[dfinn]

I sold my truck this weekend and I should be picking up my new wagon tonight. It's coming with a yakima rack and some bike attachments, but none of the bike attachments will work because none of the bikes I ride use QR.

So I'm looking at getting 2 or 3 yakima king cobras. I think this is my best option. I have one bike with a round tube frame but the bike that would cause problems with any kind of attachment that holds onto the downtube is my turner DHR with it's large square tubing, that's why I think I need something that locks onto the wheel.

Will I be able to fit a 2.7 or 2.8 inch DH rim/tire in the king cobra? Will the king cobra be ok with a bike that weights ~45 lbs. Is there anything else I should be considering?

thanks
dan

 

[Toshi]

sportworks bob ratchet! now sold through thule, and will fit your yakima bars just fine. $115 a pop, and the best design out there imo. rated at 50 lbs. / bike, too.

 

[DamienC]

If you're sticking with the rooftop route, perhaps the Sportworks Bob Ratchet.

 

[ncrider]

get a tow hitch style rack. The kind that you put the tires into the rails and then strep them in. Those work great. MikeD has one on his Subie wagon.

 

[dfinn]

sportworks bob ratchet! now sold through thule, and will fit your yakima bars just fine. $115 a pop, and the best design out there imo. rated at 50 lbs. / bike, too.

does it lock? I don't see them mentioning anything about that on the site. For $135 the king cobra looks (this is going on internet pics online, never seen either in person) like it might hold the bike more securely and it locks the bike to the attachment.

 

[dfinn]

get a tow hitch style rack. The kind that you put the tires into the rails and then strep them in. Those work great. MikeD has one on his Subie wagon.

I also think those probably work well and are easier to use but since it already has the roof mounts I think I'm going to stick with those to save money.

 

[Toshi]

does it lock? I don't see them mentioning anything about that on the site. For $135 the king cobra looks (this is going on internet pics online, never seen either in person) like it might hold the bike more securely and it locks the bike to the attachment.

i don't think that there is a built in locking mechanism, but surely you can just throw a cable through the frames and use a u-lock to lock it to the crossbar? that's what i do, and the $40 (plus however much locking cores cost) you save on two sportworks will buy a cheap lock and cable. go try both out -- the sportworks is really a solid design.

 

[Biscuit]

Sportworks hands down easiest, fastest, secure.

I've used the Yakima version (so you dont have to take off your wheels) and it's a friggin pain.

 

[dfinn]

Sportworks hands down easiest, fastest, secure.

I've used the Yakima version (so you dont have to take off your wheels) and it's a friggin pain.

Since I doubt I will be able to try both out can you be a little more descriptive about why the yakima one is a pain and why the sportworks one is easy & fast?

And the yakima one that you are referring to, is it the king cobra or a different model?

I already have some yakima lock cores at home and I think it would be more convenient to not have to carry around an extra cable and lock, although I'm not sure which would be more secure.

 

[Sherpa]

Since I doubt I will be able to try both out can you be a little more descriptive about why the yakima one is a pain and why the sportworks one is easy & fast?

And the yakima one that you are referring to, is it the king cobra or a different model?

I already have some yakima lock cores at home and I think it would be more convenient to not have to carry around an extra cable and lock, although I'm not sure which would be more secure.

My two King Cobras work great with 40+ lbs downhill bikes. I've driven 5000+ miles with two DH bikes on the top of my Pathfinder and I've never had a problem. Each bike probably takes 1min to put on and is really simple. There is also a built in locking mechanism (cable w/ lock cores).

The only problem with a KC are is the HORRIBLE gas mileage. I probably should've gotten a hitch rack since I don't ever have to park in traffic but it's nice not having to worry about anything being behind you.

 

[Dartman]

My three Yakima King Cobras on my Escort (the bikes are worth far more than the POS car) work great. I can't understand why anyone says they are a PITA to use?!!

Mike

 

[Biscuit]

In an effort to not sound like a whiny c***t; They are only a pain when compared to Sportworks IMO.

The king cobra is a nice system, and I always thought I would buy one untill I tried the sportworks.

Having to reach under the front wheel and unscrew the thing by hand is kind of a pain. I aught to slap myself for complaining about something that takes less than a minute...

BUT- The sportworks literally take seconds. Which is especially nice when shuttling.

Throw bikes on, drive to top, pull bikes off, repeat as necessary.

 

[Biscuit]

Since I doubt I will be able to try both out can you be a little more descriptive about why the yakima one is a pain and why the sportworks one is easy & fast?

To be more descriptive, the King Cobras have the traditional strap and ratchet for the rear wheel, and a very secure system for the front.
Roll the bike into the front hoop, lift the rear hoop, slip the red screw thing in the slot and tighten.
If I had them, I wouldn't complain, they work great.

The Sportworks has a rotating ring for the rear wheel, which is less troublesome and faster than the ratchet strap.
The front wheel slips into a hoop (oversized ones available for DH bikes), swing the retaining bar over the front wheel, push down and it locks into place.
To remove simply squeeze the green lever, pull up, rotate the collar on the rear wheel and lift bike.

The Sportworks system was actually developed for public transportation systems, you may find a very similar (spring loaded) system on a bus near you. This is a good indication that it was designed to be super fast and easy for the average person to figure out.

 

[Pau11y]

I have a King Cobra for my DH bike, and an Ankle Biter Duece for my other bikes on a Jetta. The KC works well. But my bike is sooo heavy (54#s, and tall too) that it likes to wobble around up there. So, I use nylon moto tie-down webbing for additional stability. With the straps, my Tomac doesn't move at all. The only annoying part is the straps buzz at about 80mph. So I tie the remaining strap thru the bike onto the other strap to quiet thing down.
All this seems a bit of work. But when my bike goes on the roof, it's usually for a 2+ hour drive at high speeds. So, a bit of work is fine w/ me to fully secure something that's worth more than my car, to my car

 

[Jeremy R]

dfinn,
Add up how much the roof rack attachments are gonna cost you, and add it to the extra gas cost you are gonna have with the bikes on top.
It may be worth it to look into a Sportworks hitch rack for the back.
I have owned both and the hitch race is a 1000 times easier to live with,
especially dealing with DH rigs and not having to lift them on the roof.
Plus, your car will drive better without the wind blowing it all over the place.
If you decide to stick with the roof rack, the Sportworks setup is worth a little extra. Its works great.

 

[mplutodh1]

Sportworks hands down. Never had a problem with mine, love them! The looks of the Sportworks don't do it justice, looking at it you wonder how it stays put, but when you get your hands on one and put a bike in it, especially a DH bike, squish those tires down in, grab the arm... they aren't going anywhere. Just grab a long cable lock, you can use it with or without the vehicle and does the trick just fine.

My suggestion, with most everyone else here, either of the Sportworks, the new hitch mount is slick, I have the older style and love it, plus have a Factory Bob Ratchet, wouldn't recommend it for DH bikes, works fine for road though. I just don't trust my factory bars! With a wagon yours will be easily to load hitch or top, loading on my jeep with a DH bike wouldn't be a fun task!

 

[TreeSaw]

Hmmm...I would look into a hitch rack for the DH bikes. I have an '05 Chevy Equinox with a roof rack (Thule) that I use for my XC bikes (but only when I am bringing 4 bikes with me) and a Sportworks DH/FR hitch rack that I use for my DH rigs. It's SO much easier to load and is REALLY strong. Just my $.02.

 

[dfinn]

dfinn,
Add up how much the roof rack attachments are gonna cost you, and add it to the extra gas cost you are gonna have with the bikes on top.
It may be worth it to look into a Sportworks hitch rack for the back.
I have owned both and the hitch race is a 1000 times easier to live with,
especially dealing with DH rigs and not having to lift them on the roof.
Plus, your car will drive better without the wind blowing it all over the place.
If you decide to stick with the roof rack, the Sportworks setup is worth a little extra. Its works great.

I think I'll probably go with the king cobra. My only cost will be $150 for the KC itself. The car already has yakima bars, and I have SKS lock cores already from snowboard attachments off of a previous. I'm gonna assume that having a tow hook onto my car and then buying the sportworks tow rack would be well over the $150, might even be more expensive then if I end up buying to king cobras.

I never drive much over an hour to do any DH riding so gas mileage isn't too big of a concern and my new (to me) scooby doo gets almost 30 MPG so it's not a big deal.

I'll probably be picking it up today and trying it out tonight. I'll post back in here with some feedback after using it through the weekend.

I think I read somewhere that to be able to use a windscreen with the KC I have to face the bikes backwards, I guess that really isn't that big of a deal though.

 

[slowSSer]

a vote for the Thule Criterium here. yes, I know you have yakima bars, and this will work (square does fit round!). best "wheels on" roof mount I've ever played with.

 

[narlus]

dfinn,
Add up how much the roof rack attachments are gonna cost you, and add it to the extra gas cost you are gonna have with the bikes on top.
It may be worth it to look into a Sportworks hitch rack for the back.

i am very happy w/ my sportworks, but it does cost a decent amount:

- $150 for hitch receiver
- free installation by my bro-in-law (which was kind of a pain)
- $300 for the sportworks rack
- $60 for the rise adapter i needed for better ground clearance

it will definitely save you in gas money, even w/ no bike on yr roofrack. it'll just take a while to do (i've heard as much as a 6 mpg difference for highway driving w/ bikes on the roof, vs on the hitch).

 

[Sherpa]

I think I'll probably go with the king cobra. My only cost will be $150 for the KC itself. The car already has yakima bars, and I have SKS lock cores already from snowboard attachments off of a previous. I'm gonna assume that having a tow hook onto my car and then buying the sportworks tow rack would be well over the $150, might even be more expensive then if I end up buying to king cobras.

I never drive much over an hour to do any DH riding so gas mileage isn't too big of a concern and my new (to me) scooby doo gets almost 30 MPG so it's not a big deal.

I'll probably be picking it up today and trying it out tonight. I'll post back in here with some feedback after using it through the weekend.

I think I read somewhere that to be able to use a windscreen with the KC I have to face the bikes backwards, I guess that really isn't that big of a deal though.

Dude, your def. going to want to mount them backwards. Bugs and gunk doesn't rape your stantions on long drives what way.

 

[Pau11y]

I think I read somewhere that to be able to use a windscreen with the KC I have to face the bikes backwards, I guess that really isn't that big of a deal though.

That's correct, especially on the Jetta w/ set bar mounting points on the car. My KC faces back and my Duece faces front. I also have a 3rd QR type for a road bike near the center facing front.

Dude, your def. going to want to mount them backwards. Bugs and gunk doesn't rape your stantions on long drives what way.

True, unless you have an upsidedown fork w/ the guard facing the wrong way when the bike is up there. But it's really no big deal.

 

[Biscuit]

BTW, you can get Sportworks to mount on your Yakima roof rack.
It does not not have to be hitch mount.

 

[rainbow_smoke]

yakima cobra!!

 

[mobius]

I've been using yakima cobra racks for the past 2 1/2 years and they work fine for me. I'd checkout the sportworks/thule options though.

 

[blt2ride]

get a tow hitch style rack. The kind that you put the tires into the rails and then strep them in. Those work great. MikeD has one on his Subie wagon.

I second that, get a hitch rack. The Sportswork rack is probably going to be your best bet. I for one, do not feel comfortable putting a DH/FR bike on the roof a car...