Bike rack. Roof mounted or hitch mounted?

Question

I have a Toyoto Matrix and I want to get a bike rack for it. What is better for the bike, car and gas mileage??

Answer 1

Go for the hitch mount rack. Buy one that the wheels set on. It will have a strap for the back wheel and a bar that secures the front wheel down. You can even lock them. Your bikes will not move in these racks.

If you go with a roof rack and have a garage, I guarantee that you will forget about the bike and run it into the top of the garage at least once.

The hitch mount rack will give you better gas mileage over the roof rack and your bikes will stay cleaner.

Hitch mount all the way. Look for sportworks bike racks.

Answer 2

For the bike, it depends. A Roof mounted rack system (gonna talk about Yakima and Thule) will keep your bike secure (assuming you buy the locking cores) and in fairly good shape. However, if you live somewhere with lots of bugs/small rocks that get kicked up from cars, you will get bug splats and small rock dings all over your bike. Also, if you have any tunnels/places with low clearance, you might accidentally total your bike by running it into a cement wall (seen it happen, not pretty).

For a hitch mount, the bike will be behind the car, so no bugs/less small rocks, but since it is just resting on two swing bars (hopefully strapped down), it can swing back and forth, ramming the pedal into the trunk of your car. I have also seen bikes come off the back of a hitch mount, which is never fun to have happen.

For the car, again it depends. A top mounted rack system is less obtrusive, but a more permanent addition. You can remove it and put it back on, but its not something you can do in 5-10 minutes. A hitch rack is much easier to put on and off, but it is less stable/much more obtrusive.

Mileage wise both are going to lower you mileage, the top because of the loss of aerodynamics/weigh on top of the car and the hitch because of the weight of the rack/bikes.

I would check out a rack store (REI, SportRacks, Any Mountain) and go through the Yakima or Thule fit book. Each company has compiled some notes on your car and will let you know if they will work, or if they have nothing suited to your vehicle/needs.

Answer 3

I would use a roof mounted. But what kind of hatchback are we talking about. If it's a Golf or something go with roof, if an SUV of sorts go with trailer hitch. Or just buy a rear mounted bike rack w/o trailer hitch.

Answer 4

It depends on what kind of bike u have. If you have a road bike then get a top mounted rack. But if you have a mountain bike then you will need to buy a hitch mounted rack.

Answer 5

Hey Tyler,

Shades93 has it covered. Hitch rack by SPORTWORKS all the way, but I think THULE now markets Sportworks.

http://www.thuleracks.com/thule/product.asp?dept_id=8&sku=260120

I also have driven into my garage (2 times, how embarrassing!) with my Downhill bike on top and it caved in the roof of my 4-runner and I was stuck with my bike wedged between the garage door and my 4-runner. Also when you are really tired it is a pain to throw your bike up onto the top of your car or SUV after a long ride.
= )

Answer 6

pros and con are well covered by previous posts. Speaking for myself, and having had both types, I like roof mount over hitch mount. I find roof mount more secure. I didn't like the fact that it was difficult to access the trunk of my SUV when the hitch mount was being used. And it is also hassle to take hitch mount on and off everytime. Roof mount can stay put.