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Nice shots and write up.
I suppose if I had a mountain bike then I would consider a rear rack. I like the road bikes up out of the grit and road spray. I also like being able to keep an eye on them through the sunroof. I am 6'4", to be fair, so I have never had an issue lifting them up.
Just as a counterpoint to your Thule shots, here is my Thule rooftop setup. I have posted this before. There are lots more bike shots posted if anybody is interested. This setup has Thule Crossroad 450 feet and standard loadbars. I like the flat bars as I have a lot of things mounted on them. I don't need aero bars, since there is so much else up there anyway. Two Thule Peleton fork mount carriers, with two Thule wheel holders that swing down flat when not in use. ATOC Tandem Topper rack, which shortens for a 3rd regular bike or extends for the tandem. Fits fine on the X5 or X3, a little easier on the X3 due to the longer roof. That ATOC product has now been acquired by Thule and rebranded. No third wheel holder, as I haven't often carried three bikes, so I throw it in the back. There is room for a third wheel holder up top. Takes less than five minutes to mount, and two minutes to mount the tandem. It is handy to have a second person to lift it over the X3, but one person can do it. The bikes are easy to mount solo.
The Co-Motion race tandem weighs 30 lbs without pedals, so probably around 30 lbs with pedals and no front wheel. The solo bikes are Trek 5200 carbon and a Cervelo R3 for my wife. A Cervelo is on the list to replace my Trek.
Jeff
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2007 X3 3.0si, 6 MT, Premium, White
Retired:
2008 535i, 6 MT, M Sport, Premium, Space Grey
2003 X5 3.0 Steptronic, Premium, Titanium Silver
2002 325xi 5 MT, Steel Grey
2004 Z4 3.0 Premium, Sport, SMG, Maldives Blue
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