erikinop

My girlfriend has a Scion Xa and I have a bicycle.

Occasionally when I spend the night at her place she'll offer to pick me up because it's late and i'm tired and too scared of night creatures and other midnight marauders to ride. So, I reluctantly accept and tell myself that it is because I need to preserve my energy for the possibility of many minutes worth of mediocre intercourse and/or the making of delicious sandwiches. Before all that I still have to carry my bike down 3 flights of steps, remove the front wheel, and lower the seat post. This may not seem like a big deal, given the fact that I could take the elevator downstairs... but neither wheel nor seatpost are quick release and i have to fumble around with tools when all i want is some sex and a sandwich.

I need to get a bike rack for her car. Photo is below. It can't impair the door (hitch) and it needs to be unobtrusive. Are there bike racks that fold/retract/dissappear for cars?

It will only be occasional usage. Maybe once, twice a week. Don't want it to be annoying for her to have when it isn't being used. But don't want it to be annoying for me set up, when I need to use it. Also, cheapness is a pretty key factor.

Please help.. Food and sex are essential.

Here is the car:

DieselDan

The bike should fit inside the car unless you are way too big.

apclassic9

Your GF should understand your needs and sell her car immediately & get something that you can fit your bike into without taking it apart.

OR

You should get some QR wheels & a seatpost so it fits.

OR

You should grow up & get some night lights.

chephy

I think getting a couple of quick release skewers will be cheaper and easier than getting a rack you'll have to put on the car and take off all the time.

erikinop

yes, quick release would be easier. unfortunately, it would also be easier for the thieves of syracuse. i live in a slum... seriously. i live in an abandoned warehouse! it is being renovated, but i have no heat, no kitchen, a toilet down 5 flights of stairs... i pay $100.00 a month for 10,000 sq feet of space with electricity, water, and internet.

man, why is everyone on BF such an ass?

how come when someone asks "what bike rack should i get?" instead of responding with "get this kind..." people say "don't get a bike rack" and/or "you are such an idiot for posting on bike forums with a bike related question"?

why even post?!

Cyclon

Or another option is to get a folding bike. A good bike rack is pretty expensive. Unless you're will to get one of cheap bike racks that uses nylon straps to stay on the car. But those nylon straps will scratch up the paint of your gf's car.

FlatTop

I guess you are assuming that there's a ready answer for your question. That's two assumptions if you count "...man, why is everyone on BF such an ass?..".

Since you didn't say not to mention workable alternatives, some were presented with varying levels of sincerity.

Wish I could help with your problems, but the only easy-to-live-with bike rack I've used has been the type that slides into a trailer hitch (receiver). Which of course you don't have.

chephy

Because some people may not realize that it is even possible and easy to replace a nut-and-bolt setup with quick releases. If that advice is not useful, just skip it. There is no need to go into a lengthy defence of your position and then beotch about everyone's being an ass. From my experience, the overwhelming majority of BF'ers are really nice and helpful folks (granted, I don't hang out in Road Cycling so much ). But I guess I approach the place with a different mindset...

Shavit

i agree with chephy ... OP, lighten up.

as for your bike rack, i'm not sure what to tell you. I'm guessing the car is on the smaller side, so you will pretty much be unable to attach a rack below the hatch (the bike will drag/hit the ground). And if you put it over the hatch, you'll have to take it on and off every time you use it (right?) ... unscrewing the bolts will be faster/easier then securing a rack in the dark.

(this may have been what those other posters were thinking when they said get quick releases.)

which, by the way, while were on the subject, you could always leave the bolt on the rear wheel and detach the front when locking it up ... or just get separate chain to attach the front wheel to the bike when locking it up ... or chain the seat down ....

(bike thieves like unsecured quick releases, not just quick releases)

good luck on the choice, and i hope the sex gets better ...

Dr.Deltron

The $50 I spent on my Hollywood folding rack has be repaid ten fold!

I love that rack. I've even hauled home (and later hauled to the dump) an UPRIGHT FREEZER!
(it was on the sidewalk with a "FREE" sign on it, lasted about a year)

I can put 3 regular bikes on it, or one of my tricycles.

SonataInFSharp

Well, considering your post is supposed to be about bike racks but you mention sex more than bike racks, what kind of tone do you think you set yourself up for?

cyclepixie

I have a chevy Aveo hatchback (wanted the Xa but couldn't afford it) and use a Thule 967 Metro 3-Bike Trunk Rack that I got on Amazon for about $35. Yeah it has those cheesey nylon straps but it clamps really well to the hatch door and the fork/prong things can be ratcheted to lie flat against the door. Used to have the same type Bell brand but the forks didn't go flat and had these annoying plastic bike holders.
Best of luck with the sandwiches......

NightRyder

Have her go to your house. Oh and if you think people here are an ass you should see other parts segments of the forums.

erikinop

the forums aren't so bad after all. thanks.

it is the last friday of the month... off to critical mass

arriviste

Hey erikinop, Check out a Stealth 2 or 3. I have a 3 bike that I use very occasionally and its so simple, and cheap. Less than $60 American. It touches the car in only one place (on the bumper) and uses a series of cables to tension it. I've driven at 85 mph with mine holding 2 bikes behind my hatch and its rock solid. Here it is:



Heres a link to the manufacturer:

https://www.stealthrack.com/bumper_2.htm

Cya

c0urt

I second the stealth rack those are pretty common here in birmingham,


but what kind of responses did you expect considering alot of the guys here put riding before sex.

and the others date women with minivans.

and then there is me who would just tell you to do it in the bushes if it only takes a few minutes ( but i like natures so my opinion doesnt matter)