Car rack?

[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.

[FlyingScot]

I pull a 675# boat on an 800# trailer with a 1.25" hitch so even though they won't pull a yacht they are pretty versatile. I've done every kind of rack imaginable. Bought a hitch rack last fall and will never go back. Easy to load, secure while traveling and completely lockable (locking hitch pin and built in lock on rack). What used to take me 45 minutes to an hour to do when loading a trunk rack (I'm a little obsessive) takes me 15 minutes now and that's loading an extra bike. Go to etrailers.com. They have an awesome selection.

[TsPoet]

I pull a 675# boat on an 800# trailer with a 1.25" hitch so even though they won't pull a yacht they are pretty versatile. I've done every kind of rack imaginable. Bought a hitch rack last fall and will never go back. Easy to load, secure while traveling and completely lockable (locking hitch pin and built in lock on rack). What used to take me 45 minutes to an hour to do when loading a trunk rack (I'm a little obsessive) takes me 15 minutes now and that's loading an extra bike. Go to etrailers.com. They have an awesome selection.

another option is a trailer.I pull this with my MINI. I love it. Pricey, but versatile.
http://www.sportsrig.com/