Roof bike rack

[MikeBlueP5]

i know i know the whole bike rack thing has been beat to death over the past few years, but i have a few questions and would actually like some opinions. ok i have a choice to get either two of the Yakima Raptors top mount that works with both wheels on (same as on mazdastuff.com) with the mazdastuff brackets for around 249 or so, or option two is one Raptor and one of the Rocky mounts fork mount with lock and disc brake adapter for a total of around 246. I know its not much of a difference but my girls bike doesnt have a quick release wheel (hence the need for a raptor period) but mine does and im trying to decide on which mount to get for my bike mostly. any opinions or thoughts are welcome.
thanks for the time.
Mike

[jonlong]

I prefer the fork mount trays because they hold the bike a little more securely. Plus, I think the fork mount looks much much better than the kind that holds the whole bike. Remember that your daughter will eventually outgrow her bike and get one w/ a quick release front wheel. Then you can get another rocky mount (or a Yakima fork mount) and have two of the same.

Another option would be to get the two fork-mount trays now and just convert your daughter's front hub to quick release. It's really easy to do, and you can have the bike shop do it for about $25 including parts and labor. They would just replace the axle w/ a hollow one and put on the quick release lever.

[MikeBlueP5]

thanks for the advise, i never even thought about getting her front wheel or hub replaced with a quick release. I will have to call the local shops and see what they have. I would prefer the fork mount, but then i have to make room in the car for the front wheels. I dunno decisions decisions. Thanks though!

[Mad Hatter]

You can always get the wheel holders too. Mount them on the crossbars with the bikes.

[MikeBlueP5]

yeah i think i saw those too either made my Yakima or Thule, but they are made to mount onto their round or square crossbar. I will be using the factory stuff, so i would have to add in some mighty mounts or something of the like to be able to use the wheel mounts.

[Mad Hatter]

yeah i think i saw those too either made my Yakima or Thule, but they are made to mount onto their round or square crossbar. I will be using the factory stuff, so i would have to add in some mighty mounts or something of the like to be able to use the wheel mounts.

Yeah, if your staying with the factory crossbars, you'd need the Yakima universal mightymounts to mount the wheel forks.

[jonlong]

I worked at a bike shop for many years, so I just grabbed two wheel bags from work and I put my dirty front wheels in those and just set them in the back seat or in the trunk area. You can get wheel bags for pretty cheap, maybe $15.

[Protege52003]

i have to get some bike racks for my P5 asap.....i am not sure which one to get yet!

-R

[MikeBlueP5]

if you want to use and keep the stock roof rack then its easy. If you dont have a stock roof rack you will have to buy a whole setup and it gets a little costly. im guessing that since you have a 03 you dont have a rack on there already, just the little black strips.

[i12drivemyMP5]

This is what I got...........

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=1470&subcategory_ID=4410#

Trimmed about 1 1/2" off the back end of each wheel tray for rear hatch to open all the way without touching.