Trunk or roof racks

[D'z Nutz]

What are you guys using or recommend for transporting your bikes around? Getting my bike in and out of the trunk is a pain in the ass and I'm paranoid I'll scratch something up.

I was thinking of getting this. Yay or nay?
http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442594359&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302692829&bmUID=1242318437451

[EK 2.0]

D. I don't recall your specific deal anymore...but did you get the hitch installed on your Scooby??

If so, there is a bike rack attachment for the hitch assembly...

[benyl]

Dude, you drive a wagon. Get roof racks! That MEC shit will scratch you car (when you aren't paying attention.)

[flipstah]

Originally posted by benyl
Dude, you drive a wagon. Get roof racks! That MEC shit will scratch you car (when you aren't paying attention.)

Word. I am not a fan of those racks that attaches to the trunk and as long as you're not going into any low-level tunnels, roof racks would suffice.

http://images.mec.ca/media/Images/Products/CarRacks/4017850_v1_m56577569830503644.jpg (http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp;jsessionid=GpQyKTRMDYXr2BM1xsRL2NyDTWp7D4MS0PbJMLDCJJyvcH2G1QLy!-206618397!1242779948242?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302692829&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442096983)

[D'z Nutz]

Originally posted by EK 2.0
D. I don't recall your specific deal anymore...but did you get the hitch installed on your Scooby??

Negatory on the hitch.


Originally posted by benyl
Dude, you drive a wagon. Get roof racks! That MEC shit will scratch you car (when you aren't paying attention.)



Originally posted by flipstah


Word. I am not a fan of those racks that attaches to the trunk and as long as you're not going into any low-level tunnels, roof racks would suffice.

So roof racks are pretty reliable? I've always been skeptical about them being mounted up there for some reason. I'll look into it. I guess that means I'll have to get the cross bars too :guns:

[flipstah]

Originally posted by D'z Nutz

So roof racks are pretty reliable? I've always been skeptical about them being mounted up there for some reason. I'll look into it. I guess that means I'll have to get the cross bars too :guns:

http://www.bikeforums.net/archive/index.php/t-121690.html

The thread above pretty much favored the roof racks because:

- It scratches up the car
- It's a pain to install/uninstall

[swak]

im looking for something for my truck bed.
currently i just lay the bike down, but would rather something better.

[7thgenvic]

spend the extra bucks and get a roof rack. If you have a wagon then you shouldn't have a problem lifting the bike up and down and trunk carriers will probably scratch the shit outta your trunk unless you 3M the areas where the carrier touches.

[98type_r]

just be careful driving with the bikes on top of the car, i've seen a lot of bikes destroyed because the drivers forgot they had bikes on top.

For the price of crossbars and roof carriers, you should also consider installing a hitch and a hitch rack.

[emilio]

^ that's what I did. It was about $400 altogether for the hitch install + bike rack. The rack is pretty sweet:
http://www.swagman.net/product_platform2.html

drove up to ft. mac this weekend without any problems, other than ft mac being my destination...

[CMW403]

Originally posted by 98type_r
just be careful driving with the bikes on top of the car, i've seen a lot of bikes destroyed because the drivers forgot they had bikes on top.

For the price of crossbars and roof carriers, you should also consider installing a hitch and a hitch rack.

the bikes aren't really the most valuable thing to worry about when driving through a tunnel with a bike on your roof. i have seen a thread on another forum where the guy was going slow into a garage and did MAJOR damage to the roof of his car. if you were doing 60 going under a low bridge or something i wouldn't be surprised if you converted to a convertable.

[syeve]

We use Yakima king cobra. Awesome rack with bike locks. No scratches on the car after 5 years of heavy use. Plus I think it looks awesome.

http://www.feedthehabit.com/gear_reviews/bikes/yakima/kingCobraFront.jpg

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by emilio
^ that's what I did. It was about $400 altogether for the hitch install + bike rack. The rack is pretty sweet:
http://www.swagman.net/product_platform2.html

drove up to ft. mac this weekend without any problems, other than ft mac being my destination...

We use this rack too, best rack out there overall IMO.

If there is any way to get a hitch, this is the way to go. We use it on a VW Golf.

[Khyron]

Originally posted by Mitsu3000gt


We use this rack too, best rack out there overall IMO.

If there is any way to get a hitch, this is the way to go. We use it on a VW Golf.

Word - I put hitches on both my cars (I don't own a trailer) just for the swagman double bike hitch. And I had a roof rack already.

One close call driving into my garage, and my buddy tearing his roof at an underground parkade was enough for me.

Only problem is my wagon can't open the hatch with 2 bikes on the hitch. I could get an extender but then the bikes would stick out pretty far.

[chris]

Originally posted by Khyron


Word - I put hitches on both my cars (I don't own a trailer) just for the swagman double bike hitch. And I had a roof rack already.

One close call driving into my garage, and my buddy tearing his roof at an underground parkade was enough for me.

Only problem is my wagon can't open the hatch with 2 bikes on the hitch. I could get an extender but then the bikes would stick out pretty far.

get the THULE REVOLVER (http://www.thuleracks.com/product.asp?dept_id=8&sku=964) , it completely swings out of the way in order to get into the hatch with all the bikes on it.