RubeRad

Just got a used Corolla hatchback with factory racks, like this:



I want to get a pair of roof racks for my Krampus (large, rigid, 29x3 tires), and my wife's MTB (niner air with 29x2.something, probably any bike rack would work).

The racks on the car are pretty aero, maybe 3-4 inches long and 1 inch tall.

Any recommendations on big-name (Thule/Yakima) roof racks that will work or not work with a Krampus?

Any cheap-brand racks that are sturdy and reliable and convenient?

Andrew R Stewart 

The old way to figure this out would be to go to a retailer who stocks roof racks and try to match up your car's rack rails/bars with a known brand's. That way you could use that brand's bike mounts or even just the cross bar/rail clamps and then make your own bike mount with a fork clamp.

My quick search for Thule shows a few options for roof racks for your potential car (unsure of even the year) and possible bike mount (listing a 29x3 tire capacity). Good luck. Andy

FBinNY 

While roof racks are fine and very convenient, keep in mind that bicycle windage is murder on your fuel consumption. So if you're planning a long trip, you might do better with the bikes inside, or on a rear rack of some kind.

Also, learn to note and read overhead clearance signs. Can't count the number of people I know that wrecked their bikes on the roof, usually when using indoor public parking, but also driving into their own garages.

RubeRad

I did that once (there might even be a post on BF with pics)

I've long wondered, why do all bicycle roof racks have bikes standing straight up, as tall as possible?

It would be great if there were a system where the bike wheels could be strapped into a tray, and then leaned over sideways, and another tray would have a rigid bar that holds the frame by a tube

Prior art: if I 'invented' that and were to market it, it be called The Pythagoras (TM) bike rack

Bill Kapaun

If you get too many side G's, does the rack detach or the car tip over?

RubeRad

?? I sure hope not. How many side G's can a non F1 driver generate?

Bill Kapaun

Haven't you watched police chase videos? Any idiot can roll a car.

My point is that's a lot of weight (2 semi fat tired bikes) on a small car.
You may be better served by a rear mount rack.

RubeRad

I have not watched police chase videos, and I have hard time believe even a compact car could be rolled on a turn because of an extra 70lb on the roof

Andrew R Stewart 

I prefer roof racks for a few reasons but that wasn't the OP's question.

I have a few gas mileage references. A VW Rabbit would get near 31mpg bare topped and almost 26ish with a load of two bikes given the same route and general driving style. My mid 90's Saab got about the same no roof rack mileage but only 3 or 4 mpg less with two bikes on top. My current GTI gets about 34ish during the winter (no rack but 4 snows) on highways and 28+ in the riding season with summer rubber on and bikes on top.

All the arguments, pro and con, are value, easy of use and risk management ones and we all will see differently on them. Andy

Steve B.

I use a Yakima Front loader. It’s designed to carry the entire bike with the front wheel on. The clamp attaches to the front wheels, the rear wheel has a strap, it’s very secure. I don’t pay attention to gas mileage as I’m usually also carrying a kayak. I have the old Thule system where the front axle quick release clamps, but most of my bikes are now thru axle and no longer use that design.

FBinNY 

It doesn't matter. The weight involved is too low to fret over.

Duragrouch

Loading the bike would be harder. However, they make solutions to this now with kayak racks (for at least 10 years now I think). They operate similar to pro ladder racks; A loading platform lowers to the side of the car via linkages, parallel with the windows. You load the ladder/kayak/bike. The platform is partically counterbalanced. You lift the (mostly vertical) platform and it transitions to horizontal on top of the roof. There's some sort of latch that holds the platform in place. To adapt such to a bike, my guess would be it just needs some padded saddles to hold the frame tubes, possibly also a wheel tray to load the bike into and hold it while you strap/unstrap the saddles. Or a big rectangular tray, that also doubles as the bottom of a big cargo box when you attach the hinged lid.

PromptCritical 

https://www.etrailer.com

They have about every rack ever made, including some vintage ones. They are also pretty helpful.

RubeRad

Thanks, those MPG details are interesting

RubeRad

I also want a solution that keeps the wheels on. The yakima page says "Fits 20” to 27.5” wheels with tire widths up to 3” and 29" wheels with tires widths up to 2.7"" -- are they just being conservative, or would my 29x3 Krampus really not work?

RubeRad

I have bought from etrailer before, back when I wanted to put a hitch on a minivan (when the kids were small and we had minivans). I liked them, and once I figure out what roofrack to get, may well buy from them

Steve B.

Anybody's guess of the 3" will fit. You would need to find a shop or REI where it's in stock, open it up and try it. You really only need to ascertain if the front 3" wheel will fit the Ubar

RubeRad

Or maybe if I write a post on BikeForums, somebody with experience with plus-bikes and roofracks will turn up and chime in with information.

I should try that

Troul 

Idk what the fat tire bikes or E bikes use [if they even use roof racks] , but I'd try finding those brands & read up on those reviews.

bboy314

Kuat Trio might be a good option, unless having to remove the front wheel is a deal breaker.

13ollocks

probably not enough to roll the car, but two bikes on the roof will perceptibly increase roll on corners.

RubeRad

OK, if I perceive that, that perception will cause me to corner more conservatively. I am an Old Man (TM), not a testosterone-filled nascar wannabe young buck

RubeRad

That looks well designed, but yeah the hatchback volume is so small, having to put two 29er front wheels in there would basically fill it up.

The Piston SR looks really great (and says up to 5" tires), but $500 is really spendy!

Steve B.

Well, get used to spending. Yak and Thule gear is pricy, but well designed. So is 1UPUSA and Kuat.

bboy314

Have you considered a hitch rack? That car looks pretty low to the ground, but there are hitch risers to give the rack a bit more clearance, and tray style hitch racks are more convenient to use than roof racks in my opinion.