bike roof rack
#1
bike roof rack
My friend and I are interested in getting bikes b/c we want to start biking around SF and I want to buy a roof rack, but don't know the first thing about it. I went to bikerackshop.com, ebay, and a few others. I just dont understand exactly the fitments, what to buy and a few other things. I mean I have general idea...but its the clamps and all these other things.
please chime in w/ some info on where to buy and what to buy and pics if you have any. also how much you spent.
thank you.
please chime in w/ some info on where to buy and what to buy and pics if you have any. also how much you spent.
thank you.
#6
Originally Posted by Sugarphreak
here is a few disadvantages to roof racks to consider;
1) loading - The fit doesn't have side steps and is more difficult than a rear loading rack
2) Ferry Sur-charges - With bikes on the roof you can end up paying way more as an over-height vehicle.
3) MPG - A roof mounted bike will cause more wind resistance than a rear mounted bike causing you to have reduced mileage.
4) Clearance - Simply said, if you forget about your bike on the roof and enter a low clearance parkade... well it isn't pretty. Been there, done that, got the bill It also limits your parking options in city environments.
5) Versatility - A hitch mounted rack means you also have a hitch, great for toys like snow mobiles, jet ski's, motor bikes or small trailers. I don't have any immediate plans for mine, but is nice to know if I go buy a quad I can tow it around behind my Fit
Big factors for me are #2 & #4, I am always going in and out of low clearance parkades and need to take my bike for summer road trips which often involve ferries.
As an example the current rate for BC-Ferries is 43$ & 4.15$ fuel charge for the Fit... if you have a bike rack on the roof you then go into an over-height vehicle category (over 7') which costs 69$ & 10.40$ fuel charge. Not an easy bill for a one way trip, keep in mind you also need to pay 14.25$ for the driver and 14.25$ per passenger. To sum up;
(Round Trip) Rear/Hitch Rack on car w/ 2 passengers: $151.40 (no taxes)
(Round Trip) Roof Rack on car w/ 2 passengers: $215.80 (no taxes)
Basically for me, between the couple extra MPG and ferry costs I can save myself around 80$ pretty easily.
1) loading - The fit doesn't have side steps and is more difficult than a rear loading rack
2) Ferry Sur-charges - With bikes on the roof you can end up paying way more as an over-height vehicle.
3) MPG - A roof mounted bike will cause more wind resistance than a rear mounted bike causing you to have reduced mileage.
4) Clearance - Simply said, if you forget about your bike on the roof and enter a low clearance parkade... well it isn't pretty. Been there, done that, got the bill It also limits your parking options in city environments.
5) Versatility - A hitch mounted rack means you also have a hitch, great for toys like snow mobiles, jet ski's, motor bikes or small trailers. I don't have any immediate plans for mine, but is nice to know if I go buy a quad I can tow it around behind my Fit
Big factors for me are #2 & #4, I am always going in and out of low clearance parkades and need to take my bike for summer road trips which often involve ferries.
As an example the current rate for BC-Ferries is 43$ & 4.15$ fuel charge for the Fit... if you have a bike rack on the roof you then go into an over-height vehicle category (over 7') which costs 69$ & 10.40$ fuel charge. Not an easy bill for a one way trip, keep in mind you also need to pay 14.25$ for the driver and 14.25$ per passenger. To sum up;
(Round Trip) Rear/Hitch Rack on car w/ 2 passengers: $151.40 (no taxes)
(Round Trip) Roof Rack on car w/ 2 passengers: $215.80 (no taxes)
Basically for me, between the couple extra MPG and ferry costs I can save myself around 80$ pretty easily.
lol, any somebody else mentioned that photo-radar is pretty much neutralized while transporting bikes
Anyway, here is the thread; it isn't that hideous!
https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/fit-...tml#post581885
Last edited by Sugarphreak; 02-19-2009 at 10:26 PM.
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2009, bc, bike, bikerackshopcom, bikerackshopscom, car, ferries, fit, honda, jdm, option, rack, roof, sport, wwwcalgary