anyone know what brand roof rack this is?

 

Looks like Yakima to me...look at the wording on the passenger side.

 

+1.

Yakima's are a good manufacturer.

 

are these pretty easy to install/remove? if i decide to go forward with a roof rack im planning on only using it 2 months out of the year.

 

Yes, they are easy to install/remove. But, if you use a roof rack, as I mentioned before, the chances of you scratching the paint are pretty good.

 

i was looking at rackattacks website and am not sure what snowboard rack would work on the TL as the ones in the link below look like they are on existing rails that SUVs come with (i.e. fx35 etc)

http://www.rackattack.com/yakima-ski...oard-racks.asp

im only going to use the roof rack 2-3 times out of the year max and put it in storage when not in use. hopefully with my limited use and having another person or 2 to install it will help limit the risk of scratchin the roof

 

When I put mine on my Golf, the guy I purchased the roof rack suggested I put some of the clear bra stuff where the mounts go. I did this and when i took off the mounts the paint was perfect. If I ever get the mounts for the TL I will get the clear bra stuff again and save my paint from scratches. I would definitely get the Yakima deflector if I put it on the TL.

Heres some pics of my old golf.. and my old TT in the background.. that was a nice combo to have.. but dang do VWs/Audis cost alot to maintain...



My Gary Fisher Mountain Bike.. that I need to start riding again when I have time.. get rid of some of this beer gut thats growing lol


roofracks FTW!!

 

Nice bike and cars!

The clearbra is an absolutely great idea. But, you still have the slight chance of the roof metal getting bent.

 

i just bought a Yakima Mega Joe 3 bike rack for the trunk. I would post pics but im too new

 

^
Trunk mounted racks are the worst.

Not only will it scratch your paint, but if your bike weighs alot, or if you have multiple bikes mounted, your bumper runs a high risk of getting dented. As I've mentioned...hitch mounted racks are the best.

 

I added some tape on all the hooks so hopefully that will prevent the paint from scratching. i think i have it aligned in a way that shouldnt dent anything, but i could be wrong. im getting ready to drive 1600 mi with one bike... so hopefully nothing goes wrong.

 

If you do just one bike you might be ok...just make sure you position it so that the angle is close to the car and held down tight so that the weight is distributed well between the top and bottom one. I cracked my A emblem and dented the trunk on my RSX-S which is why I went with a hitchmounted one!

Maybe if your bike isn't that heavy you don't have a problem...I had 2 cheap heavy bikes on mine when I had the damage. I would try wrapping the bottom part in a towel to more evenly distribute the weight.

 

Heres mine... rack is coming off soon, since snowboarding season is coming to an end =(

 

I've always been curious about snowboard racks...are they too long to fit in the trunk? Couldn't they go longways in the back seat with a towel or something?

Hmm...looking good. Looks like you blacked out your headlights but left a portion of the relfector. Looks good! I actually just went clear and then back to stock. I like the amber on NBP

 

[/quote]

Hmm...looking good. Looks like you blacked out your headlights but left a portion of the relfector. Looks good! I actually just went clear and then back to stock. I like the amber on NBP[/quote]
I like the rack! I also agree with rockstar about your headlights, I like the blacked out with partial amber. Did you have this done, or did you do it?

 

It looks like you have to put the fairing OVER the sunroof?

True?

Anyone with a Thule rack on a TL? Same thing?

 

I have pics of my trunk mounted bike rack, but i dont know how to post it on this tread (can anyone explain?).

I drove approx 1700 mi with it and 1 bike on. I taped up the parts where the metal and pads touched the car's surface. As far as I can see, i have no dents or scratches... so success!

 

 

That is quite the trek...oops, I mean Giant...lol.
Nice bike and well done....you took the extra time to pack it up.

:Lol...put my new (to me) Specialized Stumpy FSR Pro (2007) on the rack the other day...it's an odd shape so I used 1 strap on the rear shock...of course, as i near the exit to work off the highway I realize the damned bike is dangling from one side. I'm SO glad I didnt' drop it. I got one of those bars to use with the rack now...should be a bit safer.

J.

 

Are you willing to do that and use so much tape EVERY single time? That's a lot of work, if you go through all of that every time you want to take your bike somewhere.

 

probably only did it because he was doing 1700 miles.

 

He'll have to do it EVERY SINGLE TIME to ensure that there are no scratches. Also, even with all of that painter's tape, there is still the chance that the trunk/bumper will get dented, even if they aren't scratched.

 

Yea, the tape was mainly for the long journey. I also taped up like my entire front half of my car. It was my first time taping so i know its a crappy tape job, especially when it rained a little bit.

Probably wont tape it up again unless im driving longer than 4 hrs with the rack. I figured if i can drive 24 hrs without it denting, i think itll be alright for shorter trips.

 

I hate how with Yakima's installation instructions, the fairing is on top of the sunroof, not allowing you to open it, only crack it open. I spread the Q-Towers apart about 1/4" than what the instructions said and placed the front bar closer to the windshield. Solved 2 problems.. I can open the sunroof and now the bars are spread enough apart to use Yakima's Boa bike accessory which came with my pre-owned roof rack.

Here's a quick cell phone picture.

 

i would sooo only drive at night like that.

 

I just got my mountain bike a tune up and want to go ride some trails around here... sort of get back into the habit. But I don't have a bikerack, nor do I want to buy one because for me it is not at all worth it since I only go every now and then, not often at all.

Of course the only option that I can think of is to stick it in my trunk and have the front wheel hang out. Then I could tie some string/rope through the bottom trunk latch but there is nowhere to tie it to the inside of the trunk hood, unless I'm blind.

Any ideas for the best transport without a bikerack?

 

My bike fits in the backseat with the front wheel removed.

 

Hmm I ought to try that. I can take my front wheel off too, I just don't want to get any marks on the seat or seatbacks... I guess a towel over the seat might work.

 

Yeah. I used a sheet after I saw that the gears left some grease on the carpet.

 

my really old setup...

 

IM going to have to do this.. because I can open my sunroof with the way yakima states to do it, but the faring blows air down into the front of the open sunroof right into my face and my front passenger's face.. lol .. so, I am going to have to do this.. I also like that boa attachment.. soo much smaller then the other ones I have seen..

btw: 2004TLdippin -LOOKS SIIICK!!

 

for the guys that have the rack in the back, isnt it possible to get a ticket for obstruction of lic plate and when the bike is on, obstruction of lic plate and taillights? j/w

here in hawaii, that would be the case

 

i was JUST about to reply the same thing. Yep, doing this tonight!

 

LOL....this was from my trip to the CanAm meet last year (yes I'm anal about my taping jobs, symmetry FTW)






On topic, it's nice to see the people in this tread actually USE their rack and not just for decoration like most MKIV VW, civic and teggy owners........

 

now that is a funny observation to have made...
trust me...on my luxury sports car I'd rather NOT have the hitch receiver. Function over form I guess...lol...but I LOVE NOT scratching the car every time I go ride.