Seasucker vaccum mounted roof rack

[ilikefood]

I found this old thread, and I have some questions for those of you who have used the Seasucker on an E90 M3 to carry a mountain bike.

I have no concerns at all about the attachment strength/reliability of the Seasucker vacuum system, but I'm a bit worried about the strength of the roof, sunroof, and windshield. The roof on my M3 (just a regular metal roof, not CF) feels pretty flexible and flimsy. Even close to the edges, it still flexes, so I'm worried that putting the weight of a bicycle on the roof might deform or dent it (especially when the car goes over bumps).

Similarly with attaching the vacuum cups to the sunroof or the rear window or the trunk lid, I'm worried about the weight (I think the bike weighs around 25-30 lbs) causing dents or other damage (like damaging the sunroof mechanism or rattling the rear window loose, if I were to put the vacuum cups there).

For any of you who have actually used Seasucker on your M3, where do you mount it? Have you experienced any problems with the roof or trunk lid deforming, or damage to the sunroof or rear window (if attached there)?

(To pre-empt comments about the OEM roof rack - yes, I know I could get the OEM roof rack, but the Seasucker is just so much simpler to install and remove. I don't transport my bike all that often so I don't want to keep a roof rack on the car, and I don't want to mess around with installing and then removing it whenever I feel like going for a ride a bit farther away.)

[caacosta]

I haven't with my Seasucker. I place it on the rear window and drunk since I have a black wrap on my roof bc of the sunroof. I have a Giant gravel ebike on there. I do remove things like the battery etc. before mounting. Haven't taken it on crazy canyon turns or anything either.

[dvq]

I wouldn't put it on the carbon roof or the trunk lid, I don't want any damage to the roof or deformation of the trunk lid. I stick to the rear glass only and have been using it this way for 2 years regularly now with both my road bike and gravel bike.

[ilikefood]

Originally Posted by dvq

I wouldn't put it on the carbon roof or the trunk lid, I don't want any damage to the roof or deformation of the trunk lid. I stick to the rear glass only and have been using it this way for 2 years regularly now with both my road bike and gravel bike.

And you haven't had any problems, like the rear window cracking or getting loose from having the bike's weight on it?

My concern is that with a bike that weighs 25-30 lbs, if I go over a bump (streets and roads are rough in the Bay Area), the dynamic weight load on the window could be pretty high. But of course it's entirely possible that I'm worried for no good reason and that it's totally fine

[ilikefood]

Originally Posted by caacosta

I haven't with my Seasucker. I place it on the rear window and drunk since I have a black wrap on my roof bc of the sunroof. I have a Giant gravel ebike on there. I do remove things like the battery etc. before mounting. Haven't taken it on crazy canyon turns or anything either.

Good to know, thanks. I figure an e-bike without a battery will be at least as heavy as my MTB. And you haven't had any problems with trunk lid getting deformed or dented? Or any rear window problems?

[dvq]

Originally Posted by ilikefood

And you haven't had any problems, like the rear window cracking or getting loose from having the bike's weight on it?

My concern is that with a bike that weighs 25-30 lbs, if I go over a bump (streets and roads are rough in the Bay Area), the dynamic weight load on the window could be pretty high. But of course it's entirely possible that I'm worried for no good reason and that it's totally fine

I'm in the bay area as well and haven't yet experienced any such issues. I regularly pass over big freeway bumps and in town bumps and trips through San Francisco with bike mounted to the rear glass, zero issues in two years. I also use this on a Tesla with all glass roof and no issues there either.

[ilikefood]

Originally Posted by dvq

I'm in the bay area as well and haven't yet experienced any such issues. I regularly pass over big freeway bumps and in town bumps and trips through San Francisco with bike mounted to the rear glass, zero issues in two years. I also use this on a Tesla with all glass roof and no issues there either.

Awesome, thank you!

[Kal_el]

I went from DC to Georgia with both my road bike and MTB with zero issues. I used the front wi die because I have the mini bomber and wanted to make sure I could see the suction. Stopped for gas twice didn’t have to resuction at all. Only downside is you can’t use your wipers. My concern with the mini bomber also is that the CF roof dips in the middle. I’ll have to test it out.

Weight wise, the MTB is a Specialized Hardrock and it’s heavy as shit and didn’t budge one bit.

[sueddo]

Originally Posted by deemack79

2100 miles from nyc to Tennessee with about 80lbs of stuff in the roof box. Zero issues. Most of the highway time spent above 80, and more than a few stints to triple digits.

Would love to know if you have a carbon roof on the m3? Coming from f06 forum and looking to mount my roofbox to my seasuckers on my m6 Gran Coupe but didn't really find any information if the CF roof could hold that much weight. Seems like you're the only one i've seen with a BMW having a roof box with the seasucker mounts.

[ValleyBall1]

Originally Posted by consolidated

Nice Colnago, looks damn good on your car! I like how minimal the rack is. I took mine over 100mph with a roadbike on top, only because I forgot it was up there. No issues.

Good to know!

[ValleyBall1]

Originally Posted by dvq

I wouldn't put it on the carbon roof or the trunk lid, I don't want any damage to the roof or deformation of the trunk lid. I stick to the rear glass only and have been using it this way for 2 years regularly now with both my road bike and gravel bike.

I'm leaning towards doing the Komodo too, for the reasons you noted above! Sick set up, btw!