P5 Bike Rack Options

[tmht]

There are a few threads on this already. Most cover using Yakima Q-Tower system ($450-$550 for two bikes) or the Thule Rackpack ($275 for two bikes and hits the hatch when open.)

There is another option...
You can use any bike carrier that is compatible with the Yakima Mighty Mounts. Yakima doesn't make a Mighty Mount for the P5 though. What you have to do is order the bike rack attachment brakets from the mazda accessories catalog. (I recommend getting them from MazdaStuff.com) and use them in place of the Mighty Mounts. The trick is that you have to mount the carrier backwards on the car so that the front of the bike faces the rear of the car (at least with the Yakima King Cobra). Total spent $280 for the brackets and 2 Yakima King Cobra mounts and no hitting the hatch.

 

[Dimitrios]

nice! this is what I was planning on doing; looking to fork mount the bike "backwards" on the mount so that the rear wheel doesn't run into the lid/spoiler.

Good to see someone else got to it before me!

 

[tmht]

nice! this is what I was planning on doing; looking to fork mount the bike "backwards" on the mount so that the rear wheel doesn't run into the lid/spoiler.

Good to see someone else got to it before me!

Good luck with the fork mount... If you do that you will have to go with the Thule Rack Pack and put it on backwards. The fork mounts are all set up so that they "wrap" around the load bar, thus are not compatible with what I did.

 

[Dimitrios]

Hmmm....looks like the Viper (fork mount) isn't recommended for factory racks due to the added stresses.

Looks like an upright for me! King Cobra, here I come...

 

[Dimitrios]

How's the King Cobra. Solid? I'm just worried about wobble....

 

[azeli73]

This is like the Thule rack I have.

http://www.mazdastuff.com/directory.cfm?CategoryID=213

 

[tmht]

Wobble is fine so long as the red tensioning nut stays put. Some have a problem with backing out some don't. What I did was pull the c-clip off the end of the stud, take the nut completly off, put a lock washer that was no larger in outside diameter than the red knob/nut, put the nut back on and replace the c-clip. And viola! no more backing out. Even if the knob comes all the way loose the bike will not fall out! Check out reviews here.

 

[scwashdc]

I agree with "tmht" that the Mazda bike attachment brackets (part # 0000-8L-J01) work great.

But I don't think his idea to mount the bike carrier backwards on these attachment brackets would work for all of us. I have a moonroof, and if I mounted the carrier backwards, the plastic wing nut on the Mazda bike attachment bracket would interfere with the operation of the moonroof.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I did have to reverse the rails on my roof rack to make everything fit. My 2003.0 P5 has a rubber face piece on the front rail that is not compatible with the Mazda front bracket. I don't think 2002 P5s have this rubber facing.

 

[tmht]

I have a moonroof as well... I just went down to Home Depot and bought a shorter carriage bolt. No interference problems at all. The brackets will also work fine with the rubber strip on the front bar as when you are putting two up you have to put them at the edge of the load bar anyway so they will end up mounting before the ridges start.

I will post pictures later this week.

 

[Dimitrios]

Great; I have to say this has been one of the most informative pieces of information regarding the bike rack situation and the factory rack.

One more question: what about wind noise? I read that the rack causes some wind noise. I am planning on making my own wind fairing with some polycarbonate sheet. I'll be long though....

 

[tmht]

I haven't noticed any more noise with the carriers attached than without and only the load bars.

 

[azeli73]

[hijack]<b>Anyone want to buy a 98 Specialized FSR frame? Comes with rear shock. You make the offer...</b> . I want to get out of full suspension and get a hard-tail[/hijack]


This is the Thule Big Mouth Rack Pack I got for my MP5

<img src="http://www.thuleracks.com/thule/images/largepics/899xt.jpg" border=1>

 

[Dimitrios]

Are you using that Thule mount on your factory rack?

 

[tmht]

Thats the Big Mouth XT rack pack. It's made to go with any factory rack. Notice the square Thule loadbar that is piggy backed on top of the factory one?

 

[azeli73]

It took a little custom work(don't follow Thule's directions), but it bolts right up to the factory rack. and it's a solid. No wobbling at all.

 

[Dimitrios]

Yeah, I see that now (the "faded" area takes your visual attention away in that photo).

I still vote Yakima, but that looks good too..

 

[tmht]

It's all a matter of preference. I chose the King Cobra because it uses tension on the wheel. Wheels will always be round. Therefore that mount should last me until it just dies. I didn't go with a fork mount (though so many swear by them) because my wife rides a cannondale with a lefty and I don't trust the adaptors for them. I didn't want to go frame mount as I have had several different bikes over the years (mostly roadies) that have had some pretty unusual frame shapes that racks like the big mouth would never fit.

 

[vlad]

anyone seen the factor bike carriers? i'm curious to know what quality they are and if the tray hitting the spoiler issue is a problem with them.

 

[tmht]

I am pretty sure they are Yakima Lockjaws...

I don't think there is a clearance issue. But if your bike has a large or odd shaped downtube it probably won't hold it correctly. For instance My Hardrock Pro has a larger rectangular shape downtube where the rack would clamp and there is just no way it would hold.

 

[Dimitrios]

Get any pictures? I ordered a Yak. King Cobra yesterday and picked up the Mazda rack mounts from the $tealership as well.

Thanks again...