Bike rack recommendations

[miamicuse]

I need to get a bike rack that is capable to carry three bikes. I have a
SUV (Nissan Pathfinder SE). Is it better to get the kind that clamps to the
top and bumper or is it better to get the hitch mount variety? What are the
pros and cons?

Any specific models? I was at a bike shop this weekend and they pulled all
the Yakima racks off the shelf (recall about some problems...) What about
racks off Ebay? Like this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7161983177&ssPageName=MERC_VI_RSCC_Pr12_PcY_BIN_Stores_IT

or this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Rhode-Gear-Super-Shuttle-Rear-Mount-Bike-Rack-in-Box_W0QQitemZ7208479789QQcategoryZ56201QQrdZ1QQcmd ZViewItem

I have never used my hitch? Do the hitch mount rack just connect to the
hitch or do they need some sort of adaptor or other hardware? Are those
mounts lockable?

Thanks,

MC

[Ted]

I had a trunk mounted rack in the '70's that was adequate. It was hard
to get it really tight and I was always afraid it would scratch my
paint. I bought a hitch mounted rack 15 years ago that I have used a
dozen times. It is easy to mount, does lock, (a bar attaches over the
top tubes of the bikes and locks down), and carries four bikes with
some finagling. It seems to sway a bit and sticks quite far out the
back. No other hardware is needed; it fits into the square female end
with nothing else. If I had to buy another I would go with the hitch
mount.

Ted.

[miamicuse]

"Ted" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> I had a trunk mounted rack in the '70's that was adequate. It was hard
> to get it really tight and I was always afraid it would scratch my
> paint. I bought a hitch mounted rack 15 years ago that I have used a
> dozen times. It is easy to mount, does lock, (a bar attaches over the
> top tubes of the bikes and locks down), and carries four bikes with
> some finagling. It seems to sway a bit and sticks quite far out the
> back. No other hardware is needed; it fits into the square female end
> with nothing else. If I had to buy another I would go with the hitch
> mount.
>
> Ted.
>

Thanks Ted I am leaning to the hitch mount as well. But I am a little
confused as to the difference in price. I found this one at Bike Nashbar
for as low as $49.95:

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=71&subcategory=1019&brand=&sku=14125&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=

and this one at Ebay for $219.95

http://cgi.ebay.com/SOFTRIDE-RACKS-DX-4-BIKE-BICYCLE-RACK-2-CLASS-3-HITCH_W0QQitemZ7207823673QQcategoryZ56200QQrdZ1QQc mdZViewItem

Not sure why the huge price difference.

MC

[Leo Lichtman]

"miamicuse" wrote: (clip) Not sure why the huge price difference.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
One difference between hitch-mounted racks that has not been mentioned, and
which you need to be aware of, is how it attaches to the hitch. The $49 one
you link to says it screws in place of the hitch ball. This means it is
installed with a big wrench, and it looks like it is a solid attachment.
The other one (the picture came up blurry) appears to latch in the upright
position, and can be lowered to allow the tail gate to open. Also, the more
expensive one fits a "receiver hitch." This means it slides into a 2"
square tube on the car, and can be easily removed when not needed, without
tools. This means you can easily also use a ball hitch to tow a trailer,
or back into a parking space without worrying about banging the hitch post.

[[email protected]]

Avoidhitch racks and get a roof rack

[The Wogster]

miamicuse wrote:
> I need to get a bike rack that is capable to carry three bikes. I have a
> SUV (Nissan Pathfinder SE). Is it better to get the kind that clamps to the
> top and bumper or is it better to get the hitch mount variety? What are the
> pros and cons?
>
> Any specific models? I was at a bike shop this weekend and they pulled all
> the Yakima racks off the shelf (recall about some problems...) What about
> racks off Ebay? Like this one:
>
> http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7161983177&ssPageName=MERC_VI_RSCC_Pr12_PcY_BIN_Stores_IT
>
> or this one:
>
> http://cgi.ebay.com/Rhode-Gear-Super-Shuttle-Rear-Mount-Bike-Rack-in-Box_W0QQitemZ7208479789QQcategoryZ56201QQrdZ1QQcmd ZViewItem
>
> I have never used my hitch? Do the hitch mount rack just connect to the
> hitch or do they need some sort of adaptor or other hardware? Are those
> mounts lockable?
>

There are actually 3 kinds, trunk mount, hitch mount, and roof mount.
trunk mount are usually able to fit many different vehicles, but you
should really try mounting it, before buying, to make sure it fits your
vehicle. Hitch mount, needs a hitch, and needs to be compatable with
your hitch, depending on how the rack is made, and your hitch. Roof
mount again can fit most vehicles, but a vehicle that is extra tall,
like a van or SUV, could make it tricky to get bikes on and off.
Needing a ladder to get the bikes on and off, means another thing to
haul around. Bike weight is also an issue with roof mounted carriers,
lifting a $15,000 3.5lb CF bike over your head isn't a problem, but
lifting a 35lb MTB might be.

The problem with ebay, is that it might not fit, or if it's used, there
could be parts missing.

W

[[email protected]]

miamicuse > wrote:
> I need to get a bike rack that is capable to carry three bikes. I have a

> Any specific models? I was at a bike shop this weekend and they pulled all

This looks like another chance for me to disrecommend the piece of
garbage I had a few years back. It nearly dropped three bikes on an
interstate, in a construction zone, at rush hour. Fortunately the safety
strap held, but the rack proved utterly worthless.
"Byke Ryder" brand bike racks: avoid, avoid, avoid.


Bill, now happy with his Yakima


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[Matt O'Toole]

On Sat, 31 Dec 2005 10:14:51 -0500, The Wogster wrote:

> Roof mount
> again can fit most vehicles, but a vehicle that is extra tall, like a van
> or SUV, could make it tricky to get bikes on and off. Needing a ladder to
> get the bikes on and off, means another thing to haul around. Bike weight
> is also an issue with roof mounted carriers, lifting a $15,000 3.5lb CF
> bike over your head isn't a problem, but lifting a 35lb MTB might be.

Yes, be careful with this. The bike will probably survive being dropped,
but the paint on the roof of your car won't. I've seen it happen too many
times.

I question why you need a rack at all, with such a large vehicle. At
least two bike ought to fit inside with no problem.

> The problem with ebay, is that it might not fit, or if it's used, there
> could be parts missing.

It's fine if you know exactly what you're looking for, and shop wisely.

BTW, I have a pair of raingutter style Thule racks available if anyone's
interested. They'll probably go on eBay this weekend.

Matt O.

[Matt O'Toole]

On Sat, 31 Dec 2005 05:22:40 +0000, Leo Lichtman wrote:

>
> "miamicuse" wrote: (clip) Not sure why the huge price difference.
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> One difference between hitch-mounted racks that has not been mentioned,
> and which you need to be aware of, is how it attaches to the hitch. The
> $49 one you link to says it screws in place of the hitch ball. This means
> it is installed with a big wrench, and it looks like it is a solid
> attachment. The other one (the picture came up blurry) appears to latch in
> the upright position, and can be lowered to allow the tail gate to open.
> Also, the more expensive one fits a "receiver hitch." This means it
> slides into a 2" square tube on the car, and can be easily removed when
> not needed, without tools. This means you can easily also use a ball
> hitch to tow a trailer, or back into a parking space without worrying
> about banging the hitch post.

If you're getting a hitch rack, get one with its own receiver attatchment,
so you can remove it easily. Actually these are very easy to deal with.

Matt O.

[The Wogster]

Matt O'Toole wrote:
> On Sat, 31 Dec 2005 10:14:51 -0500, The Wogster wrote:
>
>
>>Roof mount
>>again can fit most vehicles, but a vehicle that is extra tall, like a van
>>or SUV, could make it tricky to get bikes on and off. Needing a ladder to
>>get the bikes on and off, means another thing to haul around. Bike weight
>>is also an issue with roof mounted carriers, lifting a $15,000 3.5lb CF
>>bike over your head isn't a problem, but lifting a 35lb MTB might be.
>
>
> Yes, be careful with this. The bike will probably survive being dropped,
> but the paint on the roof of your car won't. I've seen it happen too many
> times.
>

A car roof is made from thin metal with little strength, the pillars and
roof frame are strong enough, in that they need to withstand a rollover,
however the sheet steel covering, is not. In fact the roof is where
materials like plastic are often found, to reduce weight. Now the
strongest metal in a bicycle is often the hardened steel pedal axles.
What do you think happens when a hardened steel axle comes in contact
with a thin plastic sheet car roof, uh yeah, try explaining that one to
your insurance company, when it costs $3000 to fix a roof, because you
dropped a bicycle on it.

> I question why you need a rack at all, with such a large vehicle. At
> least two bike ought to fit inside with no problem.

I can imagine when, when your going camping and your significant other,
needs to take everything including the bloody hair dryer. Yeah, just
plug it in behind that oak, the chipmunk knows where....

W