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roof rack for 20014 Mazda6
Last Post 07/31/2013 06:40 PM by Michael Chaffin. 14 Replies.
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12x23

Posts:15

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06/18/2013 07:11 PM
I'm considering a new Mazda 6 gt to replace my nine year old 04 6s 5-door. Bike with wheels off is a tight fit in the new 6's trunk. Anyone here have this car with a roof rack? Also, digging around under the black molding strip between the door and roof appears to be a fixture like you see with euro cars that accept a direct mount without clamps (and paint rub). If that's what I'm seeing I'd buy a new roof setup (and the car) tomorrow. Thanks in advance,
6ix

Posts:485

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06/19/2013 02:32 PM
First off, can't go wrong with the new Mazda6! It's really sharp. I had a 2005 5-door s and a 2006 5-door GT. Both were fantastic cars. Anyhow...my CX7 has those little clips in the roof gutters. They just slide off using a screw-driver, providing you access to a direct-mount for a threaded tower. I know the Mazda3 has them too, so my guess is that the new 6 features them as well. I'd suggest Thule's "aero" system with the ovalized cross-bars.
12x23

Posts:15

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06/19/2013 06:53 PM
Yeah, the new 6 doesn't have the access in the molding to get to the mounting hardware as in the other Zoomers. However, It sure looks like they're there when I peel the molding back to look. Contacted Mazda USA late yesterday and got someone who admittedly said she wasn't very technical. Dealership, great folks, haven't been able to get an answer. I'm going under the positive assumption they're there as I love this car. My 2004 feels tired since I've driven the new platform. (Tired, like my old legs).
6ix

Posts:485

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07/03/2013 12:08 PM
I know this is a super late response and you've likely already made your purchase, but did you see the new 2014 Mazda3?? Wow!
12x23

Posts:15

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07/04/2013 11:30 AM
Yeah, bought a Soul Red 6gT with almond interior. Filled with gas at the dealership, couple days of city driving, then some very spirited driving through the Gaps north of here including Unicoi, Jacks, Neels, and up to Brasstown. Back to town, filled, and 27.2 mpg from the first tank - all city and N.Ga Gap driving. Confident it'll be better with a few miles on the odometer and less mountainous driving.

Totally digging this car after nine years in a 2004 6s 5-door. Particularly the mpg!

Still, everyone I show says the fixtures underneath the roof molding are for a roof rack. Now to find someone with Mazda who can confirm and molding with cutouts to access them.

Oh, and back to your question, yes I did see the new 3 and its hot. Mazda's on a roll.
6ix

Posts:485

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07/04/2013 05:04 PM
Congratulations on the new 6'er!! Very nice looking car, for sure.

Do you often travel with more than one bike? If not, I'd skip on the roof-rack and just fold the 60/40 rear seats down. It's actually quicker to pop off the front wheel and throw it in the trunk than putting it on the rack. At least for me it is. Plus, it's protected.

I'd be super hesitant to drill through that molding even if there are mounts under it. Maybe you should check with Thule first.
Inferno7

Posts:344

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07/05/2013 09:35 AM
Put a trailer hitch on it, and get a trailer hitch rack, roof racks SUCK...(imho). I hate having my bikes blow around up there, and aero dynamics...forget about good gas mileage on long trips. Unfortunately on my 2013 Outback it's not easy to mount one, otherwise I would have one.
12x23

Posts:15

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07/09/2013 09:14 PM
Yeah, reckon I'll drop the seats and use the trunk, like I did with the 6s 5-door. I just had to change the orientation the bike is placed into the trunk space. Once figured out all is good.
12x23

Posts:15

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07/30/2013 07:06 PM
Update; 1,892.85 mi; 63.7 gal; 29.712 mpg, mostly city driving and have adapted to bike in trunk, no problem.
6ix

Posts:485

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07/30/2013 07:36 PM
What orientation did you come up with? Take the front wheel off and place the rear of the bike in first? I'm seriously considering the 6 next spring when the lease on the TT is up. Can't fit anything in that car!
12x23

Posts:15

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07/30/2013 08:02 PM
Rear seats folded, both wheels out, bend the bars back toward the ds toptube, hold the bars in l.hand and ds chainstay in r.hand and load in trunk f.fork first. Leave bars folded back, blanket on frame, wheels next centered over frame triangle with layer of blanket between front and rear. Shove frame toward (car) driver's side and there's room for bag on passenger side of trunk. No problem.
6ix

Posts:485

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07/30/2013 08:13 PM
I'm surprised you have to take both wheels off. Have you tried it with the rear wheel still installed? Obviously, the seats have to be folded down. Also, it helps to have the non-drive side pedal rotated back towards the chainstay so that it forces the front of the bike down. Hard to explain.

The reason I ask is because I loathe taking both wheels off. Such a pain in my opinion. I've always just removed the front wheel even when loading into a Civic Si, Accord coupe, etc. And those are much smaller cars.
12x23

Posts:15

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07/31/2013 05:47 AM
I haven't tried with r.wheel on. I have the almond interior and I took both out to keep the bike "in the trunk" as much as possible. When I get over these broken ribs and shoulder I'll give it a try and report back.
6ix

Posts:485

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07/31/2013 09:49 AM
I see your reasoning for trying to keep the entire bike in the trunk. Is the carpeting in the trunk and on the back of the rear seats black? If so, you shouldn't need to be concerned about soiling the almond fabric. Once I place the bike in, I just throw a thick blanket over it and place the front wheel on top.

One caveat to this is that you can't leave the bike inside during the summer. I've learned from experience that high-pressure tires sound like a shotgun going off when they explode.
12x23

Posts:15

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07/31/2013 06:40 PM
Carpet and rear of seats are black, I like that for those reasons, and I'll try your suggestion when I recover. No worries about summer, I drain my tires to 30-50 psi or so after I ride anyway.
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