How to Make a $22 Bicycle Roof Rack Attachment

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make a $22 bicycle roof rack attachment

How to Make a $22 Bicycle Roof Rack Attachment

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Step 1 of 12
Here's the kind of fork mount you need. Note the two holes below the axle - VERY IMPORTANT.

Here's the kind of fork mount you need. Note the two holes below the axle - VERY IMPORTANT.

Step 2 of 12
Get a couple hose clamps that are bigger than the circumference of your roof rack cross bars. Get stainless steel if you can find 'em.

Get a couple hose clamps that are bigger than the circumference of your roof rack cross bars. Get stainless steel if you can find 'em.

Step 3 of 12
Dig through your old parts or ask your bike shop for an old innertube. Cut out the valve stem.

Dig through your old parts or ask your bike shop for an old innertube. Cut out the valve stem.

Step 4 of 12
Take all the supplies to one of the cross bars on your roof rack. I'm doing the front bar on my Xterra.

Take all the supplies to one of the cross bars on your roof rack. I'm doing the front bar on my Xterra.

Step 5 of 12
Choose where you want to place the fork mount. If your cross bars are bowed - place the mount in the middle so your bike won't lean to the side. Get your tube and start wrapping the cross bar.

Choose where you want to place the fork mount. If your cross bars are bowed - place the mount in the middle so your bike won't lean to the side. Get your tube and start wrapping the cross bar.

Step 6 of 12
Wrap your cross bar without overlapping the edges of the innertube so that it's wrapped as wide as your mount and forms a nice flat cushioney surface.

Wrap your cross bar without overlapping the edges of the innertube so that it's wrapped as wide as your mount and forms a nice flat cushioney surface.

Step 7 of 12
Put one hose clamp around your cross bar and through one of the holes in your mount.

Put one hose clamp around your cross bar and through one of the holes in your mount.

Step 8 of 12
Tighten that junk up! (not too tight yet)

Tighten that junk up! (not too tight yet)

Step 9 of 12
Mine looks like-a-so.

Mine looks like-a-so.

Step 10 of 12
Attach the second hose clamp. Stress out 'cause you're a perfectionist and the clamps aren't identically positioned. Tighten everything up now. But don't gorilla-tighten and cut through the tube.

Attach the second hose clamp. Stress out 'cause you're a perfectionist and the clamps aren't identically positioned. Tighten everything up now. But don't gorilla-tighten and cut through the tube.

Step 11 of 12
Go ahead and stick your bike on there! Does the rear wheel hit the roof? Move your second cross bar accordingly. You can see my handy green bungee cord keeping the rear wheel in place.

Go ahead and stick your bike on there! Does the rear wheel hit the roof? Move your second cross bar accordingly. You can see my handy green bungee cord keeping the rear wheel in place.

Step 12 of 12
Rad! You're now ready to hit the muddy trails and come back with your bike on the OUTSIDE of your car. Pro-Tip: Spin your cranks. If they'll hit your roof, use another bungee to keep them from moving.

Rad! You're now ready to hit the muddy trails and come back with your bike on the OUTSIDE of your car. Pro-Tip: Spin your cranks. If they'll hit your roof, use another bungee to keep them from moving.

Start Over

10 Comments
Supplies

1 Fork mount - $20

2 Hose clamps - $1

1 Innertube

1 Bungee

Jon Carver

Good idea. But where do you buy the fork mount?

Jon Carver last month

Holly James

This is great! I've been looking for a roof rack in Toronto but none of them have quite fit and they are all so expensive. I'm really excited to make myself one! Thanks! http://www.hitchcity.com/BikeCargo-BaseRacks.html

Holly James 2 months ago

Shyam Patel

Thanks! I just mounted a fork clamp on a wood board and put my bike into the xterra. It seems a bit easier than lifting the bike up on to the roof.

Shyam Patel 5 months ago

Eric Guerin

Can't wait to try this! @Shyam - many bikers bring a folding stool to provide a step up and ease the acrobatics...

Eric Guerin 5 months ago

Spike Bachman

Hey @Shyam - It requires some strength and acrobatics, but really, I don't think it's much harder than pushing it into the back.

(author) 5 months ago

Shyam Patel

How hard is it to get your bike on top of the xterra and tighten the clamp?

Shyam Patel 6 months ago

Carlos Eduardo Costa

Muiiito bom!

Carlos Eduardo Costa 10 months ago

Spike Bachman

I bet you could get 4 on the roof! Two facing forward, two facing the rear. (But what a pain putting them all up there would be!)

(author) 10 months ago

Michele Willis

Wow, that's a great idea. Now I can haul four bikes, two on the back rack and two on the roof. Thanks!

Michele Willis 10 months ago

Brittan Gullickson

Good idea

Brittan Gullickson 10 months ago

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