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JCL · #5 03-26-2007, 11:03 PM

It is very much a personal preference issue.

I like the roof rack because I am 6'4" and can lift the bikes straight up there. We don't have a lot of bugs to worry about here, but a protective fly is available for the front of the bike if bugs are a problem. We do have grit on the roads when it is wet and I find that the back of the X5 gets dirty from the low pressure zone. I don't want that grit on my good road bikes. A mountain bike would be less of an issue, they get dirty anyway. The roof rack is easy to hang on the wall of the garage. I like having better rearward visibility, and visible brake/turn/taillights, and I have driven lots of overheight vehicles so I don't see a chance of forgetting they are there and driving under a low bridge/garage/etc. I can see the bikes through the sunroof and see if they are moving around.

If any of the above don't apply to you, consider a hitch rack.

I already have a hitch, but simply didn't want to buy a hitch rack. That's just me. Many swear by them. I have used them on other vehicles. If you do get a hitch rack, I recommend you get one with troughs for the wheels to sit in, not one of the ones that clamps the frame and lets the bike hang in space. I found those allowed too much movement, and damage to the bikes. If they are cheap or old bikes, that really doesn't matter at all. For the kid's bike, I would just throw it in the back if it is small, or put it on the rack if it is closer to adult size.

Whichever you get, consider how you will lock the bikes on the vehicle, and lock the rack to the vehicle, when they are unattended. All racks are lockable to some extent, some easier than others. I like Thule, but again, that is just a personal preference. There is an aerodynamic aid to reduce wind noise, but I have never found it necessary. I hear some wind noise, but consider it acceptable.

Good luck

Jeff

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