Original bike Rack for Sub. 2005 Outback

[LB]

What kind of rack is it:
1. The one where you take off front wheel
or
2. The one which holds a frame of the bike with both wheels attached?

I just talked to Yakima rack people, and they said that original x-bars are
to weak to support a rack where you take off the front wheel (the one I
want). Hence I am debating in buying a rack with new cross bars from the
Yakima.

thanks

 

[Alan]

I was just looking at this stuff at the dealer today. The one with fork is
used with a "basket" attachment. The other one goes right on the crossbars-
but it is very expensive, IMO: $230.00 U.S. Much better deal is to get a
hitch for about $100, and pick the rack you want.

 

[busterb]

I was just looking at this stuff at the dealer today. The one with fork is
used with a "basket" attachment. The other one goes right on the crossbars-
but it is very expensive, IMO: $230.00 U.S. Much better deal is to get a
hitch for about $100, and pick the rack you want.

The rack that holds the bike upright sells for about $180 ahipped from
www.subaruct.com. I put bikes of different sizes and types with no
problems.
It's great to take bike down and ride instead of putting the wheel
back on and making sure the brake is adjusted correctly. I had the
hitch rack first and didnt really like it. Tookmore time to
load/unlaod bikes plus cost the same as the roof rack (hitch 100 +
rack 79)eir version
The roof rack is made by yakima and costs less than buyin g th

 

[Don.]

The rack that holds the bike upright sells for about $180 ahipped from
www.subaruct.com. I put bikes of different sizes and types with no
problems.
It's great to take bike down and ride instead of putting the wheel
back on and making sure the brake is adjusted correctly. I had the
hitch rack first and didnt really like it. Tookmore time to
load/unlaod bikes plus cost the same as the roof rack (hitch 100 +
rack 79)eir version
The roof rack is made by yakima and costs less than buyin g th

I've a Hollywood hitch rack for 3 bikes, it works OK. At 75 I really
don't want to muscle a couple of bikes off the roof. ???

The main problem I had with the hitch rack was the bolt that tightens
the rack inside the hitch finally stripped the thin threads. I went
to NAPA and got a lug nut (without acorn shape) and used JB Weld to
fix it inside the bike rack insert. Works great and I can torque it
to 65# with no fear of stripping anything. A 1.25" hitch just doesn't
work as well as a 2" hitch to keep the rack from swaying a little.

It's best if you can "try before buy". We got a woman's bike for
my wife and the "female" frame isn't all that great for mounting on
most hitch racks, the stupid bike rides a foot higher than a "man's"
bike. The type that has the "wheel mount" would be much better.

 

[Alan]

I've a Hollywood hitch rack for 3 bikes, it works OK. At 75 I really
don't want to muscle a couple of bikes off the roof. ???

The main problem I had with the hitch rack was the bolt that tightens
the rack inside the hitch finally stripped the thin threads. I went
to NAPA and got a lug nut (without acorn shape) and used JB Weld to
fix it inside the bike rack insert. Works great and I can torque it
to 65# with no fear of stripping anything. A 1.25" hitch just doesn't
work as well as a 2" hitch to keep the rack from swaying a little.

It's best if you can "try before buy". We got a woman's bike for
my wife and the "female" frame isn't all that great for mounting on
most hitch racks, the stupid bike rides a foot higher than a "man's"
bike. The type that has the "wheel mount" would be much better.

We have a Sportster rack (~$250). The bikes sit on their tires and are held
down by a spring-loaded arm that goes over the front wheel (newer models use
a ratchet). Takes literally 5 seconds to load or unload a bike.

 

[LB]

Ok, I got my rack

I have fancy bike (road and not so fancy mnt), I personally think that rack
which does not screw to the font frame does not provide enough
security/stability. Subaru does sell Yakima Viper rack (branded as Subaru)
for $150 which attaches to the existing frame.

The same rack sell in the REI for $100, but it appears does not have locking
scewer. So I just bit the bullet and got Sub. rack.

 

[Don.]

Ok, I got my rack

I have fancy bike (road and not so fancy mnt), I personally think that rack
which does not screw to the font frame does not provide enough
security/stability. Subaru does sell Yakima Viper rack (branded as Subaru)
for $150 which attaches to the existing frame.

The same rack sell in the REI for $100, but it appears does not have locking
scewer. So I just bit the bullet and got Sub. rack.

That's the roof mount? Found a drawing and it looks like the bike sits
SIDEWAYS to the direction of travel. I wonder what drag that presents?
With our Hollywood hitch rack we can easily travel at 80mph with no
problem with a Baja, non-turbo. I found some 12" velcro from Do-It-Center
to tie wheels/brakes down and that stops any wheel rotation. $3.00 for 3.

 

[LB]

Not sure what you mean by sideway. It is just like this:
http://www.orsracksdirect.com/yakima-8002000.html

Bike sites on top pointing to the direction of the travel.