I'm in the midst of deciding whether or not to purchase my new MCS with a sunroof. I am an avid mountain biker and will definitely get a roof-mounted bike rack, most likely the one Mini offers. It will stay on my roof probably 90% of the time. I'd like anyones thoughts on having a roofrack and sunroof. Will the roofrack negate the pleasures of having a sunroof? I know there will be some obvious interference by the rack...anyone else have this combination?

Thanks

 

I have the factory rack and sunroof, and it is very easy to enjoy both at the same time.

One side note: at first I was annoyed by a whistle from the rack at speed, but found that this sound was almost completely eliminated by removing the black rubber strip that goes across the top of the bars.

 

Thank you thank you. Your comment is very helpful!! I know this stuff is just the frosting on the cake...but it will add to the overall enjoyment of the ride.

Your response will help with my decision to whether or not to add an extra $850 or so for my sunroof.

 

I just recently added a Yakima system to my sunroof laden MC. So far so good! The sunroof opens all the way. It *barely* touches the rear load bar enroute. Nothing hard enough to leave marks of any kind.
I live in MN and wanted the option to take the rack off in the winter (belive it or not, my skis do fit inside!), so that's why I went with the Yakima - plus, I got most of the parts from friends.

 

>>I just recently added a Yakima system to my sunroof laden MC. So far so good! The sunroof opens all the way. It *barely* touches the rear load bar enroute. Nothing hard enough to leave marks of any kind.
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Ditto

 

:smile: No issues at all and we have the rack on 99% of the time... :smile:

Chow!

Donna

 

I have a sunroof and Yakima racks. everything works great :smile:

 

Where do you guys with the Yakima position your rear bar? Do you have any attachments on it? I can't even crack my roof with the bar in place and my bike rack installed.

 

XAlfa, are you sure you have the right measurements? I have the Yakima setup, and my sunroof doesn't even touch when it opens.

Search the site for the measurements, I posted them on here a while ago

 

Thanks, I'll check. I thought I had the right measurements, but maybe I placed the rear bar a bit too far back.

 

Only hazard I have heard about with the rack bars in place and the roof open while parked is birds perching on the rack and relieving themselves all over the interior.

 

>>XAlfa, are you sure you have the right measurements? I have the Yakima setup, and my sunroof doesn't even touch when it opens.
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>>Search the site for the measurements, I posted them on here a while ago

Mine just barely touches.

 

Ah... I think I see... the sunroof clears the rear cross bar, but I have to move any attachments all the way to the outside - just inside the towers - because the bolts and plastic wing nut thangs hang a bit lower than the bar. Does that sound right to you guys?

 

XAlfa: that's exactly the way my rack is set-up. (bike trays all the way to the outside)

 

^^ Sorry, I meant to mention that, but forgot.

Yes, watch out for birds perching on you crossbars and taking a dump on your sunroof!!

 

I've also noticed an increase in dead bugs in the interior when the roof rack is on in the summer.

 

>>Ah... I think I see... the sunroof clears the rear cross bar, but I have to move any attachments all the way to the outside - just inside the towers - because the bolts and plastic wing nut thangs hang a bit lower than the bar. Does that sound right to you guys?

Bingo!

 

The rear crossbar on mine is near the back of the front window. I have bike rack attachments on. You have to position bike rack attachment towards the outeredge of the racks so that the sunroof will clear the wingnut on the botton of the attachment.

 

Here are some pics of the Yakima setup with the sunroof open.






Here's a shot of my bike, and the Desert Classic Trail, in South Mountain Park. Phoenix, AZ.

 

Hey all - thanks for all of your input - it pushed me over the edge - I ordered my electric blue/black top this past friday; with sunroof and OEM roofrack; looking at mid-July purchase date. Quite excited I must say...

I especially thank Sambusik who posted pictures with the roofrack and sunroof open - that is very helpful.

(PS- I too ride a black Ellsworth, but only a Truth)

Cheers!

 

>>Here are some pics of the Yakima setup with the sunroof open.
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>>Here's a shot of my bike, and the Desert Classic Trail, in South Mountain Park. Phoenix, AZ.
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Is the id heavy?
Where do you put the front wheel when you travel?

 

I put the front wheel in the boot. I've been meaning to get a pair of fork mounts for the rack; there's plenty of room for them on there.

The 17 inch (medium) Id frame is 6.5lbs. I have it built up to 29lbs. The Sun Rhyno Lites that are on there are pretty heavy. I'm switching to some nice tubless Mavics soon, that should bring it down even more.

It's a 6 inch rear travel bike, but the Romic coil shock is great, this bike doesn't bob much. I had to get the proper spring for my weight - went with the 600lb spring.

It's a great all-mountain bike, I love it!!

 

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>>(PS- I too ride a black Ellsworth, but only a Truth)
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>>Cheers!

That's ok, i was too fat for the Truth!

 

what kind of cushioning actually touches the car.. I've been thinking abtou getting on but it woudl have to stay on a lot becuase I have to garage. I was worrieed about rubbing the paint down. what kind of protection is offered.

 

If you haven't ridden in one with the combo, see if you can. A friend has an MC that always has the rack on, and I find the noise with the sunroof open highly objectionable - it is more quiet without the rubber trims strips, though.