[quote="pitrack_1"]Hi Chris (Zippy) and Mazzda,
long-time bike carrier myself- but of Chris' type (i.e. inside the car) for the same reasons (security, protection from the elements, etc). If I take the front wheel off I find I can fit my hardtail in a Mazda3 BK sedan with only one seat back down, boxes of stuff around it help carry stuff and stabilise the bike. I use a tarp to protect the interior carpet/seat back.[/quote]
I used my F numerious of times as bike carrier/shelter.But just imagine that my kind of riding demands another 15-20kg luggage(gear,protectors,helmet(s),instruments. etc..)So count it by 4..
And the math says 1 car for the bikes(disasembled) and gear and stuff + another one for us riders..
I ride in really muddy condition at this tyme of the year, that stress, carrying them on the roof is almoust the same as the riding conditions trought exploatation.I ride Downhill and the bike sees heavy load and stress..
[quote="pitrack_1"] There are even towbar carriers that do the same however I reckon the towbar download is excessive, you have stuff protruding beyond the rear lights and rear view obstruction. [/quote]
I made my custom bike carrier for the back of the car.It's so strong that i can make push ups on it without any problems.The problem is that now i have Remus and it doesn't leave any space for the "legs" of the carrier to fit inside the tow hooks(i made the carrier to fit the tow hooks down).
[img]http://i.imgur.com/3OueEOD.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/l7Eop5m.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/h4i2ej6.jpg[/img]
Here is a picture of it's Max load: (aprox. 80kg.)
[img]http://i.imgur.com/aM45xeW.jpg[/img]
I don't even wan't to start talking about suspension stress at the rear..
Not to mention that that way you can access the boot from the rear seats only.
Trought the wheels you can see the lights if you are right beside the car, but little at right or left and they are covered by rims and tyres.
[quote="pitrack_1"]
But the main thing telling against roof carriers for me is...low undercover carparks, especially shopping centres. I've heard horror stories of people forgetting their bikes are on top and driving into the undercover carpark, causing extensive (if not terminal) bike, bike carrier and even car damage. OUCH!
[/quote]
You're right, but that isn't the case with the upside-down bike position as the front wheel can spin freely and the suspension fork can do it's travel if you hit the ceiling or something hanging of the ceiling the wheel and fork could react and can reduce any damage to 0(that is if you're not going with speed above 5-10km/h) Talking about underground parking spaces.
If you hit hard enough something could happen but it has to be direct hit infront of the wheel..
Another way to avoid such a horror is to take down the front wheel of the bike.Assuring lower height of the car.
And the last thing to say, i don't go with my bike at the mall to shop.. i go at the mountain to ride..
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... is about all I can say to that 
