[talisman311]

Hey all, my buddy gave me his BMW base rack so I've been searching for a good mountain bike holder to attach to the base rack. Most of the posts I've seen says to get a Thule or Yakima holder, but no model or anything terribly specific.

For you mountain bikers out there with a OEM base rack, which bike holder are you using? and adapters required? I'm planning on using the rack for up to 300 mile trips when I head to the beach this summer.

[N8N]

I like Rocky Mounts, I'm using their Euro PitchFork.

[talisman311]

I may go for this... any adapters required or additional modifications?

[grassfeeder]

http://yakima.com/shop/bike/roof/forklift

[N8N]

Originally Posted by talisman311

I may go for this... any adapters required or additional modifications?

I don't think so... I'm actually using Thule bars but my PitchForks came with wider nut plates for factory style bars

[AaronD81]

I use a Thule 599XTR. It's not the most sleek but it works great for a mountain bike. I like not having to take off a muddy tire after a ride. I bought the xadapt 2 to switch from the square bar mount to the channel mount.

http://www.rackattack.com/product-pa...dapter-kit.asp

[AddictedToBavarian]

Why don't you stick with the OEM mtb attachment? http://www.shopbmwusa.com/ProductDet...cessories.aspx

[talisman311]

Originally Posted by AddictedToBavarian

Why don't you stick with the OEM mtb attachment? http://www.shopbmwusa.com/ProductDet...cessories.aspx

That was my original thought, but the guy that gave the base rack to me hated them. And I've read a fair amount of less than stellar reviews about them on the forums.

Thanks all for the input, keep'em coming if you've anything to add.

[brinkmann]

Bringing this thread back from the dead to see if anyone can offer further input.

[MuffinMan910]

like previously said, i heard that oem mount isn't the best

I'm currently looking at getting either:
https://www.thule.com/en-us/ca/produ...-569-_-1683349
or
https://www.thule.com/en-us/ca/produ...94xt-_-5546509

sidearm pros: don't have to take the wheel off & nothing touches the paint on the bike
sidearm cons: not the most aerodynamic, doesnt look the cleanest when not in use and although stable, I've heard the bike can still wobble

fork mount pros: most secure way to mount the bike, very aerodynamic, looks clean when not in use
fork mount cons: have to take the front tire off (for myself i would have to wrap it in a towel and put it in the trunk) & touches the paint on the fork where it mounts to

[Youneversal]

Is anyone using a fork mounted set up with thru axles? Can anyone let me know of a setup for this?

I'm looking at Rocky Mounts Pitchfork but it looks like it's only for QR forks. The only option I've seen so far is something where both wheels stay on which I'm not too fond of.

[david in germany]

This is the one I use for both my Cannondale MB and my wife's "city bike"
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=82_1460
It is solid as a rock, locks and personally I have had the car up to 90mph or so wit both bikes mounted with zero issues. The system hold both tires secure and has a locking padded jaw that grips the frame as well.

[theDELO]

I have a couple Thule 549XT racks that I use for mountain bikes - they were great before adapters were mainstream for thru-axles. Not the sleekest thing but solid.

Also have a couple basic rocky mounts if I want something sleeker and only need to move my road bike or single speed city bike.

Both mounted on OEM BMW roof racks on an e90

[MuffinMan910]

i was on the fence with oem vs thule vs fork mount vs tire mount

i spent weeks researching every forum post and every product review and although close to 3x the price of oem, i decided to go with thule aeroblades and sidearm wheel mount

went with aeroblades over oem because 1) it looks better and 2) no wind noise from them
went with sidearms over fork mount because id eventually get tired of taking the wheel off and putting a muddy wheel in my trunk
went with tire mount over frame mount because ill be purchasing a carbon frame road bike soon and its not advised to use frame mounts on carbon

I'm very happy with the end result… aeroblades fit is very good and takes less than a minute to put bike on roof

[Youneversal]

Originally Posted by MuffinMan910

i was on the fence with oem vs thule vs fork mount vs tire mount

i spent weeks researching every forum post and every product review and although close to 3x the price of oem, i decided to go with thule aeroblades and sidearm wheel mount

went with aeroblades over oem because 1) it looks better and 2) no wind noise from them
went with sidearms over fork mount because id eventually get tired of taking the wheel off and putting a muddy wheel in my trunk
went with tire mount over frame mount because ill be purchasing a carbon frame road bike soon and its not advised to use frame mounts on carbon

I'm very happy with the end result… aeroblades fit is very good and takes less than a minute to put bike on roof

Looks like a great set up but I already ordered the BMW rack since I felt like I got a good deal. I think I just may go with something that grabs on to the frame of the mtb since I don't want to purchase the adapters.

A buddy has a few extra Yakima holders so I'm gonna test fit those and see if they turn out okay.

Nice bike by the way, is that a Trek Superfly 29er?

[MuffinMan910]

Originally Posted by Youneversal

Looks like a great set up but I already ordered the BMW rack since I felt like I got a good deal. I think I just may go with something that grabs on to the frame of the mtb since I don't want to purchase the adapters.

A buddy has a few extra Yakima holders so I'm gonna test fit those and see if they turn out okay.

Nice bike by the way, is that a Trek Superfly 29er?

the adaptor was a huge factor for me too.. extra $60 from thule and made the locking mechanism void. not that i leave my bike alone but still nice to have if possible. and i heard great things from yakima; they definitely look better

thanks! close, Trek Fuel EX8 29er