[amvj]

Originally Posted by amvj

I have transported both of my bicycles from Bangalore to My home town on my Baleno. I have a bikerzrack bicycle mount. It’s a nerve wrecking 260km journey. I maintained a speed of less than 80kmph most of the time. I find the rack does tend to wobble on potholes. I have stopped multiple times and checked and tightened the hooks.

I am back to Bangalore after spending 6 months in my home town. That means transporting the bicycles back to Bangalore. This time I bought straps with hooks (Blue and silver in the photo) and thankfully the bicycles were stable throughout the 260KM trip because of that.

Packed and ready to start:






On the way to Bangalore:


Rant alert:
However, crossing the Attibelle (KA- TN border) dampened my spirits. The roads are in shocking condition in KA. It felt more like SUV proving grounds.

There are no roads in Sarjapura road and it is unbelievably dusty. The people who are assigned to maintain the roads needs capital punishment to say the least. It does not matter who comes into power in KA, they are all useless in maintaining the roads. I find both KL and TN are far better. They need to stop boasting garden city and all that non-sense.


The reason for such rant is that road tax in KA is quite high compared to other states and the way they maintain the road is unbelievable.

[Ashok.Vardhan]

The 3rd Generation Honda CRV has 4 chassis built mounting points for attaching a roof rack. Since this model is way past it's release-support cycle I could not find an OEM roof rack kit.

The Thule model (which was flush fit) was going to cost: Rs. 70490

Breakdown of Thule cost:

Footpack 753 + Wingbar Evo-7112 + Kit-3042: Rs. 31490
Thule Canyon XT: Rs. 39000

So I put my engineering hat on; used local resources, and talent, to come up with an alternate, and equally viable, option.

This one cost me Rs.9000 in total (including fabrication and material costs).

Unfortunately I was not dealing with skill and talent that could cobble something more sophisticated together, but at a seventh of the cost, you cannot beat it.

Here is something for inspiration.

[brianfernandes]

In Pune, Maharashtra, was stopped for driving with two bikes on the roof - was en route to my local, favourite in-city trails. The cop said this isn't allowed, and was going to book me for "dangerous driving"; on realizing it was going to be a 4000 fine, he himself fined me instead for a broken front plate at 500 (I did have a minor bump and a single character has fallen off the plate). Warned me not to use the racks again

I have been driving in Pune for the past 3 years with 2 bikes on a simple rear rack. Have driven past dozens of cops without them saying a word. The roof rack I installed in December 2021 and drove from Goa to Pune with a bike mounted, no issues. Used them half a dozen times since in the city, along different routes (including this one) and passed many cops as well, no issue until yesterday :(

The cop said this is dangerous driving as my vehicle is not a commercial vehicle meant for carrying bicycles, and is unsafe. I tried to argue that that this was clearly not taller than other vehicles on the road and without the wheels jutting out on either side, it's safer than the rear racks (... he confirmed that he'd have a problem with that too). The cop said I could get permission from the RTO, but it isn't like "filling a form" - I would have to convince them that I really needed this.

Why Roof Racks?
I shifted to the roof racks because the time taken to mount the rear rack was just too much, and it was too much of a hassle. Several times I'd just abandon plans because I didn't want to deal with the rear rack. You need to attach it to the car (faster with practice, but still a pain), then mount the bikes, remove the wheels ... and do the reverse on getting to the trails. Then again when getting ready to go back home. I have also managed to scratch my car with the both the brake levers and the pedals - again, can be avoided, but you have to be careful. After 3 years of the rear rack, I'd had enough.

Takes some practice to get used to the roof racks, but I can now mount two bikes in 1.5 minutes, dismount is even faster (and no need to re-attach wheels or detach and stow the rack inside the car). For me, it has certainly made it easier to go out and hit the trails with my son / wife. I'll make a longer post on them a little later, but right now I'm staring at a wastage of 70K on this great system :(

I have a friend in Bangalore who said lobbying through the Mayor got the cops to lay off for a bit - I know they were causing trouble for people using rear racks a year or so ago. I'm definitely going to look more into this, with the Pune RTO, but appreciate any insights from folk with similar experiences in Pune / Maharashtra. Thanks!

[johnmraj]

Dear patrons,

Is it illegal to have a roof mounted luggage rack on 2022 cars (karnataka geography)? My friend was planning on mounting one on a Carens and the showroom executive stated that this is illegal. I do remember that showrooms do not provide luggage racks, but after market mounting shouldn't be a problem right? or is my understanding incorrect?

Thanks and warm regards
John

[bdutta]

Interested in the legality of roof-racks as well. I remember some posts in some cycling forums of state border cops stopping and harassing people with cycle carriers. However, this was quite a few years back.

[bdutta]

Renault Lodgy has the flush type roof rails i.e. no gap between rail and car roof. I am looking for some non-ugly roof-rack options that can be mounted on those, that are reliable and can carry about 50kgs safely. Can anyone suggest any solutions ?

The horizontal (cross-bar) type clip-on roof-racks seem to be option but for the ones found online, they need rails where there is gap between it and the car roof. So they might not cut it, for my purpose, right ?

I was looking for the Roufrails kind of arrangement that had become popular for Ertiga few years back, but don't see those (or the sellers) anymore. Need it for a ~2000kms round-trip one week ride, and it'd be used in some ghat-sections and in August, expecting some rains too.

[wizardofid]

Originally Posted by brianfernandes

Why Roof Racks?
I shifted to the roof racks because the time taken to mount the rear rack was just too much, and it was too much of a hassle. Several times I'd just abandon plans because I didn't want to deal with the rear rack.

Could you share the kit set-up you have, please? I want to carry at least 1 cycle later next month on a long drive from Bangalore. I have a rear hatch mount carrier. But looking at the confusion in rules, I'll take the chance with a roof mount over the rear mount.

[acsandeep]

Anyone using a rear mounted rack for Fiat Linea? I am looking for one and seems Decathlon has a Sedan rack. Not keen on roof mounted one as it will be a pain in a longer journey, say upwards of 1K Kms.

[kartikv1]

Originally Posted by itwasntme

Fully agree. Thule is amazing quality but at least double the 'expected' cost. I have just bought a set of FARAD roof bars & link kit for my BMW 330i Sport. The fit and finish may not be upto the Thule standard but so is the outlay at around 50% :-).

Hi itwasntme - I'm looking to install roof bars and box for my 330i sport. Where did you buy these from? Do they have a dealer? Would be great if you can share the contact and pricing for these!

[itwasntme]

Originally Posted by kartikv1

Hi itwasntme - I'm looking to install roof bars and box for my 330i sport. Where did you buy these from? Do they have a dealer? Would be great if you can share the contact and pricing for these!

https://www.faradindia.com/en. Contact them - BOM based, very helpful and agile on WA.

I ultimately did not buy the box as plans changed. Only ended up with the bars which cost around ₹17K. Will buy the box in the next few months.

[maddyg]

Dear All,

Seeking advice on transporting my Cannondale Quick CX 4(L) I have a road trip coming up this weekend for about 700 km and wish to carry the cycle too. Vehicle is a harrier, i have boot rack from Decathlon which is recently purchased. Rack is used sparingly and for short distances so far. Is it advisable to carry it long distances, and if so any pointers to pay special attention to ?

Last resort would be to fold the rear seat and fit it inside, as I'm travelling alone. But the safety concerns holding me back from keeping it inside the car.

[amvj]

Originally Posted by maddyg

Dear All,

Seeking advice on transporting my Cannondale Quick CX 4(L) I have a road trip coming up this weekend for about 700 km and wish to carry the cycle too. Vehicle is a harrier, i have boot rack from Decathlon which is recently purchased. Rack is used sparingly and for short distances so far. Is it advisable to carry it long distances, and if so any pointers to pay special attention to ?
.....

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/techn...ml#post5217655 (Questions About Roof Racks / Carriers / Bicycle Carriers)

I carried two bicycles on the back of the Baleno for 250KM to my home town and back. You can refer the above link for the photos. Things you need to consider while transporting bicycle are:
1. Don't do high speed
2. Don't make sudden direction changes.
3. Purchase additional cords and secure the bicycle. Don't just rely on the cords that come with the rack.
4. It is a good idea to stop and check the bicycle every 50 - 100 km

Overall, it's not a fun experience to transport a bicycle outside the car.

[gauravanekar]

I am planning to drive from Jaipur to Kasargod. I’ll be driving through RJ , MP, MH, KA and KL on the first weekend of May month. Recently I’ve fitted a roof carrier to accommodate luggage.
Pics attached.
I was stopped by RJ police for roof carrier. Had to arrive at a compromise and leave.

Now I am worried about my planned drive. What suggestions do fellow team/bhpians have to avoid problem with police. I am open to plan my drive during certain periods of time including night.

[manjot1912]

Can anyone please help and let me know from where I can get this roof rail cover/clip for Kia Seltos? I am not able to find this in any local shop nor at Kia ASC.

[goandude]

Originally Posted by maddyg

Dear All,

Seeking advice on transporting my Cannondale Quick CX 4(L) I have a road trip coming up this weekend for about 700 km and wish to carry the cycle too. Vehicle is a harrier, i have boot rack from Decathlon which is recently purchased. Rack is used sparingly and for short distances so far. Is it advisable to carry it long distances, and if so any pointers to pay special attention to ?

Last resort would be to fold the rear seat and fit it inside, as I'm travelling alone. But the safety econcerns holding me back from keeping it inside the car.

If there are no passengers in rear seat, a bicycle frame easily sits against the back rest. I tie the wheels to the frame and secure the frame to the backrest with the seat belts. Definitely safer than folding rear backrest and placing bicycle on it. Incidentally, I have a Scott Addict and i20.