Time to buy a bicycle rack and looking for input

[BonnieS]

Hi everyone:

So I just bought my first road bike, and I'm looking forward to taking it out in the spring to lovely countryside rides (it's a little too cold to ride it outside just now, in Toronto). I am having a hitch installed on my Toyota Corolla and wondered if any of you have had experiences with hitch-mounted bicycle racks that you would like to share?

I am looking at a Saris Freedom model. It has wheel trays, so you rest the wheels on them rather than hang the bike from loops. I am totally not coordinated or handy about these things - simple is better, for me!

Anyways, it's a whole new (scary) world and I'd love input! Thanks.

[Crankin]

I had a Saris Thelma, which works on a similar principle. It was really easy. That is, until I broke the car wash when I went through with it on and they banned me!
I bought a station wagon and now just put the bike in the car.

[Catrin]

I've a hitch-mount Thule rack - the kind that folds out and you set the wheels of the bike in trays like your Freedom. Just resign yourself to washing the car by hand I do not regret getting this style of rack though it is more expensive than some others. The wheel trays are great and easy to use!

[Trek-chick]

I just bought a Saris Freedom rack with my XMas bonus. I got it mainly because it got good reviews and the price was right. Also, I bought it at REI and get 10% rewards cash back on it and they have a GREAT return policy.

I plan to use it this Sat as we are supposed to have temps in the mid 50's

Almost forgot, this rack is very light...my ship weight was 23lbs. I loved that is is light and I can hook it up myself rather than always need DH to help me.

I'll post a review here after then...

[murielalex]

A co-worker has this one, loves it, and I'm thinking of getting it as well, though am still in research mode.

http://www.amazon.com/SportRack-A309.../dp/B000UUK276

I really want one of these, but I need for two bikes, and just can't quite justify the price.

http://www.1upusa.com/bicycleracks.html

[BonnieS]

Well after a morning of research, I think I'm going to go with the Saris Freedom because the wheel trays look like something me and my Corolla can handle. Also, its what my LBS sells. I would prefer to buy it from them than a Thule or Yakima from Rack Attack, where I'm getting my hitch installed. This is because I need hand-holding. I admit it. I'm ashamed of it, but I admit it. There's no DH or significant other, so I rely on helpful salespeople to show me what to do, like when I bought my bike at the LBS, I needed a lot of hand-holding and I got it.

The thing is, I'll tell you this: I NEVER expected to pay so much for a bike rack. Well, the rack is the affordable part - about $250 - but the cost of the hitch is incredible - about $350 - maybe because they have to be shipped in from the States to Canada. I also pay for installation. I admire you ladies who are handy with tools and mechanical things! Still, I nearly fainted when I found out how much it was going to cost to drive my bike around!

One further question: Do you keep your bike rack on the car or do you take it on/take it off as need be? I get the part about never going through the carwash, thanks for that!

[BonnieS]

Note to murielalex: that 1Up rack looks fantastic, I'd get it in a second if it were available anywhere in Toronto!