Bike Carriers - Tow Bar vs Roof Mount

[flymango]

So this past weekend we went camping and I knew we had quite a bit of gravel road to travel (50km) and I also knew it was going to rain. So much to my own disgust and sadness, I opted NOT to load several thousand Rand worth of bikes in anticipation of a severe mud blast. I have a tow bar mount. Turns out is was the correct decision, although the sunshine days we had from Saturday to Monday really had me longing for a few rides in the beautiful Cederberg.

 

But got me wondering - how many of you actually have both a rear mount and roof mount specifically for this reason? Or have chosen the one above the other for similar reasons? I realise that tree branches and garage doors are not friendly towards roof mounts and forgetful people.

[bradtheman]

Hi,double cab bakkie works the best for me especially when going on holiday.Bike is always safe and secure,especially when camping as you can store it in the back at night.I also have a towbar mount which works well when back of bakkie is loaded.

[Let's Ride]

Roof mounted. Just works the best.

[NotSoBigBen]

Roof mounted. Just works the best.

 

As long as you are damn careful about where you park ...

[flymango]

Thanks for the feedback thus far Gents.

 

Anybody out there have experience with both options?

[flymango]

Thanks for the feedback thus far Gents.

 

Anybody out there have experience with both options?

 

BUMP

[Wet Ears]

Are you saying you didn't load the bikes onto the towbar mount because you didn't want them to get dirty?

[Dogfish]

! have had experience with both but currently have two roof mounted carriers. they both have their pros and cons.

Pro's for roof mount: bike don't get as dirty/covered in dust on gravel roads, frees boot entrance, bigger effort for someone to tamper/steal bike. Cons: shaded parking and garages, muddied bikes = dirty the roof after rides, more challenging to load.

[flymango]

Are you saying you didn't load the bikes onto the towbar mount because you didn't want them to get dirty?

 

Almost correct, but rather mud blasted. Dirt obviously is not a problem - but mud accumulated at 80km/h for 50km is another story. On a few occasions now we've gone away where we needed to travel on dirt roads after/during rain and as a result the bikes take a severe pounding from the mud. Also, when arriving at our destination, there more often than not aren't facilities (e.g. a simple hosepipe) to get all the mud off.

[flymango]

! have had experience with both but currently have two roof mounted carriers. they both have their pros and cons.

Pro's for roof mount: bike don't get as dirty/covered in dust on gravel roads, frees boot entrance, bigger effort for someone to tamper/steal bike. Cons: shaded parking and garages, muddied bikes = dirty the roof after rides, more challenging to load.

 

Thanks. I think I've pretty much made up my mind already and I'll opt for both. Rear mount for regular travel to weekend events or trails, and roof mount for when we go camping or away on holiday where the destinations include a fair amount of gravel roads to get there.

[Big H*]

Tandems are difficult to carry on a roof mounted carrier. Also beware of roof mounted carriers as you easily forget you have a higher than normal load on the roof when you enter shopping centre park lots. The resulting frame damage of your "oops!!!!" can be quite severe.

[nishiki]

Almost correct, but rather mud blasted. Dirt obviously is not a problem - but mud accumulated at 80km/h for 50km is another story. On a few occasions now we've gone away where we needed to travel on dirt roads after/during rain and as a result the bikes take a severe pounding from the mud. Also, when arriving at our destination, there more often than not aren't facilities (e.g. a simple hosepipe) to get all the mud off.

Easily avoided by wrapping the bike in black bags. Done this many times and the bikes arrived clean. Good idea to avoid the sandblasting. I did this once and all of my bearings were ruined.

[Dogfish]

Tandems are difficult to carry on a roof mounted carrier. Also beware of roof mounted carriers as you easily forget you have a higher than normal load on the roof when you enter shopping centre park lots. The resulting frame damage of your "oops!!!!" can be quite severe.

A neon Sign hanging from my rear view mirror keeps me reminded.

[droo]

A neon Sign hanging from my rear view mirror keeps me reminded.

 

Good plan...

[Ratty]

Thanks. I think I've pretty much made up my mind already and I'll opt for both. Rear mount for regular travel to weekend events or trails, and roof mount for when we go camping or away on holiday where the destinations include a fair amount of gravel roads to get there.

 

My dad has both on his car. The only time we use the towbar mounted one is when we need to take more than 3 bikes on the car.

The roof is a lot easier as its permantently on the car. Just take your bike out the garage and pop it on. Quick and easy.

[Let's Ride]

My dad has both on his car. The only time we use the towbar mounted one is when we need to take more than 3 bikes on the car.

The roof is a lot easier as its permantently on the car. Just take your bike out the garage and pop it on. Quick and easy.

 

Totally agree with what Ratty said.

 

But if you have a 4x4 and your are fairly short then it might be a tad difficult mounting the bike on the roof so also take that into consideration.