I used roof racks for years, but now have a hitch rack. I had the roof racks that removed the front wheels and the type that require no tire removal, if you have a tall vehicle they can be a pain in the ass and I’m 6’1”, it got to the point that I would bring a two step ladder. You’ll have to remind yourself that the bikes are on your roof when stopping at a Starbucks or when pulling into your garage, I screwed a hook into the bottom of my garage door and hung a sign from it so when I got home and opened the garage my bright orange sign reminded me to remove my bikes. Another thing at least with mtn bikes if it’s been raining and the trails are muddy, that mud along with your chain/cassette lubricants will run down the side of your vehicle.
The hitch type are much easier, the only negatives I have with them is with the price of today’s bikes it could easily cost $10k to replace them, and the other is once the bikes are loaded the tires can block your brake lights and blinkers. l’ve never used the hitch type that holds the bikes vertically by the front tire but they carry more bikes and seem to not block the tail lights as much.
The hitch type are much easier, the only negatives I have with them is with the price of today’s bikes it could easily cost $10k to replace them, and the other is once the bikes are loaded the tires can block your brake lights and blinkers. l’ve never used the hitch type that holds the bikes vertically by the front tire but they carry more bikes and seem to not block the tail lights as much.
