Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General General Bike Rack - Suggestions ?

Hi,

I am looking to buy a bike and wondering what should i do about carrying it in my car ? I have 98 SE Sport with spoiler and non-folding seats. So i believe with out folding seats there is no way to put a bike in a trunk ? I guest i have to get a bike rack. I don't really like idea of roof top rack - because i might drop a bike while putting it there or forget i have a bike and drive thru something with low clearance. Trunk mounted doesn't attract me because i saw one car with damaged paint which i believe was caused by truck rack. So i guess i should go for hitch + Hitch mounted rack ?

Any suggestions ?

Hitch rack. Biggest danger of roof racks is hitting low overhangs (like garage openings). Thousands of dollars of damage to bike and car.

Or...

...get a Birdy (www.birdybike.com) or a BikeFriday (www.bikefriday.com). Go try 'em out at Rapid Transit Bike Shop in Chicago.

Both will ride like a 650c or 700c bike, and both will fit in the trunk! As a matter of fact, both will fit in the trunk at the same time.

Wow that bikes is expensive - i am planning to spend arround 300$

What should i do to get a hitch ?
Buy something in wallmart ?
Get it professionaly installed ?

For a $300 bike, I'd get a good, stable trunk rack and a pedal wrench. Remove the pedal that faces the trunk BEFORE placing the bike on the rack. Use bungie-cords to strap everything down so it doesn't sway.

Go to a good bike shop and tell them what your concerns are regarding damage (they'll try and sell you a roof rack, but tell 'em you only have $100).

P.S.: Spend a little more on your bike. You won't regret it. The upgrade from $300 to $500 is very clear. Lighter bike, better bearings, smoother ride. $500 is still considered entry level, but the market brings some real goodies to bikes at that price point.

You can get the hitch at any u-haul rental place. You should go to a bike shop and buy the bike rack there as they will have better ones to offer than Wal-Mart. The rack alone will run you 140+ depending on how many bikes, what features etc..
The hitch installed should be in the 100-150 range. I recomend the 2" reciever as it is sturdier and easier to find a rack for. Thule or Yakima are the best for racks with me leaning more towards Thule as they have a beter warranty and are built A LOT better. Damn, you would think I used to sell these things. Oh, wait I did. Hope this is of some help.

OK, as the manager of a bike shop, I would say go with the roof rack. Easily removable, plus you get the options of adding more stuff later on like snowboard/ski mounts, travel boxes, etc. I have a Yakima system and have never had a problem. Drop me a line and I'll see what kindda deal i can work for you. Trunk mounts suck, and trailer hitch mounts add unwanted weight to the car. Not just my 2-cents, but a professional (seeing that it's what I do for a living) point of view.

See what I said?

Have to agree with this guy. Now that I think of it Yakima is the only roof rack available on the contour. But if you do go hitch I think Thule is the way to go .

My brother has a Yakima roof rack on his '95 and has logged literally THOUSANDS of miles with his bike on the roof of his car travelling around/across the country with his job . Not a problem to be had , even with triple-digit speeds . I have looked at the rack & it's really a quality piece .

I'm not really fond of trunk racks myself . There's the fear of the bike bouncing/swinging & scratching the rear bumper (even with the pedal off) . Or the fear of the bike bottoming out going in & out of driveways or across roads ... that sort of stuff .

I'd say you ought to get whatever your finances will allow , but whatever you get ... GET A QUALITY ONE !!! Don't get a "Wal-Mart special" . Just remember , You get what you pay for !

What do I do ?!?! I take the wheels off (quick-release) & toss it in my trunk .

What he said. I've got a Yakima roof rack that I originally bought for my Escort, so when I got the 'tour, all I needed was new mounts and it was set. I haven't had any problems with it at all, you just have to remember to BE CAREFUL putting bikes on it, and remember if you have one up there so that you don't go through a drive-thru or into a parking garage or something.
I've found the best thing is the versatility - I can carry two bikes and all passengers, or skis, there have been a couple times when I've had to throw a blanket on the roof and carry sleeping bags, etc...
But if all you want is to physically get a bike in your car, and you're only going to ride alone, get a tarp and throw it in the trunk. Any bike worth owning can have both wheels off in less than a minute.