Roof top bike carrier

[Chris_W]

Anyone have the rooftop bike carrier that GM sells? From the Pontiac accessories web site it appears to extend far enough in the back end to interfere with opening the liftglass and liftgate. I'm interested in comments to learn if this is an inconvenience. Thanks

[philndz]

dont take my word for it....but im pretty sure it does interfere....now...if you dont open your hatch then ur golden...um...i think we all open our hatches... I put a Yakima on mine w/ two anklebiter bike holders...you can see it in my pics....use the link in my signature to "cardomain.com"-Phil

[Project Shadow]

How much for the roof rack with all needed bike attatchments?Nice bike by the way, I am just getting into MTBing this summer. Picked up a Schwinn Mesa GSX. I hope it will stand up OK.

[philndz]

quote:How much for the roof rack with all needed bike attatchments?Nice bike by the way, I am just getting into MTBing this summer. Picked up a Schwinn Mesa GSX. I hope it will stand up OK.i couldnt tell ya off the top of my head....(I work for REI and i get it for quite a steal through Yakima) but if you go to our website http://www.rei.com you should be able to price everything for the vibe....just go with the anklebiter duece mounts if you dont want to have to turn everything backwards (to avoid hitting your hatch).Have fun w/ your Schwinn....I have a younger brother who owns a Schwinn Mesa and I borrow it on occasion when my bike is in pieces or in the shop or something.....its a really sharp bike....one of very few that i have actually felt as comfortable w/ the frame geometry as my Trek!!

[philndz]

oh and hint hint....if you do decide to get one and are not in any hurry for it....all yakima and thule rack gear goes on 20% off usually twice a year.......if you are in a hurry then for gods sake buy a membership (if your not already) ....you'll get urself phat cash back. we have a few members on genvibe too

[Chris_W]

Thanks for the tip and suggestions.I had already have purchased the GM Utility Bars, thinking that I could used my older two-piece Thule mount from my VW Golf. It turns out that the two piece Thule mount is no good since the lateral bars on the Vibe can't be spaced far enough apart. So I checked out other Thule mounts at REI.The GM Utility Bars mount directly to Vibe lateral bars. The limited clearance between these bars eliminates several available rack systems. There is at least one Thule mount that would work work with GM Utility Bars but it holds the entire bike (both wheels) and I think I would rather have a fork-mount type.Still mulling it over before I spend more money.

[philndz]

you could always ebay your GM bars.....hehe the setup i have is a similar type of design that holds the bike w/ both wheels still on also....i think it is actually less hassle than having the front wheels inside your car....especially when they are covered in mud....you can get little pieces that hold them on the roof seperately but.....its just more $$$....hope you find something that works for ya....ga'luck!-Phil

[MA-VIBE-FAN]

Heard that GM is coming out with new utility bars for the Vibe and a fork mount bike rack for the bars that puts the fork to the rear so that the tire dosen't hit the hatch when open.

[Chris_W]

quote:you could always ebay your GM bars.....hehe Yeah, I guess I can't rule that out either. I still have the cardboard box.quote:the setup i have is a similar type of design that holds the bike w/ both wheels still on also....i think it is actually less hassle than having the front wheels inside your car....especially when they are covered in mud....you can get little pieces that hold them on the roof seperately but.....its just more $$$....hope you find something that works for ya....ga'luck!-Phil . . . or worse when I loaded the bike after one ride and left the front wheel at the parking area. Luckily the ride organizers found the wheel and I retrieved it later in the evening. Very embarrassing

[Chris_W]

quote:Heard that GM is coming out with new utility bars for the Vibe and a fork mount bike rack for the bars that puts the fork to the rear so that the tire dosen't hit the hatch when open.Hmm, that's interesting; might be worth waiting for. Thanks.

[Ironman]

I was just at the local Pontiac Dealer and notice they had a GM bike rack installed on one of their Vibes for demonstration. It is the exact rack that I bought from my bike shop a few weeks ago. I purchased a Thule 886 however, after tinkering with it I found that I needed to install it backwards. I could not open the hatch!! After stewing about it, I drove over to the bike shop again where they told me that I had no other choice. In fact one of the employees there installed his rack the same way on a Mazda (Vibe look-a-like). I have since traveled with the bike mounted on top and have come to terms with it. I was a little worried that my Triathlon buds where going to give me s***t about the bike being backwards but it all turned out ok. As soon as I can get my hands on a digital camera, I'll post pics of my ride.

[philndz]

quote:Heard that GM is coming out with new utility bars for the Vibe and a fork mount bike rack for the bars that puts the fork to the rear so that the tire dosen't hit the hatch when open.hmmnn...not sure about that....all you have to do is turn em round backwards and poof you have the fork at the back!

[philndz]

quote:or worse when I loaded the bike after one ride and left the front wheel at the parking area. Luckily the ride organizers found the wheel and I retrieved it later in the evening. Very embarrassing hehe.....everybody w/ a fork mount rack does that at least once in their life....i have returned two wheels to folks who left em in the lot....i chased one guy out the park....i jumped in the car and raced after him....hehe....didnt get caught by the park ranger Needless to say the guy was very grateful!

[GT-X]

I don't know if this helps but I got a Thule velo vise pack and switched out the tray to a V2 (which are disc back comp.) and are brushed Aluim. Thule said that I could mount them forward but they didn't say that I couldn't open the hatch. so back wards they went returned the orignal Flaring and fit a full 02' flareing with the help of Lee from Scarlett's bike shop in Pontiac.

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[GT-X]

heres some more pics...

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[GT-X]

and more

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