Bikes on top of shell

Anyone have experience mounting bikes on top of their shells. Will probably be getting a roof rack on top of my midrise to put two bikes up there, wondering how cross winds, drag, etc. is with it.

 

I use a hitch mount. A buddy saw a loss of 3mpg on his Subaru wagon.

 

Pick your rack of choice, pick your bike holder or choice, go ride? I've got Yakima tracks, round bars and a Viper on mine. Tons of options out there. Of course you're going to get some wind noise and may lose a little mileage but most folks don't leave the bike(s) on there full-time. A hitch hauler is easier to load and a little quieter but it gets in the way of accessing the back unless you get the kind that swings out of the way.

 

I had various Yakima racks for years. A few still in my garage. I've carried bikes on top, on rear and front. All have their pros and cons. On top - For some, harder to get bikes up there. When it rains everything drips on roof, grease oils, and dirt. And I've seen results of forgetting bikes were up there and pulling into a garage. Yuck! My favorite place for bikes is on the rear, on my Yakima Stickup rack. It blocks access to bed but all the above problems don't exist.

 

have to agree with this, alright got the round bars up so might get the bikes on there

 

didn't even think about it dripping the oils thats actually true damn

 

I'm trying to remember having oil or grease drip on my shell- lots of water and mud but I can't really recall more than a drop or two of oil. Even when I spray off my bike on location I just can't really think of oil being an issue. I usually use Pedro's dry lube since it doesn't pick up as much sand and it seems to work well enough everywhere else but if it's been raining I'll use Pedro's Enduro lube. Typically I'll clean my bike more thoroughly at home after a ride then lube it before I put it away so maybe that has something to do with it.

 

Carried 2 bikes and a canoe on Yakima racks on the shell. No problem. Just remember they are up there and what your clearance is.