On Thursday, August 30, 2018 at 1:49:10 AM UTC-4, sms wrote:
On 8/29/2018 11:00 AM, wrote:
On Monday, August 27, 2018 at 6:41:23 PM UTC-7, Steve Weeks wrote:
I'm using a Thule roof rack with fork mounts. I've never had a problem with stability or safety. Before that, I had a Saris roof rack for several years, likewise with no problems.
I prefer the roof racks that clamp the fork dropouts because I believe they hold the bike more securely than racks that hold the bike upright with the front wheel on. Also, I think that configuration presents a slightly lower profile to the wind. I use a "bra" on my bike to protect it from rain; it also looks pretty slick!

My experience is also that the fork mount seems to be more secure. I'm just curious about the continuous strain of wind nd road buffeting. And I try not to use roof racks anymore since they DO really screw up your gas mileage.


Jobst talked about bearing damage from bikes in fork mount racks.

"The damage occurs when these small motions occur when there are no
steering motions to replenish lubricant while the bearing balls fret in
place. Fretting breaks down the lubricant film on which the balls
normally roll and without which they weld to the races and tear out tiny
particles."

The fork mount racks seem more secure because the bike doesn't move
around as much as on a rack where the bike sits on both wheels. Nut it's
still just as secure.

What about a roof rack that holds to bike upside down and where the bike is secured by the handlebar and the saddle?

Cheers