Bike racks

[freekwonder]

I did a search but I was still confused on this, to many names i dont know. i need a bike rack for my MP3 and have a few questions:

1. I have nothing now, what do i need to get/buy to be able to hold 2 bikes

2. What is a good company, i dont want ungodly expensive stuff, but i dont want bottom feeder s*** either.

3. what about paint on the roof, i dont want to scratch my roof up.

thanks guys.

 

[C Rae]

do a search i asked the same question
thule has a system.
why wont p5 roof racks fit our mp3?

 

[big_ben]

I think Yakima makes the best racks, but they are ungodly expensive. I had one for a civic that cost $500.

 

[Jc's MPFWEEE]

The P5 has some attachments in the rain gutter things on the roof. So you can tie in something and have it sitting in those black rails we have on our cars.. for some reason ours don't have them.

Jc

 

[freekwonder]

do a search i asked the same question
thule has a system.
why wont p5 roof racks fit our mp3?

i did a search just made me more confused. I need some one to break it down Barney style for me. I went to one site but i only saw attachments and not the actaul connect to car rack.

 

[PR5hokie]

Here is the scoop. Just to sound a bit credible I work for Eastern Mountain Sports and deal with racks daily when I'm not at school.

For the P5:
Thule - bike rack pack. attaches to the factory bars with some adapters. can hold up to two bikes and two wheels. I have this rack and I love it...only prob is you can't open tailgate all the way when on. I think you'll find the same prob with the Yakima due to the tray that the bike sits in. I could be wrong though.
Yakima - standard rack that hooks on the door jams. rubber pads prevent damage to the roof. only prob is that since you are hooking through the door jams it can be a bit loud.

For the P3:
Thule and Yakima - (see yakima description above, will be same for Thule) probably don't have it listed under MP3 but since the body is the same for the protege' you'll be good to go.

 

[sdmp3]

I did a search but I was still confused on this, to many names i dont know. i need a bike rack for my MP3 and have a few questions:

I have the Yakima racks. They are very easy to install, hold very tight. You need to but the Yakima in pieces, get two tower kits (parts that actually attach to roof) for Protege and a set of 48" crossbars (parts that bike rails mount to) and two bike rails. Unfortunalely they are a bit expensive but you really get what you pay for. They have soft rubber pads that dont mark the paint at all (provided you clean both roof and rack before installing).
It would also be beneficial to get 6 lock cylinders (1 for each tower and 1 for each bike rail) so nobody steals your bikes or rack...

Try this http://www.yakima.com/choose_my_rack/Index.asp

 

[jsesq]

I got a Yakima too. It was expensive, but it is very well made. It didn't scratch my roof at all, but be careful where the side clamps attach near the top of the door. They left small gouges that I needed to touch-up.

 

[MP3_4ME]

Yakima

Get a Yakima or don't get anything. I have had the yakima for 4 months. Looks great, works great. IMHO anything else is a gamble.

Later

 

[PR5hokie]

Thule is just as reputable as Yakima. I've sold and installed close to 100 Thule racks and they are great to work with. I've never worked with Yakima directly simply because we don't sell them. To tell you the truth the only real difference is $. They both have just as many different types of components. My philosophy was why not use the factory rack to hook my rack to instead of causing more "road noise" from hooking through the door jams.

 

[freekwonder]

thanx for breakin it down barney style for me guys, ill hopefully get a rack soon. ill look at these companies. ill probably go with price, when it comes down to it.

 

[Jc's MPFWEEE]

Let me know and take pics as I am in the market for a bike rack also.

Thx

Jc

 

[scott42]

Rack pics for you all of a Yakima s/ bikes

Yakima is treating me well so far. I had this same rack on my 240. I just changed the clips and the measurements and bam, all set...here are the pics for you to check out. I got a real good price due to working for a company that sells them.
I can snap some more detailed pics if anyone wants them.

 

[JcsMP3]

Re: Rack pics for you all of a Yakima s/ bikes

Yakima is treating me well so far. I had this same rack on my 240. I just changed the clips and the measurements and bam, all set...here are the pics for you to check out. I got a real good price due to working for a company that sells them.
I can snap some more detailed pics if anyone wants them.

What's the model #?

TIA

Jc

 

[scott42]

the parts have to be bought separately. the package is a combination of the Q towers, two 48" bars, copperhead bike trays, a set of Q5 clips and a set of Q34 clips. You can go to yakima.com and go through their configurator (it really barnyfies it) ) to make sure.
I had to edit this message to put in the right clip numbers as I was mistaken and put the clips for my old car.
good luck

 

[scott42]

bump--

anyone going on my part info please read other reply again, i had mentioned the wrong parts.
anyone who has more questions feel free to send me an email.

 

[JcsMP3]

Thanks

Jc

 

[MP3TLH]

I'm also thinking about getting a bike rack. I don't want to add anything permanent that will ruin my car. I'm thinking about getting the kind that strap onto the trunk and are detechable. It costs $125 at a sporting goods store. Any advice??

 

[sdmp3]

I'm also thinking about getting a bike rack. I don't want to add anything permanent that will ruin my car. I'm thinking about getting the kind that strap onto the trunk and are detechable. It costs $125 at a sporting goods store. Any advice??

The Yakima are not permanent, they just lift off after losening the towers. How exactly are you going to get a trunk mount rack to fit without hitting the wing? (or isnt it for your MP3?)

My experience with those cheap trunk mount is that you WILL eventually take on body damage from a petal regardless of how careful you are... If you take your bike with you alot spend the extra $$$ because it will be well worth it in the end.

-sdmp3

 

[scott42]

Couldn't agree more. Even though I have the Yakima, everyonce in a while I'd have to fit an S-load of bikes, and used the truck rack (on the old car only, obviously) and yep, sdmp3 is right, if you load your bike up on any kind of frequency, you will scratch your car eventually, no matter how carefull you are; Its definite...I did several times... but none of that for my car now though...
Good luck!