Interior/Exterior Aftermarket Roof Rack Recommendations?
#1
Aftermarket Roof Rack Recommendations?
Snow is about to fly here and there is no way my skiis are going to fit into my new 04 MC!! Does anyone have any advice or suggestions on roof racks? I am not looking for something ski specific - a basic multi function roof rack is preferred.
Thanks!!
Thanks!!
#7
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#9
Originally Posted by XAlfa
Yes, but I found I had to move my bike mounts (Steelhead) to the outermost sections of the rack bars, outside of the towers. Otherwise the sunroof would not clear when opening.
You're saying the sunroof works okay as far as the rack itself is concerned, but you've got to be careful about what accessories or whatever are attached to the rack, because they might not clear. Is that right?
Thanks!
#11
Mini really blew it in the roof rack department. It probably would have been easy to design a rack that screwed to the roof attachment points but has quick release towers that would come off when not needed. Also there should have been a white model for white roofed cars. Not much chance of a redesign, though. I do not think they sell enough to make it worthwhile. It could have been a thing of beauty!
#12
I have owned and still own several Thule and Yakima systems for various cars and I bought the factory, drill in the roof, model. I like it. It carries much more weight than the aftermarkets and to my eye is by far the best looking. I got tired of having rain gutters collapse and be bent etc. One vote for the factory. (I'm ducking)
#13
Vote two for the factory rack
Vote #2 for the factory rack. I tried one of the aftermarkets but didn't like the rain gutter clamps, the way it looked, etc. Yes, Mini could improve on the roof rack, but I still like it much better than the alternatives. For those with white roofs, I wonder if you can't "powder coat" the black rack into a white rack.
My rack whistles between 25 mph and 55 mph, but at highway speeds it's quiet.
I do have to shave my roof caps down by a millimeter or so. Otherwise, they impact the roof when they are installed and would leave a mark in the clear coat.
Does anyone else's roof caps touch the roof?
My rack whistles between 25 mph and 55 mph, but at highway speeds it's quiet.
I do have to shave my roof caps down by a millimeter or so. Otherwise, they impact the roof when they are installed and would leave a mark in the clear coat.
Does anyone else's roof caps touch the roof?
#14
thule doesn't clamp the gutters...
for those who are considering the aftermarket rather than drilling holes in the roof, the thule does not clamp the gutters as the mini gutters are not structural. they are plastic and are a basic press fit to the body. the thule goes behind the gutters and will not damage them...hth
#15
Hmmm,
The Yakima and Thule are both nice systems, the one reason I like the Factory is that you can take the bars off when not in use so the whistling doesn't drive you nuts.
The Sport-Link from Mini-Fini is pretty awesome as well, I would encourage you to take a look, http://www.minifini.com/shopdetail.aspx?id=7
I would go with the Sport-link, I have scratching the roof.
dc
The Yakima and Thule are both nice systems, the one reason I like the Factory is that you can take the bars off when not in use so the whistling doesn't drive you nuts.
The Sport-Link from Mini-Fini is pretty awesome as well, I would encourage you to take a look, http://www.minifini.com/shopdetail.aspx?id=7
I would go with the Sport-link, I have scratching the roof.
dc
#16
Another Yakima vote here.
I had mine on and the sunroof was able to open with *barely* a tap on the rear load bar. The front mounts do need to be pretty much on the inside of the Q-Towers, but I was able to keep mine between the towers and still operate the sunroof.
I like the idea of the removeable racks, especially since I recently drove into the garage with my bike still on.... and the rack came off and the bike was okay. Might have been a different story had I gone the factory rack route.
And don't think you won't ever do it...it's just a matter of time.
I had mine on and the sunroof was able to open with *barely* a tap on the rear load bar. The front mounts do need to be pretty much on the inside of the Q-Towers, but I was able to keep mine between the towers and still operate the sunroof.
I like the idea of the removeable racks, especially since I recently drove into the garage with my bike still on.... and the rack came off and the bike was okay. Might have been a different story had I gone the factory rack route.
And don't think you won't ever do it...it's just a matter of time.
#17
#18
Ditto :smile:
Originally Posted by adame
Another Yakima vote here.
I had mine on and the sunroof was able to open with *barely* a tap on the rear load bar. The front mounts do need to be pretty much on the inside of the Q-Towers, but I was able to keep mine between the towers and still operate the sunroof.
I like the idea of the removeable racks, especially since I recently drove into the garage with my bike still on.... and the rack came off and the bike was okay. Might have been a different story had I gone the factory rack route.
And don't think you won't ever do it...it's just a matter of time.
I had mine on and the sunroof was able to open with *barely* a tap on the rear load bar. The front mounts do need to be pretty much on the inside of the Q-Towers, but I was able to keep mine between the towers and still operate the sunroof.
I like the idea of the removeable racks, especially since I recently drove into the garage with my bike still on.... and the rack came off and the bike was okay. Might have been a different story had I gone the factory rack route.
And don't think you won't ever do it...it's just a matter of time.
#20
I have some pics somewhere...I'll see if I can find 'em.
I built my Yakima parts at a time through eBay and from friends.
Generally, I think you can expect to spend around $400, which would include:
Qtowers (4)
Loadbars (2)
Bike Mounts (2) prices vary here depending on style of mount
Lock Cores (4 or 6 etc.) price varies also - 4 will lock the rack to the car, 6 will lock the rack to the car and the bikes to the rack
Fairing - keeps wind noise down
I know that REI sells Yakima and lots of people like to go there cuz they get a member kickback. Also, your LBS will be very helpful with choosing components, and your friends will help the best, cuz they will sell you stuff for cheap and know of other people who have parts!
Good luck...let us know how it goes.
I built my Yakima parts at a time through eBay and from friends.
Generally, I think you can expect to spend around $400, which would include:
Qtowers (4)
Loadbars (2)
Bike Mounts (2) prices vary here depending on style of mount
Lock Cores (4 or 6 etc.) price varies also - 4 will lock the rack to the car, 6 will lock the rack to the car and the bikes to the rack
Fairing - keeps wind noise down
I know that REI sells Yakima and lots of people like to go there cuz they get a member kickback. Also, your LBS will be very helpful with choosing components, and your friends will help the best, cuz they will sell you stuff for cheap and know of other people who have parts!
Good luck...let us know how it goes.
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