Reccomendations on Bike Rack please

R

RockyRoad

New member
Hey everyone,

I'm in need of a simple and inexpensive way to transport my bike. I would just stick it in the trunk, but I don't want to dirty up the interior. What do you guys use to transport your bike? How much did it cost you? How easy was it to install?

Thanks for all your help!
 
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I use a Yakima Roof Rack system. Setup cost me about 200 dollars new (however this retails for about 350) for 58" Crossbars, lowriders (attaches crossbars to your factory rack) a Viper Bike Tray (holds bike) and lock cores (locks bike to tray and rack to car).

My setup only works with a factory rack(the tubular sport rack is also an exception), if you don't have a factory rack it will be a little more since you would need Qtowers and Qclips instead of just Lowriders. An All the info can be found on Yakimas website.

I would reccomend a roof rack simply for their versitiity. With a roof rack you can hold bikes, kayaks canoes, skis, snowboards, cargo boxes, gear baskets, etc. The basic system is just the crossbars and the system that holds the crossbars (lowriders, Q towers, Control Towers, Rain Gutters, etc.) once you have that you can pick and choose your accessories.

I am not a fan of the hitch mounts simply because the bikes bang around loosening things, and I dont like having to take the hitch rack off and on everytime I want to use it. But that is preference. The nice Yakima brand hitches can run you up to 150-300 dollars and the roof rack looks cooler and doesnt cost a lot more than that.

Use this http://www.yakima.com/Consumer/Step1.aspx to build and price your rack. Let me know if you have any questions, I am a Yakima dealer so I should be able to answer any you have.
 
Thanks for the quick response sketch1!

So I was thinking about a roof rack, but I just can't imagine myself lifting my bike that high everytime I want to go for a ride. What is your experience with this? I'm also not that tall. So that might be a problem.
 
with factory crossbars get the mighty mounts and copperhead tray and that would cost an even 100 getting the new crossbars and q or control towers will run you up more but give you a lot more space and stability.
 
oh and about lifting.

it is tough for me but then again i took off my running boards so it isnt as easy.

if you have running boards then it will make everything a lot easier to do.

plus you can do that or open up the doors and step up that way.

not all that bad
 
RockyRoad said:
Hey everyone,

I'm in need of a simple and inexpensive way to transport my bike. I would just stick it in the trunk, but I don't want to dirty up the interior. What do you guys use to transport your bike? How much did it cost you? How easy was it to install?

Thanks for all your help!
Click to expand...

There is another thread that you can search on. The guy went for a low cost hitch mount system so little lifting involved.
 
I am 5' 9" tall, so as you I am pretty short. It is not a problem for me although my bike is not really heavy... I usually just open the rear door and stand on the door sill and then lift the bike up. Not a problem at all. And I usually don't go ride by myself so when I have a friend with me I just stand on the rear tire and have my friend lift the bike up to me.

RockyRoad, what kind of brakes do you have? Disc or Rim? If you have Rim brakes you can get whatever tray you want, but if you have disc you are better off getting a Viper tray, it is nicer quality than the Copperhead and it also provides room to accomodate all disc break calipers.
 
RockyRoad said:
Hey everyone,

I'm in need of a simple and inexpensive way to transport my bike. I would just stick it in the trunk, but I don't want to dirty up the interior. What do you guys use to transport your bike? How much did it cost you? How easy was it to install?

Thanks for all your help!
Click to expand...


If you want a roof rack it will typically require some lifting. However, I did see a roofrack at a bike show that had a spring loaded lifting system that lowered cargo down the side of the vehicle for easy access. I'll try to remember the make.

If you want a hitch rack I would recommend the Saris Cycle On or the Yakima Hook Up. Stay away from the "Two Load Arms through the bike frame " style hitch racks because they WILL scratch your frame.
 
I have a Giant hitch mount. Even my kids can get to their bikes. It carries 5 max. Has a hinge system so you can lower it to get the tailgate open.

Bikerack002.jpg~original



Since the picture below was taken, I cut off 2.5 inches so its not hanging out the back so much. Here you can see the hinge system.

Bikerack003.jpg~original
 
Last edited:
Gosh I love this site! I post, take a nap, and then 2 hours later BAM...9 replies... :) You guys are great. Anyway...

After reading your comments, I'm kind of leaning toward a hitch setup. I probably will ride alone most the time so I wont have the help of a friend to lift the bike. (I'm 5'8"). I do have running boards but actually now that I think of it...I live in a very hilly area with low trees and I don't want to risk getting my bike stuck in an oak tree or something.

So far this is what I have (open to corrections if you have any):

Roof Rack
-versatile
-sturdier mounting
-not as easy to mount bike
-does not need to be removed

Hitch
-weaker mounting that can scratch
-not versatile
-easy to load

Mainly what I'm looking for is cost and convenience, and I think the Hitch would do it for me.

My bike is already pretty scratched up so "Two Load Arms through the bike frame " wouldn't be a problem for me. Although it seems like a Saris Cycle type mount would be sturdier and nicer on the bike, it's a little costly for me. Has anyone had experience with the "two load arm" hitch racks? How much would I be sacrificing if I went with the load arms instead of a saris style rack.

Expat, do you have any problems with your hitch? It looks very simple and functional and the rubber straps would probably eliminate scratching, I'm guessing. Still, I'm not sure I want such a big rack though. :D Do those come smaller? I only need to carry one bike, possibly two.

As for versatility, the only "sport" I might need the 4r for is snowboarding, and I can stick that in my trunk.

How about
two bike thule

or

swagman

This looks a little cheapo but has anyone tried these?

bell racks

Any other suggestions will be very helpful. Thanks for all your help!
 
I wouldnt say the hitch mount is easier to load a bike onto. I mean when you conside the time it takes to put the hitch on and take it off each time, and for me (alone ) to put my bike on the car it takes about 30 seconds. Another thing about the roof rack is you can lock your bike to it. I personally have a pretty pricey mountain bike (and soon to own a nice road bike) and I dont want to have to worry about them when I run into the store for a second.

Also with hitch mounts, its not just scratches on the bike you have to worry about its just the constant jarring from bumps and turns that can work things loose, break components etc. Simply because the bike isnt 100% secure in that mount, whereas with the roof mount you secure the fork in a clamp and the bike isn't going anywhere.

One other thing, you say you have trees and hills, well you have to remember semis drive down those same roads (probably) daily and they are going to be a lot taller than your T4R with the bike on top.

What it really comes down to is preference, but I would say if you have a nicer bike I would go with the roof mount simply for security and the protection of your bike. If you have a cheaper bike and dont care that much about it, go for the hitch mount.

It really isn't hard to load a bike on the roof, so don't let that be your deciding factor.
 
You need to shop more.

No scratches, it locks, it folds out of the way, holds two bikes
 

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One other option is using a Yakima Mighty Joe. It's the type that you see on the back of cars on the trunk. It can mount to the back of a 4Runner and should still give access to the hitch and it removes easily so it can be put inside your rig while you are out riding. I have one of these that I don't use from when we had our Corolla. We picked it up for around $100. Then we got our new 4Runner and a friend gave us a complete bike rack with bike trays. So now it sits collecting dust.
 
I have a peice of indoor/outdoor carpet cut for the split seats, keeping the small section down. To hold my bike, 1x2 plywood with a bracket that mounts to the fork same as the wheel. with the rear wheel in first, a bungie over the frame to the cargo tie-down, its not going anywhere. No worries of someone grabing my bike. Total cost, $20.00 cdn
 
my $.02... all the options listed on this topic are workable to good solutions, it really boils down to what you want. I've been cycling for over 15 years and I occassionally work at my local bike shop to support my habit (I get everything at cost). I've used trunk mounted racks, roof racks (thule and yakima), and hitch racks.

Trunk Mounted racks -
1. cheap
2. generally able to switch from one car to another
3. when loaded, the bike/pedal can sometimes hit the car
4. straps are subject to dry rot
5. easy to steal

Roof racks - this was one of my favs because I like the look and versatility (add wheel mounts, canoe, skis, cargo racks, etc)
1. Given time and practice, putting a bike up and down can be simple but I'm a little guy and it was getting too impracticle. One day if you're not paying attention you'll put the bike up and miss the fork mounts and dent your roof.
2. adding the roof rack, fairing or no fairing (whether you have a bike on it or not) will lower your gas mileage (it's minimal but I've tested it).
3. nice and secure up there, at times i'd use the skewer locks and a cable lock
4. at the bike shop i've heard damaging stories accidentally driving into garages, parking garages, or under trees at parks
5. nothing like having bug guts on your gear after a long road trip with your bike on top

Hitch mounts - I'm currently using the Hookup by Yakima, but I also own a Big Horn 4

The Big Horn
1. Works well, fairly inexpensive but ultimately it wouldn't hold my frames or my wife's frame without being twisted to fit the frame design. Or I had to have an adapter to fit the frame onto the "2bar loading system"
2. out of the wind but can interfere with rear view, some police might even pull you over if it obstructs the view of your license plate (very rare but I've heard it happen before)
3. you can purchase adequate locking systems. truely there isn't a locking system anywhere that will keep a determined thief from taking your stuff... it's merely to keep the honest people honest
4. I like how you can work on your bike when it's in the rack, spin the wheels, chain, adjust parts, etc.

Hookup
1. Super fast load and unload.
2. bike is securely connected to the rack
3. folds up and out of the way
4. you can mount any type of bike regardless of frame, wheel size, etc.
5. won't scratch your frame

these are just minor points about the rack systems. Like most have mentioned it boils down to what you want out of a rack system... hope that helps.
 
Past Rack: Thule roof rack, fork mount, tire cradle.
Pros: Secure bike mount.
Cons: Clearance w/low trees, garage doors. Lifting height for shorter folks, more economical.

Current Rack: Yakima hitch mount FullSwing4
Pros: Easy to hitch mount, holds bikes securely 2 points on main frame, easy to mount bikes on rack, good clearance for even moderate offroad travel, no overhead clearance problems, swings completely out of the way for access to rear hatch.
Cons: Adds length, vulnerable to damage from rear, hard to mount full suspension interrupted seatpost bikes, and others with shock hardware near top tube, expensive.
 
I have a Swagman roof rack. $75 each. I have two of them to carry my girlfriends bike as well as mine. Its actually really easy to get up there once you've done it a couple times. It looks awesome, is easier than some roof mounts because you don't have to take the front wheel off, and i think is better than hitch mounts because your bike doesnt' bounce around and get really dusty from all the crap coming out from behind your truck. http://www.swagman.net/detail.php?b=5&id=64720#

there is the link to the rack i have.
 
I picked up a Coleman 3-bike Deluxe Trunk-mounted Rack for $38 from costco.com. It works well, is pretty cheap, but can get stolen relatively easily.

It is light weight, wont rust and can be used on different vehicles. The strap system hasn't presented any problems to date. If you wanna go cheap and have a fully functional bike rack I'd recommend this product. But only if your going directly to the trails and back home again.
 
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