Fifty Plus (50+) - 2nd last bike accessory advice request: adapter bar

We bought two Specialized Low-entry Elite models, and will need adapter bars to fit on the car rack.

The bike shop has Saris models. Any thoughts, pros or cons? I'm inclined to go with what they recommend (carry), since I'm buying the bike and car rack, helmets and probaly the tire pump from them.

I'm geting excited to get going!!

Are your bikes something like this?
http://s7d5.scene7.com/is/image/Specialized/6933?$Display$

What bike rack do you have? If its a Saris Bones are you sure you really need an adapter bar? The bikes don't have to be level when on the bike rack.
I have a Saris Bones :thumb: and it works just fine for both of my bikes. If you want the adapter so the bikes are carried "level" then what is the question? Get the adapter.

I have a Saris adapter, along with the Saris Solo rack. I'm using the rack on a 2009 Jetta and the adapter with an Electra Townie. The setup works well. I like the Solo rack because a) I only need to carry one bike at a time; b) it's lightweight and easy to attach; c) it doesn't shift or seem unstable; d) it's easy to put away and store in the trunk. I just wrap the pedal that touches the car in a towel so the car paint doesn't get scratched and I tie the front wheel to the frame so it doesn't shift and hit the car.

As far as the adapter goes, it does the job well.

Pros:
- The length can be adjusted depending on your bike.
- One clamp is wider than the other (to accommodate thicker bars)
- The ends are rubberized so your bike's paint doesn't get damaged.
- Easy to put on and take off
- It's heavy and feels very solid. Some say that it seems "weak" but I don't find this to be the case at all.

Cons:
- This largely depends on the height of your seat and the bike itself, but I find that in order to get the bike level, I have to raise the seat up from the normal position
- The large clamp doesn't seem like it'd fit on thick bikes like the Nirve beach cruisers. It fits around my Townie with not much room to spare.
- Clamp size is not adjustable.

193499
For some reason the rack looks tilted and/or the beam looks like it's bending, but it's just the photo.

We bought two Specialized Low-entry Elite models, and will need adapter bars to fit on the car rack.

The bike shop has Saris models. Any thoughts, pros or cons? I'm inclined to go with what they recommend (carry), since I'm buying the bike and car rack, helmets and probaly the tire pump from them.

I'm geting excited to get going!!

I have one of those adapter bars I'd be happy to part with. As I recall, it's a Saris. My rack is, anyway. I no longer have a bike that requires an adapter bar.

You could pick it up from me at the library or I live on University Ave a stone's throw from Towner's Bike Shop. Lemme know if you're interested.

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCProduct.jsp?spid=52736&scid=1002&scname=Transport%2FFitness


gotta have it...

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCProduct.jsp?spid=52736&scid=1002&scname=Transport%2FFitness

Is there really much difference between different brands of these adapters?