Roof rack mount for bike with low rider rack on front wheel

[noshbygosh1]

A few months ago, I treated myself to a new touring bike and outfitted it with a Tubus low rider front rack.  There have been a few occasions where I  needed to transport the bike in my car, and I cannot figure out how to do so using its roof rack.  Can someone recommend a rack mount that would work with this bike?  I contacted Rocky Mounts earlier today to see if they had anything since I currently have the roof rack outfitted with their fork mounts, but they said none of their products work unless I remove the front rack from the bike.

Thanks in advance for any helpful guidance.

[John Nelson]

I see two options: (1) remove the rack every time you put the bike on your roof (how often is that?), or (2) get a roof rack that accepts a bike with both wheels on. If there are other options, I don’t know of them.

[DarrenBnYYC]

Tricky problem, as most roof mount racks have a stabilizer arm to secure the front or rear tire to keep the bike upright, and you can't swing those over the tire with a rack mounted.

I have seen a few roof racks that have a stabilizer arm that attaches to the down tube to keep the bike upright.

I haven't used this particular rack, so I am not endorsing it, but this is an example of what I mean: https://www.swagman.net/product/upright-roof-rack/.

[danny dea]

Yakima at one time made a fork mount that was raised about 6 inches.  It would work for bikes with front racks or fenders.  Not sure if it is still available, but you may find one at a used rack store such as ReRack in Portland, Or.  I have one that works well with blackburn and surly low rider racks.

[DaveB]

Would an elevated fork mount designed for disc brakes clear a rack?

[noshbygosh1]

Thanks all for suggestions. 

I see that Yakima also makes a mount for a roof rack that connects to the downtube but I am concerned that this may not be stable enough.  Does anyone know anything about either this manufacturer's model or that for Swagman?

I will also explore further the possibility of an elevated fork mount.  Very interesting suggestion.

[DaveB]

Pretty much anything Yakima makes is reliable and well designed so the downtube clamp should be more than sufficiently stable.

[KF8MO]

Thanks all for suggestions. 

I see that Yakima also makes a mount for a roof rack that connects to the downtube but I am concerned that this may not be stable enough.  Does anyone know anything about either this manufacturer's model or that for Swagman?

I will also explore further the possibility of an elevated fork mount.  Very interesting suggestion.

I've used that downtube-clamping Yakima for years, on my camper. Never had any problem with it, even on really bad roads.

[canalligators]

There's actually another option, but it takes some tinkering.  I modified the front fender on our tandem so that it can be rotated up and out of the way.  Release a quick release at the fork, rock the fender up/forward and lock it there.  That lets me use a standard fork mount.  I had to cut a slot in the fender, reinforced it with a slotted rack mount strap, and made the bolts at the fork dropout just a little loose.  The quick release was made from a seatpost QR.  Photos here: https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=1mr&page_id=320062&v=3k