Car racks
Thread started by
hewhofoldscranes at 02.10.08 - 9:38 pm
Hey all. First time on here, glad to join the fun! I'm going up to San Francisco this weekend and I plan on doing some tourist-y bike riding, but I need to get a rack for my car. I have two bikes: a Giant Tran-Send LX and a Raleigh Pursuit racing bike.
I haven't decided which bike I'll be taking up yet, but I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions for a rack that'll keep either of the bikes attached to my car. I'm thinking that $30 Bell rack on Amazon, but I'm not sure if it'll be good enough for the ~800 mile round trip...
I just started riding again last month and I can't wait to join a group ride. Thanks for your help!
e.z.
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hi..
i purchased a yakima king joe 2 bike rack and i loves it..it keeps my bikes realllyyyyyy stable when im going 90 on the freeway. it was 125 though, but i think in most cases, if you spend the dough you get what you pay for .
good luck!!
rockintothrice02.10.08 - 9:59 pm
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This may sound super-obvious, but have you tried just putting the bike in your trunk, hatch, or back seat? It may fit, and it's a little more secure and aerodynamically efficient than using a bike rack.
PC02.10.08 - 10:05 pm
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Thanks for your responses so far.
PC: I did. The Raleigh doesn't fit in the trunk, even with the front wheel removed. The Tran-Send is just as big as the Raleigh. I'll admit I haven't tried the backseat (it was full of shit at the time trunk-testing took place), but I'm willing to bet it'll be the same story. I have a '97 Corolla 4 door, if that helps.
hewhofoldscranes02.10.08 - 10:36 pm
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i have a mazda 3, 4 door and ive fit my bike in the back seat front tire removed but its scratched the doors and windows..if you dont care about your car then yeah im sure it will work.
rockintothrice02.10.08 - 10:45 pm
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I have that same bell bike rack that i use on my fiero. So far, i've driven about 4000 miles with a bike on it Rain and Shine! Still A-OK!!!
richtotheie02.10.08 - 11:04 pm
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Don't forget to try folding down your back seat and then putting the bike in the trunk. I can get my bike into a VW hatchback that way without having to take any wheels off.
PC02.10.08 - 11:05 pm
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The Bell racks look pretty solid. Walmart carries them and Amazon has good reviews. The Yakima King Joe rakcs are really solid but that's like $80 and up. I took my bike to Santa Barbara and shoved it into the trunk. Lowered the back seats, front wheel off, and it fit. I felt more comfortable than having it hang off my rack and I was able to stop into stores and take breaks without having to worry about bike being jacked from the rack.
If you could spend more and you have a hitch then I'd get these
Swagman Cross Country Hitch Rack
Trunk racks (gravity racks) just have a tendency of swinging so you'll have to turn your front wheel and have that up against the bumper.
I'd check w/ thrift/veteran stores to see if they got used ones. I've seen a couple but they go quick.
If you buy a trunk rack... just use a bunch of bungee cords and it'll be fine. With those rear racks though... you're gonna scratch your paint... eventually. Good luck!
Al
digablesoul02.11.08 - 12:04 am
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ez,
There's plenty of reviews on amazon on this rack as I'm sure you're aware of. This looks like a good rack and is similar to what I have. I ended up taking three people and three bikes up to SF and I had room to spare. We have the same size car according to
http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/1995-to-1998-mazda-protege.htm
Same cargo rating too. I was able to put all of my large bike in the trunk and the wheels to the other bikes too. My bike broke down to both wheels coming off as well as the seat post off. I didn't need to fold the seat down either.
I would feel alot more comfortable having my bike in the car instead of outside. I also would be happy to see my mpg not be affected with the bike in the car. If you really need your bike outside the car, then this Bell rack should do the trick.
User102.11.08 - 12:30 am
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I've managed to fit three, MTB's into my younger bro's Mercedes a few times.
Just took off all the wheels and stacked the frames in an inter-meshing position.
Then placed the wheels around and on top of the frames.
As far as the trunk rack goes, I've been using this $25, cheapie to hold two MTB's, or my sole, recumbent.
As said somewhere above, bungee cords will ensure stability on these types of racks.
bentstrider02.11.08 - 6:58 am
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Thanks for all your input. I honestly don't know if I can even fold down the backseats (I haven't had the car for long), but I'll give it a shot after class. I'm aware of the Amazon reviews for the Bell rack and got confused because of all the "NOT GOOD FOR LONG TRIPS" and "USED FOR 4000 MILES, NO PROBLEMS" going back and forth on it.
I'll try the backseat first, then the trunk with the seats down, if possible. Once again, thanks for all your help so far! Next time, I'll just ride up to San Fran. :)
ez.
hewhofoldscranes02.11.08 - 7:02 am
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this is the best removable rack...(as opposed to a roof rack)... in my opinion
http://www.saris.com/p-299-bones-3-bike.aspx
They have one that is only for two bikes, and they have a model that is for 3 bikes.
I transported 3 bikes, along with some bungee cords to keep the front forks from blowing around... the rack is designed so that the bikes do not sway at all. I drove around 80 miles an hour to vegas, and the bikes never shifted.
The rack has 6 straps, two on top, two on the side, and two on the bottom.
And it got a 4.5 rating out of 5 from Bicycling magazine...
You might be able to find one on ebay for around 100 bucks...
Good luck!
adrian02.11.08 - 4:30 pm
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I found taking off both wheels do wonder for space, also the seats and the peddles. Sounds like a pain in the ass, but you will see the wonders taking all those things off can do. I fit my tandem and two bikes in a little chevelle by doing just that.
take note that you will most likely be scratching your cars exterior paint with the type of rack you are interested in.. Either by the bikes, the rack itself, or both. Taking the peddle off, on the bike that leans against the car helps to avoid the peddle scratching the car.
also remember not only to bungy down the bikes, but the front wheel, so it doesn't flap all over. Remember if the bikes stick out beyond the car, you may catch a wall against the bike, especially at a drive through restaurant
Good Luck.
sexy02.11.08 - 9:52 pm
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Once again, thanks everyone. I went ahead and bought the cheap Bell rack. I'd like to spend the money for something more substantial, but the college student bank account cannot handle that.
I'm probably just going to end up padding as many of the scratch-risks as possible. Bungee cords will definitely be added to the mix. We'll see if I can keep my bike off the asphalt of the 101.
hewhofoldscranes02.11.08 - 10:11 pm
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you will be fine, tighten down the rack after you have put the bikes on them. The rack will tend to loosen after you put the bikes on them. Start off by paying attention to your bikes in the rear view mirror. You will see if you are have a problem. If so, pull over and tighten it down.
Have a great trip
sexy02.11.08 - 10:25 pm
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I'm looking for a three or better yet, four bike rack that will fit a 2" hitch receiver. Anyone have one they're not using? Wanna sell it? Sure you do ! jason at jasonhadley dott comm. Thanks!
frumble01.20.09 - 1:55 pm
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