clivan78

Anyone got opinions on the best way to transport a bike by car, or more importantly transporting 2 bikes without damaging them. I have a cheap scissors type that mounts on the towbar but the two bikes rub together and get scraped. Is a roof mounted bike the best option ??

SlimRider

If you don't have any backseat passengers, you can always remove the front wheel and place the bike behind the driver. The front wheel, of course will be in the trunk. Now place the second bike on the roof rack.

Alternatively, you could always just get roof racks for two, making certain that there's no friction between the two.

CraigB

I prefer roof racks, but they have their own drawbacks, like having to lift the bikes into place (which can be a minor annoyance, or a pain, depending on whether your vehicle is tall, or you're exceptionally tired, or the bike is unusually heavy), there's nothing to shield the bike from road grunge and windshield washer fluid (DAMHIKT), and most importantly, you have to remain aware that it's up there every time you approach anything with a limited clearance, like a garage door, or parking deck, or even some drive-throughs. OTOH, having them up top does protect them from other cars bumping them, or you damaging them when backing into things, etc.

Retro Grouch 

The best and cheapest bike rack is a canvas drop cloth that you get from the paint store. Use it to protect your back seat upholstery from chain yuck.

RonH

Saris Bones 2. It has a strap that holds each bike at the seat tube so the bikes don't move or sway and bump each other or the car.

ahsposo 

I've got a Honda Accord and I like a roof rack. It's versatile. I carry all sort of stuff up there besides my bikes.

I wouldn't use one on a SUV because of the height but then I wouldn't ever own an SUV.

ratdog

If you put the bike in the back seat of a car, I would try to sling the seat belt over it. Last thing you want is an airborne bike in event of an accident.

tsl

+1

And the Bones 3 holds three bikes rock steady.

jsdavis

In my car, I can usually remove the wheels and throw the whole thing in the trunk. Minivan, I can put two bikes inside upright without disassembling them. I two ratchet straps on each bike to keep them up and prevent them from moving though. Minivan has a roof rack, but I have no bike rack for it. I've used it for ladder only and that was a royal pain in the butt...ladder is about 70lbs.

jsdavis

Pro-tip: Most car seat belts in the rear when fully extended will enter a ratchet mode where it can only retract and will only extend again once it is almost fully retracted. This is an intentional design for use with child seats. If securing a bike or other cargo, fully extend the seat belt first so that during a collision, there is no chance for the seat belt to extend before it locks.

Many newer cars, 2004ish or newer, will have these things called ISO child seat mounts that you can use with a rope or ratchet strap. They are often located between the seat bottom and seat back in the rear seats. While I'm not sure whether or not they can constantly support force, or how much force, I would think they should hold-up during a collision if you have a light weight object like a bike since child and child seat weigh about as much as a bike.

wahoonc

+ a couple more.
I use the Saris Bones 2 and love it. FWIW it is rated for 70#, two 35# bikes. It handles my 50# city bike with no problems and we have loaded a pair of old Raleigh 3 speeds on it, no problems. Roof racks are okay, but they are hard for me to load and increase wind resistance, and you run the risk of low overhead clearance.

Aaron