough to delaminate carbon wheels and melt rubber.

 

[mesooohoppy]

I would honestly sell it and get a 1up or some other hitch rack that can carry 3.

this is the correct answer. i would never want to put an expensive bike that high up on a 4runner. too much bad stuff waiting to happen!

dont just limit yourself to a 3 bike rack, get a 4 bike rack. im sure they make modular ones.

 

[rotorwind]

They are. Trays are great too.



There are essentially 3 types of hitch mount bike rack:

-Vertical like NorthShort and Yakima Hangover (and others)

-Tray style: Like 1Up, many Yakima, Thule, INNO, etc.

-Hanging style: Like the Yakima FullSwing: FullSwing | Bike Hitch Rack | Yakima Racks



The pro for the last one is that it's the smallest rack and generally the lightest so it's easier on-off the vehicle and doesn't take up as much space in storage (and the one in the link happens to swing away so you can get to the trunk without taking the bikes off).



The CON is that the bikes hang down: with all the full suspension bike designs they bike will not hang "level" and the front wheel generally angles down closer to the ground. And if you hang it just right/wrong, in front of hot exhaust. Hot enough to delaminate carbon wheels and melt rubber.

The 3rd option is out for me. It’s hard to hang my wife’s bike (Santa Cruz) on a rack like that because where the rear suspension is mounted. So looking at option 1 or 2. With 1up I can get a 2 bike rack and add a #1. I’m liking that option. Just $$$. Always can add another #1 later if I decide I need 4 total.


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[Reinout]

The 3rd option is out for me. It’s hard to hang my wife’s bike (Santa Cruz) on a rack like that because where the rear suspension is mounted. So looking at option 1 or 2. With 1up I can get a 2 bike rack and add a #1. I’m liking that option. Just $$$. Always can add another #1 later if I decide I need 4 total.


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I'd go with a good secure option: one where when your wife's SantaCruz is on the back you can be rest assured that it's on there and not going anywhere ☺

 

[rotorwind]

I'd go with a good secure option: one where when your wife's SantaCruz is on the back you can be rest assured that it's on there and not going anywhere [emoji5]

Yep exactly. We have some expensive bikes so not going to get a cheap rack. Leaning towards 1up


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[Reinout]

Yep exactly. We have some expensive bikes so not going to get a cheap rack. Leaning towards 1up


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I'm just going to toss this out to anyone looking at racks.
If you have other cargo management items such as roof boxes, ski racks etc, if you stick with the same brand you can do the same keys for all accessories.

Example: we have 3 vehicles, 1 hitch carrier, 2 roof boxes, 2 roof mount bike racks(for the low car) and 3 sets of tower/bars. They ALL use ONE key so I never have to fumble with which key it is.

 

[steven350]

anyone here ever racked their bikes on the factory 2019-2020 roof rack?
or can suggest mount/clips for it to be mounted ?

 

[rotorwind]

anyone here ever racked their bikes on the factory 2019-2020 roof rack?
or can suggest mount/clips for it to be mounted ?

I bought the Yakima Front loader. It was a nice rack. Couldn’t open rear hatch- May be possible if you move the rails all the way forward. Not much clearance from the bottom of the rack to the roof but it worked. Just couldn’t get the bike up there easily so I returned it


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[mistervague]

I use a Yakima holdup hitch rack, with the extender so it holds a total of 4 bikes. The whole thing folds up against the car when not in use but probably weighs well over 100lbs and is quite unwieldy to install / remove / manipulate. Plus, it sticks our really, really far. (Gotta be careful not to scrape when backing down things such as . . . I dunno . . . my own driveway, oops . . .)

I attach a flag to it when I have the extender on. It’s also super pricey, but I got a pro deal so it wasn’t as awful.

So there are some cons, but it is super solid, easy to get the bikes on and off of, and holds just about any kind of bike snugly without them banging into each other.

One other thing I added: a gnarly Kryptonite “noose” style chain and “New York” lock. Because I like my bikes.

 

[Chevrolegs]

If you’re interested in getting a new rack I think a Thule T2 with the two bike add on would be solid. If not, get some side steps installed so you can get up closer to the car when you throw it up too.

 

[rotorwind]

I use a Yakima holdup hitch rack, with the extender so it holds a total of 4 bikes. The whole thing folds up against the car when not in use but probably weighs well over 100lbs and is quite unwieldy to install / remove / manipulate. Plus, it sticks our really, really far. (Gotta be careful not to scrape when backing down things such as . . . I dunno . . . my own driveway, oops . . .)



I attach a flag to it when I have the extender on. It’s also super pricey, but I got a pro deal so it wasn’t as awful.



So there are some cons, but it is super solid, easy to get the bikes on and off of, and holds just about any kind of bike snugly without them banging into each other.



One other thing I added: a gnarly Kryptonite “noose” style chain and “New York” lock. Because I like my bikes.

I have the same rack- 2 bike version. I could buy the extension but just worried about the length/weight when it’s in a 4 bike configuration. How easy is it to take off the 2 bike extension? Cause I wouldn’t need the extra capacity that often. So if it’s easy to take off that could be an option

Thanks


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[mistervague]

I have the same rack- 2 bike version. I could buy the extension but just worried about the length/weight when it’s in a 4 bike configuration. How easy is it to take off the 2 bike extension? Cause I wouldn’t need the extra capacity that often. So if it’s easy to take off that could be an option

OK well here's the part where I reveal that dealing with the extension for the first time put me into an absolute RAGE. Everything is better now though.

The issue was that the two parts connect by the center tube of the extender inserting into the center tube of the main part. A threaded hitch pin holds them together. The center tube on the extender was EXTREMELY tight fitting. Like, what is going on here?

I believe there was too much powder coat on it, or the tube was just barely misshapen. Long story short, when I finally got it in, it accidentally slid 1/4" too far (FFFF!!!) and it took literally HOURS to separate them (penetrating oil, rubber mallet, multiple large adults, etc.)

Once we got it off, I used a friend's grinder to shave down the outside of the center tube of the extender a bit and put some oil on it. Now it slides on / off just fine but that was a huge pain. Hopefully it was just a manufacturing fluke.

To attach / detach you screw on a threaded hitch pin and attach a cotter pin. The whole process takes about 2-3 minutes. Easy, but the thing is kind of heavy.

If you do get one, be sure you get the safety flag that screws into it. Mine didn't come with one so I had to get it separately.

Overall I'm pleased once I got over wanting to kill Yakima that day.

 

[rotorwind]

OK well here's the part where I reveal that dealing with the extension for the first time put me into an absolute RAGE. Everything is better now though.



The issue was that the two parts connect by the center tube of the extender inserting into the center tube of the main part. A threaded hitch pin holds them together. The center tube on the extender was EXTREMELY tight fitting. Like, what is going on here?



I believe there was too much powder coat on it, or the tube was just barely misshapen. Long story short, when I finally got it in, it accidentally slid 1/4" too far (FFFF!!!) and it took literally HOURS to separate them (penetrating oil, rubber mallet, multiple large adults, etc.)



Once we got it off, I used a friend's grinder to shave down the outside of the center tube of the extender a bit and put some oil on it. Now it slides on / off just fine but that was a huge pain. Hopefully it was just a manufacturing fluke.



To attach / detach you screw on a threaded hitch pin and attach a cotter pin. The whole process takes about 2-3 minutes. Easy, but the thing is kind of heavy.



If you do get one, be sure you get the safety flag that screws into it. Mine didn't come with one so I had to get it separately.



Overall I'm pleased once I got over wanting to kill Yakima that day.

Good info. Thanks. That does sound like a pain but probably an isolated incident. Hopefully!


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