Recreational & Family - My bike is finally in!!!!

I talked to my LBS today and my bike came in today BUT...they still have to put it together- UGH! I don't really care as long as I have it for the awesome weekend we are about to have here in MD! I'm hoping to get to go pick it up tomorrow evening. Now I have to find a bike rack..looking at the Thule 4 bike one but darn are they expensive! Any other 4 bike racks that might be more affordable? I already have the steel frame under my mini-van so I just need the rack itself. Thanks!

I talked to my LBS today and my bike came in today BUT...they still have to put it together- UGH! I don't really care as long as I have it for the awesome weekend we are about to have here in MD! I'm hoping to get to go pick it up tomorrow evening. Now I have to find a bike rack..looking at the Thule 4 bike one but darn are they expensive! Any other 4 bike racks that might be more affordable? I already have the steel frame under my mini-van so I just need the rack itself. Thanks!

I don't know about your situation, but we put our bikes right inside our Caravan (with the 3rd seat removed.)

Also, it is quite easy to remove the front wheel of the bike with the "quick release" (QR) - (be sure to have your dealer show you how to use this correctly, even if you don't put your bikes in the van - using it incorrectly could cause a serious accident). With the wheel removed, it is even easier to place the bike (s) inside in an even smaller space. I have gotten four adult bikes in our minivan with the front wheels on.

You might experiemnt a bit.

I'm jealous ..and have no idea what a Trek 7.3FX is.
Got it, cute!
Have fun out there, looks a speedy bike.
I ride a 15yr old mtb frame...I feel pretty low on the bike bling scale. 'sigh'.

I can't take the third row out since I have 3 kids and captain's chairs in the second row. I guess I could always put my oldest son on the roof (like they did to the grandma in European Vacation! LOL).
I know I could probably get my bike in there by splitting the third row (moving my oldest son over) but then I would have to find space for the other 3 kid's bikes AND the tow behind that I am hoping to get for my 4 year old :)

I've had great luck with a cheapo Bell 4 bike rack for a hitch ... I got it at a big box sports store for $99 on sale. It bolts into the hitch, doesn't sway and the bikes stay steady if you are liberal with the bungees.

Just be sure your sizes match. Hitches come in two sizes.

There have been threads about this ... if you do a search on hitch I think you'll bring some good discussions to life.

I bought this rack from Performancebike.com (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=17093&subcategory_ID=4411#)

http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/400/40_1639.jpg

It's very easy to put the bikes on the rack, then lower the arm down on the top tube. Also has a nylon strap to further secure them and you can lock them with a cable, too. Holds road bikes, mountain bikes, hybrids. The bikes don't move at all while on the rack and can't hit each other. The rack fits both sizes of hitch mounts. $130.

I already have the steel frame under my mini-van...
Why not put the bikes IN the van???

Ron,
Because I have 3 kids and would have to give them all the boot in order to fit 1 adult bike and 3 kid's bikes in it :)