my goodness you guys are wimps, i've been using the same old trunk rack for years, this year the rubber on the rack was starting to crack a little so i wrapped both bike support bars with some old bar tape, soft as ever I tie my bikes down with bungies, 2 on the top tube, one around each wheel to keep the bike from swinging a bit, and to keep the wheels from spinning. I also put an old firewood mit over the pedal that's touching the trunk to protect the pedal and my trunk.

If you ever got rear ended i think your bike would be the least of your worries and it would be completely covered by the other guy's insurance.

As for the brake cable, flip the quick release lever on the brakes to losen the cable tension.. DUH...