Roof Rack/Bike carrier combo questions.

[_Paul_from_Jax]

So... I've got a question that that nobody seems to have a legitimate answer for, and I can't find it on the internet.

I just installed the OEM roof rack on my car, and while reading through the installation manual, I see the following Paragraphs verbatim;

"For 17 or 18-in wheels, the maximum cargo weight capacity must not exceed 132 lb"
"The roof carrier can be loaded with up to two bicycles."
"For 19-in wheels, the maximum cargo weight capacity must not exceed 99 lb."
"Do not use the roof carrier to transport a bicycle. Doing so may damage the roof."

This is also stated on a sticker affixed to the roof bar.

I'm no rocket surgeon but this doesn't make sense. Why would I be able to carry two bicycles on a car with 17" or 18" Wheels but not on my Type-S with 19" Wheels?

I'm not overly concerned since my bike is carbon framed and only weighs about 32 lb, but it really makes me wonder why they would specify differences in wheel sizes.

From what I can see, this isn't mentioned anywhere in the owner's manual. The only place that it's stated is on the roof rack itself and on the roof rack installation manual.

I've never heard of wheel size having anything to do with rooftop loading capacity.

Can anyone chime in on this? Any Honda/Acura techs here that have input?

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[ITSDAD]

Im guessing its because A 19" wheel/tire combo will generally have a shorter sidewall with less flex/capacity to absorb bumps etc, vs a smaller wheel with a larger tire/sidewall, causing harsher vibration etc to be transferred throughout the roof rack and whatever is mounted on it.

 

[_Paul_from_Jax]

I'm guessing its because A 19" wheel/tire combo will generally have a shorter sidewall with less flex/capacity to absorb bumps etc, vs a smaller wheel with a larger tire/sidewall, causing harsher vibration etc to be transferred throughout the roof rack and whatever is mounted on it.

I was thinking along those lines as well, but the sidewall height between the 18 & 19 is only about 0.5" different. I can't see how that would equate to a 33lb weight supporting difference and going from 2 bikes to 0 bikes... I wonder if Acura support would be able to chime in... I called my dealership and they couldn't give me a solid answer.

 

[ITSDAD]

I was thinking along those lines as well, but the sidewall height between the 18 & 19 is only about 0.5" different. I can't see how that would equate to a 33lb weight supporting difference and going from 2 bikes to 0 bikes... I wonder if Acura support would be able to chime in... I called my dealership and they couldn't give me a solid answer.

Ah good point, def feels harsher than a 0.5" difference, on the butt LMAO. Since the verbiage is specific to "damage to the roof" vs "cant handle the weight" Im guessing theyre just being overly cautious in covering their asses in the event that the roof rack does cause some sort of abrasions to the roof due to the slight inscrease in NHV.

No surpise the dealerships arent up to speed LOL.

 

[_Paul_from_Jax]

... Im guessing theyre just being overly cautious in covering their asses in the event that the roof rack does cause some sort of abrasions to the roof due to the slight inscrease in NHV...

That's what I'm attributing it to as well until I read or hear otherwise... It's all good though, because I'm thinking of going to an 18" wheel/tire at some point.

 

[AsianEd]

I suspect the explicit language comes down to liability. It's a CYA for them, just in case something goes wrong.

 

[_Paul_from_Jax]

I suspect the explicit language comes down to liability. It's a CYA for them, just in case something goes wrong.

I'm starting to lean towards that as well. I mean, if the roof bars can support 132 lbs with smaller diameter tires then it should be a non-issue.

 

[Wilks132]

So... I've got a question that that nobody seems to have a legitimate answer for, and I can't find it on the internet.

I just installed the OEM roof rack on my car, and while reading through the installation manual, I see the following Paragraphs verbatim;

"For 17 or 18-in wheels, the maximum cargo weight capacity must not exceed 132 lb"
"The roof carrier can be loaded with up to two bicycles."
"For 19-in wheels, the maximum cargo weight capacity must not exceed 99 lb."
"Do not use the roof carrier to transport a bicycle. Doing so may damage the roof."

This is also stated on a sticker affixed to the roof bar.

I'm no rocket surgeon but this doesn't make sense. Why would I be able to carry two bicycles on a car with 17" or 18" Wheels but not on my Type-S with 19" Wheels?

I'm not overly concerned since my bike is carbon framed and only weighs about 32 lb, but it really makes me wonder why they would specify differences in wheel sizes.

From what I can see, this isn't mentioned anywhere in the owner's manual. The only place that it's stated is on the roof rack itself and on the roof rack installation manual.

I've never heard of wheel size having anything to do with rooftop loading capacity.

Can anyone chime in on this? Any Honda/Acura techs here that have input?

Does the OEM roof rack have T Slots? I'm looking at the 1up roof bike rack and one of the options is a flush mount/T slot option. From pics it's appears that it does. I believe the 1up rack system can use the typical Thule/Yakima slot size.

 

[_Paul_from_Jax]

Does the OEM roof rack have T Slots? I'm looking at the 1up roof bike rack and one of the options is a flush mount/T slot option. From pics it's appears that it does. I believe the 1up rack system can use the typical Thule/Yakima slot size.

Yes, the roof rails are T slotted. I will say this though; the slot on the OEM roof rails is a bit narrower. For reference, my bike mount is a Mini Branded Thule and I had to modify the T-bolt hardware a bit to fit the narrower rails of the OEM rack.

I made an installation video for the rack and I talk about this slot size difference right at the 1:30 mark. Check it out and you'll see what I mean.

 

[Bodhizefa]

Your video on YouTube was great -- many thanks for providing that! Have you had any issues at all with the bike rack? I also have a 30-ish lbs. bike that I want to mount on the vehicle, but the warning is giving me pause. On Acura's Integra Type S Build page, it states that only one bike attachment can be mounted. But I guess they don't want you to put a bike on that? ?

 

[2WheelsRBetter]

Yes, the roof rails are T slotted. I will say this though; the slot on the OEM roof rails is a bit narrower. For reference, my bike mount is a Mini Branded Thule and I had to modify the T-bolt hardware a bit to fit the narrower rails of the OEM rack.

I made an installation video for the rack and I talk about this slot size difference right at the 1:30 mark. Check it out and you'll see what I mean.

Thank you for your video. Did I understand you to say that the cross bars part number is the same for both the CIVIC Type R and Acura Type S (ATS)? I ask because I have new Thule cross bars for another car that I'd like to mount on the ATS. Thule's catalog has an application for the CIVIC Type R but nothing listed for any Acura. I'd like to know if the mounting hardware for a Type R will work with my Type S roof.

 

[_Paul_from_Jax]

Don't take it as gospel, but as far as I know, the FL5 CTR and the DE5 ATS chassis are identical.

 

[ghostkp]

Don't take it as gospel, but as far as I know, the FL5 CTR and the DE5 ATS chassis are identical.

The roofline is akin the Si oddly enough, I mounted my Evo Wingbar using them and it was the closest, however not perfect.

 

[2WheelsRBetter]

The roofline is akin the Si oddly enough, I mounted my Evo Wingbar using them and it was the closest, however not perfect.

I also have Thule EVO Wingbar that I want to use on my ITS. I went to the Honda dealer yesterday and measured the distance between the “dimple” in the door opening and the crease in the roof (see video above). It is different between the Integra and CIVIC, with the distance being larger both front and rear on the CIVIC. (Don’t quote me - something like 3.5” to 4.5” front and 4.5” to 5/5” rear, Integra vs CIVIC.) I was hoping I could simply buy the CIVIC mounting hardware and use my existing tower and crossbar. Not quite so simple, as you have demonstrated… C’mon Thule, let’s get a fit.

 

[ghostkp]

I also have Thule EVO Wingbar that I want to use on my ITS. I went to the Honda dealer yesterday and measured the distance between the “dimple” in the door opening and the crease in the roof (see video above). It is different between the Integra and CIVIC, with the distance being larger both front and rear on the CIVIC. (Don’t quote me - something like 3.5” to 4.5” front and 4.5” to 5/5” rear, Integra vs CIVIC.) I was hoping I could simply buy the CIVIC mounting hardware and use my existing tower and crossbar. Not quite so simple, as you have demonstrated… C’mon Thule, let’s get a fit.

Well, to be fair, Yakima has a fit currently lol

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