Bike Rack--roof or trunk?

[Kobra Kai]

Does anyone here have a bike rack on the roof or trunk of their FFH? I have been needing to take off both tires of my bike to put it in the back seat but I scratched the leather the other day and have decided to put a rack on my FFH (I go riding 5 times a week).

 

Would a roof rack interefere with the sunroof?

 

Anyone have suggestions on which make model is the best looking or have any pictures?

 

Thanks!

[probowler]

You could possibly get a hitch for the hybrid and attach one of those hitch mounted bike racks. No towing though

Edited April 27, 2010 by probowler

[rfruth]

I just use an old bed sheet to keep the chain yuck off of the seats and carpet (60 CM frame, front wheel removed)

[cchaos]

I had a hitch installed on mine. It was about $200. My thinking behind the hitch vs. roof rack is that the hitch has little to no aerodynamic impact, whereas a roof rack may decrease the mileage efficiency due to the additional drag. It also looks better IMO since it's pretty much out-of-sight.

[probowler]

Some car washes don't like roof racks either... so if you like to drive through the hitch is also a good way to go.

[EBCDurham]

Your best bet is the undercarriage Class I hitch-mount bike rack. A reputable hitch and trailer store can install it in about an hour and most are familiar enough with the FFH challenges (ie: high-voltage character of the car; undercarriage design) that installation is not a problem. In speaking with my Ford dealer, he indicated that it would not void the warranty to have a hitch place install it, and he even gave me a recommendation of one in town (roughly $180 installed).

 

The problem with the trunk-mount is that you will cause cosmetic damage to the trunk paint job with the suction cups or the stabilizer legs. And the (obvious) issue with the roof-mount is loss of aerodynamic design.