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rack advice: Kia Forte
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Hi all,

Just got a new (used) Kia Forte. Most of my bike transporting will be with a Subaru Outback but I would like a relatively cheap, simple but safe solution for the Kia. I have a Thule hitch rack for transporting 4 bikes. I also have hardware for roof mounting (Inno Racks Fork Lock III Universal Mount) on the roof cross beams that are on the Subaru.

The Kia does not have a hitch nor does it have roof rails or cross beams. So I need to have a hitch installed or buy some new hardware. My options as I understand them:


1. Have a hitch installed, but the rack is heavy as shit and most of the time I don't think I'll need it for anything more than just one bike at a time.


2. Buy these removable cross beams or similar:
https://www.amazon.com/59708-Removable-Mount-Forte-Hatchback/dp/B0058N6P76/ref=au_as_r?_encoding=UTF8&Make=Kia%7C21&Model=Forte%7C6865&Year=2012%7C2012&ie=UTF8&n=15684181&newVehicle=1&s=automotive&vehicleId=1&vehicleType=automotive


My concern is that there will be anchor points between the roof & cross beams, the cross beams & bike mounting hardware, and between the hardware and my bike. I'm a little concerned that the cross beams might not install securely enough.



3. Buy one of the trunk racks like this:


https://www.amazon.com/Allen-Sports-Deluxe-2-Bike-Trunk/dp/B00TRTSAZM/ref=dp_ob_title_auto


Seems the simplest option but the least safe? I don't know.






Does anyone have any experience in this area?


Thank you very much!
Mike


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Re: rack advice: Kia Forte [michaer27] [ In reply to ]
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I had one of the old trunk mounts for our old seebring. It did it's job, was a bit finnicky to install (if you open the trunk you have to re-adjust it afterwards, because it would lose tension on the bottom support straps. I had no issues with it, but if I went with more than two bikes (technically I could fit 4), it tended to sit pretty low (the only time i really feared it bottoming out is if I had my wife's 30lbs cruiser bike on the rack...). But I regularly drove moderate distances with a couple of CX bikes (not super light) on there with no issues...

That said, when we upgraded the car (we went with a Kia Soul a year and a half ago), we made sure to get one with a hitch, so that I could get a hitch mount rack...
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Re: rack advice: Kia Forte [michaer27] [ In reply to ]
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Hitch mount really is the only way to go. Check out etrailer dot com

Pink? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.
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Re: rack advice: Kia Forte [michaer27] [ In reply to ]
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We use the Bones rack on the Kia and also my Fiat 500. Pics on my twitter Works great. One thing about aero wheels you obviously have to remove them - right?

The bones rack made a great work stand for last minute hidden rear brake adjustments, drive-train rebuilds you know typical stuff 1 hour before the race ...:).

<https://twitter.com/...s/862169327285420032

PS trailer hitch on a small car adds lbs - blunting performance.

Training Tweets: https://twitter.com/Jagersport_com
FM Sports: http://fluidmotionsports.com
Last edited by: SharkFM: Jan 10, 18 22:46
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