Best Roof Rack for an E30

[audiquattrot]

i wouldn't trust plastic tubing from home depot unless you don't plan on hauling anything on it.....

[325ix]

Yeah, I have Yakima crossbars, they're cut down a little so they're a bit shorter than 48". I have locks for everything, mounts and the bike tray. Only thing with this style of bike tray, I would add an extra strap to hold the bike down on long road trips at high speeds. I did a 10 hour trip at around 80mph without a strap and it was fine, but I will add one next tie for extra precaution.

That's only with your bike. I did 110 with mine...

[Threehz]

Lambo, I've looked on craigslist and ebay for a while but everything is too pricey. I found the towers, locks, and end-caps all brand new, and all for 132$ shipped. I figure Home Depot tubing will add very little to that price.

How thick is Yakima's plastic tubing (sidewall-wise)? I just read a few reviews saying how ripped off people felt about the crossbars because it was just regular plastic tubing with rubberized coating. From what I've seen the older Yakima tubing was made of metal but not anymore.

EDIT: Reading up on Yakima's site it appears that the bars are actually steel. That makes much more sense and makes the price a little more reasonable.

[M-technik-3]

I have both Yakima and Thule, like the Yakima rack better.

[ACHTUNG]

Both Thule and Yakima crossbars are steel with a plastic coating.

[Mlarsen]

I didn't even have to dig for this one:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=152117

[Threehz]

Lol Mlarsen wins...

And actually, Lambo that CL ad you found is perfect, not a bad price at all.

[JA1991]

I made mine. And bought some fork mounts for bicycles from hollywood racks or something on Amazon. They're not in the picture

[dothadance]

i hate how they all stick out 8 inches from the roof

[Threehz]

i hate how they all stick out 8 inches from the roof

Did you not see the pics of Lambo's? Not to mention even the 48" crossbars don't poke too much...

JA1991, is yours just a universal rack with a custom built wooden rack similar to CW325's?

Turns out I was able to find a Yakima setup, A1 rain-gutter towers, crossbars, and lock cores all nearly brand new for $100.

Anyone have experience with Yakima's Copperhead bike mount? It seems perfect, got great reviews, but I'm unclear on what exactly is locked (if you use a lock core with it)?

[lambo]

Anyone have experience with Yakima's Copperhead bike mount? It seems perfect, got great reviews, but I'm unclear on what exactly is locked (if you use a lock core with it)?

That's what I have. I've had both a mountain bike and road bike on it with no issues. I had to slightly pull the road bike's fork apart to get it to fit on the mounting thing. The thing that locks is the lever that releases the fork. Basically like a quick release. If you tighten it enough there's no way someone is getting it off.

[Threehz]

Thanks for all the help man! Now I just gotta find a deal on a fairing.

[audiquattrot]

i have 2 copperheads. It locks w/ a rod and handle that the fork of the bike hooks on to. The only drawback w/ that is, if you're not carrying any bikes and you want to prevent the bike trays from getting stolen, that rod sits loose in the tray b/c they are meant for the bike forks to sit on the rod to keep it nice and tight. When you don't have a fork in place, it slides back/forth.

[lambo]

i have 2 copperheads. It locks w/ a rod and handle that the fork of the bike hooks on to. The only drawback w/ that is, if you're not carrying any bikes and you want to prevent the bike trays from getting stolen, that rod sits loose in the tray b/c they are meant for the bike forks to sit on the rod to keep it nice and tight. When you don't have a fork in place, it slides back/forth.

Mine stays tight... There's enough thread on the other side to twist the nut thingy down and make it tight against the tray.

[Ryann]

Rola Australia.