Best SVT/ZX3 roof rack for bikes? - Focaljet

**The ArchAngel** · 04-11-2008, 10:09 AM

Long story short, I've owned a Cannondale CAAD 8 road bike for about 2 years now, which I've been simply carrying inside the car by folding down the rear seat and taking the front wheel off since I purchased the bike. Well, between my fiancee purchasing a Cannondale this weekend and the fact that I am moving from Michigan to Pennsylvania for grad school this summer, carrying one bike inside the car is no longer practical and need to be able to transport both bikes on top of the car for trips back to Michigan 2-3 times per year.

As such, I'm looking to purchase a roof rack that I can leave on the car for transporting both bikes. From what I understand, Yakima and Thule are great options, but I am curious to know if anyone has had any issues with either rack and how the installation of the racks works. Having never owned a bike rack, my primary concern is making sure I won't damage the roof of the car and understanding how the mounting towers install on a 3-door Focus. Also, do I need to be concerned with the fact that my bike and my fiancee's bike are very different sizes? My Cannondale is a 63cm frame and her Cannondale is a 54cm frame, so I am hoping that the mounting rails for the bikes are adjustable within that range. Also, would you recommend fork mounts or a different style?

If anyone has pictures of either a Thule or Yakima rack on their ZX3/SVT that show how it's mounted, I'd appreciate seeing them. All recommendations/comments on this topic are appreciated.

Thanks!

**Dev** · 04-11-2008, 10:12 AM

Moving to Exterior mods.

**HuTcH** · 04-11-2008, 10:16 AM

imho noone touches Yakima.... just by their build quality and they are a US company

Thule is not based in US and some of their racks just look poorly manufactured...

I havent used either on my focus but I have used Yak elsewhere with no issues... I've seen it as far as someone backing into an awning and bend a seat tube on the bike and did little damage to the yak rack to point out their strength

**yogibear** · 04-11-2008, 10:24 AM

Yakima.

Had one on my sedan, never left a mark. Sold it to my buddy with a zx3 and all he had to do was buy the stretch kit, and it works perfectly. Very heavy duty, and very easy to use, after the first initial setup, no tools required and I could mount or remove it from my car in less than 5 minutes.

Go to the yakima website and go to the "fit your car" part, and then you can see all the different styles of bike carriers. I strongly recommend a fork mount, unless your bike if full carbon and super light, then I would get a mount that keep the front wheel installed.

**The ArchAngel** · 04-11-2008, 11:19 AM

Yeah, my bike is fairly light and so is hers. It's a Cannondale CAAD 8, so it's weighing in somewhere between 17 and 19 lbs fully assembled. So you would recommend a fork mount? I'd much rather throw the front wheel in the car rather than the whole bike.

**HuTcH** · 04-11-2008, 11:54 AM

I would recommend the fork mount and a wheel fork mount and you can put it all on the roof

as for the upright racks which you just put them up there I do not recommend them unless you have no quick release skewer on the front... which yours probably does i would imagine.

**ZX3autoxtasy** · 04-11-2008, 05:04 PM

I have the OEM Thule Ford Roof Rack.

Perfect fitment.

The tray I use are the Rocky Mount Noose's. They hold the bike like banshee to that thing. Plus, with lock cylinders, that bikes never gonna get stolen off the roof.

The rack is expensive, but I got the trays for $80 apiece and there golden.

**ZX3autoxtasy** · 04-11-2008, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HuTcH

as for the upright racks which you just put them up there I do not recommend them unless you have no quick release skewer on the front... which yours probably does i would imagine.

Almost all bikes with the exception of BMX come with quick releases.

**the_fog** · 04-14-2008, 12:10 PM

Here is a simple alternative. It will fit your SVT like it was made for it. Oh! It was made for the ZX3/5 hatchbacks!

This rack was on the Focus Kona Edition.
Ford Roof Rack: YS4Z 6155100 AA

The same rack is available via BAT ($209.00).
http://www.batinc.net/

It will fit your car ... which has existing mounting holes. Two over each door, two in back. The two in back are painted over and contain body filler.

Neither photo below is my car.

I put a roof rack on my SVT.

I put a hitch rack on my SVT.

Recommend the hitch rack approach for transporting bikes.

**The ArchAngel** · 04-14-2008, 12:29 PM

Forgive me if this is a stupid question, but do all roof racks require some kind of drilling or use of mounting holes? I would really like to avoid doing anything I can't undo on the car.

**HuTcH** · 04-14-2008, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZX3autoxtasy

Almost all bikes with the exception of BMX come with quick releases.

not all highend track bikes do for slight weight reduction...

and then not all walmart bikes do...
His being a Highend road bike he could have done away with QR skewers and gone to the allen key ti skewers...

**HuTcH** · 04-14-2008, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The ArchAngel

Forgive me if this is a stupid question, but do all roof racks require some kind of drilling or use of mounting holes? I would really like to avoid doing anything I can't undo on the car.

The yak requires no Drilling... Same with Thule...

Most dont require drilling as they clamp to the roof of the car.

**02_smurf** · 04-14-2008, 12:37 PM

I can't make any recommendations for racks, but as someone else said the rocky mounts are the shiznit!

I don't have a good close up shot of my rocky mounts, but I love them. You can even get random colours and designs, like my urban camo.

**secondechomatt** · 04-14-2008, 12:52 PM

Mike, the OEM rack, to me has the best fit of the racks. Also, a major benefit is that you don't have to drill holes into the body.

**the_fog** · 04-14-2008, 01:16 PM

Anyone used the BatInc roof rack?

Roof Rack for 3 Door SVT (Ham radio stuff too)

Kona Edition

Kona Edition Literature

Where are the rack mounting points?

**ZX3autoxtasy** · 04-14-2008, 01:49 PM

There are two under the weatherstripping on each front door, and two holes in the back (they are covered in paint and bodyfiller and need to be "chiseld" out with a small screwdriver/punch.

Installations pretty easy.

Me and my friend did mine in the dark in about 30minutes.

**Headofahessian** · 06-23-2008, 05:25 AM

Will the BAT rack fit on the 05 foci aswell or is it just the earlier models?

The rack is the BAT ($209.00).
http://www.batinc.net/

**o2_designs** · 06-23-2008, 10:01 AM

Roof line on the 05 is the same. They will work..

**RUN_ZX3** · 06-23-2008, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Headofahessian

Will the BAT rack fit on the 05 foci aswell or is it just the earlier models?

The rack is the BAT ($209.00).
http://www.batinc.net/

the 05' will have the mounting holes in the rear but not the front. It is not a direct fit. If you want to use self tapping metal screws or something you can make it work but personally I wouldn't try it.

Ford stopped putting the mounting holes for this rack above the doors after the 04' model.

**Headofahessian** · 06-23-2008, 02:30 PM

Whats a good rack for the 05's?

**RUN_ZX3** · 06-23-2008, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Headofahessian

Whats a good rack for the 05's?

I would go thule or yakima. You can probably find a used set of load bars and/or bike carriers cheap on craigslist or ebay and just buy the "feet" and lock cores new from a shop.

If you check the manufacturer's website you can get a complete list of the necessary parts with part numbers for your vehicle.

**Headofahessian** · 06-24-2008, 02:16 AM

I just looked and mine does have mounting holes in the front.

04-11-2008, 10:09 AM	#1
The ArchAngel Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 3,868	Best SVT/ZX3 roof rack for bikes? Long story short, I've owned a Cannondale CAAD 8 road bike for about 2 years now, which I've been simply carrying inside the car by folding down the rear seat and taking the front wheel off since I purchased the bike. Well, between my fiancee purchasing a Cannondale this weekend and the fact that I am moving from Michigan to Pennsylvania for grad school this summer, carrying one bike inside the car is no longer practical and need to be able to transport both bikes on top of the car for trips back to Michigan 2-3 times per year. As such, I'm looking to purchase a roof rack that I can leave on the car for transporting both bikes. From what I understand, Yakima and Thule are great options, but I am curious to know if anyone has had any issues with either rack and how the installation of the racks works. Having never owned a bike rack, my primary concern is making sure I won't damage the roof of the car and understanding how the mounting towers install on a 3-door Focus. Also, do I need to be concerned with the fact that my bike and my fiancee's bike are very different sizes? My Cannondale is a 63cm frame and her Cannondale is a 54cm frame, so I am hoping that the mounting rails for the bikes are adjustable within that range. Also, would you recommend fork mounts or a different style? If anyone has pictures of either a Thule or Yakima rack on their ZX3/SVT that show how it's mounted, I'd appreciate seeing them. All recommendations/comments on this topic are appreciated. Thanks! __________________ '03 SVTF Euro #446/1037 '93 Honda ST1100

04-11-2008, 10:16 AM	#3
HuTcH TEAM Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 390	Re: Best SVT/ZX3 roof rack for bikes? imho noone touches Yakima.... just by their build quality and they are a US company Thule is not based in US and some of their racks just look poorly manufactured... I havent used either on my focus but I have used Yak elsewhere with no issues... I've seen it as far as someone backing into an awning and bend a seat tube on the bike and did little damage to the yak rack to point out their strength

04-11-2008, 10:24 AM	#4
yogibear TEAM Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Michigan Posts: 523	Re: Best SVT/ZX3 roof rack for bikes? Yakima. Had one on my sedan, never left a mark. Sold it to my buddy with a zx3 and all he had to do was buy the stretch kit, and it works perfectly. Very heavy duty, and very easy to use, after the first initial setup, no tools required and I could mount or remove it from my car in less than 5 minutes. Go to the yakima website and go to the "fit your car" part, and then you can see all the different styles of bike carriers. I strongly recommend a fork mount, unless your bike if full carbon and super light, then I would get a mount that keep the front wheel installed. __________________ 2002 Mach Audio

04-11-2008, 11:19 AM	#5
The ArchAngel Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 3,868	Re: Best SVT/ZX3 roof rack for bikes? Yeah, my bike is fairly light and so is hers. It's a Cannondale CAAD 8, so it's weighing in somewhere between 17 and 19 lbs fully assembled. So you would recommend a fork mount? I'd much rather throw the front wheel in the car rather than the whole bike. __________________ '03 SVTF Euro #446/1037 '93 Honda ST1100

04-11-2008, 11:54 AM	#6
HuTcH TEAM Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 390	Re: Best SVT/ZX3 roof rack for bikes? I would recommend the fork mount and a wheel fork mount and you can put it all on the roof as for the upright racks which you just put them up there I do not recommend them unless you have no quick release skewer on the front... which yours probably does i would imagine.

04-11-2008, 05:04 PM	#7
ZX3autoxtasy Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: atlanta Posts: 4,515	Re: Best SVT/ZX3 roof rack for bikes? I have the OEM Thule Ford Roof Rack. Perfect fitment. The tray I use are the Rocky Mount Noose's. They hold the bike like banshee to that thing. Plus, with lock cylinders, that bikes never gonna get stolen off the roof. The rack is expensive, but I got the trays for $80 apiece and there golden. __________________ 2008 Specialized Tarmac:: 0.0mpg with more carbon than your Focus. Pure. Power. 2007 Ridley Crossbow: Beware. It terrorizes the unpaved and singletrack running trails that your loved ones frequent. 2004 Pitch Black 5spd 2.0L(Z) ZX3: Eibach Pro-Kit Springs, Eibach Pro-Kit Dampers, Brembo Rotors, Hawk HPS Pads, H&R 24mm Rear Swaybar, P-51 Shims, Focus-Sport Cool-Flo, Focus-Sport front & rear stress bar, MBRP Cat-Back, [Track] 15'' Steelies with 205/50/15 Falken Azeni RT-615's,[Street]UK ST200 Mondeo Wheels w/ Toyo Proxes 4 215/45/17's, Quantum Audio 12''/Quantum 800w Amp, Custom Ported Box, SVT Lip, and tons of other stuff...

04-14-2008, 12:10 PM	#9
the_fog Rookie Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 48	Re: Best SVT/ZX3 roof rack for bikes? Here is a simple alternative. It will fit your SVT like it was made for it. Oh! It was made for the ZX3/5 hatchbacks! This rack was on the Focus Kona Edition. Ford Roof Rack: YS4Z 6155100 AA The same rack is available via BAT ($209.00). http://www.batinc.net/ It will fit your car ... which has existing mounting holes. Two over each door, two in back. The two in back are painted over and contain body filler. Neither photo below is my car. I put a roof rack on my SVT. I put a hitch rack on my SVT. Recommend the hitch rack approach for transporting bikes. __________________ 2002 Focus SVT Pitch Black

04-14-2008, 12:29 PM	#10
The ArchAngel Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 3,868	Re: Best SVT/ZX3 roof rack for bikes? Forgive me if this is a stupid question, but do all roof racks require some kind of drilling or use of mounting holes? I would really like to avoid doing anything I can't undo on the car. __________________ '03 SVTF Euro #446/1037 '93 Honda ST1100

04-14-2008, 12:37 PM	#13
02_smurf Moderator Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: With the wemenz: Em or mom Posts: 12,371	Re: Best SVT/ZX3 roof rack for bikes? I can't make any recommendations for racks, but as someone else said the rocky mounts are the shiznit! I don't have a good close up shot of my rocky mounts, but I love them. You can even get random colours and designs, like my urban camo. __________________ "I couldn't even get on it, I stabbed myself in the vagina!" -Name withheld to protect the drunkeded

04-14-2008, 12:52 PM	#14
secondechomatt Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: New Boston, MI. Posts: 4,180	Re: Best SVT/ZX3 roof rack for bikes? Mike, the OEM rack, to me has the best fit of the racks. Also, a major benefit is that you don't have to drill holes into the body. __________________ a jetter with a case of the "usta's" "The existence of flamethrowers is proof that someone, somewhere, said to himself, "I want to set those people over there on fire, but I don't feel like walking over there to do it." There's no right way to eat a Rhesus.

04-14-2008, 01:16 PM	#15
the_fog Rookie Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 48	Re: Best SVT/ZX3 roof rack for bikes? Anyone used the BatInc roof rack? Roof Rack for 3 Door SVT (Ham radio stuff too) Kona Edition Kona Edition Literature Where are the rack mounting points? __________________ 2002 Focus SVT Pitch Black

04-14-2008, 01:49 PM	#16
ZX3autoxtasy Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: atlanta Posts: 4,515	Re: Best SVT/ZX3 roof rack for bikes? There are two under the weatherstripping on each front door, and two holes in the back (they are covered in paint and bodyfiller and need to be "chiseld" out with a small screwdriver/punch. Installations pretty easy. Me and my friend did mine in the dark in about 30minutes. __________________ 2008 Specialized Tarmac:: 0.0mpg with more carbon than your Focus. Pure. Power. 2007 Ridley Crossbow: Beware. It terrorizes the unpaved and singletrack running trails that your loved ones frequent. 2004 Pitch Black 5spd 2.0L(Z) ZX3: Eibach Pro-Kit Springs, Eibach Pro-Kit Dampers, Brembo Rotors, Hawk HPS Pads, H&R 24mm Rear Swaybar, P-51 Shims, Focus-Sport Cool-Flo, Focus-Sport front & rear stress bar, MBRP Cat-Back, [Track] 15'' Steelies with 205/50/15 Falken Azeni RT-615's,[Street]UK ST200 Mondeo Wheels w/ Toyo Proxes 4 215/45/17's, Quantum Audio 12''/Quantum 800w Amp, Custom Ported Box, SVT Lip, and tons of other stuff...

06-23-2008, 05:25 AM	#17
Headofahessian Rookie Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Richland WA Posts: 33	Re: Best SVT/ZX3 roof rack for bikes? Will the BAT rack fit on the 05 foci aswell or is it just the earlier models? The rack is the BAT ($209.00). http://www.batinc.net/ __________________ 2005 Silver Focus ZX3 Simple Bicycles

06-23-2008, 10:01 AM	#18
o2_designs Resident Wheel-Whore Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Rochester MN Posts: 9,263	Re: Best SVT/ZX3 roof rack for bikes? Roof line on the 05 is the same. They will work.. __________________ *~~Boost Crew supports single mothers~~* *_/ ResidentWheel-Whore\_* 'Bone Stock'2002 TwilightBlue ZX3-Neglect has led to a nasty whine from under tha rusty hood. (CHROMED) STS Prep'd 2001 Pitch Black 5spd Wagon-(666-STFU) "Your mom has an SVT bumper..."-Pappy, 2008 --No longer allowed access to FJ 'For Sale' Forums. Has a uncontrollable urge to buy stuff I don't need--

06-23-2008, 02:30 PM	#20
Headofahessian Rookie Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Richland WA Posts: 33	Re: Best SVT/ZX3 roof rack for bikes? Whats a good rack for the 05's? __________________ 2005 Silver Focus ZX3 Simple Bicycles

06-24-2008, 02:16 AM	#22
Headofahessian Rookie Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Richland WA Posts: 33	Re: Best SVT/ZX3 roof rack for bikes? I just looked and mine does have mounting holes in the front. __________________ 2005 Silver Focus ZX3 Simple Bicycles

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