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JCL · #34 04-22-2009, 01:17 AM

hhhm3:

I have used a few hitch mounted racks where the bikes hung down; all of them had some sway when accelerating or braking. I thought the wheel tray versions would be more stable, but I don't own one. In the video that was linked, the bike fork was swinging free and the wheels were spinning. Do you tie both of those down? With four bikes, that would be eight additional tie-downs.

I have had great luck with Thule for the past 14 years. I like Yakima as well, but I have never seen a quality difference between the two. I think each brand has some better and also some cheaper versions. My current supplier (Rack Attack) told me that they didn't see any quality difference between the two. My tandem bike carrier is an Atoc Tandem Topper, and now Thule is selling that same carrier (they either bought the design, or licensed it). It is the best bike carrier I have used, for single or tandem bikes (fork mount).

I have had four bikes on a roof, but I agree that three is easier (especially when you have fork-mount wheel holders up there as well). Never had a problem with height limits (I know not to back into the garage). The flip side is that you never run into length limitations in the parking stall. More importantly for me, I found that hitch mounted racks held the bikes in a low pressure zone that tended to collect road grit (just like a rear window). That situation was improved with a roof mount. If I rode a mountain bike, particularly one that was dirty after riding offroad, that would not be an issue at all. With high-end road bikes, it matters to me. I also understand that for many people, the height makes it difficult to load. I am 6'4", so that isn't an issue in my case.

Agree that whatever works for you is fine.

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