General Cycling Discussion - Looking for recommendations for bike rack

There are the fork mount and what is called upright (attach to the bike frame). Thule products costs a lot (~$100) while Performance and Nashbar provide much less expensive solutions (~$40). Can you help with your experience with these products – the good the bad etc.

Many thanks
Mossi

We use the Yakima rack. Who cares about the cost when you have $5000+ of bikes up there. We have jammed out to San Diego and not a problem. Yakimas customer service is number one with me.

There are the fork mount and what is called upright (attach to the bike frame). Thule products costs a lot (~$100) while Performance and Nashbar provide much less expensive solutions (~$40). Can you help with your experience with these products – the good the bad etc.

Many thanks
Mossi

I've used a couple of Thule Velo Vise fork mounts for more than 6 years. I like them because they don't touch any of the painted parts of my bikes (other than dropouts), and because (if necessary) I can adjust the fit tension with one hand while I hold my bike with the other.

I use an "upright" mount rack because I feel that it holds the bike more securely and combines ease of loading. It holds all types of frame designs which is important because I and my friends have some bikes with strange geometries. I usually don't attach the upright mount to the frame. I attach it to the seatpost. In some cases, it's unavoidable to not attach to the frame. To avoid scratching the paint, you can use a small strip of cut up innertube at the clamp to protect the finish.

I have a Hollywood Teamrider (no longer made) and also like the Delta BikeHaul (maybe discontinued too). I have used my Teamrider while hauling my mountain bikes around during offroad driving on up to class 7 trails (Colorado scale (http://www.cohvco.org/ca4wdci/web_pgs/diff.htm)) although you really have to be careful about your decreased departure angles with the rack attached and extended if you get on trails past class 5.

http://www.neebu.net/~khuon/albums/rattlesnake_lake/PICT0001.jpg
http://www.neebu.net/~khuon/albums/whidbey_island-20040516/PICT0106.jpg

mossi, what kind of vehicle do you have, but for a less expensive solution, I say you should go with the trunk rack. They range from 80 to 120 US dollars. If you can spend a bit more, get a better rack if you can. For me, I have Yakima roof rack for my 94 Acura integra, it is a fork mount rack, which I need to take off the front wheel, it's a little more work, but holds better. I drive 90mph on freeway with two bikes on it, no problem, just don't let the cop see this thread ok? Also, security is the most concern, I can lock my bikes on the roof, so I can go restroom, eat, etc... and no one dare to steal the bikes. I don't have any experience of the trunk rack, but I think it kind of "block" the rear window, and you won't have much clear vision of the back. Just my suggestion, go with roof rack if you can afford one.

Ray

purchased a fork mount and an upright. will send a review after testig them.