Car rack?

[Pedal Wench]

My BF fits 2 bikes in the back of his PT, but that's with the rear seats completely removed.
Go to your local REI. They can tell you exactly what you need to fit your car. They stock Saris, Yakima and Thule, so one is bound to fit your car and needs.

[Jen12]

My BF fits 2 bikes in the back of his PT, but that's with the rear seats completely removed.
Go to your local REI. They can tell you exactly what you need to fit your car. They stock Saris, Yakima and Thule, so one is bound to fit your car and needs.

My road bike fits with the seats down but I do have to remove them if I ever want to transport my beach cruiser. A rack would be more a matter of convenience. I'm short, so my arm reach isn't very long. 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.

I'll try REI and my bike shop. I was just in REI today. Wish I'd thought to ask them then!

[Velocivixen]

The Thule website has an interactive guide where you indicate the make, model, year of your vehicle and they can recommend the types of racks that would fit your car. Thule is a reputable maker of various types of racks. I bought my rack at a LBS about 15+ years ago and it's alright. However now they have so many more features even on base models.
Good luck.

[Roadtrip]

I have a Saris Bones 2 rack or my car... In love it.



Shannon

[Xrayted]

I put a hitch on my Subaru and then got this rack. It's really light and I really like it. I got the 2 bike rack. There is a 3 bike one, I believe. It's the Saris Thelma, holds the bikes by the tires. Tire racks fold flat and the whole thing folds up against the back of the car for storage. Easy to install/uninstall. Then I can use the hitch for all kinds of other stuff too.

[ZenBiker]

I use a Yakima hold up hitch mounted rack that works similar to the one xrayted described. I really like it because it's so simple to lift bikes on and off, yet very secure. This style does mean putting on a hitch, but for me it was worth the investment to have a rack that was so quick to put on and take off, and so easy to use.

[Roadtrip]

Current car doesn't have a hitch or ability to add one, but if I'd had the ability I would have gone that route. More stable and I like the idea of holding the bike from the bottom/wheels insaead of suspendng it from the top bar.

[Pedal Wench]

I'm short, so my arm reach isn't very long. I tend to have to put the bike in the car, and then crawl inside to pull it all the way in.

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

[ame]

I have a prius with a 2" hitch. I got this one http://www.amazon.com/Hollywood-Racks-HR1400-Platform-Receiver/dp/B000QJC4AY/ref=sr_1_13?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1303155721&sr=1-13. I can open the hatch with the bikes loaded (yay!) - I can carry my kids' bikes and my $3000 road bike with ease and sans freak-outs. I've driven on freeways and dirt roads with no problems for even long-trips. I started with a Saris Bones rack, but it just didn't work well for the hatchback - rubbed on my car and too much stress en-route, as I constantly had to check on the bikes.

Most of the time, I only have it set up for 2-bikes (and the 2-bike only model is much cheaper). It folds easily out of the way. It takes me about 2 minutes tops to get the bike loaded. It was WELL worth it. I wanted the Saris Cycle-On or Thelma, but I couldn't justify the price tag and wanted to make sure I could carry bikes of various sizes.

[Jen12]

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

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

[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!

[Roadtrip]

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!

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

[Catrin]

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.

[tulip]

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.

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.