Bike Racks for the Vibe?

[cablechick]

Any put bike racks on their Vibe? Did you use the GM parts or were you able to find a better deal? I'm hunting now for something I can put on the car top carrier to tote 3 bikes. TIA for any info you can provide!

[Mr.D]

I'd be interested in whether people have been using their factory rack for this or have gone to products from Yakima or Thule?

[MailGuy!]

Sorry I can't provide help on this. I've been searching for the perfect one for 6 months. Just make sure that if you get one that there is enough clearance for the hatchback. I wouldn't want to see anyone bust their back window.Never had a need to carry three bikes. But for one I just lay the back seats down, remove the front wheel, put the bike in the middle of the car standing up with the forks behind the center console, put a towel under the forks(so you don't scratch the floor), use one of the straps that came with the car to tie the front down by looping it around the upper frame once behind the handle bars. Tie down to the movable track loops just behind the front seats. Do the same at the other end of the tracks and other strap at the back of the car. My Specialized MB fits within an inch of the hatchback door. No more worry about bug splats on the bike or theiving b--tards.

[philndz]

If you use the SEARCH feature you should be able to find plenty on this subject....I know I have responded to similar questions a number of times in the past 2 years.I have two Yakima systems and I sell Yakima and Thule as part of my part-time job so I know pretty much all about them.The Vibe is complicated...Yakima used to make a system called the Anklebiter-duece and it was the easiest way to carry your bike (both wheels attached) on the Vibe b/c it didn't interfere w/ the hatch opening.The problem now is that w/ Yak no longer making that model there is nothing but huge bulky heavy and downright horrible racks that don't interfere (both wheels attached) so personally i would stay far from the racks that carry your bike w/ both wheels still attached.Now, you pretty much have two options....buy the standard "low-rider" fitment w/ fork mount racks and turn it around backwards....no big deal. OR, buy one set of low-riders to mount on the rear rails and then a set of Q-towers w/ Q clips to fit the Vibe and use those over the front doors and that will lay out the rack far enough foward that nothing needs to be turned around backwards and it won't interfere w/ the hatch.As far as pricing....I work at REI: http://www.rei.com and until April 11th if you are a member or become a member then you'll get 20% off one item.....that would take a chunk out of a bike rack for sure.Hit me up w/ Q's anytime-Phil

[cablechick]

Thanks for the info Phil. One more question....check out http://www.bike-racks-plus.com. They have a Swagman Upright Car Top Bike rack for only $40 that is supposed to work with most original manufacturers roof racks. I would love your opinion. Granted I've owned Yakima and Thule bike/ski racks so I realize $40 sounds fishy from the start....but since you are in the biz tell me what you know.Thanks!!!!

[philndz]

Quote, originally posted by cablechick »They have a Swagman Upright Car Top Bike rack for only $40 that is supposed to work with most original manufacturers roof racks.....but since you are in the biz tell me what you know.Thanks!!!!Well...that does seem a little cheap...makes me wonder how the quality stacks up??? But I am a bargain hunter and sometimes shying away from the big brand names can get you similar stuff w/o the extra bucks! One thing to consider is that all the Yak/Thule racks that use existing cross bars dont fit on our cars b/c our cross bars are too low profile (close to the roof) and do not leave enough clearance for the bolts and such to attach the racks. I used to have one on a Jeep and I had to buy all new stuff when I got the Vibe b/c the rack was too low. Thats the only big problem I could see might arise w/ that rack.-Phil

[cablechick]

Hmmmm. Good point. I think though for $40 I'll take my chances and give it a try. If it doesn't work I'll send it back. Thanks again!

[aggie_vibe]

For three bikes, you could use a hitch (~$80) and a rack (~$50-$200). I personally use a Hollywood 2-bike rack that works like roof-top carriers (fork mount and rubber rear tire strap). It was only $70 new off ebay. For the rare third bike, I use a fork mount block (~$20) in the left trunk floor track along with a bungee to hold the rear tire. Putting bikes on the roof is a PITA if you ask me. Three bikes can technically fit in the rear, but there won't be room for the third person

[kaybeejay]

Quote, originally posted by philndz »Yakima used to make a system called the Anklebiter-duece and it was the easiest way to carry your bike (both wheels attached) on the Vibe b/c it didn't interfere w/ the hatch opening.The problem now is that w/ Yak no longer making that model there is nothing but huge bulky heavy and downright horrible racks that don't interfere (both wheels attached) so personally i would stay far from the racks that carry your bike w/ both wheels still attached. ebay to the rescue!http://search.ebay.com/search/...dSort5 or 6 anklebiter deuce systems for sale.

[kaybeejay]

There used to be a vender which made an interior bike rack that fit into the cargo rails in the Vibe.I don't think it ever went to market though.

[ShotInTheDark]

to use the rails in the vibe you can buy BikeTight strips and modify the bottoms. As far as roof racks goes everyone has their own preference. Personally as a retailer of such products from a quality standpoint I have chosen Saris racks.

[cablechick]

Thanks everyone. I like Saris products too. I'm just trying to save a little $$$ if I can. We bike a lot and I prefer to put the bikes on top of the car as we usually load a lot of gear in the car too. I'll let you know what I end up doing. p.s. what a great forum! I've only had my Vibe 5 days and I have learned sooooo much here.

[GT-X]

If your putting expensive bikes on top of your car I wouldn't trust anything that wasn't Thule or Yakima. I have a thule that holds two bikes. My buddy has run three with his Thule on a MP5 (madza). I would just rather spend a couple hundred on a good rack than losing a $3000 dollar bike off the top of my car on the freeway.

[ebslopp]

I bought the Thule 751xt a couple of weeks ago. It clamps onto the stationary roof rails. It's so easy to put on, I can do it by myself. It was $200 at REI.I would recommend the Thule over the Yakima or Saris because it all comes in one package rather than having to piece it together. Plus it's custom made just for GM factory racks! I went with the 589 VeloVise bike mounts. which are extremely easy to use. I'm 5'6'' and I have no problem putting bikes on and taking them off. I can take some pics if you'd like.

[Geo]

I'm a bike racer and rec rider, so I do a LOT of miles on my vehicles with bike racks travelling all over the state, and recently with collegiate cycling - all over the midwest.2000 mile round trip I had last weekend to NC and back for a training camp, and I used a Saris roof rack for my Vibe.You can see the thread here, http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=9113Personally, I wouldn't recommend anyone BUT Saris. Their racks are fantastic, there's a lot of technology into them, and you can have a complete system for pretty cheap compared to other companies. Here's a pic of what my Vibe was hauling last week:I had NO problems with this at all, and was able to open and close the rear hatch w/o problem. The rack is great as it fits road bikes, and MTB bikes (even ones with disc brakes) so you shouldn't have any problems there. And look at that ... perfectly fits three bikes Good luck with your search!

[ShotInTheDark]

the nice thing about being able to piece it all together is you get what you want the first time you buy one. You can add on parts down the road.

[Geo]

Exactly :DBuy the load bar set, and then add whatever you need, be it bike trays, boxes, ski racks, snowboard, kayak, etc ...So much fun

[ebslopp]

That's definately the way to go. I would recommend you go to a dealer and have the sales person explain the benifits of each brand. You might even find that some racks allow you to use other brand parts. I found out that you can use the Thule 589 VeloVice bike mounts on a Yakima rack. The sales person will make sure that you have everything you need to get started and like somebody mentioned earlier, if you join REI you get 20% off one item plus you get 10% back from your total purchases at the end of the year! And you can't beat REI's return policy.

[joholste]

would this work on the vibe? http://www.rei.com/product/479...fined

[joholste]

yah i feel kinda stupid now that i look at it again, what about the Thule 961 XT?

[merckx56]

Here's a Yakima LowRider setup with two bikes. You could probably get three on the roof if you run the middle tray opposite. @$500 the way mine is set up.