I need to make a decision as I will need to know which accessory I want. I originally wanted both but it is rather cost prohibitive!

Roof

+ I have Yakima carrier already
- $650 rail + $250 cross bar + $150 install = $1000+ to carry bikes
- I may crash the bike into the house (see this all the time on cycling forums!)
- possible wind noise from having the rails permanently
- soon, yakima thule may come out with a rack that I can take on a off, only needed the cross bars anyway.


Hitch
+ $300 for a 2 bike carrier that is very very good
- ugly but not really to visible
- difficult install, I hope dealer puts the bumper back nicely aligned?
- also rather pricey $680 installed.

I know 1 bike will fit inside the cargo area but I wanted to carry two without too much tricks.

Thanks

 

I used one of those hitch bike carriers for several years. Very solid, no worries about scrapping off the bikes on a low overhead. I think the 2013 RDX hitch is the smaller size, wouldn't fit my Yakima carrier. But, a hitch installer place can fit a smaller hitch bar inside the larger one. Perfect fit and with a lock pin would work very well.

Good luck, Jim

 

Just installed the hitch ($300 from Bernardi) and got a good deal on a Yakima 2 bike hitch rack ($170 from amazon).

The whole thing did great from NC to WV and back. Lots of mountain driving and very very little bike movement. Very confident going 80 on the highway and much less cross wind buffeting than the old roof rack we had on an old honda sedan.

 

Hi RDXAWD,

I'm going with a hitch mount rack, but going with a 3rd-party hitch since the OEM Acura one is only a 1.25" and I'd like to avoid adapters. Plus, I feel like the OEM one costs way more than a comparable third-part version.

Not sure what types of bikes you'll be carrying, but I'll be carrying anything from a 28 lb all-mountain bike to a 15.5 lb road bike to a 35 lb Townie. It's awkward loading/unloading bikes from a roof-mount rack on taller vehicles (like the RDX), especially when bikes are heavier, so that's why I decided to go with a hitch-mount rack. Plus, roof-mount racks create lots of noise and negatively impact gas mileage.

Hope this helps, and good luck with your decision.

Thomas

 

And very little wind noise (none).

And gas mileage wasn't all that bad considering my driving, the mountains and the gasohol (10% ethanol).

 

I think I would go with roof rail but I think the Roof rail is same as the CR-V's where the cross bar is in fixed position. I was wondering if my Yakima bike holder would fit and not interfere with the hatch opening ..
does anyone know?

My bike is 6.79 KG

 

I believe that the first Gen Nissan Xterra offered an interior bike rack - drop the rear seats, remove the front wheels from the bikes and the bikes lock in and stand up like on a roof rack. Does anyone know if a similar system exists and would work for an RDX?

Alternately, and I guess I need to read my paperwork, but is adding a trailer hitch (aftermarket not Acura accessory) going to be a "violation" in a lease?

 

If you use the hitch rack, be careful to not open the power liftgate into the rack! Not likely, but very possible. It IS possible to press the lift button, with the fob in your pocket.

 

That's a good point, the hatch is a problem with any hitch rack, but the power lift gate makes it a bigger problem.. isn't there a trunk release button on the back too?

Also the power liftgate is programmed to reverse upon any small obstructions though, try to close the liftgate on your head. I didn't try the other direction but I'm pretty sure it would reverse also.

 

I expect I'll add a small section of 'swimming noodle' to the rack upright post. So, the paint won't be damaged on the vulnerable gate edge should I open the gate and hit the rack. The gate will reverse if obstructed but I don't want the paint damaged in the process.

 

You can set the tailgate to only open if ALL doors are unlocked. It would take two button pushes to open the tailgate by accident. I think it comes down to what you are comfortable with, scraping the bikes off on a low overhead because you forgot or paint damage on the edge of the tailgate if you open it by accident.

Good luck, Jim

 

nice find, i use Yakima Holdup to carry my MTB Trek EX and my friend Santa Cruz, i don't want to put it on the roof cause i see my riding buddy drive into his garage with his bike on the roof........
Enjoy your new car.
KD