[Falafel Combo]

I got away with hauling these 2 bikes yesterday using our old mount. But I am concerned that with repeated use and too much tension, the bike rack might just pull the frame-less window right off the rear hatch!


What do you think? Any one with similar experiences?


.

[RM7]

Frameless window, so basically it's just the glue that's holding the rack on?

Trunk-racks are for extremely infrequent use, or for a car that you don't care about. Over time, they will damage the car. This is simply a fact and the little hooks will grind in dirt and dust that is just in the air or has settled on the car. The hooks and pads will warp parts that they are attached to.

Of course, if the top hooks grab metal, it would probably at least "hold", but I'd suggest a roof setup or hitch setup. Personally, I like the hitch setup for ease of loading/unloading. The fact that there's no receiver hanging down when you take the rack off with my setup is an added bonus. The BMW towers (for roof rack) are reasonably priced though.

[Prossx]

Have the exact same setup and it is stellar. (Execuhitch). <<Sick bike BTW>> Totally agree on the major issues with trunk racks. Did that years ago and suffered many scratches.

[RedRaiderDavid]

I don't have a good opinion on the trunk racks, the a prone to scratch paint and I wouldn't have left the house with the hook in the glass like that.

I have had the BMW roof rack for my bikes. Pros are they bolt into the rack mounts most BMWs have in the roof and they are relatively inexpensive. Once you buy the base rack you can fit all kinds of mounts for bikes, boards, skis, etc. Cons are they are noisy and they don't make any kind of fairing like you can get for Thule. With 2 bikes expect about a 10 MPG drop on the highway. Also you have to remember to remove the bikes before pulling into the garage. Yes that is the voice of experience.

[zamboni]

You can either go with bumper receiver or roof rack I not a fan of trunk rack.

[S4Dude]

Originally Posted by RedRaiderDavid

I don't have a good opinion on the trunk racks, the a prone to scratch paint and I wouldn't have left the house with the hook in the glass like that.

I have had the BMW roof rack for my bikes. Pros are they bolt into the rack mounts most BMWs have in the roof and they are relatively inexpensive. Once you buy the base rack you can fit all kinds of mounts for bikes, boards, skis, etc. Cons are they are noisy and they don't make any kind of fairing like you can get for Thule. With 2 bikes expect about a 10 MPG drop on the highway. Also you have to remember to remove the bikes before pulling into the garage. Yes that is the voice of experience.

The rack I have is certainly a little noisy but it's not terrible. I also think the lower profile makes it look a little less station wagon than some of the others.




This is the rack I have. I like it. A little pricey but overall it's a great system.
http://www.whispbar.com/product/flush-bar/