Bike Carrier - Rear Mount v's Roof Mount

[farrellcollie]

I use a roof rack and I carry a small ladder to get bike on and off of my station wagon (I am about 5'2) - I used to have a rear mount - but it took longer to attach bikes and I was more worried about backing into something.

[uforgot]

I drive a dodge neon. I had a hitch put on it (yeah, the guys at the shop were laughing at that one!) and put a Thule hitch rack on it. I have full access to the trunk with it. My bikes don't scratch as you lash them to the post and the bottom in separate places, and I put one of those swimming tubes in between. I can also lock the hitch to my car and the rack locks around the top tube of my bikes. I love it and felt I made the right decision. I can only carry two, though, I would have to get a 2" receiver hitch for four, and they don't make them for Neons. Can you believe it! I live in the middle of big truck country and my students just love the fact that I have a hitch. Then again, last week we had "drive your tractor to school" day...

One other thing that I had to consider...I read that you have to be careful with roof racks because sometimes people drive into their garages and forget their bikes are up there. The minute I saw this, I knew I would never own one as it would be just a matter of time.