Bike rack

If you use the Search function on the site, you can close to a dozen threads about bikes racks. They'll have people's reviews, a few photos, etc. First thing to do is to decide whether you want a roof mount, trunk mount, or hitch mount. I have had good luck with a Thule bike carrier. I know a lot of people have said the Saris Bones is good, and I liked the look and design of it, and it does fit contrary to what the Saris site will tell you. The reason they say it should not be used on a Prius is because of the pressure it puts on the glass, so I heard.

 

I have the 2-bike Saris Bones. I've not used it much since I bought it because of a combination of an ankle injury and laziness keeping me off the bike, but I like it. It is easy to use and relatively quick to set up on the car and remove. No problems from what I can tell with the hatch glass. Most of the weight is on the bottom feet anyway, and they rest on the top of the bumper. The only small modification I made is short pieces of pipe insulation to keep the top straps from rubbing on the edge of the spoiler.

John1701a is who I got the Bones idea from. He has used it extensively and has pics on his site.

 

If you are looking for a roof rack, we like our Saris. I believe it is one of th easier roof racks to put into place. For the Prius you need the 59". I'm not sure if it is still available, other than used through eBay, but you wanted a good price, right?

PA P

 

Re: Bike rack for 4 bikes

Has anyone used bike racks to carry 4 bikes outside the car? If so how did you do it and how did it work? I can't store any inside as there will be 4 passengers (2 kids so I should be under the weight limit).

I read a bunch of threads but did not see much about 4 bikes (other than trailer hitches did not work).

David

 

If you don't want to risk scratching your paint or damaging your car with a strap on bike rack, you may want to consider a hitch mounted bike rack. You will have to buy a hitch (Curt Class I Trailer Hitch Receiver with Drawbar 11468 : Trailer hitch bike rack and trailer hitches - etrailer.com), but they are relatively cheap, easy to install, and have several advantages over a roof rack or a strap-on style rack:

PROS over strap on:
1. You can have the bike AND hitch removed in less than a minute. The rack also easily fits into the back of the car.
2. Nothing touches your paint or your car.
3. You can use your hitch for other types of racks such as cargo racks or cooloer racks.
4. Rock solid mount!
5. You can open your hatch with the bike in the rack (if you get a rack that tilts down or naturally sticks out far enough to open hatch)
6. You can lock the rack to the hitch and the bike to the rack.

PROS over top mount:
1. You can have the bike AND hitch removed in less than a minute.
2. The rack easily fits into the back of the car.
3. Nothing touches your paint or your car.
4. You don't have to reach to the top of your car.
5. You don't have to worry about garages ripping your bike off.
6. Much better aero (read: better mpg).

CONS:
1. You may have ground clearance issues on steep transitions such as some driveways. My rack has a 4 inch built-in rise, so it's not much of an issue if you get the right rack.

Good luck with your choice. What kind of bike(s) do you ride?

... Brad

 

Re: Bike rack for 4 bikes

I do not know for sure, but can imagine that four bikes would fit on the 59" Saris rack.

PA P

 

I'd echo what "bac" is saying. The hitch mounted rack is superior and you have a hitch for other things. I got a carrier from Performace Bike for two bikes for about $139. The hitch was a U-haul ("curt") hitch and installed for about $160. Perforance also makes a 4 bike rack but that rack pnly fits a 2" hitch which Curt doesn't have for the Prius, so you woould need an adapter.

Coastal Tech has a 2" hitch but IMHO their design and construction makes the hitch less reliable that a 1 1/4" Curt.