advice on bike racks????

Hi all-
I'm new to this site, but my first perusal of it makes me think this is one of the best resources i've seen yet for women and cycling.

I am looking to start driving out to further destinations to cycle and take my bike on vacation with me this summer and will need to get a bike rack- as I can't fit my bike in my trunk with the rest of the luggage.

I drive a VW passat, (no hitch...) and it seems like I could either get a roof rack installed, or buy a trunk rack-

anyone have any experience with either, or any advice on what to buy?

the roof racks seem like they'd be a pain to get the bike up there....but the trunk racks worry me as I'm not so sure they are as sturdy and wonder if they'll damage the car?

thanks for the help!

The various bike shops who provided support for my Habitat ride used Saris, they look nice although I have no personal experience.
http://www.orsracksdirect.com/saris-...ack-3-801.html

I own Saris, two of them, one for the mud car and one for the fancy sedan. The racks have not damaged the cars. They hold the bike(s) tightly with no problems. I've carried more than one bike when going to bike events with a bike buddy. They are good with all carbon or partly carbon bikes. I've gone on the interstate with two bikes at 65-70 mph, and no problems. The bikes can be loaded and unloaded quickly. I've used the Saris trunk racks for over a year, consistently, about 4-6 days per week.

The cost is $150 to $200.

Darcy

Trunk racks have come a long way in the last 10 years. Very stable. We also own a Saris trunk rack. No problems at high speed. Never had a slippage problem (an older rack did). Freeway with winds. No damage to the finish.

I'd recommend it (and not just 'cause they're made in Wisconsin, either :rolleyes: )

When I had a New Beetle I had a hitch put on just so I could carry a rack. They make hitches for the Passat, too. (I used etrailer.com to find my hitch.)

The Beetle couldn't use a trunk rack because of the slope, and I couldn't reach the top of the car, so a hitch was my best option. However, with a trunk rack, you're not able to get in the trunk just any old time. I'm sure your car has split fold down rear seats that give access to the trunk, but that seem inconvenient.

Karen

I haver a Saris Bones, and I like it. I put a sock over the part that sits on the trunk top so it won't damage the paint (stole that idea from a BMW that had a bike rack on the trunk). I like it. We've taken our bikes on thousand mile road trips and have had no problems. When the wind is gusty, the bikes move around a little on the back (they sway a little on the highway, but we lock them on with a long bike lock so they're on there tight).
The way the Saris sits, you can have access to the trunk at all times. I keep mine on there all the time- just makes the trunk heavier (and be careful or you'll hit your head with the rack when lowering the trunk lid if you forget it's on there :rolleyes: ).
Roof racks are too tall for me, and I refuse to carry a footstool to get my bike down (far too much trouble). Trailer hitch just wasn't a consideration either. The trunk rack works great for us!

We have a Performance Bike brand roof rack for our Honda Accord. We take it on and off every time. It only takes maybe 5 minutes to get it on and off.

We've never had a problem with the bikes coming off, or loose, or anything. And its never scratched the paint on the car. The one thing I will say, if your bike is exceptionally heavy, or you are too short, I could see it being a problem. At 6'1", I don't have much problem lifting my bike up to set it in the tracks.

Oh, one thing about a roof rack, don't mount your bikes on it until AFTER you back out of the garage. ;)

Thanks everyone this is great advice-
sounds like Saris is the way to go, unless I upgrade to a hitch, and I also can't see myself carrying around a step stool to reach a roof rack...

thanks for all the tidbits- I could certainly see myself mounting the bike BEFORE i backed the car out of the garage, and although you warned me, I will probably end up hitting my head with the rack, before I learn my lesson :mad:

I'm looking forward to getting a rack before the end of July as we're taking a trip to London Ontario for a concert and am looking forward to checking out the area before and after the show-

I'm hopelessly addicted to my rides :D

You're probably sold on the Saris by now but for what it's worth I use a Thule hitch rack with the jeep and I love it. It's very easy to use but if you don't already have the receiver installed it ends up costing less with the Saris.

Looks like the decision has been made, but I thought I'd post in case anyone else is looking. I already had a Yakima rack on my VW Golf, so I just bought a bike rack for that. Works well and VW makes it really easy to install the Yakima system (nubbins already on the car that the towers hook right into).

I like the Saris racks, though (had never seen them before). It would certainly alleviate my paranoia about driving into the garage with my bike on top of the car..

I like my trunk rack, since I am only 5 ft tall and putting a bike on top of my Jetta doesn't seem realistic. Not to mention, I do have a fear of driving the car into the garage with the bike on top!

But, one thing, since I am so small, so is my bike frame. It does not fit easily onto my rack. I have be very careful when mounting so that I don't scratch the paint. I even need to push the one pole in towards the center slightly to get the bike on.

It does work safely.

I ended up getting a saris rack- (in lance armstrong yellow as that looks the best with my black specialized tri cross)
It's very easy to attach, and very sturdy- no problems driving on the highway and long distances, and easy to get my bike on and off. I've been leaving the rack on my car all the time- but it's really quick to take it on and off- I've just been a bit lazy...:)

We headed to Toronto for my birthday and I took a fantastic ride by the lake- they have amazing trails there- if I had more time I could have ridden for hours enjoying the coast and the sights.

thanks for all the advice-

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tri Girl

I put a sock over the part that sits on the trunk top so it won't damage the paint

The way the Saris sits, you can have access to the trunk at all times.

Roof racks are too tall for me,

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Looks VERY Comfortable there!

I too have the Saris Bones and think it's great.

I like the sock idea, but it's still a good idea to wipe off the trunk with a damp rag before installing the rack...even a soft thing will scratch if there's dirt between it and the paint.

Trunk access will depend on the car. On my Lexus, I have to strap onto the tow clips which are under the bumper - this precludes trunk access.

Everything in the world is too tall for me:)

I also have the Saris bones, and I've gotten three bikes on there and driven 70-plus mph on the highway with no problems. It's a great rack, as far as I'm concerned. Hope you like it.

Jo