Need to carry a bike. Trunk Rack recommendations?

[RogerB]

I have an old Graber bike rack that uses the edge of the trunk as a support. Won't work too well with a spoiler on the lip. I can "rig" it to miss the lip but I'm not real confident as it puts a lot of the weight on the straps.

Most racks--the ones compatible with rear spoilers--use the bumper as a support, but I'm not real confident with the Contour bumper, either, as it seems pretty flimsy.

Anybody have any recommendations? Experience? :shrug:

TIA.

 

[D.Acker]

I have an old Graber bike rack that uses the edge of the trunk as a support. Won't work too well with a spoiler on the lip. I can "rig" it to miss the lip but I'm not real confident as it puts a lot of the weight on the straps.

Most racks--the ones compatible with rear spoilers--use the bumper as a support, but I'm not real confident with the Contour bumper, either, as it seems pretty flimsy.

Anybody have any recommendations? Experience? :shrug:

TIA.

I used a rack that set on the back bumper of my 95 and never had any problems. I used it on interstate trips of approx 75-80 miles in length. Also the rural highways I traveled to get to the interstate weren't the smoothest. If I remember correctly it was a Bell brand (available at most Targets or Walmarts). Just my experience.

 

[RogerB]

I used a rack that set on the back bumper of my 95 and never had any problems. I used it on interstate trips of approx 75-80 miles in length. Also the rural highways I traveled to get to the interstate weren't the smoothest. If I remember correctly it was a Bell brand (available at most Targets or Walmarts). Just my experience.

Did your 95 have the deck lid spoiler?

 

[D.Acker]

Did your 95 have the deck lid spoiler?

no it didn't, sorry, that is one big difference here, I forgot to add that..

 

[rouar]

Anybody have any recommendations? Experience? :shrug:

I don't know how much you will find this useful, but I've been carrying my bike in the trunk (of the Subaru) for the past month. Fold down the rear seats, remove the front tire, drops right in.

 

[BrApple]

I don't know how much you will find this useful, but I've been carrying my bike in the trunk (of the Subaru) for the past month. Fold down the rear seats, remove the front tire, drops right in.

that works well.

but I wouldn't use a trunk mounted rack. I prefer roof mounted. no chance of the bike moving around and scratching the paint, not the rach scratching the paint. best other then that is a trialer hitch mounted rack.

 

[svtavino]

You should be hooking the straps to the tow hooks under the bumper and not the bumper itself. I also have no problem sticking my bike in the trunk with the wheels removed.

 

[RogerB]

True with the trunk, but need to keep my back seats--carry the bike on the back and the kids to school at the same time.

 

[striker2]

True with the trunk, but need to keep my back seats--carry the bike on the back and the kids to school at the same time.

what size bike? i was able to fit a 26" mountain bike in the trunk of my 97 (no fold down seats) by just removing the front wheel. it took some finageling but it fit.

 

[RogerB]

what size bike? i was able to fit a 26" mountain bike in the trunk of my 97 (no fold down seats) by just removing the front wheel. it took some finageling but it fit.

Hmm. I'll have to try it. Thanks for the input. I'm looking at a 26" MTB, as well.

 

[RogerB]

...Although, a rack would be more convenient, so I'd still appreciate any recs. I'm looking at a Saris Bone, and protecting my paint with some bulk ClearBra. Only concern then is the flexy plastic bumper cover, and not for the hooks but because it's where the feet of the rack sit and support all the weight.

 

[Snoskier16]

I have and use on almost a daily basis the Yakima SuperJoe 3 for about 2 years now. I have no problems at all! Roof racks are tough to fit this platform as I believe only Thule makes a kit to fit.

Below is a pic from the USA Cycling MTB Nationals this July. My buddy (pictured) has a Thule 2 bike rack on his Mustang and that works well for him.

Just to ensure that I carry lots of weight on the rack, this is my ride. I will usually carpool with 2 other guys to really load up the rack.

FYI: The car is an SVT with the stock spoiler.

http://www.contour.org/ceg-vb/member.php?u=29139svtavino: Why would you hook the straps to the bumper or the tow hooks? My rack is designed to mount on the trunk only and it works great. Two straps to the front of the lid, two to the side near the spoiler mounts and two on the bottom of the lid near the license plate. One good thing about the tow hooks is they make great locking points for the trips on the way home to get some food! Notice the "custom" bite taken from the rear mesh to easily accommodate this. (Okay, so I bought the car with the mesh like that, but it works great!)

 

[oberthecat]

one reason I bought my Mystique is because I knew from experience with my first one that I could fit my Manitou FS in the trunk with the seatbacks up. I took both wheels off and lowered the seat. There was still room for other stuff in there too. For the size of these cars, the trunk is really big.

 

[Tony2005]

I have an old Graber bike rack that uses the edge of the trunk as a support. Won't work too well with a spoiler on the lip. I can "rig" it to miss the lip but I'm not real confident as it puts a lot of the weight on the straps.

Most racks--the ones compatible with rear spoilers--use the bumper as a support, but I'm not real confident with the Contour bumper, either, as it seems pretty flimsy.

Anybody have any recommendations? Experience? :shrug:

TIA.

I have a Graber "Outback" (two top straps and two bottom straps) which can hold two bicycles that I bought at a garage sale. But I was advised by the seller that it was probably good for one bike only. I have used it many times and use(d) the bumper for support (highway speeds, Washington DC potholes and regular roads and the bike hasn't fallen out, yet). Have used it for one hour trips. I don't have a spoiler but the top "foam" goes way into the truck lid and I suspect it won't hit a spoiler if I had one. If you put the bike with the front on the right hand side, you can avoid the rear derailleur metal parts touching the car. In addition to the plastic ties which are attached to the metal bars, I also use two bungee cords to tie the top tube to the metal bars (as an additional safety measure). The bungee cord is also good to force the tire in the front to turn out (and hence only the front rubber tire touches the car). This helps stabilize the bike and prevents the handle/front wheel from moving. Takes less than 5 minutes to install.

Note that my road bike is about 29 pounds. I think Mountain Bikes are about 50 pounds.

I also bought a Proliner TB300 3-bike rack 5 years ago. I have only put two bikes on it. One mountain and one road. The price has come down a lot since then. I think I paid $90 5 years ago. Having six straps do make it more sturdy. It takes about 20 minutes to install. I also use bungee cords as an additional safety measure. I have used it for 4 hour trips and it is really sturdy and steady.
http://www.prolineracks.com/tb300-trunk-bike-rack.html

If I am only carrying only the road bike, I will use the Outback as it takes less than 5 minutes to install.

If you want to splurge, most bike forums usually suggest over the top track racks or the ones which go on a hitch (not practical for Contours). That way you can just set the wheels on the "track". But I am not a "serious" rider. I just ride for fun and exercise.