Benefits of front wheel off bike racks?

Hi,

Is there any benefit to front wheel off roof mounted bike carriers?

Possibly a little better MPG?

Bit more faff having to fit an axle adapter?

More secure?

Thanks

It used to be the case that they could damage fork dropouts (they’re not intended to take that sort of twisting load). But I guess that should be less of an issue with bolt through forks (and it was mostly an issue for bonded carbon forks like Pace, exotic, On-One etc).

More of an issue would be the need for QR, 15mm, 20mm, boost, 12mm adapters.

Is there any benefit to front wheel off roof mounted bike carriers?

The ability to upgrade your front wheel when you inevitably forget it?

A bit more aero and secure than upright with wheels on I guess. I can see the forces are higher on the fork ends but never heard of any damage.

My experience is good. I use a pair of Thule Thruride 565s which don’t require adaptors to accommodate different axle sizes or widths – between my MTB, CX bike and road bike I have 20mm, 15mm and 12mm thru axles. There is also an adaptor that comes with them for a QR.

The bit I like is that the bikes are really stable on the rack and without a front wheel attached are (arguably) less attractive to the walk by thief. I say arguably because the only evidence I have is that I haven’t had a bike stolen from the roof.

The downside is having to place the wheel in the car. I have never failed to find room for a wheel and I have a couple of wheel bags for those post muddy ride situations. I am not sure there is any benefit in fuel economy over a wheels-on roof carrier.

I also have a Thule 561 wheel-out carrier which was a lot of a faff with different axle sizes but if you only have one axle size its as good as the 565 in terms of holding the bike firm.

For some reason, and I’ve had both styles, I just don’t trust the both wheels on type. They always seemed to move about too much and never gained my trust. Clamping by the forks always seems so much more solid.

I can’t think of any advantages at all. I’ve had the wheels on ones and they just work. Not sure why you’d bother taking the wheel off especially on a mountain bike where you have to deal with mud. I suppose some bikes may not suit the frame clamps or have tires that are too fat to fit in the channels.

I do think they look better though.

Don’t think there’s much in it in terms of fuel economy, like other posters I’ve always thought*

1. less attractive to thieves

2. Bit more secure

*I’ve no evidence for either of these two things, mind

I have one for sale in the classifieds. Am I allowed to say that?