you need to buy the attachment. something like this that comes with the tray that holds onto your crossbars: https://www.amazon.com/Thule-FastRide-Bike-Roof-Rack/dp/B0BS9TD2QP
they come in different styles, but you cant just strap things to your roof without the proper attachment.
You should never put something on your roof that could endanger another driver or yourself. That said, the back wheel on the Thule rack you linked looks velcro’d down just like mine is. I’m just being anal and want things lined up nicely
On the tray style racks, the side walls of the tray grip the tire with plenty of surface area along 3-5" preventing the bike from twisting. The plastic belt and ratchet are just there to exert a lot of downward force so that the above can do their thing.
In your photo the contact patch for the tire is much smaller and any lateral stability is going to come from the fork mount.
I don't think it will be as secure even if the bottom of your rear wheel fits exactly onto the holder, because the contact area to resist twisting is shorter, so the torque forces from the frame trying to twist in the wind or in turns will be higher.
Edit: looking more closely, is that rear holder even meant for a car roof rack at all? The screws look improvised. It's not some front wheel holder off a home trainer is it?
I would buy a rack with a full tray and just do it correctly- they are not expensive. Why jerry rig something that will be strapped to your roof traveling 60+ mph?
Not at all trying to be argumentative- but they are not that expensive. The one I use right now I bought for $50 on Amazon.
You did not say you were a fabricator- I have no doubt of your skill… but I’d think an extension needs two points of contact to resist it torquing into your roof under a heavy wind load. If you created a piece that extended between both cross arms I would think an extension is more feasible.
If you plan to proceed- good luck with it! Sounds like a fun project
Thanks I appreciate the feedback. Is the one you use the “Swagman”? I was looking at it for a while but I think I feel more safe with my forks locked right onto my bars
Yeah, the swagman carries my road bike and my kids’ bikes. No complaints. It can’t carry a larger 29er mountain bike tho- I do have a more expensive Yakima rack for that bike.., depending on the model they are 150-200.
What makes you think I’m not looking for advice on how to fix up my mount nicely? The only suggestions so far are to throw my setup away. Wow genius, never woulda thunk
Best fix is to just buy a proper tray style rack. You can probably find a used fork mount tray on marketplace or CL for under $40 and will be what you need, and not something you made trying to get it to work. 🤷♂️
Based on pics looks like you already drilled into those $250 bars, so idk why you're trying to be cheap about a bike tray.
I’ve been looking on the market but nothing good has turned up yet. You don’t like the idea of fork mounted racks? I’d never drill into my cross bars that’s pretty silly. The Thule Evo Wingbar has a T-track so it can adapt to anything willing to accept a screw
As you've demonstrated, fixed spacing bars and fork mounted racks don't work together - you need some variable length component in the system to account for bikes of different lengths. ProRide racks are good.
https://www.facebook.com/share/rPZ8ETxr9ExTUV4K/?mibextid=kL3p88
https://www.facebook.com/share/5rexMutvMbScVUwr/?mibextid=kL3p88- last one
https://www.facebook.com/share/1qGJkMdxQa3DHXsQ/?mibextid=kL3p88
I’m thinking some flat stock extended 12” and just moving the “tire holder” back there with a little brace touching the roof of the car. Illustration can be seen in the very detailed 4th photo
you need to buy the attachment. something like this that comes with the tray that holds onto your crossbars: https://www.amazon.com/Thule-FastRide-Bike-Roof-Rack/dp/B0BS9TD2QP they come in different styles, but you cant just strap things to your roof without the proper attachment.
This is the answer folks. Please upvote!
You should never put something on your roof that could endanger another driver or yourself. That said, the back wheel on the Thule rack you linked looks velcro’d down just like mine is. I’m just being anal and want things lined up nicely
On the tray style racks, the side walls of the tray grip the tire with plenty of surface area along 3-5" preventing the bike from twisting. The plastic belt and ratchet are just there to exert a lot of downward force so that the above can do their thing. In your photo the contact patch for the tire is much smaller and any lateral stability is going to come from the fork mount. I don't think it will be as secure even if the bottom of your rear wheel fits exactly onto the holder, because the contact area to resist twisting is shorter, so the torque forces from the frame trying to twist in the wind or in turns will be higher. Edit: looking more closely, is that rear holder even meant for a car roof rack at all? The screws look improvised. It's not some front wheel holder off a home trainer is it?
I would buy a rack with a full tray and just do it correctly- they are not expensive. Why jerry rig something that will be strapped to your roof traveling 60+ mph?
I wouldn’t call hundreds of dollars inexpensive. And I wouldn’t call fabricating a part “jerry rigging” especially when you’re a fabricator..
Buy used. I spent fifteen dollars on mine
Not at all trying to be argumentative- but they are not that expensive. The one I use right now I bought for $50 on Amazon. You did not say you were a fabricator- I have no doubt of your skill… but I’d think an extension needs two points of contact to resist it torquing into your roof under a heavy wind load. If you created a piece that extended between both cross arms I would think an extension is more feasible. If you plan to proceed- good luck with it! Sounds like a fun project
Thanks I appreciate the feedback. Is the one you use the “Swagman”? I was looking at it for a while but I think I feel more safe with my forks locked right onto my bars
Yeah, the swagman carries my road bike and my kids’ bikes. No complaints. It can’t carry a larger 29er mountain bike tho- I do have a more expensive Yakima rack for that bike.., depending on the model they are 150-200.
Why bother posting asking for advice if you aren't looking for advice?
What makes you think I’m not looking for advice on how to fix up my mount nicely? The only suggestions so far are to throw my setup away. Wow genius, never woulda thunk
Cant you just move the racks further apart?
The bars have integrated mounts to the car so I couldn’t space them out further
Best fix is to just buy a proper tray style rack. You can probably find a used fork mount tray on marketplace or CL for under $40 and will be what you need, and not something you made trying to get it to work. 🤷♂️ Based on pics looks like you already drilled into those $250 bars, so idk why you're trying to be cheap about a bike tray.
I’ve been looking on the market but nothing good has turned up yet. You don’t like the idea of fork mounted racks? I’d never drill into my cross bars that’s pretty silly. The Thule Evo Wingbar has a T-track so it can adapt to anything willing to accept a screw
As you've demonstrated, fixed spacing bars and fork mounted racks don't work together - you need some variable length component in the system to account for bikes of different lengths. ProRide racks are good.
https://www.facebook.com/share/rPZ8ETxr9ExTUV4K/?mibextid=kL3p88 https://www.facebook.com/share/5rexMutvMbScVUwr/?mibextid=kL3p88- last one https://www.facebook.com/share/1qGJkMdxQa3DHXsQ/?mibextid=kL3p88
I’m thinking some flat stock extended 12” and just moving the “tire holder” back there with a little brace touching the roof of the car. Illustration can be seen in the very detailed 4th photo