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Having just swapped the car I need to sort out a roof rack for a XXL bike. Wheelbase is a whopping 1316mm
Car is a BMW estate and a towbar is not an option. I already have the roof bars.
Normally I take of both wheels and bike goes in with seats down. Rack would be only used on holidays, when the boot is full of gear.
I do prefer the look of the racks where the front wheel is removed, though it's not a deal breaker. Any recommendations??
Thanks
Pendle ergo rack? Long in standard form…they do an adaptor for tandem (which is why I’ve got one) so it will be long enough! Nice solid piece of kit.
One of the suction mount ones - e.g. Treefrog, Seasucker, Rassine, RockBros, etc.
They work absolutely great, I've travelled hundreds of miles with my Rassine no issues. Separate suckers for front & rear so wheelbase isn't a concern, plus you'll be able to use it on any car and not just your Beemer.
Wheelbase is a whopping 1316mm
Can't help on the roof rack front, towbar racks on the other hand...
My middle sized Geometron was 1328 and that was fine on a Thule 598.
I think a lot depends on the frame shape and where the clamp attaches. Sometimes this requires the bike to be too far forward for the wheel holders. One of my bikes doesn't fit a 598 so I had to get a more basic 532 and I use some straps to lock it down a bit more.
It took me a while to figure out that the arm on a 598 can be moved around. When your bike sits too far forward undo the base of the arm and slide it backwards.
Can you spin the bars 180?
Thule 565 and Geometron G1 Large that fits if bars are spun, also needs to be spun for some uplift trailers.
I have a SC 5010 which is 1250mm wheelbase, and it doesn't fit properly on either a Thule 598 or a 599 ('UpRide'). On both racks, the wheels hang over the edge. They still work fine, and I've travelled hundreds of miles like that, but it's clear that those racks are not made for long wheelbase bikes - and yours is at least 60mm longer than mine. Also on the UpRide, the wheel clamp thing means a 29er would sit further back than my 27.5.
As above, spinning the bars 180 degrees gets you a lot more clearance, and aside from looking a bit weird I don't think there's a major downside.