Mountain Biking - Never use an old bike rack!

So we were coming home from a ride...on the last stretch of freeway...when all of a sudden we hear this "crash". We look back and in horror, we see our four bikes tumbling across the road. The old bike rack had collapsed and spilled our bikes onto the pavement at 65 mph. There was no traffic, luckily, but it sure messed up the bikes. My friend's Klein ended up with a big hole split in the top tube. My Enduro survived with a broken brake lever, broken pedals, shredded saddle, bent up fender, and some very large scrapes. Nothing too major I guess.

Sooo...long story short, I'm looking for a replacement Hayes hydraulic brake lever (left side) and some new clipless pedals. The other damage I can live with. Cambria bicycle outfitters sells a replacement lever; I'll call them tomorrow to make sure it will work. As far as clipless pedals go: I'm planning to get the Shimano PD-M646 pedals. I'd be using them for general trailriding, lots of technical stuff, and probably riding with regular shoes when I do urban. I want a tough clipless pedal with a cage, that's not too expensive. Any other thoughts?

The pedals: http://216.25.8.130/shopexd.asp?id=93

I like the Time Control Z's better than my Shimano's. I have some 646's and some 545's.

You LBS should be able to order you a replacement lever if Cambria gives you trouble. (they shouldn't)

For some pedals. Mallet C's are nice. KonaRider24 could let you know how they ride.

Just for our edification, can you divulge the type, brand/model of bike rack and how old it was?

It's not my rack, so I'm not exactly sure on the details...it wasn't obviously marked. It's the kind that connects to the tow hitch. The uprights are held in place by two plates with slotted sides, that should be locked down by a big U-shaped bolt. It failed when the two plates slipped up and released the uprights, and it folded down; spilling the bikes in the process. When we stopped, it was still connected to the tow hitch, but the uprights were dragging on the ground. It's been used a lot and seemed solid. We're definitely replacing it now though!

Mallet C's look like a good alternative, at about the same price as the 646's. MTBR has some good things to say about them too. Thanks, I'll look into that.

Sorry to hear about the incident with the bike rack, this is the reason why I always transport my rides in my car when the car is needed. PS replied to your PM.

Update: I picked up a new housing for the brake lever from my LBS (ridiculously expensive BTW) and installed it this morning, so it's as good as new. I think I'll go with the Mallet C's...thanks for the recommendation.

Yeah, we're all a little nervous about using a bike rack now :D My friend wanted to replace his Klein anyway, it must have been a sign.

Update: I picked up a new housing for the brake lever from my LBS (ridiculously expensive BTW) and installed it this morning, so it's as good as new. I think I'll go with the Mallet C's...thanks for the recommendation.

Yeah, we're all a little nervous about using a bike rack now :D My friend wanted to replace his Klein anyway, it must have been a sign.

I've had three bad experiences with bike racks; not always the rack's fault, though (like pulling in under a low overhang with two bikes in the roof rack; funniest looking seat posts you've ever seen after that! :D ) and now only carry my bike inside my vehicle (although, I know that doesn't work out for everyone's situation).

I feel bad for ya.

I have been hesitant to invest in a nice yakima rack for my car, but after hearing your story, I am going to. I guess when you think about it, if you are carrying around a couple bikes that add up to be quite a bit more than the car you are carrying them with, then you should probably invest that little bit of extra money in a safe and sturdy carrying method.

sorry to hear about the bikes!

Yeah, I'm sorry to hear that too! Heartbreaking. Maybe now some of the guys won't laugh so hard at me when they see me stuff my Fisher into my Civic coupe. lol

Haha, yeah...I would definitely recommend a solid brand-name rack! It's costing more to repair all the damage than it would have been to buy a new rack...and now we have to do both! If we could fit all our bikes in the car, we would...that's not an option though.
Thanks everyone, I hope this doesn't happen to anyone else!

the same thing happened to me a couple of years ago. the rack actually snapprd at the bit where it attaches to the tow bar. not too much damage to the bikes but we didnt notice till we got home that they were gone.

I have been hesitant to invest in a nice yakima rack for my car, but after hearing your story, I am going to. I guess when you think about it, if you are carrying around a couple bikes that add up to be quite a bit more than the car you are carrying them with, then you should probably invest that little bit of extra money in a safe and sturdy carrying method.

sorry to hear about the bikes!
HOW MUCH DO YOUR BIKES COST!?

Holy cow, if 4 bikes on the back of your car cost more than a car, jebus...

HOW MUCH DO YOUR BIKES COST!?

Holy cow, if 4 bikes on the back of your car cost more than a car, jebus...
:D If your bikes cost more than what you are driving then everything is in order.

Haha :D

Actually our bikes probably do cost more than the car...mid-80's Toyota 4-runner versus Kona, Specialized times two, and Klein. Haha...

:D If your bikes cost more than what you are driving then everything is in order.

For me it is also a matter of what I am driving...its a POS...

I have always valued my bikes more than a vehicle - it does all the same things as a 15000 dollar vehicle (sortof) but I have like 13500 left to spend on bikes with the car I have now. (this all assuming that I have 15000 dollars)

:)

any good or bad experiences with yakima roof racks??

HOW MUCH DO YOUR BIKES COST!?

Holy cow, if 4 bikes on the back of your car cost more than a car, jebus...I've got about 2 grand into my trailbike, and that's moderate. I've also got a Grand into my town / commuter bike

What about me. I refuse to drive a car and have over 6000$ invested in my bikes, NOT including the gfs. My t-shirt is

http://www.cartnetwork.com/cgi-bin/cpro2/7075/cart.cgi?HIDE=0&A=PID210&Q=1

And truly represents how I feel. No matter, if and when I do decide I want to waste money on a motorized vehical, it will likely be like that shirt. My bikes will always mean more to me than anything else besides my family. :)

Maybee I shouldn't mention how much money I have put into my current bike.

I think it would scare people, especially on a ht. Ihave definately had some luck on my side this year :)

You are in shock of $2,000 covering a Fullsuspension bike?

With my kona, I have easily put about $3,000 into it. Total cost of build-$3,100.00 USD.

Both my working bikes total...plus parts and spare from my roast at full value...4700 cdn...right around 3100ish I think in total (at exchange of the time)...

You have a damn strong build...haha

I feel your guys pain. I have about $2800 in my Klein Hardtail bike. I spared no exspense though :). And I just bought a Titus Locomoto that needs a bit of upgrading still. :p

Oh good! I thought you had 4 $5000 bikes on your car! I was using the cost of a car as $20,000. Twas high i spose!

$2000 is a lot but not overly extravagant if you're really into it. Just remember:

Food>Bikes

k?