Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by J on August 30, 2011 at 1:08am

The first two are hitch racks, so I'm assuming he has one installed already. Typically they hold the bike further away from the car and are therefore the least likely to cause damage, but the ones listed are pretty crummy.

 

If he's only going to carry one bike, the Saris Solo, the third link, is by far the easiest to use and the one I'd recommend.

 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by SmilingBob on August 30, 2011 at 2:50am

If your friend has a hitch mount on the vehicle in question I would recommend going with that type of rack. They usually are quite easy to use and there is nothing touching the car so it is more difficult to scratch or damage the car. The thing to keep in mind with hitch mount racks is to make sure they are of sturdy construction; you don't want the arms or the vertical tube to fail when driving and have the bike crashing down the road.As for the racks that mount directly to the car I have never been a fan of them for regular use but for the occasionally use they are fine. Have you friend keep in mind that ones with foam around that tubing where the rack meets the car can and does wear and should be checked. The other thing to look at when comparing models is to look at the clips that hold that rack to the car, do they have a thick coating of rubber over them, sharp edges, rivets, anything that can scratch? The other thing to keep in mind is that where ever that rack meets the car should be clean, both the rack and the car so that the car does not end up with wear marks from the rack. The things your friend needs to keep in mind when shopping is to look at the construction, is it sturdy? Are there sharp edges?As for pricing, once you get above a certain range what you are paying for are the "bells and whistles" of the rack, how many bikes can it hold, what type of holds are there for the bike, how difficult is it to load a bike etc... Here are a couple of links with reviews of different racks. http://www.mtbr.com/cat/accessories/bike-rack/pls_98crx.aspxhttp://... http://www.etrailer.com/faq-Hitch-Bike-Rack.aspx 
 
*************************************************************************This message and any attachments (the "message") are confidential, intended solely for the addressee(s), and may contain legally privileged information.  Any unauthorised use or dissemination is prohibited.  E-mails are susceptible to alteration.  Neither SOCIETE GENERALE nor any of its subsidiaries or affiliates shall be liable for the message if altered, changed or falsified.*************************************************************************

J said:

The first two are hitch racks, so I'm assuming he has one installed already. Typically they hold the bike further away from the car and are therefore the least likely to cause damage, but the ones listed are pretty crummy.

 

If he's only going to carry one bike, the Saris Solo, the third link, is by far the easiest to use and the one I'd recommend.

 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on August 30, 2011 at 3:08am

Not gonna happen. He is buying his first bike today.  And has a sales job all around the state.

Chris C said:

Sell the car?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Dave Jacque on August 30, 2011 at 7:48am

I've got a Thule hitch mount that can hold up to four bikes. It cost ~$125 but is built like a tank and will definitely outlast my car, and probably me.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on August 30, 2011 at 8:04am

Go with a hitch-mounted rack if your car has a Class I/II receiver.  The strap-on racks are all more difficult to install/load/unload and more likely to cause car dent/scratch issues as well because they do not hold the bikes as straight up and down or as far away from the back of the car. 

 

Don't forget to check Harbor freight as their hitch-mount is on sale right now for $50 -it's a trek out to Arlington Heights, Lombard or Burbank but it is worth it. 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Liz on August 30, 2011 at 8:25am

I've had this rack for 2 years now, used it on many different cars for trips of various length and have not had any problems with scratching cars.  The buckles on the straps are worn out and I now need to put an extra strap or bungie cord over it, but otherwise its been fine.  

 

http://www.target.com/p/BIKE-RACK-SCHWINN-TRUNKRACK-2/-/A-13324481

 

That said if his car has a hitch that is probably the way to go, and if I get a new rack I will probably spend more money, but this was a good buy when I was new to cycling and looking for a way to transport bikes, and I still use it when I rent cars or use zip cars.  

• ▶ Reply