Racks
 

So I'm going to buy a bike rack and I was wonderin how they hold up. I'm paranoid somethings going to happen while I'm driving. Should I be?

Hitch, roof, trunk?

Trunk.

don't go to walmart for it.

The best ones I have used are the hitch mounted. Class I hitches are available for most vehicles and you can find racks everywhere. I like these mainly because it keeps the bike away from the car (or truck) and it holds them very well.

I have a Corolla . . . I think I'm going to Costco if they have one. Not sure what brand tho.

I use roof racks but always do an 'idiot check' before driving off. Double check that everything is tight the way it's supposed to be. Make sure you didn't leave a wheel leaning against the car, or something. That should reduce your fear of surprizes. (and I've had my share) ;)

Remember that you get what you pay for. If your bike is a $25 garage sale beater, then a $25 cheap rack is more than enough. If on the other hand you plan to tote your $5000 carbon road bike that was custom built by three monks from tibet then I would suggest you spend a few more dollars.

I have a saris bones for my Treks. I paid about $1000 for the two bikes and $100 for the rack. Prior to that I had a bell that I got cheap. I almost lost one of the bikes when a simple plastic part failed as a semi passed. It was actually hanging by one strap.

torgrot

Some minor cautions about trunk-mount racks: They work fine (I've carried three heavy bikes on my Mazda with my Yakima), but you should be meticulous when you're installing them, and check them every time you stop. The straps tend to work loose on even the best ones (I've had two Yakimas and two Thules)--not enough to dump the load, but enough that you get a little sway. I take up about an inch here and there every 100 miles or so (seems to be self-limiting, though--they loosen to a certain point, then no more; they don't just keep getting looser and looser until the bikes drop into the street.
The bikes can sway and vibrate as you drive, so they get scratched or dented, or you can rub a hole in a tire. It's often easier to pad them with foam pipe insulation (cheap at Home Depot) than to immobilize them.
I also have a rooftop Yakima, and it's much more secure than the strap-on, but on the highway it cuts my mileage from about 34 to 26. When I just have one or two bikes, I use the trunkster.

Have you had any scratching or denting on your car?

Anything you put on your paint will abrade it to some level. Nothing touches the paint of any of my cars except cleaning supplies.

But I'm a griots garage and Zaino nut.


Sheldon

As was said anything that touches your paint will have an effect on it. Whether you can tolerate the effect is up to you. I use my bones on both my Altima and my Sentra and I haven't been distressed by the results. I am far more unhappy about door dings in the parking lot at work, than anything the bikes, or bike rack has ever done.

torgrot

Put a few good coats of wax on the trunk and bumper and you will have no problems. I have used my Saris Bones 3 for 13 years and never had a problem even on my black cars. In fact I think that was only place that DIDN'T have swirl marks on my black Civic.

That's why i think hitch mounted racks are the way to go. I've got one on my Saturn wagon and it holds tight and away from the car. I'll post a pic when I get one... Jeff

Yup, and put your garage door opener in the glove compartment to remind you of where your bike is for when you get back home.

This is the one I have been using. Holds my bikes securely and hasn't scratched the surface of my car.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...estore_ID=1332