advice on bike racks????

[Zen]

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

[DarcyInOregon]

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

[Thorn]

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 )

[Tuckervill]

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

[Tri Girl]

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 ).
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!

[nafula]

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.

[solorider]

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

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

[Mr. Bloom]

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,

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

[Biker Jo]

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