Car rack suggestions

Does anyone have a good recommendation for a trunk-mount car rack?  I drive a 2003 Corolla.  I would doubt I would need space for more than 2 bikes.  

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Permalink Reply by Joe Studer 8.0 mi on May 31, 2010 at 8:16am
Before installing a hitch (so that I could use hitch-mounted bicyle racks), I used a number or trunk mounted bicycle racks. I found that the Saris bones racks were fantastic. They mount securely to a wide variety of different vehicles, hold bicycles very securely, and are pretty easy to use. I strongly recommend them.
Permalink Reply by Keith Lewis on May 31, 2010 at 8:22am
I agree. Saris Bones is the easiest car rack I've ever used.
Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on May 31, 2010 at 2:40pm
Agree. I've been very happy with mine.

Joe said:
Before installing a hitch (so that I could use hitch-mounted bicyle racks), I used a number or trunk mounted bicycle racks. I found that the Saris bones racks were fantastic. They mount securely to a wide variety of different vehicles, hold bicycles very securely, and are pretty easy to use. I strongly recommend them.
Permalink Reply by Joel on May 31, 2010 at 3:06pm
What's this? People on the Internet agreeing? It sounds like there might be a Saris Bones and some nice new trails in my near future!
Permalink Reply by Vondo on May 31, 2010 at 7:33pm
I have been looking into getting a rack too. The Saris looks good, but let me ask a couple of questions. First how often do you guys use it? and secondly what do those "feet" do to the paint on your car? I just bought a new car and I would hate to rub off the paint where the rack contacts the trunk. Have you guys noticed any damage?
Permalink Reply by Adam "Cezar" Jenkins on June 1, 2010 at 3:44am
Here is a questiong about the Saris. Does it fold down flat? I like to keep the rack in the trunk of my wifes car. From the pictures I see it doesn't seem to fold down much.
Permalink Reply by Joel on June 1, 2010 at 4:07am
One last question, it says "This carrier is not recommended for off-road use or for use at speed exceeding 65 mph." I'm not going off road, but I doubt anyone actually sticks to speeds under 65mph. Anyone had a problem with it?
Permalink Reply by Joe Studer 8.0 mi on June 1, 2010 at 6:02am
While the Saris doesn't quite fold "flat" due to the curved nature of the legs that attach to your trunk, it does get fairly compact. All of the legs can be rotated so that you essentially have a U-shaped device.

I was also concerned about damage to the paint of my car, and did not have any issues. Out of an abundance of caution, I did install a couple of rubber bumpers on the clips that attach to the trunk, at a point where I thought they might rattle / rub on the paint. Never had an issue.

Adam "Cezar" Jenkins said:
Here is a questiong about the Saris. Does it fold down flat? I like to keep the rack in the trunk of my wifes car. From the pictures I see it doesn't seem to fold down much.
Permalink Reply by Joe Studer 8.0 mi on June 1, 2010 at 6:14am
Yeah. Not that I ever disobey the posted speed limit, but "I know of" people that have had 3 bikes on that rack for an extended trip where the cruise control was set at 85 mph. No problems. And while we weren't running the Rubicon trail, we did take the car down some roads that were pretty rutted. The rack was fine, but we drove pretty carefully. I have to imagine that there is a large g-force on that rack when you have bikes getting jostled up and down when going over bumps. We respected that force.

Joel said:
One last question, it says "This carrier is not recommended for off-road use or for use at speed exceeding 65 mph." I'm not going off road, but I doubt anyone actually sticks to speeds under 65mph. Anyone had a problem with it?
Permalink Reply by Joel on July 10, 2010 at 11:36am
Thanks for the suggestions. I picked up a new-in-box Saris Bones 2 off Craigslist for half of retail a couple weeks ago, and today I finally had a chance to test it out. It carried my not-so-light bike down to the Old Plank Road Trail this afternoon, and it performed impeccably. It was a cinch to install as well.
Permalink Reply by Ricardo Cervantes on July 10, 2010 at 11:59am
Just another vote for the Saris Bones. I leave mine attached for most of the summer. I've never had a problem.
Permalink Reply by Lee Diamond on July 10, 2010 at 1:20pm
Can you explain why you prefer the hitch mount? Thanks! - Lee

Joe Studer said:
Before installing a hitch (so that I could use hitch-mounted bicyle racks), I used a number or trunk mounted bicycle racks. I found that the Saris bones racks were fantastic. They mount securely to a wide variety of different vehicles, hold bicycles very securely, and are pretty easy to use. I strongly recommend them.

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