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I need a bike rack for my car! My last one was hitch mounted for my SUV, but now I need something for my 2-door Mustang. Bf bought me a truck rack from Target, but I wasn't realy comfortable with it, so I returned it. Right now I'm getting away with taking his car and stuffing it in the truck, but I'm interested in what everyone else uses, especially if you have a smaller vehicle. I've looked at a few online, but I wanted some real-person feedback. Thanks!
I would look into a Saris.
I have a hitch rack on my Honda Accord. I didn't want anything that would damage my new car and would be easy enough for me to take on and off alone. Bonus--it fits in the garage with the bike still on it. Also doubles as a work station for cleaning and servicing.
Did your car already have a hitch, or did you need to have it installed? I had a hitch rack on my old car, but I remeber it being pretty $ to put the hitch on the Saturn. I wonder if they can even do that on a Mustang? I didn't even consider it, thanks!
ETA- Now you have me looking in to it!
Yakima king cobras
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3320/...b9b3ac486b.jpg
Irulan,
I like that too! How difficult was the install? I've shied away froma roof rack, but are you happy with your? Pros/Cons?
I had a Saris Bones rack on my Mini and liked it well enough. It had a tendency to loosen up a bit over long trips with two bikes on it, though.
When I got my Prius, we installed a hitch ourselves and then used the hitch rack we already had for our other car. It worked great! (killed the mileage though!).
Check out http://www.etrailer.com/ That's where we got the hitches for both the Prius and our Matrix. Super quick shipping, too.
Tofu,Quote:
Originally Posted by tofu
Check out etrailer to see if there's a hitch available for your Mustang. It'll give you an idea of the cost and availability.
There was no hitch available for my car, but I got a shop in my area to custom mount a hitch. It wasn't cheap, but it was money well spent, since I can easily transport my bikes.
Hope you get a nice rack. ;)
- Melissa
ETA: Oops, I see that GLC1968 beat me to the recommendation for etrailer.
I had a hitch installed on my Corolla, and it has worked perfectly with the Swagman Rack that I purchased from Amazon. I didn't want to put undo stress on my bumper, scratch my paint, or constantly worry about my bike flying off the trunk rack when I was on the interstate, so I was hoping that I could have someone install a hitch on my car since I suck at mechanics and so does my husband!
I googled hitches for my car prior to finding out that I lived about three minutes from a place that sold and installed hitches...who knew? I only drove past the place called "Trailers for Less" and it's sister shop right behind it called "Hitches for Less" for a good twenty plus years :rolleyes:
If you can get a hitch put on your car, I recommend going that route!
I have a Saris Thelma attached to a hitch, which my husband installed on my small BMW. It is the easiest thing in the world to use and because it looks a bit different, I get questions about it all of the time.
It was made for short, mechanically challenged people like me.
My parents and uncle have the Saris Bones 3 and have zero complaints. I guess figuring out what angle to adjust the arms that first time is the hardest part, after that it pops right on. Longest we drove with it was 3 hours with 3 bikes on it, and you hardly knew it was there (i.e. no scary noises coming from the back).
In the end-I chose the Yakima Quickback 2, trunk mount. That way we can switch cars if we want to! It's on it's way-I'll met you know how it works out!
I'm fascinated by this Thelma one. I have a Bones for 2 bikes, but I'm really liking the Thelma one!
FWIW, I know a guy who used to drive a Mustang, and he kept his bike in the back seat. Took the wheels off, covered the seat with a blanket to protect it, and put the frame on the seat.
Thanks NY! I actually tried stuffing mine in my backseat, but found that I'm not bright enough to pull it off. I may try folding the back seats down, and seeing if I can fit it in through the trunk. It would be nice to have the option.
I just bought a Draftmaster on craigslist for my Prius. The bikes mount vertically, as if they are riding up the back of the car. Like this:
on a sedan:
http://www.draftmaster.com/pictures/sfcar.gif
alone:
http://www.draftmaster.com/pictures/sfalone.gif
Once I figure out how it sets up on the Prius, I'll take some pictures and post.
Indigo,
That is COOOL!!!!
The Thelma is very easy to use. However, I can fit my bike in the back of my car, if I fold the seats down. I don't even have to take the front wheel off. The only issue I have is that I am "banned" from the local car wash, unless I take the rack off, because last summer I broke the car wash (tore the spaghetti looking things that clean the car) when I went through!
Lucky for me, I pretty much drive around in my dirty car, never seeing the insides of a car wash. :)
Typically, when I take my cars to our mechanic, I return to the mechanic via bicycle. Our cousin who lives 200 miles away had their car break down here last summer, so it was towed to the shop and i agreed to pick it up when it was done. Well, I couldn't figure out how to get the bike into the car! I took off the front wheel but got flustered trying to take off the rear one. Finally the mechanic came out and helped me. :p
i put it into the back seat. BARELY.