Hey NorCal... Talk about your rack.

[redspoke]

There's upsides and downsides to each type of bike rack out there. Century season is quickly approaching and I will need to invest in a rack for my ride.
My minivan has a factory roof rack on top that I can put on "raptor" type racks where the bike stands up.
The plus on that is that the bikes are out of the way. The minus is that they are expensive and it will be tough to get the bikes on 6 feet off of the ground especially after 100 miles of fun.
Hitch mount would be great, but I don't have a hitch and they are expensive so it's quite an investment.
Rear hatch mount is cheap but could be cumbersome when opening/closing the hatch.
Curious what y'all have and why did you choose that setup. Also, how's it working for you in the long run.
Thanks.

[jonathanb715]

OK, I'll bite. I have a Yakima roof rack - the one that clamps onro the front drop outs. Plus - it doesn't touch the frame anywhere. It puts stresses into the bike exactly like riding it would. Locks fit into the rack's quick release system, so there's some level of theft protection. You have to put the front wheel someplace. The complete rack was expensive - just buying the bike mounts will be much more cost effective.

I have a sedan so lifting it up on top is not that hard. I used to have a trunk rack (a Saris Bones) - it was a great rack, for what it was. Very stable, and have a 3rd strap (around the seat post) really keeps the bike from swaying and moving around. It didn't work with my new car (the panel gaps in the trunk are so narrow there's no room for the clips without messing up the alignment of the trunk lid). Biggest downside is there's no theft protection.

The best option, if you have room, is to put it inside the car. Better weather protection, better theft protection, no worries about low overpasses or someone hitting your bike from behind. I've never used a hitch-mount rack.

JB

[cccorlew]

This may not help you, but here are my two points on racks:

If you use a roof rack, whenever you use it, take the garage door opener and put it out of reach.
I'm amazed how often I auto-pilot reach for mine when I get home. If it were within reach I'll bet I'd have ripped a bike off the roof by now.

We have a Subaru Outback, we love it. We chose it partly because we can reach the roof to put the bikes on it. We'd been looking at other vehicles, but when we realized the roof was out of reach we nixed 'em.

[msincredible]

Hey, I posted it a while back in the Ladies of Foo thread. Oh, whoops, wrong kind of rack. :o :p

I have a Yakima trunk rack, got it because it was portable and easy to deal with. It's held up so far but not the most stable arrangement when driving at high speeds across the windy San Mateo bridge.

(However, it has occasionally saved me on tolls, somehow they seem to have trouble reading my plate with the bike on the back ;)).

[BigSean]

Hitches are usually about $120 at U-Haul.

[huytheskigod]

Here's a question...how many people would be traveling with you in the Mini-Van. If it's just you or you and another person, I'd fold down/remove the seats and store the bikes inside with some fork mounts bolted to a 2x4. I have a Thule roof rack on top of my Hyundai Tuscon and it's just about the same height as a minivan. It is more difficult to get the bikes up and down.

[t4mv]

If you have a tall van, and a tandem (or specialty bike), take a look at the ATOC DraftMaster. Best money I ever spent on a rack...the hard, cold, metal ones...

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/9206/img0255ze0.jpg

[gpelpel]

I have a Saris Bones 2 on my BMW convertible. It's the best trunk rack I have used by far. It is extremely stable, holds 2 heavy mountains bikes without a problem, and it can be folded so the arms are not sticking out when not in use. I highly recommend that rack for its convenience and quality.

On the Jeep I have a Yakima BigHorn that holds 4 bikes. It's a hitch rack. It's sturdy but not the most convenient. If you go the hitch way spend your money on the top end racks that offer folding arms and swing to the side so you don't have to remove all the bikes from the rack in order to open the hatch door.

The roof option might be your best bet in terms of price, convenience, and security. Just remember to remove the bike(s) before entering your garage or covered parking lots.

[caloso]

We have a Yakima rack on the Odyssey. The pluses: it's secure and the factory rails make it easy to install and take off. The minuses: wind noise, reduced gas mileage (not much, but it's noticeable), and it's very awkward to heave the bikes up there.

[uspspro]

Hey, I posted it a while back in the Ladies of Foo thread. Oh, whoops, wrong kind of rack. :o :p


shameless plug? :p

Seriously I never knew about that thread.

270+ pages... :eek:

[nachomc]

I have a 2005 Subaru WRX Sport Wagon. I'm using the factory round crossbars (which are Yakima equipment with Subaru stickers and a lower price-point) with Yakima viper and steelhead racks.

[mtnwalker]

No racks here. I take the wheels off the bike and store the frame and the wheels inside our wagons trunk. It works pretty well even with luggage stored inside.

The trick is buying a car for your bike not the other way around. ;)

[Dudamas]

I have Yakima racks on the roof of my Nissan Quest mini-van. The only time I use it is when the family wants to ride which is a couple of times a year. I always transport my bike inside the van whenever I need to drive to a ride because it is easier and faster than hauling it up on the roof.

I've also sagged a couple of times with the van and I always put the sagged rider's bike in the back.

[Gee3]

shameless plug? :p

Seriously I never knew about that thread.

270+ pages... :eek:

So how do we get access to that thread?!?! ;)

[Gee3]

Does anyone have an SUV with a trunk style rack? Is there such a thing? Can I use a Saris Bones rack?

BTW, I have a BMW X3 and the wife doesn't want me to spend $$ on installing a trailer hitch. And now that I have two kids I can't just fold down the split bench seat and throw my bike in the SUV anymore when we stay at the in-laws in Fairfield. And being vertically challenged eliminates the roof rack.

Thanks!
Gary

[Mhendricks]

I have a Saris Bones 2 on my BMW convertible. It's the best trunk rack I have used by far. It is extremely stable, holds 2 heavy mountains bikes without a problem, and it can be folded so the arms are not sticking out when not in use. I highly recommend that rack for its convenience and quality.

+1 on the Saris. I have one on my Infiniti. Besides the women love my Bones 2. My Saris Bones 2!:p

[Siu Blue Wind]

Pheard's bike is on the burgundy car. Note that he has to use the red straps and the pedals hit his bumper. The bike is also able to swing and bump against the car somewhat.

Mine is on the SUV. The bike does not touch the car, and is held by the tires. An arm goes over the front tire and holds it in, while cradled in a curved tray. The tray will fit both road and mtn tires. The rear tire is strapped in with a clicking tab. Put the bike on, swing the arm over the front, click in the rear. Done. It's a Thule T2.


http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o286/Flycrow/rack2.jpg


Here's a better pic off of Google.

http://www.feedthehabit.com/gear_reviews/bikes/thule/sportworks_thule_t2_angle.jpg

[x136]

Hey, I posted it a while back in the Ladies of Foo thread. Oh, whoops, wrong kind of rack. :o :p:lol:

Here's a question...how many people would be traveling with you in the Mini-Van. If it's just you or you and another person, I'd fold down/remove the seats and store the bikes inside with some fork mounts bolted to a 2x4. I have a Thule roof rack on top of my Hyundai Tuscon and it's just about the same height as a minivan. It is more difficult to get the bikes up and down.Hell, I generally just fold the seats down and lay the bike down on top. :) It worked for driving to Portland, so I think it'll work just fine for transport to any local ride.

Does anyone have an SUV with a trunk style rack? Is there such a thing? Can I use a Saris Bones rack?

BTW, I have a BMW X3I have a Thule trunk rack of some sort, and I've spread the legs way out and attached it to the back of a minivan before. Works fine. Your X3 is pretty much a minivan (Shhh, I won't tell! ;)), so it should work.

[kb5ql]

http://www.zaftig.net/images/articles/a3/a3_4.jpg

Folding bike. Then no rack is needed.

/thread.

;)

(waits for SesameCrunch to chime in)

[Dchiefransom]

I put an Xsport 2 bike hitch rack on my Jeep Wrangler. Those are made for Performance Bicycle by Hollywood Racks. I really need to buy the longer wheelbase arms for it, though, as my wheelbase is 66.625".

[steelblue]

I have a Yakima roof rack and wouldn't use anything else. I tried a truck rack but didn't like it because you really have to secure the bikes down and make sure they don't touch each other. I had a bike scratched up before because my friend didn't tied down his front wheel.

You can find good deals on used racks on CL.

BTW, I did drive my car into the garage with my bike on top once. Expensive mistake.

[bigbossman]

Does anyone have an SUV with a trunk style rack?


I have a Chevy Tahoe, and can easily fit three bikes inside the rear (with the front wheels removed).

[x136]

BTW, I did drive my car into the garage with my bike on top once. Expensive mistake.The obvious solution to this possible issue is to have far too much crap (or bikes!) in your garage to even entertain the notion of parking a car in there... :p

[steelblue]

The obvious solution to this possible issue is to have far too much crap (or bikes!) in your garage to even entertain the notion of parking a car in there... :p

Oh believe me, my wife is working on that. She is a pack rat. X, you just gave me a great idea. I'll beat her to the punch by building more bikes.:D

[redspoke]

Wow! I expected a response or two. Amazing!
Yeah! I'm all for packing them in the van but I'm thinking about this summer's STP ride. We go up to Seattle for vacation so it will be me, Mrs., Miss, and Little Mr., 3 bikes and all the bike, kid and wife gear. Plus! I don't know what I was thinking. Each kid has had their own row in the van since day one. It's time they sat together. I need to load it up one day and see how comfy it is before thinking about a rack. It may be unnecessary. I saw an ad on craigslist for a Thule 3-bike hatch rack NIB for $100 and the wheels started turning. Of course they would with that thing.

Nice to see some of your guys hardware though... And on that note: Ladies of Foo. Never heard of it. :rolleyes:

[redspoke]

Oh! Huy. btw.... That fork mounted 2x4 idea is great.

[msincredible]

So how do we get access to that thread?!?! ;)

Nice to see some of your guys hardware though... And on that note: Ladies of Foo. Never heard of it. :rolleyes:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=300676

[Siu Blue Wind]

He's never heard of Ladies of Foo?? :eek: So unexposed...........shame shame shame. *shakes finger at you*

[redspoke]

He's never heard of Ladies of Foo??

You did notice the " :rolleyes: " after making that statement didn't you?

A happily married man needs to play DUMB! :D

[huytheskigod]

Oh! Huy. btw.... That fork mounted 2x4 idea is great.

Yeah. I have this setup to carry our bikes in the back of the tuscon. I don't have much height so my saddle has to get dropped or it would hit the top of the car. You shouldn't have a problem in a minivan. There's only two of us so we can get away with taking up the space. Also, it doesn't kill your MPGs for longer trips. I'll try to take some pictures if I have time after work. Good luck breaking the one per bench habbit. My sister and I grew up with family trips in a 1990 Dodge GRand Caravan with one bench per and it was quite an adjustment when we switched to a Pathfinder with only one bench. Break the habit early!

[BlastRadius]

What kind of minivan do you have? I bought a Hidden Hitch from www.hitchmart.com for my 2005 Odyssey and installed it myself. I wasn't hard at all and relatively cheap w/ free shipping.

I have the Performance Xport Flatbed. I like that it holds both wheels and that it doesn't clamp just the front wheel. Some have said the bar that holds the frame can scratch the frame but it hasn't happened to me so I may just be lucky.
Drawback is once the bikes are loaded, you can't open the hatch without unloading the bikes (which fortunately is pretty easy to do with this rack).
http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/500/40-3559-NCL-ANGLE.jpg

[redspoke]

What kind of minivan do you have?
2005 Toyota Sienna

[BlastRadius]

Looks like it'd be pretty easy to install on the Sienna too.
http://www.hitchmart.com/commerce/product.jsp?prodId=960&catId=1

Drawback it that it does add weight and that will take away gas mileage if you have the hitch installed all the time.

[msincredible]

You did notice the " :rolleyes: " after making that statement didn't you?

A happily married man needs to play DUMB! :D

Hey, no harm in just looking I think. ;)

[SesameCrunch]

http://www.zaftig.net/images/articles/a3/a3_4.jpg

Folding bike. Then no rack is needed.

/thread.

;)

(waits for SesameCrunch to chime in)

Heh, heh. Don't get me started on folding bikes! :D


This is the one I recommend for travel/touring. From this:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e157/sesamecrunch/merc3.jpg

to this:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e157/sesamecrunch/IMG_2279.jpg
in 20 seconds or so...:D

[uspspro]

Have you seen this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQscBxx7wLE&NR=1

Bike Friday Tikit.

[redspoke]

Have you seen this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQscBxx7wLE&NR=1

Bike Friday Tikit.

Call me a goon, but I personally would check that everything has locked before hopping back on. I don't like to eat pavement.

Pretty amazing nonetheless. :eek:

[Steve MacK]

Just last week, drove right into the garage with the bike on top of the SUV. I use one of those older Yakima racks, which clamp onto the downtube, and with both wheels on the bike. It tossed the bike onto the ground, but luckily, no damage aside from some housepaint on the brifters, a misadjusted rear brake, and a bent bike rack channel. The rack holds the bike relatively loosely, with rubber jaw on the downtube and straps on the tires to an aluminum channel. On impact, the bike popped out of the jaw and basically rolled backwards off the channel, bending the front end of the channel up 90 degees, thus freeing the front wheel. It would have been a different story with the common style of rack which clamps to the front fork dropout.

Usually I'm real good at remembering what's on the roof, but after a long stressful day, with the brain a million miles away, it was inevitable I guess.

for that reason, as well as my wife would like a system which she can actually use, I'm getting a swingaway hitch-mounted system, maybe the Thule. I figure I got lucky, and even the most expensive rack is cheaper than a new bike.

[SClaraPokeman]

A general comment l'd make about trunk racks is that it's advisable to take note of the relationship of the car's exhaust pipes and your bike's tires. Your tire can be ruined if it get too close. Even if it doesn't appear to be damaged, it's integrity may be compromised. Be aware of this! Now, since I have a car with dual exhausts, I remove both wheels before using a trunk rack.

[doughboy]

I have a 2002 Subaru WRX sedan with a Yakima rack + Viper carriers. I opted for a rooftop rack because I also use the car as a ski vehicle to get to/from Tahoe. I think it's a great system -- mounting the bike is a very fast endeavor and you keep the mud/dirt outside of the car.

I have used two other methods to carry my bikes: affordable trunk rack (can be taken off quickly when not in use...a good cheap solution but can scratch the bike frame) and transporting the bike inside a hatchback car (easiest/simplest solution but the dirt/mud on the bike quickly dirties up the upholstery/carpet inside the car). I prefer the rooftop rack over these two methods.

The Yakima/Thule rooftop rack is a good system but it is expensive. Also, there is slight play in how secure the bike is. If I'm driving over undulating/curvy/mountainous roads, I can almost feel the bike shake. When there is crosswind, your bike acts like a sail. Lastly, if you drive spiritedly, having a bike on top of the roof will nullify any suspension and/or handling prowess that the car has!

[redspoke]

I saw an ad on craigslist for a Thule 3-bike hatch rack NIB for $100

The lady still had it and even delivered it to my place of business today. It's the 962xt Speedway 3 rear rack. She's had it in her trunk for the past year unopened. I decided to get it since I'm helping the mountain bike team at the high school my wife works at. Driving them to races and the like and I'll always have room for both of my bikes on family trips.

Thanks for the advice about the exhaust... Smart. ;)