Pics of my Thule T2 bike rack

[JCL]

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

[blktoptrvl]

Originally Posted by JCL

Nice shots and write up.

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

I've always been afraid of using such a rack because I'd have to lift the bike up and place it close to what appears to be the center of the vehicle.

My fear is that I would miss the fork post and the forks would land on the glass or some other part might scratch the car while loading or unloading.

Do you use a step ladder?
How do you steady the bike (especialy the tandam) while loading?

[dkl]

Originally Posted by blktoptrvl

I've always been afraid of using such a rack because I'd have to lift the bike up and place it close to what appears to be the center of the vehicle.

My fear is that I would miss the fork post and the forks would land on the glass or some other part might scratch the car while loading or unloading.

Do you use a step ladder?
How do you steady the bike (especialy the tandam) while loading?

Well...I'm about to find out as I just purchased a Yakima Frontloader. I know that I won't be able to put the bike up there without a step stool of some kind. I'm planing to use a folding platform like this => Werner AP-20-MP6 225-Pound Capacity Work Platform - Amazon.com

I'll see how well the platform will work with loading/unloading the bike.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by blktoptrvl

I've always been afraid of using such a rack because I'd have to lift the bike up and place it close to what appears to be the center of the vehicle.

My fear is that I would miss the fork post and the forks would land on the glass or some other part might scratch the car while loading or unloading.

Do you use a step ladder?
How do you steady the bike (especialy the tandam) while loading?

You won't have a bike in the centre unless you have three or four up there. One or two are best mounted close to the rails, as that is the most stable and rigis position (in addition to being easier to access). I put two wheel carriers in the centre, and if I need to I stand on a door sill. I usually don't have to (I am 6'4").

You don't go for the fork posts first. Put one hand on the forks half way up the blades, one on the seat tube. Sit the rear wheel in the tray. Then roll the bike fore/aft and tip it to be straight as you line up the fork mounts. You are only holding the front of the bike up at that point, and it doesn't have a wheel in, so it is very light.

The tandem is a bit different. That rack is designed with a 90 degree swivel in the fork mount; you are only supposed to lift the front up and leave the back wheel on the ground (at 90 degrees to the tray). You attach the fork, then lift the rear of the bike and walk it in. Then lock down the fork mount rotation. You only have to lift half the weight, but you need a long bike to clear the side of the car. In practice, I only did it that way once. I find it easier to leave the fork mount not rotated, and just press the bike up. It is a light tandem, and I realize that many aren't that light. With a heavy tandem, the rotating fork mount is a great idea. That is a ATOC rack; Thule has now bought them and rebranded it as a Thule carrier. It is exactly the same product, just a new label.

If I wasn't as tall, I would still use these racks, but carry a Rubbermaid or similar step stool.

I have never scratched the vehicle. I have had chain lube drip on the glass, but that was my own fault for not wiping it after lubing the chain and before lifting it up.

Jeff