Portis

I have a Trek 4300 Mountain Bike. I was considering buying a Bike Rack to mount on the rear of my Chrysler Cirrus. I have read a couple of reviews that really trash rear mount bike racks. I don't want to spend a lot of money but I don't want to bounce my bike off the pavement on interstate.

Can anyone recommend a good and inexpensive rear mount bike rack. I only intend to haul one bike. I also don't plant to use it for any trips over 40 miles but might eventually.

BikeTyke

they work but ruin the finnish on your car and the nylon straps have a tendancy to get worn out. Plus they are a pain in the ass to put on and take off. I say spend a little more and get a hitch installed. they are fairly cheap and easy to intall yourself if you have ramps. Plus they are lockable. something you can't do with rear carriers

khuon

I agree... I used to use trunk racks on my cars but they got to be a pain. I had to constantly stop and recheck retighten the straps. Go for a hitch rack or roof rack. I prefer hitch racks.

Portis

what are ramps?

khuon

Simply that... metal ramps that you can drive your car up onto, apply the brakes and chock the wheels thus elevating one end or the other to give you more clearance underneath so you can install stuff or work on things.

Portis

OK. I think I need to investigate getting a trailer hitch installed. Is this pracitcal for a car???

What exactly to I need to add to my car as a hitch to accept a GOOD bike rack? I am willing to spend the money.

BikeTyke

All you need is the hitch, bike rack, and a bolt to attach the rack to the hitch. The Hitch usually come with reciever.
Buy the hitch before the rack, b/c you will need to know if you need a 1.25", 2" or rectangular reciever. Most cars come only in the 1.25 or rectangular reciever and are considered class ones.

Portis

Some have told me this (hitch) is still worse than a roof rack. Will I still need to remove front wheel or bungie it? Can I use the fork/tray mount type?

a2psyklnut

Personally, I like hitch mounted racks better than roof racks. Lifting my bike over my head and trying to mount it into a tray or a fork clamp mechanism doesn't sound like fun for me. Plus, there is always the possiblity of dropping your bike and damaging your car finish. Not to mention getting home after a long day of riding and pulling into the garage and forgetting the bikes are up there!

Someone told me they didn't like hitch mounted racks because of the possibility of getting rear ended and damaging their bikes. Heck, if someone rear ends me, it's their insurance that's gonna pay, and I'd rather sacrifice my bike(s) than getting my car damaged.

The size of your car(towing capacity) will determine the size (Class) of your hitch. If possible stick with a 2" receiver. This will give you more choices when it comes to buying a rack. My suggestion is to avoid the single arm racks. I have a two arm rack (Hollywood Rack) and I can fit ANY frame on it, including wierd full suspension bike frames. You CAN'T do that with a single!

I also use a 6' piece of cable and a second cable lock to lock up the bikes when traveling. I loop on end of the cable around the hitch (bolted to the car) and through the wheels, then the other cable through the wheels and the frames on the other side and through the top of the rack! It's not 100% safe, but it's another deterent!

L8R

browndog

One more question about hitch racks. Are they universal in what cars they fit? I'm going to buy a car next year, but wouldn't mind getting a hitch rack now. I've hesitated because I thought a rack I buy now may not fit on a car I buy next year.

I am not planning to jump from a car to an SUV or anything.

khuon

For the most part, they should work. You need to make sure you're getting the rack with the appropriate stinger (the part that fits into the hitch receiver) size. Some racks don't come in all available stinger sizes however. Also, most racks are set back enough away from the vehicle that they will clear any obstructions, however it is conceivable that if you have huge rice-burner wings hanging way off the back to rival a Fokker DR.1 that you may see clearance issue. This is also dependent on how recessed the hitch is installed too.

khuon

Well... some people have bikes that are worth more than their cars... both monetarily and sentimentally. That said, there are things that can be done to help protect both the vehicle and the bikes actually. Several racks can be equipped with bumpers direct from the manufacturer. Other racks such as my Hollywood Teamrider has a removabel endcap that is used for "expension" and thus you can either construct a bumper to fit in there or use a bumper from another rack manufacturer.

Portis

You have a pic of the whole bike/rack? Looks like a cool deal.

khuon

I don't have the Delta BikeHaul rack. I do have a Hollywood Teamrider. I liked the BikeHaul except for the fact that it doesn't fold down so you can't access the liftgate without removing the bikes and you can't fold it up when it's not being used. The BikeHaul's optional bumper should fit most similar racks that have a removable endcap.



Here's some pictures of my rack on my Jeep with my MTB...

a2psyklnut

Most racks are compatible with "Reese" type receivers, as long as they are the same size (i.e 1.25" or 2"). So you will be able to use your rack on your new car as long as the hitch itself is the same size. Chances are though that you will have to buy a new hitch (bolted to the underside of your car), as these are specific for different cars.

L8R

browndog

Thanks.

I thought the hitch would come with the rack. (Geez, I'm such a newbie.) So, I can get any rack as long as I get a hitch for my old/new care that is compatible.

Cool. Thanks guys.

a2psyklnut

Here's a photo of a Reese Receiver type hitch for cars.

Depending on the model car will determine the towing capacity and the bolt pattern for installation. Usually they will directly bolt on to existing bolt holes on your undercarriage.

Chances are that these will NOT be capatable from Car to Car. Figure a good $100 for a decent hitch receiver, then another $200 to $250 for a decent hitch. If you get a new car, you'll probably have to spend another $100.

L8R

a2psyklnut

Here's a link where I found the pic:Reese Hitches

L8R

Portis

Anybody have any experience with this bike rack? I am considering getting the Sportworks Mod Series Rack. Also I was wondering about having a hitchmount rack on a car. Does the bike catch a lot of wind and does that matter?

On an SUV it obviously would be more protected, due to it's higher profile.

a2psyklnut

No, it doesn't really catch a whole lotta wind. Much less that a roof mounted rack.

What brand rack is that?

Do you have a link to their website?

L8R

stapfam

How cheap?, The options so far of fitting a tow bar on the car, and then fiiting some of the racks mentioned to it, Don't sound cheap.

I do around 2,000 miles a year with mine and other riders bikes strapped to my People carrier. I use a normal rear carrier, and have never had any problems With the bikes, damage to the car, or wearing out the fixing straps. I normally carry 2 bikes on it, but if I carry 3, then to keep the weight down, I take the wheels off and put them inside.

The difference is that I bought a quality unit in the first place and there is not a bit of flimsy tin plate or plastic on it. The way it sits on the car is adjustable and has fitted every car I have had in the past 10 years, and even ones I don't own by loaning it to friends.

The other bit of advice is to make certain that you fit it correctly to the car in the first place. In this way it will last for years and fit a large variety of cars wihout damaging them

Portis

I have a link up there now. It is a Sportworks.

I am also considering the 1UpUsa. It seems to have a cult following. I just wonder about it being to wide? Anyone have this one?

a2psyklnut

I know Sportsworks are the ones that many municipalities use on their busses. The benefits are ease of use and compatibility with all bikes.

One of the mags did a review of their racks (Bike I think, last year) and they gave it good reviews. You can load up and secure your bike in 15 secs. they claimed.

I haven't used public transportation in decades, so I cannot attest to the validity of this.

L8R

a2psyklnut

Just saw this: https://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/sho...threadid=73058

L8R