Roof mount bike rack

[Jeremy28]

I am trying to find a roof-mount bike rack that will attach directly to my 2003 Baja factory crossbars w/o an adaptor. The best I can figure is the Thule Domestique, as it says it mounts to most factory crossbars. I am considering the bed-mount factory mount, Subaru OEM part #E3610LS400. I have a 29er mountain bike, as well as a road bike that will go on the rack. Does anybody have any helpful input on this?

[mattada]

You need Rocky Mounts. I have had a pair for 6+ years, and used them on 3 or 4 different cars on factory crossbars and even on a yakima bar, with no issues.

Fantastic on road bikes and 29ers. I have an issue with 2.4" tires, but it wasnt my bike and I never run tires that big. Also have seen some issues with XTR disc brake calipers being low on the fork and hitting the tray, but it was an easy fix.

My 9mm Noose has been fantastic and affordable. I would buy them again and again if i had to.

Rockymounts.com

[mattada]

the issue I ran into with the bed mount is that I ride a large or XL bike. My 29er on a bed mount puts the back tire on the end of the tail gate. I dont have a bed extender, but it still may not fit well. Would be better for mpgs though. May last 2 big trips with bikes on top i've been in the low 20s at best on the highway.

[mowillie]

Here is what I did as far as a roof bike rack. Worked out perfect. BMW. Three screws per mount. Drilled through with SS bolts and nuts.

[bajaguy]

If you don't want to drill in your roof rails, the yakima mighty mounts work, however, they rock side to side a little and would need a little customization to solve that. a strong right angle metal bar under the fork mounts would do the trick. My bike is really long and if you build a 2x4 fork mount rack in the bed you can put the mounts further foreward than the stock bed rack.

[bajaguy]

Heres my setup. I built the upper rack that way because I didn't want to get rid of my off road lights. On the front, there are two yakima mighty mounts. there is a metal bar between the two sides so the bikes don't rock. the rack is bolted in four places, twice at the top and twice at the bottom with nuts welded behind the sheet metal. because of the height of the top rack I had to lower the bed mount rack so the handle bars would fit underneath. the bottom rack is simply made of a 2x4 and fork mounts.

[KensAudio]

Um, Question (to show how my brain works):

Why carry 5 bikes, when you can carry only 4 bike-riders?
I want to see pics of someone riding two bikes when you get to your destination.

- K

[bajaguy]

Haha...yes. Say someone brings a car that seats 5 and carries 2. Then what? No, I wanted to have my bed free when I carried bikes, and it didn't make sense to only put one rail on top, so 3+2=5.

[tomato_88]

I use the factory yakima bike mounts from my 08 impreza. They mount right onto the bars and are very sturdy. One solution for both cars.

[bajaguy]

I use the factory yakima bike mounts from my 08 impreza. They mount right onto the bars and are very sturdy. One solution for both cars.

I'm pretty sure you're talking about the yakima mounts size 24 from when I was doing my research. Yeah, but it almost comes out cheaper to use the universal ones and our family also has an outback so that seemed to be the best solution. One question though, if they mounted solidly, are the bikes angled? ...because the roof bars are not flat.