Ebike on roof bars

I’m getting tired of covering the inside of my car in mud and bending my mud guard every time I go riding.

I have a kenevo sl in S4 with a 1285 wheelbase does anyone know of a roof bar fork mount rack that would fit and not cost the earth ?

Not keen on a tyre mount rack as that means removing the mud guard.

My mate uses these on his car with S3 KSLs

https://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4_tab.php/car-specific-accessories/yakima_silver_highspeed_8002129/Qx%40w%2C6M42VAwp3%40Rb%7B~cC4ure_LYOBEn.eaR

I have an S4 KSL and have a Yakima Frontloader. Been ok so far and loads cheaper than the Thule version.

And I have a Crud XL on the front… Don’t have to take it off to fit in the rack.

https://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4_tab.php/all-products/yakima_frontloader_8002104/Qx%40w%2C6M4PHS%2CZGenkQvENt~5Cm

I like the Yakima fork mount option but the info says my S4 will be too long. I was hoping that someone would have a real worl experience and say it’s possible.

The Yakima tyre mount rack looks like a good option may well go that way.

Thank you for your input

What would bother me is the weight of the ebike and getting it on the roof. I’m not tall, at 5’6”, with a full sus bike which weighs aroudn 15kg, some days I struggle to get it on, no idea how I’d get a 25kg bike on there. It’s not that I’m weak, I work in building, but lifting it above shoulder height while holding the downtube and fork is quite difficult.

Use a folding two rung step?

A KSL is 19-20kg. Just above the yakima weight limit for the Frontloader, but it’s still secure. Can just about hoik it up onto the roof of a mk2 Octavia VRS, but anything higher and I’d be using a step.

Not a chance I’d put a full fat bike up there, even if I could lift it.

The weight is part of the reason I like the fork mount option opposed to the tyre mount option as loosing the front wheel brings the weight within the rack limits and makes it easier to lift.

I’m 6 foot and it’s going on a Volvo V50 which is surprisingly low roof height, I’m used to putting my geometron on the roof which isn’t much lighter.

I have found the Pendle racks that will accommodate the length but they are pricey

Yakima front loader on Yakima bars. Yes it’s over weight, but I add a couple of straps to the bars with loops on the rail to hook to. This stops the wobble. I also leave the battery out to take off another 4kgs or so (Ibis Oso)

I use this for my Rise.

ErgoRack Roof-Mounted Cycle Carrier

Expensive but very well made and adjustable.

Would something like the rockbros suction work? Says rated to 20kg or do people not trust these? Especially with SL ebikes

Bit of a loaded question as I was considering getting one for my partners car.

Used to have one of those with a stumpy evo in s3 … only just long enough to get the bike on.

I carry a Mondraker Neat on the Thule roof bars on my Golf estate. The bike weights around 19kg? Personally, I couldn’t lift more than that onto the roof, due to various back/shoulder issues. As far as the bars/rack goes, I’ve been carrying the bike like this for many months now without a hint of an issue.

If I was using a bike that was any heavier, I’d have to get a tow bar. As it is, the only way I can manage the lift without throwing my back out, is to bend my knees and try to lift from my knees, not my upper body.

I have two rockbros suction racks (and single and a double). No way in hell I’d put an ebike on them. I’ve not had any issues with them but I’m also wary of longer higher speed usage, even with the CX bikes I normally carry. Longest I’ve used on the motorway was Southampton to Winchester with a gravel bike. It was fine buuuut……

When I put non e bikes on the car roof it’s not the lift that is difficult, it’s lining up the fork with the clamp and controlling the bike mass.

If I had an ebike I would consider a tow bar rack as it’s probably easier to cope with.

As it is, the only way I can manage the lift without throwing my back out, is to bend my knees and try to lift from my knees, not my upper body.

You mean properly?

Yes, exactly!

I’ve got a couple of these:

http://Bike Racks Stands, Bike Fork Mount Quick Release Roof Bike Rack Bicycle Fork Bracket Frame MTB Carriers for Car https://amzn.eu/d/gaA78Zx

That bolt to T-bolts on a roof bar (or whatever else you might want) and I just use the rear wheel sucker from my off-brand sea sucker copy to keep the back wheel in place. but you could put a second bar there and bolt on something with a V-channel and a strap.

In fact this might be a better call if you already have roof bars as it includes a rear wheel bracket:

http://Bike Fork Mount, Parking Rack with Front Fork Bracket and Rear Wheel Mount Complete Set, Bike Car Roof Rack Carrier, Quick Release Thru Axle Fitments, Bike Block Mount for Travel Transporting Bicycle https://amzn.eu/d/5YhppgY

New car coming next week with annoying flush mount rails means I’ll need to look at alternative roof bars, so might be back to the Suction mounted rack for a while, but I’ve never quite trusted it for more than a shortish journey (despite no evidence of failure so far).

“What would bother me is the weight of the ebike and getting it on the roof.”

They are remarkably awkward to get onto a roofrack – it’s the combination of getting a heavy thing up in the air, and then out forwards in front of you and then carefully place it into the mounting points. This week I realised that I can shoulder press dumbbells that each weigh more than my ebike, so it’s not a simple strength thing, it’s leverage and reach etc as well.

Having a folding step for one foot and then standing on the front door sill with the other foot at the same time makes it way easier if your car is tall and you’re not really tall.