Which Bicycle Rack?

Question

When I will have the money, I plan to buy a Hitch Bicycle Rack. Until then, I can afford a "SportRack Trunk Bike Carrier" for 3 bicycles.

Anyone bought this before?
Would you recommend it?

Answer 1

If you haven't already got the hitch, one can probably be added to your vehicle for around $200 US.

The only down side I have to hitch-mount and trunk-mount racks (compared to my own preference, the roof rack) is that it leaves the bikes where they can get damaged by road crud and/or another vehicle really easily. It also means the bikes are down where prospective thieves can get their mitts on them without too much notice as well!

Obtaining a lockable roof rack is the surest way to protect your two-wheeled investment - unless you're prone to driving away with your coffee cup on the roof, in which case you might want to have extra height on your garage door opening...

For roof mounts, I'd urge you to check out either Thule or Yakima (I have Thule, my best bike buddy has Yakima). They might seem a littel pricey at first, but they have a tremendously long life. For example, mine has been in service for nearly fifteen years (day in and day out) ... which works out to be something like 8 cents a day, including everything (and I regularly rack 4 bikes on top).

I see you're examining the SportRack A1124SP "trunk mount" ... you'll note that this rack is only attached to the vehicle by straps. Which means there is no way to lock the rack itself to the vehicle! All I can say is ... be careful where you park, when you've got your favorite two-wheelers tied down.

Answer 2

After you've finished a long and hard ride, the last thing you want to do is to pick your bike up over your head to put it onto your roof rack. I also think that bikes are more protected in the rear of the car. People with really nice bikes on roof racks put protective covers on them because the bikes are out in the open where they can get nicked by small stones tossed up by other cars. Rain is also more of a problem with a roof rack. For those reasons, I've always had rear racks. When I bought a new car last June, I had a class 2 trailer hitch put onto it just for a bike rack. With a hitch rack you can still use the trunk. You also don't risk scratching up the car. People with really nice cars and trunk lid racks often have a cumbersome system of padding to keep the car from getting scratched. HTH

Answer 3

I wasn't able to find "SportRack" with a quick google search, but to confirm what JayP said, I've had a rhode gear cycle shuttle for 20 years. It's adjustable to fit the trunk or hatch profile on just about any car, and it's survived excessive highway speeds and ramps when I was late to a race. It's also helped me move three times, carrying 4 bikes at a time.

I don't use it alot anymore, since I converted to roof racks 15 years ago, but in the first few years as a novice racer it almost never came off my car. I still use it when I go on family vacations to carry the three bikes for my family (my wife hates my car). The only hassle is that you have to remove all the bikes then take off the rack if you need to get in the trunk.

As jayP said, make sure you get one with adjustable arms. or you may damage the car.

Answer 4

Sure, these are good solutions. Thule and Yakima make excellent hitch racks. They are not cheap, but they are a great solution provided that you have a hitch.

In the meantime, both Thule and Rhode Gear make excellent rear carriers or trunk racks. They should run you from $60-100 depending on the features you want. They have fit dials that customize the rack for most cars. Try to avoid the "one size fits all" cheap racks that many bike stores carry. It is worth the extra money to get something that fits right.

Answer 5

Shaana,
I am not familiar with the "SportRack Trunk Bike Carrier" that you are interested in but my own experience due to my use and sales to others is that the "Saris Bones" trunk mount bike rack has been a great one and too, you may never want to go to a hitch rack in the future which too saves you money.
But don't get turned off by the cost of it. It may be more than most but it is worth (my opinion) every penny.
Any questions, mail me.
"Little wheel"