Carrying a Vamoots RSL on a Saris Bones type car rack

Moots Forum » Admin

Carrying a Vamoots RSL on a Saris Bones type car rack

10 posts from 9 voices

Started 1 year ago by roadiesean
Latest reply from unconsoled

Tags:

roadiesean
Member

Hi, I'm a lucky boy and my family are going to France on holiday this year (we live in England and are driving) near to Mont Ventoux. We went last year and awesome riding there. Anyway, I took the RSL on the roof carriers last year and whilst all was good, there is always that "low height" of hotel ceiling fear and also encountering semi-trailer fuel consumption as a result of turning my Mercedes into a small block of flats. So I am looking at the options of sticking something on the back. Saris Bones seem to be the best of the top tube carriers, but I am frightened of 1000 + miles with my beautiful bike bouncing around on its top tube......

So a Thule towball mounted system looks best, but the cost is astronomical, so obviously the Saris or the like would be better from a cost situation, but not at all costs if you know what I mean.

Basically I'm asking is my RSL going to be okay on a top tube mounted system or are the tubes too thin ???

Thanks
Sean

Posted 1 year ago #
teamfubar
Member

Sean,

While I can't say definitively that your RSL would be OK, I'm sure having 14 lbs or so, no wait, 6.35 Kg hanging from its top tube won't cause any issues.

This brings up a question I don't get. We ALL do it, but it doesn't make a lick of sense. Why do we spend THOUSANDS of dollars on a bike, but when it comes to transporting them safely on our vehicles, we cheap out? I'm using Yakima stuff that is 20 years old. Sure it works fine, but there is stuff now that is WAY more secure. Don't get it.

That being said, maybe someone at your LBS has or knows someone that has a hitch mounted rack that you could borrow/rent for a few weeks. They are the ONLY way to go.

Posted 1 year ago #
29ner
Member

I personally would much, much rather have a bike on top. I've seen what would have been a very minor fender bender, turn into a completely crushed bike. I perfer trusting 'me' to remember I've a bike on top than someone behind me, on a cell phone, dog in his/her lap.

Posted 1 year ago #
sbsbiker
Member

One thing you should consider is the impact to the finish from driving so far with a bike hanging off the top tube. The finish might get rub spots where the rack holds, extra protection and careful strapping may help deminish the possibility, but be warned. It would only be cosmetic damage, but I have seen noticeable rubbings in the finish from using any rack that supports the bike from the tubes.

Posted 1 year ago #
Satellite
Member

Sean,

I too have a 20 year old Yakima roof rack, with the steelhead fork mounted full length trays. It has been great; I have hit the garage 3 times now with minimal damage to the saddle oops. Anyways if possible the best is to put the bike in the car where it is the safest. That way you get good gas mileage somewhat protected from car crashes and definitely protected from the low hanging hazards. One of the first things I asked my insurance company in the event of an accident with the bikes on the roof would the insurance company cover the damages. If the insurance company said NO I moved on to the next. We have Am Fam and they cover the bikes at full cost minus the deductible.

Good luck on your adventure it sounds like a lot of fun I am jealous.

Satellite

Posted 1 year ago #
JonC
Administrator

Sean,
The top tube will be able to handle the mounting. But like stated above, the finish will get rubbed. My family & I have a VW Eurovan and during the cyclocross season I carry the bikes behind the van on some trips. I use a Yakima rack and the underside of the top tube rests on the arms of the carrier. It rubs a bit and the marks are somewhat minor....I've helped some of this by cutting up an old t-shirt and use those to help "buffer" the impact between the bike & rack.

Enjoy the trip...sounds wonderfull.

Now if we could only drive to the Ventoux from here!

Best,

Jon@Moots

Posted 1 year ago #
woody
Member

Any chance of going about it a little differently? Meaning how about a Yakima space case or something like it to put all the luggage in and breakdown the bike and put it in the trunk (boot).
Those space cases hold a lot of gear.
Woody

Posted 1 year ago #
Domestique
Member

Hi Sean,

I used a Saris Bones before with my old Compact which I've since give to my brother and it worked pretty good, I've since purchased a Tri-All 3 case for my Psychlo-X which I use while traveling, it's kinda big and cumbersome but absolutely bombproof.

It's too bad you can't install couplers on the RSL because that's definately the way to go, just stuff everything in a small case and throw it in the overhead, no over-sized baggage fees, no shlepping around a huge bike case, no man-handling it into the hotel room...

D.

Posted 1 year ago #
roadiesean
Member

Thanks guys. Unfortunatelty the chances of getting 2 bikes in the boot (my sons CAAD7 and the RSL) and enough kit for 2 weeks with 3 ladies and 2 fellas.....well.....its slim !! Even in a capacious estate like the Merc.

I think I am going to lash out on a towbar and a Thule bar mounted rack that the bikes can actually SIT on rather than hanging off. Its a few bucks, but like you say, nothing like the £'s for a new RSL !!!!!! Like this one....http://www.albatowing.co.uk/images/trcc908.jpg

Posted 1 year ago #
unconsoled
Member

I have been using the 909 for a couple of years on both cars, got it from here - http://skidrive.co.uk, excellent service, would recommend. Would definitely never go back to any other type of rack now. It's easy to put on and off and the tilt allows you to easily open the back (and even the roof) without having to take it (or even the bikes) off. Only disadvantage I found is that, due to the design, you have to spend a while working out how to fit the bikes on if you are loading more than two - the bars that come down and clamp to the top tube need to fit either over or under the tube(s) of any bike(s) nearer the back, if you see what I mean. Note it comes with a Euro electrical plug so you might need an adapter if your tow setup is a UK one (I needed it for my wife's VW but not my BMW). Best bet if you don't already have a towbar is to get one fitted that has Euro type electrics to start with.

Posted 1 year ago #

RSS feed for this topic

Reply

You must log in to post.