855 bike rack ideas please.
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rguzz
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I have the factory roof racks that go across the car, and would like to transport 2 bikes, on the back, or on top, or otherwise. Any way that works, basically. No hitch on the car. Open to suggestions? Thanks.
- BlackBart
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Look up Yakima racks. They'll have ways to attach to the bars if they're sturdy enough. Also Thule racks.
ex-1984 245T wagon
1994 850T5 wagon
2004 XC70 wagon BlackBetty
1994 850T5 wagon
2004 XC70 wagon BlackBetty
- Chuck W
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I have a set of the Volvo/Thule mounts that attach to the factory roof rack rails, and allow the square (Thule) load bars to be used to attach bike mounts, etc. One is missing the locking cover, but you could probably hunt one of those down if you wanted. Still can use them to mount stuff to the car. (No lock cores included)




'97 855 GLT - Hers. RN swap/16T/COP/VVT/exhaust/302s/Flashed M4.4/ chassis bracing/ 2 kid seats
'78 GLE - Waiting in the wings. Future whiteblock/T5 swap.
'97 854 T5 - Manual Swap/M4.4/COP/NA cams/P2R Brakes/16T/ chassis bracing/ XC70 nose swap - SOLD/GONE
The Others- '83 TBird turbo, '85 Mercury Marquis LTS (1 of 134), '86 LTD Wagon, '81 Granada GL, '76 Beetle, '87 F-150 5.0
'78 GLE - Waiting in the wings. Future whiteblock/T5 swap.
'97 854 T5 - Manual Swap/M4.4/COP/NA cams/P2R Brakes/16T/ chassis bracing/ XC70 nose swap - SOLD/GONE
The Others- '83 TBird turbo, '85 Mercury Marquis LTS (1 of 134), '86 LTD Wagon, '81 Granada GL, '76 Beetle, '87 F-150 5.0
- abscate
- MVS Moderator
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Get Yakima and Thule stuff on eBay for about 1/3 of new. New stuff Is gold plated, apparently
Empty Nester
A Captain in a Sea of Estrogen
1999-V70-T5M56 2005-V70-M56 1999-S70 VW T4 XC90-in-Red
Link to Maintenance record thread
A Captain in a Sea of Estrogen
1999-V70-T5M56 2005-V70-M56 1999-S70 VW T4 XC90-in-Red
Link to Maintenance record thread
- Chuck W
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Or is the OP stating that he has the same brackets (with bars) that I posted above?
If so, the bars are probably square, so keep that in mind. The base Thule stuff is square. The base Yakima stuff is round. I know at some point both manfs started to make their racks, etc useable on either round or square crossbars, but keep that in mind when buying parts.
If so, the bars are probably square, so keep that in mind. The base Thule stuff is square. The base Yakima stuff is round. I know at some point both manfs started to make their racks, etc useable on either round or square crossbars, but keep that in mind when buying parts.
'97 855 GLT - Hers. RN swap/16T/COP/VVT/exhaust/302s/Flashed M4.4/ chassis bracing/ 2 kid seats
'78 GLE - Waiting in the wings. Future whiteblock/T5 swap.
'97 854 T5 - Manual Swap/M4.4/COP/NA cams/P2R Brakes/16T/ chassis bracing/ XC70 nose swap - SOLD/GONE
The Others- '83 TBird turbo, '85 Mercury Marquis LTS (1 of 134), '86 LTD Wagon, '81 Granada GL, '76 Beetle, '87 F-150 5.0
'78 GLE - Waiting in the wings. Future whiteblock/T5 swap.
'97 854 T5 - Manual Swap/M4.4/COP/NA cams/P2R Brakes/16T/ chassis bracing/ XC70 nose swap - SOLD/GONE
The Others- '83 TBird turbo, '85 Mercury Marquis LTS (1 of 134), '86 LTD Wagon, '81 Granada GL, '76 Beetle, '87 F-150 5.0
- Chuck W
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I've been a roof-top guy for a while, so that's my preferred.
As long as the bikes aren't super heavy, the roof stuff works fine.

The bike mounts on my T5 are Yakima, while the towers, bars and front wheel mounts are Thule. They have provisions to mount to round or square cross bars.
If you have the need/desire to pull a trailer, then adding the hitch-mount rack is an option, but I personally wouldn't do a rear mount unless I had to. Rear mounts also can block brake lights, etc.
As long as the bikes aren't super heavy, the roof stuff works fine.

The bike mounts on my T5 are Yakima, while the towers, bars and front wheel mounts are Thule. They have provisions to mount to round or square cross bars.
If you have the need/desire to pull a trailer, then adding the hitch-mount rack is an option, but I personally wouldn't do a rear mount unless I had to. Rear mounts also can block brake lights, etc.
'97 855 GLT - Hers. RN swap/16T/COP/VVT/exhaust/302s/Flashed M4.4/ chassis bracing/ 2 kid seats
'78 GLE - Waiting in the wings. Future whiteblock/T5 swap.
'97 854 T5 - Manual Swap/M4.4/COP/NA cams/P2R Brakes/16T/ chassis bracing/ XC70 nose swap - SOLD/GONE
The Others- '83 TBird turbo, '85 Mercury Marquis LTS (1 of 134), '86 LTD Wagon, '81 Granada GL, '76 Beetle, '87 F-150 5.0
'78 GLE - Waiting in the wings. Future whiteblock/T5 swap.
'97 854 T5 - Manual Swap/M4.4/COP/NA cams/P2R Brakes/16T/ chassis bracing/ XC70 nose swap - SOLD/GONE
The Others- '83 TBird turbo, '85 Mercury Marquis LTS (1 of 134), '86 LTD Wagon, '81 Granada GL, '76 Beetle, '87 F-150 5.0
- abscate
- MVS Moderator
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Chuck - if OP doesnt want, whats is your ask on those? Im missing a cover and they are NLA - and I could use them on either of three cars now.Chuck W wrote: 11 Apr 2021, 20:51 I have a set of the Volvo/Thule mounts that attach to the factory roof rack rails, and allow the square (Thule) load bars to be used to attach bike mounts, etc. One is missing the locking cover, but you could probably hunt one of those down if you wanted. Still can use them to mount stuff to the car. (No lock cores included)
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Empty Nester
A Captain in a Sea of Estrogen
1999-V70-T5M56 2005-V70-M56 1999-S70 VW T4 XC90-in-Red
Link to Maintenance record thread
A Captain in a Sea of Estrogen
1999-V70-T5M56 2005-V70-M56 1999-S70 VW T4 XC90-in-Red
Link to Maintenance record thread
- Chuck W
- Posts: 1325
- Joined: 24 Dec 2014, 10:45
- Year and Model: 97 854 T5
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- Has thanked: 97 times
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Thanks!
(It's also actually an 850
$25 plus the ride. (None of our cars have the factory rails, but I have 2 full sets of the Thule 850 towers.)abscate wrote: 12 Apr 2021, 08:29 Chuck - if OP doesnt want, whats is your ask on those? Im missing a cover and they are NLA - and I could use them on either of three cars now.
'97 855 GLT - Hers. RN swap/16T/COP/VVT/exhaust/302s/Flashed M4.4/ chassis bracing/ 2 kid seats
'78 GLE - Waiting in the wings. Future whiteblock/T5 swap.
'97 854 T5 - Manual Swap/M4.4/COP/NA cams/P2R Brakes/16T/ chassis bracing/ XC70 nose swap - SOLD/GONE
The Others- '83 TBird turbo, '85 Mercury Marquis LTS (1 of 134), '86 LTD Wagon, '81 Granada GL, '76 Beetle, '87 F-150 5.0
'78 GLE - Waiting in the wings. Future whiteblock/T5 swap.
'97 854 T5 - Manual Swap/M4.4/COP/NA cams/P2R Brakes/16T/ chassis bracing/ XC70 nose swap - SOLD/GONE
The Others- '83 TBird turbo, '85 Mercury Marquis LTS (1 of 134), '86 LTD Wagon, '81 Granada GL, '76 Beetle, '87 F-150 5.0
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