trunk racks

[hmstrwheel]

I'm looking for a better way to transport my bike to the park to ride. Getting it in the trunk of my Camry isn't working for me...especially since I have to empty my trunk of all the "car-stuff" in order to fit the bike. I'd like a trunk rack of some sort, but I've heard horror stories about them. I can't do a roof-rack as I can't lift my bike that high. :P Any suggestions?

[Sylvan]

Trunk racks are ok, as long as you can secure everything well. We have an adjustable one by Thule that goes on either the sedan or the wagon. We just use many bungee cords. Carsion's bike fell off once, on a hot day, merging into traffic on 95. The little rubber holders that came with the rack had just heated up too much and stretched and bam, there it went. Good thing he had bar ends at the time, though they didn't save the rims from "taco-ing". ;) Since then, we've been using at least 3 bungees, and that works. Some days we've had it so tight that it's tough to get the bikes back off! Better that than to have them fall off, I say. How far is the park?

[eric_2002]

:) Last weekend I just picked up a Saris trunk rack for my honda civic/Nissan Maxima and it seems to work great! I haven't used it on the Maxima yet (for fear of scratches to the rear spoiler) but I'm sure it would be fine if I ever had to. The rack was easy on and off with no problems and seemed to secure the bike very well.

I'd recommend it... I purchased it at Providence Bikes for $109 plus $25 for the adapter. Because of my Yframe mtn. bike I needed the adapter......

[I Are Baboon]

I have a Yakima roof rack on my Acura Integra. I had to install the bike mounts backwards in order to open my trunk. I love my roof rack. And it just looks cool, too. ;D

[eric_2002]

Definitely looks cool! I actually have a THULE roof rack that I used for my eclipse GSX. They are awesome racks and incredibly expensive! Do you need any parts for yours? Mine is sitting in my basement and hasn't been used in 3 yrs. :-[

I've got the wind fairing, short roof adapter, set of 6 locks, front wheel holder and unfortunately all of it is going to waste.

;D

[hmstrwheel]

The park is only about 3 miles, max. Yes, I know I should just ride there, but at this point if I got there I'm not so confident that I'd make it back home again! This summer was the first time in a decade that I've been on a bike at all, and I'm seriously out of shape. Also I get earaches in all seasons due to the wind...which I'm creating by riding. I've thought about those "ear pops" thinggies, but I haven't gotten them yet. I guess I don't trust them to stay on. Anyway, thanks for the advice so far...I guess the trunk rack would get me there and back in relative safety. Do they really have to cost that much, though? Ugh! And I have a "ladies'" frame mountain bike, so does that mean I need an adapter or something? (So much to learn...).

[eric_2002]

:)

There are cheaper bike racks out there. In fact you can probably get one rather cheap at www.supergo.com or www.pricepoint.com. As far as needing an adapter? Possibly! But I'm not sure... depends on the manufacturer of you bike. I have a CannonDale Y-frame so the adapter was needed to safely secure the bike to the rack...

[Dino Sore]

I'd like a trunk rack of some sort, but I've heard horror stories about them.

One thing to watch with trunk racks is where your car's exhaust pipe is located. I know someone who had a couple of bikes hanging off the back for a 3 hour ride to a race in NH. When they got there, one of the bike tires was melted. (and no, it wasn't me!)

[eric_2002]

I heard that can happen so I was informed from the bike shop where I purchased the rack to angle the holder bars up to a 45degree angle. It should raise the bike high enough to keep the tires from melting....

8)

[gungywump]

Online shops may offer cheap prices but they can't deliver the expertise of your local bike shop. There are many wonderful racks available from about $50 and up at your local shop from the likes of Yakima, Thule, Saris, Hollywood et al. The biggest advantage your local shop provides is someone to show you how to properly install and mount your bike to the rack. A ladies frame doesn't always require an adapter. You can slide the bike onto the rack under the spot where the headtube and toptube meet in the front and under the spot where the seatstays and seattube meet in the back.
ALWAYS support your local bike shop!!

[hmstrwheel]

Ack! Melted???? :o Ok, thanks for the warning on that. I think if I ever decide to take my bike back up to VT with me on any given weekend I'll just clean out the car and put it inside. It's not too much trouble unless I have to do it every time I ride. So far the advice has been great. Thanks! :)