feedback please : trunk mounted bike rack recommendations ?

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Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on July 9, 2013 at 1:09pm

Any particular issues as to type of vehicle when renting in U.S. and driving it outside of the U.S.?

And I want a trip review when you come home!

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Permalink Reply by Skip Montanaro 0mi on July 9, 2013 at 1:16pm

Ah, not a bunch of security with a Saris rack.  A box cutter and about five seconds and a thief can just walk off with your bikes.  Chaining them together (or possibly to a towing eye under the rear bumper) will slow them down, but I wouldn't leave your car unattended for long with most any kind of rack.

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Permalink Reply by Crazy David 84 Furlongs on July 9, 2013 at 1:19pm

Hate to "spoil this", but have you confirmed that your rental car will allow you to drive into Canada.  MANY rental car companies don't let you drive into Canada, and the ones that do require that you tell them in advance so that you can get the "magic" paper that you will need to get across the Canadian Border (its essentially an Insurance card... and you must prove that you are not a Canadian...)    Not to say that you can't do it, but many Americans fail to know this and end up having the whole trip ruined.   As for REI, yeah, I guess so.  But its not like that you can't find lots of good bicycle stores in Rhode Island/Massachusets/New Hampshire that aren't "National" and have good supplies of racks for sale that will actually match the car you end up with (and they are local).   I don't know if Harris Cyclery (Sheldon Brown's place) sells car racks, but they are certainly on the way and are reputed to be very good.

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Permalink Reply by Crazy David 84 Furlongs on July 9, 2013 at 1:24pm

Try http://www.rackattack.com/rack-attack-boston.asp

This is what their web [page states.  Note the word "rent".

RACK ATTACK BOSTON

Rack Attack Boston, which is located on the westbound side of Route 9 in Framingham, 2.5 miles west of the Natick Mall, has been outfitting vehicles in the Greater Boston area since 2000. With our factory-trained staff of rack technicians, we can outfit virtually any car or truck, usually with no appointment required.

At Rack Attack Boston, we:

• have the most knowledgeable staff in Boston, ensuring you get the best advice
• stock the largest inventory and the best selection in Boston
• carry all the top brands, including Thule, Yakima, Saris, TracRac, Curt and Inno
• install everything we sell
• specialize in factory-style installations
• sell and install trailer hitches, including wiring
• offer rentals
• have a selection of used racks, and will buy your rack or accept it as a trade-in
• have ample free parking

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Permalink Reply by Alex on July 9, 2013 at 2:23pm

I've never installed a bike rack on a rental car, but on multiple occasions I've ridden my bike to the rental place, gotten a car, and jammed my bike inside with the full consent of the people at the rental counter. I've even gotten a free upgrade to a slightly roomier car because the rental agent saw me trying to wrestle two bikes into a compact, came outside, and offered a mid-size car that was a snap to fit two bikes inside. If all you need is to get the bikes from point A to point B, this is less trouble than a rack, though it sounds like that might not work for you.

And as far as Canada - I've never had a problem renting a car that I can take to Canada when in cities that are close to the border (Detroit, Buffalo, etc) but have run into problems when further afield. I'd call ahead and speak to the manager of the specific location you're renting from.

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