How to choose the best MTB roof rack for your car | MBR

Take a look at our favourite roof-mounted bike racks on the market, from Thule, Pendle and Seasucker.

[@MrMojoRisin22]

I've had the seasucker for 3 years now, that mount is top notch, never had an issue. The lone drawback is security, mounts come off with ease for any crooks. So don't leave unattended

[@saddroid2441]

0:11 - 0:15 Oi mate, over here !

[@brucec43]

The leverage from that long support bar taking the load has to be immense. Mounting it at the forks with the wheel off will have less rotational force on the cross bars.

[@lexington476]

That putting the wheel next the bike, I've never thought about doing that. I'm going to start doing that and not having the wheel inside the car 👍👍👍👍.

[@rickylei4278]

Highly recommended the Rokiotoex Brand, it is around $150 cad.

[@MadazzaMusik]

Thar third rack could be doubled as a dent puller

[@jon-boy-jones]

They kinda missed a few details with the Thule 598 - The 598 has a different design jaw, making it a lot more "Thieving Scumbag" proof than it predecessor (591). Also It has a Clutch in the knob that will slip when sufficient pressure is applied to the bike, to prevent damage. The also have a accessory, sleeve type frame protector they recommend using with Carbon Frame bikes. Great Video and Great channel guys just thought these details worth mentioning.

[@afshinfarahbakhsh3773]

they also have an attachment for protecting composite frames

[@yeeaahhzz]

Thank you for the front wheel lashing tip regarding "cam buckle straps"

[@ivanleung0]

Seasuction blue bracket, where do you get that ??

[@esinduhije1]

Thanks, good video,

[@rubenopperman5650]

Helpfull thanks.

[@biscuitsalive]

Van back door racks next please. (Vw transporter type dealeos)

[@karlasolano7794]

Very comfortable bike

[@noahswano48]

Wonderfull

[@ahkeen]

What about the Thule sidearm 594xt? Nothing touches the frame

[@LORDRA1DEN]

You guys are lucky you can get those that cheap there. The Thule in the US is around $200-$300.

[@user-wh8lw6xo9x]

Every the ad says it is!

[@alexmackie5802]

Stopping the first one scratching your bike is simple just put a piece of cloth on the inside of the clamp

[@SmevMev]

They're worried about crushing, not scratching - any pressure applied by the clamp, or any side-loading, will go straight into the down tube which, on carbon bikes in particular, can be very thin. Pretty obvious that you'd want to avoid crushing your frame tubes

[@Vinsanity503]

How do you secure the foot pedals so they won't go in circles while driving ?

[@MrCable75]

put a velcro strap around the crank arm and chain stay.

[@motoninja2747]

not sure this would work with an emtb well not the thrule one anyway given the battery is located in the down tube on may brands .... but i am willing to test it if thrule want to lend me one.

[@ujayet]

Sea sucker looks good and all but if I had a 5k dollar bike I don’t think I would use that.

[@zabfe1421]

what is the point of having a roof rack for the car if you have to dismount the front wheel anyway.....

[@carlosestrella1442]

fitting more passengers in the car

[@multihamsandwich]

Any ideas where to buy the Pendle Fork Mount Roof Rack? On their site they have the newer one up for pre order..

[@gary8397]

I have never understood why use a roof rack. I have seen a car drive under an underground carpark wreck two 3 thousand dollar bikes. Why not just fit a towbar? You can use it to tow a trailer to take rubbish to a tip various uses.. The bike is protected by the car body it's easy to lift a bike on and off no step is required. I can understand professional riders using a roof rack if you want to carry 4-5 bikes such as in a Grand Tour. For the average rider, I don't get it at all particularly if you're a mountain bike rider the chance of wrecking a bike on an overhanging tree branch as you ride to the track is very high. Sorry I just don't get it at all? When you sell your car you will get the cost of the towbar back

[@MBRmagazine]

The arguments for a roof rack are that they are relatively easy to fit (you don't have to pay to get a towbar installed) and they fit most cars. The racks themselves can be left on the car when not carrying a bike. Towbar racks can be heavy and bulky to store when not in use. We're not advocating one over the other, and we agree it is possible to wreck a bike by driving into a height restriction (we know people that have done just that) but simply pointing out some of the factors that need to be considered when deciding on a rack.

[@DouglasGardnerTV]

north shore ftw

[@MonsterMackOffRoad]

the most solid rack

[@SmevMev]

The seasucker is a nice idea, but it is by far the least stable of the 3 and there's no lock or anything to stop someone unsealing the suctino pads from the roof and easily carrying off the bike. Not sure it's really a sensible option on that basis.

[@jamiedarlow3625]

Yes it seems like a frightening concept but it's actually really stable, I've driven all over the UK with it on the roof and no issues at all. It's by far the easiest and quickest to use too. Security is an issue, you definitely can't leave it anywhere... but then I'd never leave any bike on a roofrack anwhere, regardless of what it's held on by

[@conman1395]

Yeah, you can't lock it but it's totally stable. It's practical when your only car is a mustang or you can only fit one bike in the car and want to bring another.

[@superspecky4eyes]

I have a Seasucker and that thing is rock solid. They also sell a metal loop that fits between the panels on the door/trunk/boot that allows you to pass a bike lock through.

[@brucec43]

Cloth strap on #2 will slip.

[@jamiedarlow3625]

You'd think so, but it's never slipped while using this rack over the past four years.

[@brucec43]

Enjoy trusting #3 not to dent your bodywork or even fracture it over time due to metal fatigue from flexing constantly.

[@jamiedarlow3625]

No problems in four years... I'll keep you posted though.

[@emmashippin9970]

I've been using a Seasucker Talon for over a year, with absolutely zero issues. Great product, really convenient on my 1 series BMW! I have zero dents.

[@anthonyjh02]

@@jamiedarlow3625 seeing your comment is pretty old now how’s it going?

[@S550_HB]

I'm 6ft10, I'm sure that little box won't do much for me😂

[@stuartmclean3843]

Has anyone got a thule fastride? Is it strong enough for mtb?

[@bestbryanusa]

can someone tell me which one is a better purchase? whyte 901, vitus bikes nucleus 275, voodoo bizango?

[@MadazzaMusik]

The specialized pitch is what I went for

[@DronieUp]

Don't know if the suction one is safe for your car?

[@superspecky4eyes]

I've been using my Seasucker for well over a year with no issues what so ever. That thing is rock solid.

[@MultiTranceboy]

I think its not allowed in Europe

[@intenseextremities1779]

No offense but every Thule product Ive owned and ended up returning had poor quality. Id go for a Yakima or Rocky Mounts over Thule any day.

[@BigGdh100]

Tow bar mounted rack ftw

[@geofftheriddler]

No way I'll subject a fork to a load it's not designed for - those fork clampers are a recipe for an expensive trip.

[@DouglasGardnerTV]

if the axles can support a 300lb guy going 30mph over rocks, it can support its own weight on a car.

[@colbyperry3325]

geofftheriddler you just posted a link that proves against your point

[@geofftheriddler]

As you've obviously missed this line 'Tilting the bike with the dropouts in the carrier can cause structural damage to the fork'. What do you think this implies?

[@thomasarther3437]

I agree. Especially on motorways where you can feel a cross wind moving the car. That must be a fair amount of sideways force for the dropouts or axle holes

[@gabiold]

Really annoying that in all of your videos you often look at a different camera, not the one what is cut in. Maybe it would be more professional with just one camera, but always looking into the eyes of the audience.

[@IntoTheWhite04]

Shut up Gabor

[@gabiold]

@@IntoTheWhite04 😂

[@magnumllama400]

@@gabiold Shut up Gabor

[@stealthsniper4766]

can I just buy the rack for my car, or I need to buy something else, HOW MANY THINGS TO BUY FOR A ROOF RACKS. a link to a rack seller would be nice TQ. pls fast reply

[@stealthsniper4766]

BTW is a roof rack that I wanted

[@MadazzaMusik]

Halfords

[@joseph-the-seventh]

These seem like terrible options

[@victoriathegreencheekconur5477]

ANY ONE PLEASE HELP My car doesn’t have those rails on top the car so will these racks work in my car

[@MBRmagazine]

You just need to get a pair of roof bars then the bike rack itself 👍

[@victoriathegreencheekconur5477]

Mountain Bike Rider ok but I didn’t say this but I’m putting these on my parents cars and I asked them tham and they said I can’t put rails sooo are there any without rails I have speed some Edit: I found a sulotion it’s to buy a roof rack that’s meant for surfing and put a bike rack on it and it’s cheaper tham a specific bike rack

[@wormymtb8238]

Or get a smaller car 😂

[@michaelutley7661]

Stick it in the boot?? WTF?? The first Thule blows goats!! I have it on my popup camper and it destroys frames.. A friend of mine has the seersucker and it destroys his car. Thule side arm and thruride are the ones I prefer.

[@EatMyPropwash]

Michael Utley your friend with a SeaSucker must drive a piece of tin foil. I've put one on my 350z, 2016 Fusion AWD, and wife's Camry for over a year now... no problems here...

[@bikeninja956]

the sea sucker is an insane idea. Must flex the shit out of your roof steel.... curious, what sort of hit to fuel economy by putting bike on roof?

[@jamiedarlow3625]

It's a pretty cool idea tbh, I've been using one for over five years now without anything going wrong. It's so small and lightweight when not in use, and has proved super reliable. You're right, it does flex the roof a little if you bomb over a speed bump or something, but it seems to cope find. I've taken to suckering it onto the windscreen now for more stability, obviously well out of the way of my line of sight. I was worried it would pull the whole thing out! But again, it hasn't harmed it in the few years I've been trying it.

[@bikeninja956]

@@jamiedarlow3625 interesting stuff....TBH I'm just not sure I'd trust it. I ended up getting a Thule thruride... does the trick

[@bestvidsdottk]

These are complete junk. You get a roof basket and mount the bike upside down. Bars/seat down. You will be able to tow the car from the bike.

[@gabiold]

Really annoying that in all of your videos you often look at a different camera, not the one what is cut in. Maybe it would be more professional with just one camera, but always looking into the eyes of the audience.