I have tried multiple bungee cords, towels between the bikes, etc. but have yet to come up with a quick and easy way to rack the bikes without them scratching each other.
what kind of rack??? I use a saris bones rack and have never had any problems in the 3 years I have been using it.
Here is what I do though:
-The bike closest to the car gets its pedal put in between the crack of the trunk and the bumper, this keeps it from spinning.
-I use the longer straps to tie the rear wheels to a seatstay to keep them from spinning.
-I use the other long strap and do the same for the front wheels, I tie them to the top tube, this keeps the handlebars facing forward.
IF I am going on a long drive, or to a race (nicer wheels) I take the wheels off.
I use a Thule trunk rack. Is the Saris Bones designed such that it eliminates bike’s clanging together? If so, maybe that is my solution.
Do you recommend the 2 or 3 bike saris? the 2 bike rack looks a little flimsy with the single support on the top, waddya think?
Roof Rack
Seriously though - a roof rack keeps the bikes secure, you can easily lock them, you can access your trunk if needed, and they just look so much cooler than a trunk rack (IMO)
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I have been more than impressed with my saris for what it is. I have traveled to IMAZ twice with it (7 hours) and done numerous other drives with the bikes. It is not flimsy at all. Obviously it is not as cool as a roof rack, but I have never had any issues with the saris, it dosent take paint off my bikes and it holds them secure, there is enough extra webbing to tie the bikes down further as well as tie off the clamps (if you are worried about them slipping, mine never have).
I like the 2 bike rack.
Roof Rack
Seriously though - a roof rack keeps the bikes secure, you can easily lock them, you can access your trunk if needed, and they just look so much cooler than a trunk rack (IMO)
No way a hitch rack is way cooler!
http://www.saris.com/p-298-thelma-2-bike.aspx
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOdDiVfs4wg
Plus there is no way you can peel your bike off when entering the garage.
By stowed position does he mean “can’t open the tailgate”?
Load the bikes next to each other so you can hook one brake lever over the handle bar of the other and secure with a velcro strap.
By stowed position does he mean “can’t open the tailgate”?
I have a trunk(2008 Altima Coupe) and I can definitely open it with the rack in stowed position or non-stowed position.
Usually the trunk/liftgate(top portion) does not extend beyond the edge of the car so that should not be a problem.
In our Rodeos the tailgate open sideways and pickup-truck-style so they would not work, nor would a mini-van full rear door. Only wheel mounted racks like the Saris Thelma would allow you to open the tailgate at all in the above scenarios. You would have to unmount the bikes and have the rack in non-stowed position.
Hope this helps.
roof rack.
i have never scratched my bike or another’s when they were on a roof rack. the VERY FIRST time my bike was loaded onto a friends hitch mounted, S-curved, hanging rack piece of shit, his pedal scratched the downtube on my bike right above the crank. nice little gouge to the carbon fiber beauty. never again. never.
I use a set of foam blocks placed strategically between the two bikes on my trunk rack, along with the usual lashings. Nashbar sells a set for less than $10: