Anyone use a suction bike rack?

[Beknown]

What brands / models should I consider, or which ones should I avoid? Are they compatible with all bikes which have quick release mechanisms? Is it best to suck them to the roof or to the rear screen?

SeaSucker Talon seems to be the most popular, expensive but I have no other means of affixing a bike to my Cayman.

[AyBee]

Can't you also get roof bars for a Cayman?

[Beknown]

On the 981 no, the older models yes and 911 yes.

[Eddie Strohacker]

I've got a charity MTB ride coming up next week & no means of sticking the bike to the Croc, so I'd be interested in this too.

[okgo]

A chap I know through time trials uses these on his M4, I think he also used on a 911 prior. No issues so far, not sure if I could ever fully trust it, but people have done things far more dangerous using suction pads than strap bikes to cars - such as climbing skyscrapers!

[gavsdavs]

https://www.seasucker.com/

Good enough for a stack of about 20 folding ikea chairs on top of an MR2.

You can hang your bodyweight off the suckers when they're in place - they're pretty strong

[Your Dad]

okgo said:

A chap I know through time trials uses these on his M4, I think he also used on a 911 prior. No issues so far, not sure if I could ever fully trust it, but people have done things far more dangerous using suction pads than strap bikes to cars - such as climbing skyscrapers!

Lives Nottingham way, may have done a 3-figure speed (on the autobahn) in the 911 with the bike on the roof???

[SteveO...]

Pretty sure Dan Trent talks about these, or similar, in one of his F-Type videos. Might be worth checking out. In fact, here it is ...

https://youtu.be/xEZyNXQGzv0

[Eddie Strohacker]

Not sure I can run to £250 for a one off use. Anyone doing Hit the downs Sunday week can throw a Zesty in the back of a van?

[Andynbr]

I use a Seasucker Talon on my 350z and it's brilliant. You can buy them to suit 9mm QR, 15mm and 20mm thru axles.

Fitting is super easy and only takes a couple of minutes, just make sure everything is clean first!

The first drive will be the scariest drive of your life, and you will stop every 10 minutes to make sure everything is still ok, but once you've used it a few times, you completely forget about it. They're only rated up to 70mph (although Seasucker did a test with a Nascar and took it to about 110mph and it was fine) and can hold a bike of around 45lbs, so suitable for most bikes apart from heavy DH steeds.

I've had mine for a month or 2 now, and absolutely love it. Seems stable and doesn't move about at all while you drive. Also nice and compact so easy to store unlike a massive folding rack or roof bars.

I got mine from Cycle Republic for £189 (£199 plus £10 off for first order)

Edited by Andynbr on Tuesday 25th April 14:57

[okgo]

Your Dad said:

Lives Nottingham way, may have done a 3-figure speed (on the autobahn) in the 911 with the bike on the roof???

Ha, possibly ;-)

[littleandy0410]

I use a Seasucker Talo non my 2009 Civic Type R, it took me a few trips to trust it, but it has worked faultlessly. The passenger side wiper doesn't come all the way to the top of the screen, so there is space for the front two suckers to fit to the glass, which is the only way to get a secure fit on a civic without buckling the roof - the roof panel is made out of recycled Kit Kat wrappers!

I bought one after it was recommended by a friend who carries his Enduro rig on the roof of his Aston Martin V8 Vantage and forgot the bike was on the roof once, so had a "spirited" drive home with no issues!

I paid £155 new from eBay about 18 months ago.

[Eddh]

I have a seasucker which I use on my 996, its been great so far even carrying two mountain bikes at around 85 mph.

It is scary the first few time but it soon becomes fit and forget.

[andySC]

I know a guy who uses the Seasucker, reckons he has total faith in it. It certainly seems sturdy.

I had a Cayman & used roof bars until I tried to get the bike in the back & managed it quite easily. The wheels went in the front & bike in the back. MTB or road, no problem.

[murray]

If anyone does get the talon I'd recommend getting the flight deck rear mount which also takes the front wheel. This has got two suckers rather than the single one on the standard setup where you have a potential single point of failure.

[Celtic Dragon]

Ph's own editor is your man for this, he may have caused a few pro's to turn green with envy recently by posting a pic of his Orange on the roof of the loan McLaren!

[poll250]

Depending on how much extra kit you're taking, you should be able to fit your mtb in the Cayman.

I had a 987S for 3 years and put my Yeti SB-66, and associated kit, in most weekends- Wheels fit in the frunk, pedals off, and lay the bike on a towel with the bars at the rear.

[SoliD]

Seasucker here fine, onlyissue came when I didn't secure it properly when rushing. Been great for a good 5 years now!

[jh106]

This thread inspired me to sort out my bike transportation. Hope it holds.......

[littleandy0410]

The roof on a BMW is obviously (and perhaps unsurprisingly) stronger metal than a Civic Type R- my roof would cave in and resemble a garden pond with all three front suction cups in the middle like that!