P5 Bike Rack Solution?
- Thread starter round00
- Start date
- :
- 2008.5 Mazdaspeed 3
I have two Thule Big Mouthes, not fork mount. They just attach right onto the factory rack. I can carry two bikes without any prob. The rear door opens just fine and it looks awesome. But the wind noise is unbearable if you open the sunroof, even at city speed, like 30 mph.
Although the other day I forgot that I had a bike on and drove right into the garage...I heard this bang and look back the damn bike was laying on the driveway, the handlebar all twisted and shiat. LOL, boy, did I feel stupid! (shocked)
Although the other day I forgot that I had a bike on and drove right into the garage...I heard this bang and look back the damn bike was laying on the driveway, the handlebar all twisted and shiat. LOL, boy, did I feel stupid! (shocked)
My bike rack solution (Saris rack)
This might be a little off topic, but I just wanted to explain the solution I came up with for my P5 bike rack.
About 10 years ago I bought a rooftop system from a company called Saris. I don't know if they still make their roof racks. It's a very nice sliding track system that is sleek and low-profile, and I always thought it looked much better than Thule or Yakima.
When I got my P5, I figured out a way to mount the bike carriers to the stock P5 roof bars. The P5 roof bars are very structurally similar to the Saris bars. Remove the rubber strip on the P5 bars, and there is a channel.
The Saris attachments (bike, ski, etc) fit by sliding them onto the bars. All I did was buy some sturdy brass washers from Home Depot. These help fill in the channel space, since the P5 channel is a little bigger than the Saris channel. Tighten the regular bolts, then "voila".
I have used this setup for 2 summers now. It's sturdy, and it looks just like the rack was made for the car. It's low-profile, but doesn't bother the sunroof. However when you have a bike on the roof, you usually can't open the hatch because the spoiler hits the bike wheel. (It is a full-upright carrier)
The only issue is that it is not easy to take on and off, so I leave it on the whole time in spring in summer. The Saris system lets you slide the attachments on and off, but you can't do this because of the plastic trim pieces on the ends of the P5 bars. So you just leave them on. I have ski carriers too, but skis just go in the trunk, and unfortunately I don't ski much anymore :-(.
One of these days I'll post pictures. I'm kinda happy that I worked out a safe, sturdy, nice-looking solution for about only $2.00 at Home Depot!
This might be a little off topic, but I just wanted to explain the solution I came up with for my P5 bike rack.
About 10 years ago I bought a rooftop system from a company called Saris. I don't know if they still make their roof racks. It's a very nice sliding track system that is sleek and low-profile, and I always thought it looked much better than Thule or Yakima.
When I got my P5, I figured out a way to mount the bike carriers to the stock P5 roof bars. The P5 roof bars are very structurally similar to the Saris bars. Remove the rubber strip on the P5 bars, and there is a channel.
The Saris attachments (bike, ski, etc) fit by sliding them onto the bars. All I did was buy some sturdy brass washers from Home Depot. These help fill in the channel space, since the P5 channel is a little bigger than the Saris channel. Tighten the regular bolts, then "voila".
I have used this setup for 2 summers now. It's sturdy, and it looks just like the rack was made for the car. It's low-profile, but doesn't bother the sunroof. However when you have a bike on the roof, you usually can't open the hatch because the spoiler hits the bike wheel. (It is a full-upright carrier)
The only issue is that it is not easy to take on and off, so I leave it on the whole time in spring in summer. The Saris system lets you slide the attachments on and off, but you can't do this because of the plastic trim pieces on the ends of the P5 bars. So you just leave them on. I have ski carriers too, but skis just go in the trunk, and unfortunately I don't ski much anymore :-(.
One of these days I'll post pictures. I'm kinda happy that I worked out a safe, sturdy, nice-looking solution for about only $2.00 at Home Depot!
RedKatanax9 said:
I opted for this solution because I prefer the stability of a fork mounted rack system. (I wanted to RAIL around turns while going to the trail). The thing I liked the best about this rack solution is, Since you use your stock cross bars, the Rockymount trays stay relatively low. So windnoise is minimal. I won't start hearing excessive wind noise til after I hit 90MPH. Unlikely thule solution for this car, which piggy backs there cross bars on top of the stock ones. Therefore, the bike tray sits HIGHER. Which is lame.
ogilybogily
Member
Check out this rack. I think wait, wait, i KNOW this is the coolest rack on the forum...
http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=59665&highlight=Tracker+foot+pack
http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=59665&highlight=Tracker+foot+pack
- :
- '08 Jetta; '10 Wrangler Unlimited
I was just wondering the same thing.....??????
mountjonas
Member
- :
- 2013 VRM MS3
hi5 said:
the back is screwed down just like the front. i had no problems with mine other than the little rusting on the tray. (i'm going to sand it down, primer and paint)
mountjonas
Member
- :
- 2013 VRM MS3
yes. the back has two screws that you put under the tray and screw into another rack plate thingy. you should have three mounting plates. two for the front and one in back.
hi5 said:
BTW if you guys need to get these JensonUSA.com will pricematch BikeSmart.com. They are $64.99 there. If you use the 10 percent off coupon at techbargains, you can get a slight discount on the lock cores. I ended up saving 15 bucks with the coupon. I ended up paying $155 out the door with 2 day shipping to CA! Thats less than 80 bucks each with cores, shipping and tax! Not too shabby!
mountjonas
Member
- :
- 2013 VRM MS3
not bad. i ordered through supergo and paid pretty much retail, but they accidentally sent me two. that damn conscience made me send back the extra one.
- :
- '06 MX-5 Miata
Great post
I just wanted to say "thanks" for putting this post on the board. I'm taking delivery of my P5 next week, and as an avid cyclist, was wondering how I was going to transport my bikes around. It looked like I was going to have to get the Thule 532 kit which would add another level of bars ontop of the p5 bars already on the roof. I assume that would make even more noise than just the regular roof rack. But hallelujah I found this post and just ordered some rocky mounts from bikesmart.com. Thanks!!!!
Now to search to see if the Thule or other brand of fairing will work with the factory roof rack w/sunroof.
I just wanted to say "thanks" for putting this post on the board. I'm taking delivery of my P5 next week, and as an avid cyclist, was wondering how I was going to transport my bikes around. It looked like I was going to have to get the Thule 532 kit which would add another level of bars ontop of the p5 bars already on the roof. I assume that would make even more noise than just the regular roof rack. But hallelujah I found this post and just ordered some rocky mounts from bikesmart.com. Thanks!!!!
Now to search to see if the Thule or other brand of fairing will work with the factory roof rack w/sunroof.
Good luck with the rockymounts rack, I love mine. I'd like to know as well if an aftermarket fairing would work, it's loud with the rack on even without a bike mounted, that's why I always take the rack off right after I'm done transporting (even when I'm just on a two week vacation). I almost doubt an aftermarket fairing would work with the rockymounts rack though, I'll try to remember to take a picture of what I mean today.
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- '06 MX-5 Miata
I searched, and didn't find anyone using a fairing with the Rocky Mounts carriers. I'm guessing that you (zverg) think that the clamps on the fronts of the carriers will interfer with the fairing mounts. I'm worried about that, as well as where it'll sit on the roof in relation to the sun roof. I know Thule makes a pretty ridgid fairing, but performance bike also has a fairing (that I once had on another car) that's probably more adjustable/flexible. Hopefully someone's already got some experience w/these items.
Two of the front bolts for the rockymounts carrier interferes with the sunroof a tiny bit.. you can still put it up in the vent position at the maximum height but the bolts push on the rubber moulding around the glass a little, some trimming of the bolts would fix this but I've had my rockymounts carrier for a year and haven't gotten around to it yet. The way the front of the rockymounts carrier is less of a clamp and more of a "platform" that sticks out in front of the front bar on the rack. It sticks out nearly two inches, but depending on how the fairing mounts it could still work.
Oh and welcome to the forums Canecreekfreak, check the NEPOC forum since you're from New England.
Oh and welcome to the forums Canecreekfreak, check the NEPOC forum since you're from New England.
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- -- 03 P5 / 23 CX-5 --
OK here's another option, Xport makes a rack that attaches to the factory rack for around $135. It is fork mount 2 bike setup. I had to trim trays in front to accept disc brake bikes & trim about 1 1/2 inches off the back of the trays to not hit the back door when opened. It still touches the bike tires when mounted but just have to be careful especially if off road tires. Also have saris that straps to back standing on top of bumper-make sure to have oem step protector. Now, bikes on top are great except for one thing-mud. I use the rear bumper rack if going somewhere the bike is going to get muddy. Sucks to have any crap off bikes falling on roof of car. Also go for the locking skewers to add a little security for roof rack. Just go to supergo, nashbar, jensonusa, performancebike.com or other online bike place & you'll findem there. The saris rack will even fit around the tailight level wing that I added.
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- '06 MX-5 Miata
I saw the Performance Bike option after ordering the Rocky Mounts. They're about the same price, but I like how the Rocky's are 80% compatible with disc brakes with out any mods. Plus you can get the disc brake adapter for $15 is the caliper does get in the way. I don't have discs, but my friend does.
Thanks for the welcome & tip on the NEPOC forum, zverg. I'll have to attend an event and see what people are doing to their 5's. (burnout)
Thanks for the welcome & tip on the NEPOC forum, zverg. I'll have to attend an event and see what people are doing to their 5's. (burnout)
