rookieWithaMTB Posted January 3, 2015 Posted January 3, 2015 Hi, I need some much needed advice on getting a roof rack for my Kia Rio. I'm heading down to the Drakensberg and want to take my MTB along.... I don't have a towbar and not sure if I should get one of those rear racks that attaches to the boot of a car. Can you advise me if I should rather get a roof rack, and which attachments would I need? (I haven't transported by bike anywhere as yet...so I'm pretty clueless about transporting it with a roof rack ). Thanks
Brickleberry Posted January 3, 2015 Posted January 3, 2015 Roof racks you in for 3-7k to buy decent Thule equipment. But they are great. Rear door mounted rack about a grand.
Guest DieBees Posted January 3, 2015 Posted January 3, 2015 I have both and cant complain about either one of the two. What I can say is that I like to see the bikes as opposed to having it on the roof.
GlockG4 Posted January 3, 2015 Posted January 3, 2015 I am not a fan of roofracks, but I have also noticed that when I go onto a gravel road with the bikes at the back they are dusty as hell and I like to start off with a clean bike. My 2c
DR ◣◢ Posted January 3, 2015 Posted January 3, 2015 Roof racks are great but they do increase your fuel consumption quite a bit. Also the major risk of forgetting about your bikes when you drive in under carports etc. Thule has a rear attaching platform carrier. Can't remember the model now.
TheV Posted January 3, 2015 Posted January 3, 2015 Mtb's are not easy to roof carry, the tubing angles, weight and wheels make them notoriously difficult to roof mount. Rather invest in a towbar and towbar rack. The cheapest thule towbar rack is really cheap and easy to fit/carry a single bike.
Dadnlad Posted January 3, 2015 Posted January 3, 2015 I've just bought a Thule style 3 bike carrier for boot mounting, had its first use today with 2 bikes. Out on the open road if I went over 100kmh I could see the top edge of the boot lid flexing where the 2 clips grab, due to the wind drag created by the bikes. I'm not impressed, and think that a strong gust could bend the boot. I'll probably end up making folding strips of metal plate to spread the load over a wider area of the boot lid edge.
Matchstix Posted January 3, 2015 Posted January 3, 2015 There are nice ride on options that strap to the boot. Used a roof rack once. Increased fuel consumption from normally about 7.2l/100km to 8.4l/100km And drove more slowly than usual.
Rocket-Boy Posted January 4, 2015 Posted January 4, 2015 I use a saris bones on my polo sedan and never had any hassles with it. For longer trips though I would remove the front wheels of the bikes to reduce drag.
BigToe Posted January 4, 2015 Posted January 4, 2015 Firstly well done on the Kia Rio...great car :-). Second DON'T stick your bike on the roof. Fuel usage and the inevitable killing of a bike or at the least a front rim (ask me I know)....will happen.Get a towbar and stick a ride on (where the whole bike is slotted onto the rack and stands), the Thule 2 or 3 bike rack is the best option by far...budget permitting of course! If you go with a towbar drop me a pm...I know some people at Kia to get you a good deal.
rookieWithaMTB Posted January 4, 2015 Author Posted January 4, 2015 Firstly well done on the Kia Rio...great car :-). Second DON'T stick your bike on the roof. Fuel usage and the inevitable killing of a bike or at the least a front rim (ask me I know)....will happen.Get a towbar and stick a ride on (where the whole bike is slotted onto the rack and stands), the Thule 2 or 3 bike rack is the best option by far...budget permitting of course! If you go with a towbar drop me a pm...I know some people at Kia to get you a good deal.Thanks a lot for the advice!!! Looks like I'll have to opt with the towbar (most people warn against the other type of racks) in a while. Was looking forward to taking the bike with, but will have to wait until next time I had out on the road with it.... maybe in Feb.
JXV Posted January 5, 2015 Posted January 5, 2015 Agree fit a towbar and buy a rear carrier. I went Thule roofrack route on my sedan car and now wish I had spent a little more on a towbar and carrier.With bikes on the roof you cant enter the parking garage at work/shops. Shade ports at home are usually too low..overhanging branches on some streets will hit the bike and even some open parking lots have height barriers. Roof mounting is more noisy etc etc
TK-Sp3cialiSt Posted January 5, 2015 Posted January 5, 2015 Shocked at the comments about roof carriers.... Drove to Durban with 2 bikes on the roof for 2013 Amashova and my economy was exactly the same as any previous trip in my car....I have also not noticed ANY increase in fuel usage day to day with roof rack on car at any stage. Maybe i am just lucky. Also, if you drive into a car port with your bike on a roof rack, then honestly, i have to wonder if you are thinking clearly about what you are doing....how can you forget your pride and joy is on the roof... Roof rack was my only option due to a few factors with my Civic, did not want to cut body kit to fit a towbar, and cannot fit a boot mounted carrier due to not having a window surround for the rear window Having used window mounted carriers in the past, i would not use again. Puts a lot of undue strain on the boot lid, especially on longer trips and dirt roads. ow bar mounts....not sure i would be happy with one of the "ball mount" type....the ball is meant for things to twist and turn on, not clamp tight.
JXV Posted January 5, 2015 Posted January 5, 2015 ........ not noticed ANY increase in fuel usage day to day with roof rack on car at any stage.. Also, if you drive into a car port with your bike on a roof rack, then honestly, i have to wonder if you are thinking clearly about what you are doing....how can you forget your pride and joy is on the roof....Dude..... No need to over-react I HAVE measured increased fuel consumption with just a roofrack on the car, let alone bikes. It DOES make a difference albeit a smallish one. Also my comments about overhead structures were intended to point out the inconvenience of roof mounted bikes....not an admission of having smashed precious bikes into them.......yet! [emoji1] The only time I prefer roof mounting is on dirt roads because it is cleaner for the bikes.
TK-Sp3cialiSt Posted January 5, 2015 Posted January 5, 2015 No over reaction... Just do not understand the advice to fit a rear mount when there is a higher likelihood of someone rear ending you than hitting overhead objects. Any item attached to a vehicle will make the economy higher, i have checked and rechecked, my economy has not been changed by the racks and bikes, maybe my car design works well with the equipment on the roof(am not an aero expert so have no idea)
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