Roof Bike Rack.

NOC · #1 05-15-2006, 04:39 PM

Anyone have a bike rack on their X5???
Which option is better; roof or hitch mount??
Just bought two mountain bikes and would like to know how I can mount them on my roof rails, or if there is an alternative to this. It appears I need the rails that go sideways and the mounts for the bikes as well??
How much should I expect to pay for this all toghether??
And lastly does any one have pics of the racks mounted on the X5??
Thanks for your help and sorry for all the questions..

pseto · #2 05-15-2006, 05:28 PM

i prefer the hiitch mounted rack, its a lot easier to get to the bikes. I have the OEM hitch, but IF you're only tugging bikes, maybe other aftermarkets models are OK.

JCL · #3 05-16-2006, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pseto

i prefer the hitch mounted rack, its a lot easier to get to the bikes. I have the OEM hitch, but IF you're only tugging bikes, maybe other aftermarkets models are OK.

Possibly, and I have heard this before, but my concern would be that a hitch is designed for a certain type of load, usually a vertical load (tongue weight) plus a horizontal load due to acceleration and braking. The BMW receiver hitch has specifications for the maximum distance the hitch ball can be mounted out and down, so they are concerned about twisting forces.

By definition, a hitch-mounted carrier exerts a bending force on the receiver. This would be even more true with a four-bike rack, or one of those hitch-mounted luggage carriers.

I would buy the OEM hitch, to have the strongest possible interface to the unibody. Remember that there is no frame back there for the hitch to bolt to.

Just my $0.02

NOC · #4 05-15-2006, 05:30 PM

Up to how many bikes can you do w/ the hitch??

pseto · #5 05-15-2006, 07:19 PM

I can handle up to 4 bikes on my Thule rack.

JCL · #6 05-16-2006, 12:53 AM

I have the OEM hitch, so it would have been easy to buy a hitch-mounted rack, but I just don't like them. The bikes get dirty, and they also move around and get marked up, in my experience. Maybe they are better than they used to be. There are new and more elaborate hitch mounted bike carriers, including swing-away models so you can get to the load area.

I had a Thule roof rack with three upright carriers set up for a previous car (long gone) so I just bought new (longer) Thule crossbars with the attachments for the BMW X5 rails. I mounted the old upright bike racks on the rails. Works great. Two considerations: It helps to be tall (I am 6'4", so loading them isn't a problem) and you have to remember not to back into the garage with the bikes on.

The Thule web site lets you build the setup you need. Lots of photos. You can also use the same load bars to mount ski racks, board racks, and luggage carriers (although moving the attachments back and forth is a drag).

If you get the Thule, you need LB58 load bars, 450 Crossroad railing feet, and a 596 six pack lock set. Various upright bike holders are available, front wheel on or off. For a mountain bike you likely need the larger jaw due to the size of the bike downtube.

Jeff

B&DCalgary · #7 05-16-2006, 01:40 AM

A hitch rack will cause your bikes to get covered with filth... not what you want. Ultimately, a roof rack will give you far more flexibility.

Try going to the Thule rack site http://www.thuleracks.com/thule/default.asp and click on the "Matchmaker". It's an interactive selection tool that will allow you to view available racks on an X5. It will even let you choose the colour of the truck.

NOC · #8 05-16-2006, 07:24 AM

Thanks for all the info guys, I think I will go for the roof mounted rack as I can mount other things (snow boards, etc.) and I really don't want to scrape or damage the paint in the back.

pseto · #9 05-16-2006, 07:46 AM

Not sure what is meant when you say everything gets dirty with a hitch mount; maybe the mudflaps I have prevent this. Plus, the Thule hitch sits about 2 feet from bumper which is more than enough room to carry four bikes and not worry about any scrapes to the paint. I've never had this problem. The reason I didn't go with the roof rack is b/c its too awkward to load/unload. With the bikes being in the rear, my wife and other riders are able to unload themselves and while driving I can always keep an eye on the bikes (if they fall, they fall away from the X).

B&DCalgary · #10 05-16-2006, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pseto

Not sure what is meant when you say everything gets dirty with a hitch mount; maybe the mudflaps I have prevent this.

Mudflaps won't help. It's a simple fact that, due to the flat back design of SUVs, turbulence is created that throws dirt up and all over the back of the truck (and therefore all over your bikes). That's why five minutes after washing the truck, the rear window and hatch is covered with dust. Unfortunately, this type of airflow is a fact of life with an SUV, thus the reason why a windshield wiper is always installed on this type of vehicle.