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bike carrior hitch or roof?

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jloffermann

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hi, I think im getting into mtn biking and...

I wanted a hitch mounted bike carrier for
a. behind vehicle (easier to reach)
b. behind vehicle (less stuff hits bike on trails)
c. behind vehicle (even with added bike weight possibly better milage on trips then roof mounted)

roof carrier
a. maybe cheaper?

Anyone know a good brand of hitch or a good reason(s) for a roof mounted?

looking to start out cheap for starters just starting with a friends spare bike for now.
 
#2 ·
Hey Justin,
been out with the boys today - 4 BMX Bikes on roof basket and its so easy. Have used hitch mounted rack and its a pain in the butt.
Pro's for roof:
No damage to paintwork of bike
Can still access back of Jeep
Easier with different bikes/odd sizes
Dom.
 
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Discussion starter · #3 ·
I did think about the roof basket im just trying to not buy one till I can find a FD2 to trade my current model in on. (They are so hard to find in CA!! its lame)

thanks for the point though. i'll keep looking at some roof baskets etc... I just havent gotten cross bars so im thinking....

the now $55 shipped cross bars from ebay plus the stingray for 135 shipped
im at $190 total tax/ shipping... really not too bad just gonna do some more looking around thanks again for info though.

p.s. we found some scrap metal to copy your tow hook just waiting on time and a torch haha we have a welder etc...:pepper:
 
#4 ·
Check the Reese Sportwing at walmart. It slides into the hitch, then has a v shaped frame to hold the bike. It actually holds the bike by the wheels, so the bike sits level regardless of frame shape, and nothing touches the paint on bike or pat. Fits in 1 1/4 or 2 inch hitch. Wally world has them for about $80. The thing about a roof rack is that after a long ride when you're all tired out it's really hard to get your bike on top o the truck without scratching anything. That, and if you have a garage you have to be careful you don't space out and pull into the garage with the bike on top.
 
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Discussion starter · #5 ·
ahh will look at it. However it's pretty much solved my friend has 2 lol and im just borrowing when needed. Have any of you actaly went to a mtn bike park?
I went for my first time today with couple friends, HOLY COW!!!!!!! that stuff was so hard but so much fun and i actually didn't eat it once lol. gonna start looking for a good gary fisher bike, or maybe trek.

thanks for all input guys.
 
#7 ·
I looove mountain biking. I've got my hard tail xc bike for sale on the local craigslist so I can buy a full suspension all mountain ride. You should check out bikesdirect.com. They sell off brand frames with brand name components for about half the price of a name brand bike. Although, you can't go wrong with a Fischer, Trek or Specialized.
 
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#8 ·
from personal experience, mtn bikes go on a hitch mount, bmxs go on a roof mount... the bmx's are like 1/10th the weight of some of the serious downhill bikes so they're easy to put on the roof, its a bitch trying to lift a 50LB massive downhill bike onto your roof after a hard day of riding, so i just use a hitch mounted rack for my downhills, u just put some cheap foam in the clamps and no scratches :) also, i watched one of my friends, who had his Devinci DH bike on a roof carrier, lose the bike in a corner because the mounts on it snapped :doh: it just flew off the roof and into the ditch lol :p he wasn't laughing as much as we were...
 
#9 ·
I say +1 for the hitch mounted carrier. I used to have a roof carrier, one time I lost my grip on the mud covered bike and I was left with a 400 repair bill on my durango. It gouged the paint and broke one of my ventshades. The next day I offered up my roof carrier on craigslist and bought a hitch mounted carrier.
 
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#10 ·
jloffermann said:
Hi, I think im getting into mtn biking and...

I wanted a hitch mounted bike carrier for
...
c. behind vehicle (even with added bike weight possibly better milage on trips then roof mounted)
Click to expand...
I went with a hitch mounted rack, mostly because I was worried about blowing out a shoulder trying to lift bikes up to the roof. Since you mentioned gas mileage with bikes attached, I just drove 375 miles (mostly highway) with two bikes on the back, 4 people inside and a full load of luggage in the back, and averaged 26 mpg! I was expecting low-20's, and was surprised it was that high.

Image
 
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#11 ·
Good point guys - i'm only dealing with BMX's that weigh around 20lbs - the roof is perfect, and they also sit in the basket on the bars and seat perfectly. I guess a MTB or downhill bike is quite a different beast.
That said the basket has so many other uses, I would'nt be without it.
 
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#12 ·
Hey guys, i am thinking also of buying the Curt Hitch from Ebay and i was wondering if anyone had any pics of the clearance from the hitch to the gound....I thought it would be low, cause the car is low...any pics or measurments would be greaet.

thanks!
 
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