Roof racks?

[D Roberts]

Yakima makes a fantastic swing away hitch mounted rack. Spend the $ to get the easy to use mechanism and 2" hitch. Swingdaddy. It really is worth it. Pay attention and alot of times you can catch them 20% off. Try ValleyBikeandSki.com. Roof racks are nice. 2 mpg loss though. I would only get one with a fork mounted tray. I had the style where you never took the wheel off and hated it. Also less drag for your focus. (I also have a focus). I have driven in highwinds (60 mph crosswind)in Nebraska with the bikes on top. No problem to bikes, car had to work a bit harder. If concerned about bugs either use saran wrap on the head tube, fork and handlebar or hit with some alcohol when you get there. Only about 3 months of the year is a big prob. Another thing to consider, do you ever want to carry skis on top?
Dan

[Bexter]

I have a roof rack and have had both kind of trays... the one where you never have to take the front wheel off and the fork mounted one. I hated the one that you did not have to remove the front wheel. I think it was called the Raptor. I never felt like my bike was secure. The fork mounted method works MUCH better. Yes, bugs. Yuck! I like the saran wrap idea -- may try that. Yes, MPG decrease.

My next vehicle will have a trailer hitch and hitch-mounted rack. Easier to get to, no drag in the wind, fewer bugs to clean off.