by "CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist)" (ccpbb)
Published 12/06/2017 at 07:54
by "CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist)" (ccpbb)
Published 12/06/2017 at 07:54
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STARS: 2
Oppo what is your thoughts on the aesthetic of the loaded (whether it be bike, cargo carrier, ski, or anything) roof racks? I’ve seen quite a few tuner-ish with roof racks that have questionably useful payloads...but personally they make some cars look really nice. It feels like Castro wearing Rolexes, rooted in the ideal they are an instrument of precision (esp in pre-quartz eras).
"functionoverfashion" (functionoverfashion)
12/06/2017 at 10:08, STARS: 1
I’ve always been a fan. But then, I’ve always like small-ish cars and yet I like to ski and mountain bike, so a roof rack is a requirement for me.
How about the little-known farm tool carrying ability of a standard Thule ski carrier?
Your garden-variety pitchfork carrier:
Bike:
Old car:
And, old-old-car, in college. Fewer stickers, same roof box haha
"BaconSandwich is tasty." (baconsandwich)
12/06/2017 at 10:26, STARS: 1
I really don’t mind them. I’ve been wanting to make my own out of aluminum, and style it after part of a World War II bomber. Some day...
"TheTurbochargedSquirrel" (thatsquirrel)
12/06/2017 at 10:47, STARS: 0
I personally think they look rather goofy on a sedan. I like them when they don’t hang over the ends of the roof.
"DipodomysDeserti" (dipodomysdeserti)
12/06/2017 at 10:51, STARS: 0
Big fan of roof racks. I do a lot of traveling in small cars with my family so they’re a bit of a necessity. I have bars and a fairing on my X1 and rhey definitely improve the look of the car.
"winterlegacy, here 'till the end" (winterlegacy)
12/06/2017 at 10:58, STARS: 1
Roof racks and roof gear in general looks excellent on a wagon. It’s like you’re adding an extra layer of practicality to an already practical vehicle.
"BeaterGT" (beatergt)
12/06/2017 at 11:01, STARS: 0
Aesthetics wise, I think it depends a lot on the car. Personally not a fan, I prefer a hitch which is even better if it can be “hidden”. I like to mountain bike and there is no way I want to lift my bike onto the top of my car after a tiring ride.
"thejustache" (thejustache)
12/06/2017 at 11:10, STARS: 0
I’m a big fan of roof racks, but less of a fan of those big plastic cargo carriers. My OBXT just has the factory roof bars, and at different times I’ve had a canoe, lumber, 2 surfboards and a sap tank for our sugar shack strapped on top. The thing there is that when I’m done carrying stuff it goes back to normal.
Of course that’s a wagon, which in my opinion almost always looks better with a roof rack. Some sedans look cool with roof bars (like old Saabs), and some cars look extra rugged with a roof basket/spare tire on top. The plastic cargo carriers to me almost never look good with one exception - the cars of that pro skier guy that always has crazy Audi/Lambos. I suppose if they actually have stuff in them more than twice a week I could make an exception, otherwise it just seems like something that throws off the center of gravity/adds drag/ruins fuel economy.
"thejustache" (thejustache)
12/06/2017 at 11:11, STARS: 0
That actually sounds pretty cool
"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
12/06/2017 at 11:30, STARS: 2
If empty, I think they are REALLY STUPID. I am 100% function >>>>> form so its cool if its there and being used. But just being there for “aesthetic” is plain dumb. I plan to put a roof rack on my STi but I dont think I would ever get a box because I would have no need for it. Just a standard ski rack that would go on in the winter and come off in the summer.
"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
12/06/2017 at 11:32, STARS: 0
Definitely looks sweet on a wagon! I like the dual setup of a box and the small ski rack. I wonder if I could achieve that on my STi.
"sony1492" (sony1492)
12/06/2017 at 11:38, STARS: 1
Having the roof racks with the wind deflectors solely to look,”active” really bugs me for some reason. Similar to rallyarmor mudflaps on a lowered car in an urban area.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
12/06/2017 at 12:10, STARS: 2
I think putting anything like that on your roof for aesthetics alone is stupid. Too many compromises for a “look”. I think some cars look nice with some roof jewelry, but to do it solely for looks is dumb.
"functionoverfashion" (functionoverfashion)
12/06/2017 at 12:33, STARS: 0
Thanks! I have always liked the box because it keeps skis out of the salt, etc and also secure from being stolen if that’s a concern where you are. I also keep a shovel up there, and use it all the time in my coaching job.
That’s where the other rack comes in, because jumping skis are sometimes 250+cm and won’t fit in ANY roof box. So... they go on the other side.
You could probably fit it, if you leave a little bar overhanging the roof clamps on that side. My bars aren’t centered, which would normally drive me crazy but it’s necessary.
"functionoverfashion" (functionoverfashion)
12/06/2017 at 12:35, STARS: 1
I can’t fathom putting a roof box on “for looks.” I can’t WAIT to get that POS off my roof every spring. It drags so much wind on the highway - not noisy, but I can feel the difference - and the stuff up there rattles around because I can’t be bothered to secure everything all the time... yeah.
"TheRealBicycleBuck" (therealbicyclebuck)
12/06/2017 at 13:38, STARS: 0
For aesthetics? No. But our box has proved very useful on all of our cars at one time or another. I consider it one of the best purchases I’ve made, especially considering that I bought the box used for $50.
The box has little impact on fuel economy, but it can add a considerable amount of noise. The noise comes in two forms: wind noise at speed and rattles when it is empty. With the amount of wind noise a streamlined box can generate, I would hesitate before putting a basket up there, especially if I weren’t using it for anything.
"wafflesnfalafel" (wafflesnfalafel1)
12/06/2017 at 15:45, STARS: 0
I do usually like the roof jewelry look - but gas mileage sucks, adds a bunch of wind noise, cuts down on top speed, etc...
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
12/06/2017 at 15:49, STARS: 1
hard to justify unless you need it.