Thanks...I looked at the rei site early today. I'll check it out. Sounds like roof rack is best....
Perry
"mark" <
[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Perry M" wrote in message...
> > Have a Trek 5500 and a Specialized Mountain Bike. I drive an Explorer
and
> > wanted to know the pluses and minuses of using a roof rack vs. something
I
> > can hang on the rear hitch. Any brands better than the other and places
> to
> > buy them on the net (nashbar, perfomance etc.).
> >
> > TIA Perry
>
> Roof racks keep your bike out of harm's way in accidents (think parking lots, gas stations), leave
> your rear door/tailgate/window completely unobstructed, and the fork mount roof racks (remove
> front wheel, insert
fork
> ends into quick release axle- like clamp, put front wheel into separate holder) are extremely
> secure at Interstate highway speeds. Roof racks can also accomodate cargo boxes, baggage racks,
> ski racks, snow board racks, kayak racks.... you get the idea. Lockable bicycle roof racks are
> also available, but don't put too much faith in them. Roof racks are also time consuming to
> install and put bicycles in (especially if your car is tall
and
> you are small), and the added wind resistance will have a negative effect
on
> highway gas mileage and acceleration, especially if you have a small
engine.
> If you're the absent minded type, forgetting that your bicycle is on the roof when entering your
> garage can cost you a lot of money and make you
feel
> very foolish..
>
> Rear hitch racks are convenient as hell to use, but they can interfere
with
> rear vision (depending on the design), make getting in and out of the back of your car time
> consuming, and the extra stuff on the back of your
vehicle
> will make parking more difficult than usual. I would not expect them to be as secure as fork
> mounts on a roof rack at high speed.
>
> In short, if you care more about your bikes than your car and don't mind a little inconvenience,
> roof racks are the way to go. Ditto if your MTB
frame
> has a frame design that preclude using a trailer hitch rack. If you want convenience above all
> else and only use the rack to drive 15 minutes to a bike path, the trailer hitch racks make
> more sense.
>
> I've been very happy with my Yakima roof system for 12 years and 3 cars, other people say good
> things about Thule. REI (www.rei.com) has a great selection of both brands, along with a tool on
> their website to help you pick out the system you want. HTH,
> --
> mark