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How is it REALLY to get your bike on your roof?

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5.4K views 19 replies 14 participants last post by  millerjerr  
#1 ·
I've been going back and forth between a hitch rack or roof rack for our bikes. We have a 2003 EX that we bought earlier this year. It came with the factory roof rack. If we went this route, I was looking into the Yakima Front Loader (we'd need to - I have a Gary Fisher mtb, and my daughter has a 20" K2, both aluminum frames).

I also have a 2" Yakima Rim Roc hitch rack that I kept off my old car. However, we don't have a hitch installed on the back (yet).

I'm going back and forth between the two and which will serve us better. I like the idea of the roof rack because it still gives us full access to the back of the Element. However, I stand a towering 5'6" tall. Lifting the bikes over my head isn't too big of an issue, however I suspect I'll have to get a stool or step ladder to store in the car.

I've looked at a few pictures of the installed hitches. For those who have it, can you access the back. The tailgate - probably not. But can you pop open the glass? Our hitch rack does fold, so I could lower it. But I found with our last car, I hardly utilized the storage in the back when I left the hitch on.

Thanks for any advice you can give!

Oh, I should say that investing in a full blown Thule or Yakima system isn't in our budget right now. All I could really afford would be the attachments.
 
#3 ·
Consider inside

I know, I know. Bikes take up alot of interior space. But:

1. They stay clean inside, and you can drape a couple of old t-shirts over the wheels and drivetrain to keep everything else clean that might touch them.
2. They are relatively secure, and you can still lock them together or around the rear seat floor mount so they won't go anywhere. If they come loose, they aren't going to be left on the highway.
3. You won't ever pull into a garage and THEN remember they are on your roof. This happens more than you would think, even with little reminders like a note on the dash, because drivers tune them out over time.

Enjoy your Element!
 
#5 ·
I have carried my bike(s) both inside and on the roof. When going on a long distance with lots of stuff packed inside then on the roof it goes. When near home and only 2 people inside then it goes inside.

As to your concern about being able to reach the roof with the bike, can you reach about 12" towards the center of the roof without anything in your hands? My guess is you can't or if you can you won't be able to with a bike also. Get some sort of cheap step ladder or even a milk crate. Then you won't have any issues. I am 6'2" and have used a step when putting things in the center of the roof.



 
#7 ·
Have not had them up there too often so know. When I have had bikes on other cars it wasn't too bad a hit from what I recall. I think just having the rack on the roof is the biggest hit, the bike(s) up there is just a bit more of a hit.

Honestly, I never cared about the fuel mileage hit if there isn't another place for the bikes inside.
 
#8 ·
I just picked up a Thule Roadway 4 this week, and so far I have been quite pleased. Although I already have a roof rack, I wanted nothing to do with placing bikes up on top of the Element. At 6'2" I have enough excitement just loading gear into a rooftop cargo pod or placing kayaks up top.

The deductible on my auto insurance is higher than the cost of the hitch rack. It only takes 1 slip to dump a bike onto the roof or hood while loading, so it did not seem work the risk to me.

With the hitch rack in place I can open and close the top part of the tailgate (glass portion). If I drop down the vertical support on the rack, I can then open the tailgate with about 0.5 inches of clearance. I cannot open any part of the tailgate once bikes are placed on the rack because the handle bars stick out too close to the tailgate. I keep learning this lesson the hard way because I keep leaving the tailgate up while I load bikes. Eventually I will learn.
 
#9 ·
I think bikes on top are bad in many ways mentioned above...pain to get on/off, bad gas milage, risk of garage thing. Most trailer hitched can fold back some so you can at least open hatch door in rear to access. But with side doors making it so easy to access the back not a big deal either. If you don't like the idea of a trailer hitch, I woould put the bikes inside and use a rocket box for your gear before putting bikes on top. But I would definitely go with a trailer hitch rack over bikes on top!
 
#10 · (Edited)
With the number of people who've forgotten their bikes being up top as they go through drive thrus or try entering their garages I'd say go with the hitch mount. They do make swing away hitch mounts that lock up quite nicely and their position behind the E means less bug gunk to clean off before you ride and fewer opportunities to strain your back pulling down the bikes.
Plus, while camping or at home, if you have to repair the bike(s) you have a handy repair stand ready for use.
This is what I have:
http://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Hitch_Bike_Racks-co-Swinging_Rack.aspx
 
#11 ·
I think bikes on top are bad in many ways mentioned above...pain to get on/off, bad gas milage, risk of garage thing. Most trailer hitches can fold back some so you can at least open hatch door in rear to access. But with side doors making it so easy to access the back not a big deal either. If you don't like the idea of a trailer hitch, I would put the bikes inside and use a rocket box for your gear before putting bikes on top. But I would definitely go with a trailer hitch rack over bikes on top!
 
#12 ·
I was struggling with the same issue. I have racks on top. The friend I went shopping with talked me out of the hitch rack because of possibly getting rear ended. I love my bike too much to see it go that way. I know it could get smashed on the roof as well, but at least it would be my fault. I also feel they are more secure on the roof because they are so high up that getting access to cut locks would be difficult. Just my 2cents.

I use the Werner Portable Aluminum Work Platform to access the roof. It is 21" tall and works great. I use it all the time. It makes a good camp table as well.

http://www.homedepot.com/Building-Materials-Ladders/Werner/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xglZaqnpZ4s6/R-100662616/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
 
#13 ·
I bought my Element in part due to its ability to carry my Cannondale (with a Lefty fork) inside with both wheels on. Over the years, I've experienced the horror of being rear ended with a hitch mounted rack and doing the garage thing with a bike on top. Currently, the Yakima stays on top unless I'm travelling long distance alone. Then, I pull the rack (for MPG) and load 'em inside. I use a Yakima anklebiter mount for the Cannondale, and a std. fork mount for my road bikes. Haven't had a problem with the roof mount but I'm a 6 footer.
 
#14 ·
I have a yakima setup and carry 2 mountain bikes.. have gone long distance and short runs.. I carry a heavyduty aluminum 3-step ladder whenever I have the racks on.. as we go camping and have a box on the racks also.

I have experienced the low-bridge syndrome.. at a bank that didn't have the overhead marked as being lower than 10ft.... well it was.. and just clipped my bike.. cost was replacement forks. I now have a printed label on my rear view mirror reminding me of the low=overhead issue.

the BIGGEST issue I have isn't the fuel economy.. which goes down of course, but the vibration from the big rigs in front of you.. I try to stay out of their 'wake' but is often hard to do so on the interstate..

do whatever is comfortable for you....... its your E and your bike.. for my wife and I and camping equipment.. it works just fine. Just adjust your driving style.... and have lots of fun...
 
#15 ·
I'm a roof guy myself. It's not a big deal for me to get the bikes off the roof, as I'm six foot tall, and I often take my whole family biking, so putting all the bikes inside is it an option.
 
#16 ·
I've been doing both inside and outside this past year. Mountain bike inside on the way to the trailhead, and on top on the way home. On a warm day, want to dry out and cool down after a ride coming home... windows down on the E. Dirty/dusty mountain bike inside is just fine until you roll down the windows then you have an interior dust storm. Just have to remember the garage coming home. Hope to buy another one of these this year. A really great design!
 
#18 ·
Look at this sweet rack...swing away design done right.
video of rack here.
http://www.mweracks.com/
Always like to support non corporate businesses. Not real sure how I would lock a bike to this rack chains and cables I guess. $579 before shipping not the cheapest rack around, but at least the man isn't getting your money. anyone have this rack yet? would love to hear an Element review of fit and function.
 

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#19 ·
I've don't the roof and hitch method...the hitch is the way to go...I still averaged 21mpg in a 2003 AWD fully loaded down with luggage and 2 bikes on the back...
 
#20 ·
I carry my bikes inside on short trips and/or whenever I am by myself with only one bike. I also have a yakima receiver hitch rack that I use on long trips with more than one bike. The hitch rack doesn't seem to affect mpg much but it is a pain not to be able to use the rear hatch. With my bikes and rack I can lift the hatch only if I release the pin on the rack and let them down a little. Tailgate is blocked unless I take the bikes off and let the rack down all the way.

Historically, I have used a Yakima roof rack on many cars and I like that much better than the hitch rack. The roof rack keeps the bikes from rubbing on anything and they stay cleaner than they do on the hitch rack. Roof racks do reduce mpg - my experience is that mpg drops 8 to 10 percent. I'm still missing a few parts (control towers) to use my yakima roof rack on the E.

Jerry