bike carriers vs bikes in cars

[caligurl]

Of course, if you have the room, putting bikes in the car is a nice option. Although, you could also end up with car damage (broken window) as well as a missing bike if the thief really wants your bike.

that's why we have DARK tinted windows!!!!

[Sgritn]

I do not have dark tints on my Subaru{putting the bike without wheel removal inside is a pain} so I opted for the hitch carrier vs. the roof carrier...I cannot imagine lifting my bike onto the roof! I am returning the carrier to the dealer because it's like having a mail box with post on the rear of my car. The carrier is hard to remove, requires banging with a rubber mallet to attach and to remove. Second time usage I was driving out of the driveway..saw the bike wiggle..I could not believe the darned carrier rubber pad had come off! I was so angry. I tried to remove the bike by unscrewing it...the screw was stuck so I used a plier to release it. I drove immediately to the dealership but of course on Saturday the parts dept. was already closed. For goodness sakes..stay away from the Subie bike carrier.
Now, who can help me choose a new carrier which is easy to remove as I only want the carrier on my car during weekends.
Thanks

[kenyonchris]

I have a roof rack, a hitch rack, a trunk rack, and a bed mounting thing as well (we have a lot of vehicles). Of all of them, the hitch is the easiest. It is supposed to hold four bikes, but we are never comfortable with putting more than two and a kid bike on it, as my husband is very tall and has big guy bikes. So we usually put two on the hitch, two on the roof. I am 5'5 and can't get my bike on the roof of the Sequoia...but I can get it on the roof of my mini...which is my next roof rack purchase (I tested out whether I could get it up there)...I use a trunk rack on the mini at the moment, but it gives me the willies. It is secure as houses, but too much room for human error for me. I always think "DID I strap that thing down?"
FWIW, I can fit a bike in my mini cooper....but nothing else!

[spindizzy]

My bike goes inside car. Front wheel off with back seats down. Skis are the only thing that I will put outside. I would never put bikes on top...very long story about going camping with a rooftop carrier..husband drives through a covered parking garage...argh ..that could be my bike!

[BikeDutchess]

I have the Thule Ridgeline 4 hitch rack on my Subaru. I can easily mount it on the car or remove it from the car by myself. It also locks to the hitch, and has an integrated cable to lock the bikes to the rack (although I've had to replace the cable twice now - if you don't secure it properly when the bikes are not on the rack, the cable will drag on the ground and the locking mechanism is shot). We've managed to get 4 bikes on there on occasion but it can be a puzzle depending on the types of bikes.

When I'm by myself I'll often just put the seats down and slide the bike in the car.

[tc1]

I have a thule hitch rack. Holds two bikes. My vehicle is only rated for the smallest hitch, so I could only get the two-bike rack. Never even considered a roof rack, I didn't want to scratch up the roof of the car. The downside to the hitch rack is the bikes will bang together and scratch the paint unless you put towels or padding in between them. I have seen reference to a hitch rack with a third post on the bottom to steady the bikes, but I have been told that is a Europe only model.


Boyfriend's pickup has the rack that has arms that fit over the front of the bike with cradles for the wheels. Works great, only problem is it squashes the front fender and I have to readjust it.

I'm about ready to say screw it and buy a full size van, which of course means the bike will fit inside. Turns out the new dog has to be crated in the car because he is a heavy drooler. With the crate in the back there isn't room for anything else, and I have to swing the bike rack down to load the dog in crate by the back door. Small cars are nice, and I love mine, but I might have to go bigger.

[chicago]

inside always. do not like racks... i like to keep my bike uber clean and safe... inside always

[Crankin]

I have the Saris Thelma hitch rack. It is easy to use and I am short, so on top of the car is not an option. I don't leave my bike on the rack, though, to go shopping, etc. It's just to transport it to rides, vacations, etc. I can fit it inside of my car if I put the back seat down, but my husband's bike doesn't fit in my car. If I have to leave the bike, I put it in the car.