Rob Janssen
09-07-04, 06:11 PM
I have a Honda Odyssey 2000 - Is there any reliable 4 bike truck mount out there? CityStop.com advertises an IMPACT model for under 100.00 - anyone out there try it?
General Cycling Discussion - Trunk Mount Bike Racks - Vans
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Retro Grouch
09-07-04, 07:09 PM
I have a Honda Odyssey 2000 - Is there any reliable 4 bike truck mount out there? CityStop.com advertises an IMPACT model for under 100.00 - anyone out there try it?
I'm not familiar with that particular bike rack. I have some pretty strong opinions about car racks in general. YMMV.
1. If you use any strap-on rack once a week for a whole summer, by September you'll be able to tell where the feet and straps rested against your car's paint job.
2. You don't have to attend very many group rides before you find somebody who has dropped a strap-on rack full of bikes somewhere on the road.
3. It's easy to load one bike on most any rack. The second's a bit more difficult because you have to align the cranks, handlebars, seat and such. The third's tricker still and so on. If any of the bikes have unconventional frames, all bets are off.
4. Receiver hitch racks are good. Receiver hitch racks that hold your bikes upright on their own wheels are even better.
I'm not familiar with that particular bike rack. I have some pretty strong opinions about car racks in general. YMMV.
1. If you use any strap-on rack once a week for a whole summer, by September you'll be able to tell where the feet and straps rested against your car's paint job.
2. You don't have to attend very many group rides before you find somebody who has dropped a strap-on rack full of bikes somewhere on the road.
3. It's easy to load one bike on most any rack. The second's a bit more difficult because you have to align the cranks, handlebars, seat and such. The third's tricker still and so on. If any of the bikes have unconventional frames, all bets are off.
4. Receiver hitch racks are good. Receiver hitch racks that hold your bikes upright on their own wheels are even better.
CycleFreakLS
09-07-04, 11:50 PM
First, I too, have a 2000 Odyssey.
For hitch mounted carriers, there is Yakima, Thule, and Bauer. I was going to get the Yakima when I went to a store that had Bauer (which I'd never heard of before). The shop is Sports Rack Outfitters and they carry hitches, carriers, etc. Their web site:
http://www2.sportsrack.com/
The carrier I got:
http://www.sportsrack.com/sportsrack/product.asp?s%5Fid=0&dept%5Fid=29053&pf%5Fid=JAEGDDGFBJMIDPEB&dp%5Fid=&dl%5Fid=&
It is actually a 2 bike carrier on a swing arm. Very convenient since you can still open the back with the bikes on the carrier. I got the 2 bike add on. Difference from the Yakima, EACH bike is locked to the carrier - when I got mine, the Yakima model that had the swing arm ... only the OUTSIDE bike locked to the carrier.
Also, the BVG also locks to the hitch so somebody can't walk off with your bikes by taking the carrier off from the hitch.
Note: the thing is HEAVY. I would bottom out the Odyssey with 4 bikes on driveways, so I had to go slow. The solution ... I got a Air Lift 1000 for the Odyssey. Essentially, it is two air bladders that sit in the rear suspension. You can adjust the pressure via two extra valves on each side of the car. I normally run 25 psi. Fully loaded, 4 bikes, Yakima Rocket Box on top, loaded to the hilt for a trip to Mammoth Mountain, the Odyssey looks LEVEL when you look at it sideways. Other vehicles I see (including SUVs) are tilted upwards (back is riding LOW).
If you carry mountain bikes with full suspensions, you may need to get dummy top tubes to get them on this carrier. For that, I went with the Yakima ones; they look, well, better built than the others.
Lastly, the reason I got the BVG was it was cheaper than the Yakima and I liked that the carrier and all bikes were locked.
Best.
For hitch mounted carriers, there is Yakima, Thule, and Bauer. I was going to get the Yakima when I went to a store that had Bauer (which I'd never heard of before). The shop is Sports Rack Outfitters and they carry hitches, carriers, etc. Their web site:
http://www2.sportsrack.com/
The carrier I got:
http://www.sportsrack.com/sportsrack/product.asp?s%5Fid=0&dept%5Fid=29053&pf%5Fid=JAEGDDGFBJMIDPEB&dp%5Fid=&dl%5Fid=&
It is actually a 2 bike carrier on a swing arm. Very convenient since you can still open the back with the bikes on the carrier. I got the 2 bike add on. Difference from the Yakima, EACH bike is locked to the carrier - when I got mine, the Yakima model that had the swing arm ... only the OUTSIDE bike locked to the carrier.
Also, the BVG also locks to the hitch so somebody can't walk off with your bikes by taking the carrier off from the hitch.
Note: the thing is HEAVY. I would bottom out the Odyssey with 4 bikes on driveways, so I had to go slow. The solution ... I got a Air Lift 1000 for the Odyssey. Essentially, it is two air bladders that sit in the rear suspension. You can adjust the pressure via two extra valves on each side of the car. I normally run 25 psi. Fully loaded, 4 bikes, Yakima Rocket Box on top, loaded to the hilt for a trip to Mammoth Mountain, the Odyssey looks LEVEL when you look at it sideways. Other vehicles I see (including SUVs) are tilted upwards (back is riding LOW).
If you carry mountain bikes with full suspensions, you may need to get dummy top tubes to get them on this carrier. For that, I went with the Yakima ones; they look, well, better built than the others.
Lastly, the reason I got the BVG was it was cheaper than the Yakima and I liked that the carrier and all bikes were locked.
Best.