Car rack?

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Originally Posted by Pedal Wench

Ummm... you might want to try putting it in rear wheel first - then you just have to roll it on in.

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If it fit standing up, that would make sense, but it has to lay on the side.

In general, how secure are trunk-mounted racks? They look like they barely attach to the trunk and anyone could walk away with the whole thing. Is that true? Can you at least lock the bike to the rack? Not that I'd leave the whole thing for a long period of time, but if I stopped at Starbucks or something and was gone for ten minutes I wouldn't want to find my bike gone!

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Originally Posted by Jen12

In general, how secure are trunk-mounted racks? They look like they barely attach to the trunk and anyone could walk away with the whole thing. Is that true? Can you at least lock the bike to the rack? Not that I'd leave the whole thing for a long period of time, but if I stopped at Starbucks or something and was gone for ten minutes I wouldn't want to find my bike gone!

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If you wanted to remove the rack, you could... so I wouldn't rely on locking the bike down to the rack/car. There are simple straps that hold it secure on the rear of the car. I think the hitch mount ones may be more secure.

Shannon

I have the Saris Bones RS, and it is an actual lock on both strap "rachets" that prevent someone from simply loosening the straps. Also a part of the rack goes underneath the lid of the trunk. The straps are rubber covered piano wire and regular cutters won't cut it. Not saying that someone couldn't do something with that, but it would take special cutters and extra effort. Of course, this rack is more expensive...but very easy to take on/off.

Added: I forgot to mention you can lock your bike to the rack as well with your usual lock - though that cable is likely easier to cut than the straps of the actual rack.

I pull a 675# boat on an 800# trailer with a 1.25" hitch so even though they won't pull a yacht they are pretty versatile. I've done every kind of rack imaginable. Bought a hitch rack last fall and will never go back. Easy to load, secure while traveling and completely lockable (locking hitch pin and built in lock on rack). What used to take me 45 minutes to an hour to do when loading a trunk rack (I'm a little obsessive) takes me 15 minutes now and that's loading an extra bike. Go to etrailers.com. They have an awesome selection.

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Originally Posted by FlyingScot

I pull a 675# boat on an 800# trailer with a 1.25" hitch so even though they won't pull a yacht they are pretty versatile. I've done every kind of rack imaginable. Bought a hitch rack last fall and will never go back. Easy to load, secure while traveling and completely lockable (locking hitch pin and built in lock on rack). What used to take me 45 minutes to an hour to do when loading a trunk rack (I'm a little obsessive) takes me 15 minutes now and that's loading an extra bike. Go to etrailers.com. They have an awesome selection.

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another option is a trailer.I pull this with my MINI. I love it. Pricey, but versatile.
http://www.sportsrig.com/
http://www.sportsrig.com/images/left1.jpg

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Originally Posted by Jen12

I tend to have to put the bike in the car, and then crawl inside to pull it all the way in. It's a little awkward and I probably look pretty funny.

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That's how everyone does it. I have a roof rack, but I only use it when I travel with my dog and my bike, or if I carry two bikes. Otherwise, my bike goes in the car (small car, with seats folded down and front wheel removed). I figure it's safer, more fuel efficient, and keeps bugs off my bike.