Thread: Recommended upright bike mount

New car means I need to replace rack. It will mostly carry a Prophet so must be rack that keeps front wheel on the bike.

Picked up a Thule Sidearm



But I'm unhappy with it. Seems to require three hands to support and then secure bike when it's on roof. The support behind front wheel isnt tall enough to hold bike upright while reaching forward to swing locking arm back over front wheel. I just know that I'll drop the thing sooner or later.

Ideally I'd Like something that holds bike upright as soon as you put wheels in the "gutter" - What are people using and recommend?

Maybe everyone already knows this, but avoid clamping the tube.

My girlfriend's new Serotta needs new decals because I'm an idjit.

Also, I guess it's just bad for the material.

Thanks - should have mentioned that.

Plus Prophet has bottle cage on underside of tube - so may not work anyway.

Works well w/my DH rig. Easy to load up.

Plus is has a lock.

Andy_B's Yakima King Cobra looks promising.

I have a pair of older Yakima AnkleBiters I really like... Grabs the crankarm. Too bad they don't make 'em any more.

Originally Posted by Cornholio

Maybe everyone already knows this, but avoid clamping the tube.

Oh no you di'int.
It's a good thing you still have a girlfriend.

Originally Posted by Andy_B

Works well w/my DH rig. Easy to load up.

Plus is has a lock.

That's what I'm thinking of exchanging the Thule for.

Does the support behind front wheel keep the bike upright hands free while you latch down the front?

This has reinforced my plan to go for a hitch-mount rack. The Thule T2 looks good....but so expensive.

Originally Posted by PNWbrit

Does the support behind front wheel keep the bike upright hands free while you latch down the front?

Yep. You get the bike up there, then kinda roll it forward into the front hoop, and that pops the back part up, then the bike just sits there.
The King Cobra has held our two DH bikes securely on plenty of stuff, and theres even a new one, I think thats the one pictured above.

We have 4 King Cobras and one anklebiter. The anklebiter is a major pain in the ass compared to the Cobras. Not to mention it doesn't work on some of our bikes because the cranks are too big. King Cobras work with absolutely any bike and are easy to load by yourself (unless the rack is too high to reach - the ones in the center of the truck are tougher to do alone, the ones on the sides are easy).

Originally Posted by PNWbrit

That's what I'm thinking of exchanging the Thule for.

Does the support behind front wheel keep the bike upright hands free while you latch down the front?

Yeah, But I usally strap the rear down first then move to the front.