Bicycle Mechanics - How do u think about this bike rack??

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vivid2012
03-25-11, 01:38 AM
Hi,there. Was wondering what kind of bike rack do u guys use? Wanna buy a nice rack. I've just looked into this Speedway Bike Rack Thule (http://giftmadesimple.com/product/Road%20Bike%20Single%20Wind%20Chain%20/31465/?rid=28904829). Am I on the right track? Will I be disappointed?
It's hard for me to judge only out of pics. I'm sure there're lots of professionals out there. Plz give me some advice. Thanks.


Looigi
03-25-11, 06:33 AM
I have a similar Thule and it works fine. The hot setup for a trunk mount rack these days seems to be Saris Bones rack, which works on the same basic principle. Alternatives, of course, are roof racks and hitch racks, depending on your vehicle and preferences.

HillRider
03-25-11, 08:07 AM
My preference is for a hitch rack as these keep both the rack and bike completely out of contact with the car's paint and glass and they are fast to install and remove. Their downside is that you need a hitch installed on the car and that increases the cost.


blamp28
03-25-11, 08:24 AM
My preference is for a hitch rack as these keep both the rack and bike completely out of contact with the car's paint and glass and they are fast to install and remove. Their downside is that you need a hitch installed on the car and that increases the cost.

+1 on this. Having been in the sport for years, I actually own this type of rack as well as roof, and hitch racks. I keep all of them since we occasionally have needs or lend them to our kids but I prefer the hitch rack for the reasons Hillrider stated. The speedway type rack is always my last choice and in fact, I only own it as a rack to lend to my kids since it will fit so many vehicles.

ezdoesit
03-25-11, 09:50 AM
had/have a rack but prefer to put the bike in the car and not on the car/rack.:)

HillRider
03-25-11, 10:13 AM
had/have a rack but prefer to put the bike in the car and not on the car/rack.:)
The usefulness of that approach depends on what kind of a car, van or SUV you have, how many passengers and how much stuff is in the trunk or rear bay. There often isn't room for a bike and multiple bikes make this even less possible.

I have a small SUV and if I'm alone or with one passenger and not a lot of stuff to carry, I'll put one bike inside too. Othewise, it has to go on the hitch rack. Two bikes always go on the rack.

sonnetg
03-25-11, 12:12 PM
I have a Saris QuickRack. It holds 3 bikes, seems ok. I bought it for $50.

I try and avoid using racks. I have a small sedan, but if I fold the seats, i can fit my bike in the trunk. Trunk Racks can take a long time to setup and i would hate to take it on long distance.

Looigi
03-25-11, 02:07 PM
I used to use the trunk rack with my BMW. I stuck clear protective plastic to the car where the rack made contact. This positively protects the paint. Stuff like this:

http://www.autobarn.net/trit9020series.html