Mountain Biking - I need a great deal on a bike rack (quick! ; )

Searched the forums but didn't find much current stuff. I'm not seeing much of interest on ebay, either.

I need a new bike rack for my two mtn bikes. I usually drive a hatchback. Can be a roof, trunk, hitch (last choice since I don't have a hitch yet) or other. Right now I just pop the front wheel off and slide the whole works in the hatchback but that's getting a little tiresome and I'm scratching the heck out of the car.

Most important features: solid, won't warp car panels (like some trunk-lid racks I've used), easy to use, parts available. A great deal is always a plus but reliability comes first.

Thanks! :D

Anybody? (Please!) :D :D :D

Whadaya all ride your bike to the trail all the time??? ;)

LoL can't help you but I hate it when gasoline stations have the opposite side refill when you have to drag the nozzle over to the right side. My dad is aleways careless and scratched the hatch panel. urgh!!!

Also, racks actually warp the cars surface?! Whoa!!

LoL can't help you but I hate it when gasoline stations have the opposite side refill when you have to drag the nozzle over to the right side. My dad is aleways careless and scratched the hatch panel. urgh!!!

Also, racks actually warp the cars surface?! Whoa!!

Looks like you'll have to teach your Dad to pull the car in on the side that has the filler! $10 fine payable to you for a violation. :D

I have had two trunk lids that never quite lined up right again after using trunk racks; the tensioning straps and the weight of the bikes pulled them out of shape after awhile. :(

i dont know what you mean by a deal but check ebay you can find some the ones that strap to the back for cheap and for a good hitch mount one for 2 bikes as low as 60+shipping. I just got a 3 bike hitch rack for 90shipped. And its the 2 arm hitch not the 1 arm hitch were you need the bar from seatpost to headset on y frames

i dont know what you mean by a deal but check ebay you can find some the ones that strap to the back for cheap and for a good hitch mount one for 2 bikes as low as 60+shipping. I just got a 3 bike hitch rack for 90shipped. And its the 2 arm hitch not the 1 arm hitch were you need the bar from seatpost to headset on y frames

OK, thanks. I'll check ebay out again. :) I saw a nice Bell trunk mount that looked well built and fine looking; I'll see if I can track it down.

i bought my trunk rack used from someone for $15 i think. it ain't all that but it serves its purpose when properly installed. look in local classifieds or if there's a region near you check out craigslist.org

Yakimas are the nicest out there. Price is the determing factor. We sell a decent Rhode Gear (Yakima) strap on rack for $70, but for a Yakima roof system you are talking $300-450.

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone! I'll check out your ideas. It's easy to just go buy a rack but I want something that's dependable and reliable with parts available and that won't cause damage to my car (I have racks that have failed each of those tests in my garage).