What Kind Of Bike Carrier Do You Have?

[denda]

We are looking to buy a new hitch type bike carrier. What kind do you like?

[Zen]

I like my Thule (a lot) but you'll probably find some Saris fans here as well.

[sandra]

Just recently bought a Saris. It's great and does not wobble at all.

[Tuckervill]

and I like my Yakima King Pin. I don't think you can go wrong with any one of those brands. If I were to get a new one, though, I'd get the kind that your wheels sit in, like on buses.

Karen

[singletrackmind]

Sportworks modular. We can hold three bikes on ours and supposedly can have up to 4 mounts....though that'd get a bit dicey, bikes that far out. Don't know how it'd work on a car (may drag on dips, like driveways) but it's great on the 4runner.

[Mel_bikes]

we have a Saris. It hold the bikes secure but because of a back mounted spare we had to put an extension on (this allows wobble in the rack, not the bikes).
Also I found that filling the maximum number of bikes there were issues. Very tight fits and a game plan as to which bike to put on first. I have been loving my roof mount in comparison, great money spent. Bikes secure, no wobble and can lock the bike rack much easier. It required an extra long cable lock and a secondary cable to lock 4 bikes on the hitch mount and the hitch to the car. Roof racks require so much more effort to get off and with the bikes locked to the rack, too much time elapses for anyone to "wonder" if a theft is occurring. IMO

[7rider]

We are looking to buy a new hitch type bike carrier. What kind do you like?

For our 1.25" receiver hitch, we got the Thule T2 (http://www.thuleracks.com/thule/product.asp?dept_id=8&sku=917)rack. It holds the bikes upright, you don't need to remove the front wheel, it easily carries a wide variety of bikes, and it loads in about 2 seconds. Very simple. Very easy.

In the spirit of full disclosure..
Cons: Locking core is a must. I personally use a cable lock for long trips for added security. And the rack stays on all the time as it's a p.i.a. to remove. But, we rarely drive that vehicle, and when we do, it's usually to cart the bikes somewhere, so it's no biggie.

[Trek420]

King Cobra 2 bike roof rack.

[Crankin]

I just bought a Saris Thelma (see my earlier thread about how my old rack got trashed). It's easy to use and carries 2 bikes. My husband has the Saris platform rack on his SUV. We have the extender piece, so we can carry up to 4 bikes. This is easy to use, once it is on the hitch.

[brok]

Love my Swagman Twister - seems to be good for a variety of different bikes because the cradle that holds the bike can be rotated. http://www.swagman.net/detail.php?cat=3&b=1&id=64850# Their site only lists the 2" receiver for a class III hitch, but I got one for a class II hitch with the 1¼" receiver from Amazon.

[Celeste]

We have a receiver hitch Thule as well. LOVE IT! Bikes load in seconds.

Put the tires in the holders and put the hook over front tire, ratchet down and done. OK, there is a rear tire do-hickey that you strap over, but it is very fast.

It was worth the price we paid in my opinion. :)

[tprevost]

We have a receiver hitch Thule as well. LOVE IT! Bikes load in seconds.

Put the tires in the holders and put the hook over front tire, ratchet down and done. OK, there is a rear tire do-hickey that you strap over, but it is very fast.

It was worth the price we paid in my opinion. :)

my boyfriend has one of these and I have the yakima version of the same rack... love both of them. The Thule locks though and the Yakima doesn't so I'd have to say the Thule is the better one ;)

[Tuckervill]

You should lock your rack to the hitch with a locking pin, too.

Karen

[Reesha]

I have a Thule rack for my sedan, however, since I'm single and never driving anyone around, I usually forego the rack and just put the bike in my car. I always have my back seat down and either my mountain bike or road bike in my car. That way I don't have to worry about little hooligans stealing it or rain getting it all wet right before a ride etc. And it's always there when I need an adventure! :D