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Conference noted::bicycle

Title: Bicycling
Notice:Bicycling for Fun
Moderator:JAMIN::WASSER
Created:Mon Apr 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3214
Total number of notes:31946

577.0. "Car/Bike rack compatability" by CSMADM::SCHWABE () Tue Mar 15 1988 16:53

    Is there a conspiracy going on among car companies to put bicycle
    rack companies out of business?? It seems as though the trend is
    toward the aerodynamic gutterless look in automobiles. I can't
    imagine how you can fit a rack on the roof of a lot of the new
    cars nowadays. It doesn't look like there is anything to reliably
    connect a rack to.
    Whoever the designers are for the rack companies, they must be pulling
    their hair out trying to keep on top of the "new" look in automobiles.
    Before you know it the Ford Escort will be the only thing left on
    the road that will accept roof top bike carriers.
    Some of the 4 door cars appear like they might accept a rack, but
    how secure will it be? I mean could I trust my rack to safely carry
    my beloved Schwinn Varsity?
    And how about us sporty kind of guys that want a 2 door auto! How
    the heck do you get a rack on those cars.
    I would hate to think I will be forced to buy a Ford escort just
    to carry my bike around.
    Seriously though, anybody got any experience with racks on the new
    Chevy Beretta (2 door)??
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577.1Just costs more and takes longer...MOSAIC::WASSERJohn A. WasserTue Mar 15 1988 17:1425
> Is there a conspiracy going on among car companies to put bicycle rack 
> companies out of business?? 

	No, they just want the cars to be (or at least look) more
	aerodynamic.  That's what the public is buying these days.

> I can't imagine how you can fit a rack on the roof of a lot of the new
> cars nowadays. It doesn't look like there is anything to reliably
> connect a rack to.

	There are usualy still gutters... they're just hidden under the
	frame of the door.  They're probably just as sturdy as they
	were when they were visible.

> Whoever the designers are for the rack companies, they must be pulling
> their hair out trying to keep on top of the "new" look in automobiles.

	Yep, a different adapter for every model... what a pain!

> And how about us sporty kind of guys that want a 2 door auto! How
> the heck do you get a rack on those cars.

	With a "short roofline adapter" of course.  I've seen them
	for Thule racks and Yakima probably has them, too.

577.2Ask next timeTALLIS::JBELLWot's..Uh the Deal?Tue Mar 15 1988 21:3620
>> Is there a conspiracy going on among car companies to put bicycle rack 
>> companies out of business?? 

	When I went to buy my car the presence of rain gutters was an
	important criterion.  The conversation really went like this:

	Salesman:	So, what kind of car are you looking for?

	Me:		One with rain gutters, so that I can carry bikes.

	Salesman:	Any particular color?

	Me:		I don't know....  Just make sure that the tow hooks
			are easy to reach when I want to tie down the canoes.

	I did consider the other features of the car, but this narrowed the
	choices quicker than anything.

	-Jeff Bell
577.3And the winner is...EUCLID::PAULHUSChris @ MLO 8-3/T13 dtn 223-6871Wed Mar 16 1988 16:3911
    Bike toting selector/filter funnel:  At top, put in all vehicles
    
    		Filter 1:  Under $10K
    		Filter 2:  Looong Rain Gutters (station wagon)
    		Filter 3:  Fast! (0-60 under 9 sec)
    		Filter 4:  Good Handling
    		Filter 5:  Local Dealers
    		Filter 6:  Recumbent fits inside
    
    fell out the bottom: Cavalier V-6 F41 Station Wagon. no others
    	- Chris, who uses a 3 cross-bar custom rooftop carrier.
577.4Continental rackWINERY::MCALLISTERWish they all could be CA girlsWed Mar 16 1988 21:537
    I drove my plymouth colt hatchback with a continental bike rack
    with my Marushi and Klein on top.  No problem at all, even with
    the blow-out at freeway speed.
    
    I must admit, I like my continental rack.
    
    Dave
577.5continental?CSMADM::SCHWABEThu Mar 17 1988 12:535
    
 re .4   
    Continental?? Is that one of those Grabber products I'm seeing now??
    
    If so, how would you rate them against Thule or Yakima?
577.6Yakima aero conversion available??CIMAMT::CHINNASWAMYbicycling in pixel space,',',',Fri Aug 05 1988 15:2512
Instead of creating a new note I thought I'd put mine here. I have a 
Yakima bike rack system for my old car with gutters. Now I have a car
with aero doors. I've looked at the aero racks and there built up from
the gutter ones. All they do is add a pad and change the holding bracket
to a strap type one. Does anyone know where I can pick up the kit to
convert my rack? Is there one available. If not does anyone have a Thule
or Yakima aero rack that they would like to trade for my Yakima gutter
one with two fork mount bike and wheel holders (no locks).

Thanx
Mano

577.7The parts are available, but where?UMBIKE::KLASMANFri Aug 05 1988 16:439
Any Yakima dealer should have the adapters available.  I recently went thru 
the same process and was able to get the parts from Belmont Wheelworks in 
Belmont, Ma.  (I think you're in Mass, right Mano?)  REI in Reading Mass is 
also a likely source.  This is a card or booklet that explains all of the 
parts/conversions available.  You might also get the stuff on sale this 
weekend at Belmont, as they're part of the nationwide SuperSale, which 
advertises Yakima at 15% off.

Kevin
577.8Need one handy (ie. I hate to wait)CIMAMT::CHINNASWAMYbicycling in pixel space,',',',Fri Aug 05 1988 20:151
Thanx Kevin,
577.9I hate to wait - revisitedCIMAMT::CHINNASWAMYbicycling in pixel space,',',',Fri Aug 05 1988 20:1916
>< Note 577.8 by CIMAMT::CHINNASWAMY "bicycling in pixel space,',','," >
>                    -< Need one handy (ie. I hate to wait) >-
>
>Thanx Kevin,
>

Hey what heppen tu de res of me note??  I'll try again. 

Yes I do live in taxachussetts :-). I've tried my local bike shop
who carries Yakima but he doesn't have any on hand. He said he could order it
but couldn't give me a price or delivery. I'll try Belmont and reply as to
how successful I am.

thanx
Mano

577.10O'Neils?MCIS2::DELORIEAMon Aug 08 1988 13:226
    Manno, did you try O'Neils? I went there and they had the kit in
    stock. It was earlier in the year. BTW the pad and clip method did
    NOT work for my areo doors (Merc Sable) I needed a completely different
    tower (1C).
    
    Tom