Good Bike Rack for Prius C

I've been thinking about the same issue.

I am inclined to go with the ones that mount to the back. They seem to be more easily removable than the roof mounted racks.

 

The system I used is a trailer receiver hitch and a bike rack that plugs into the receiver in less than a minute.
No silly straps and rubber coated clips to leave marks on your paint which you get with the 'strap-ons'.

They make one for the C : Trailer Hitch for 2012 Toyota Prius c | etrailer.com

You can also mount those 2' x 3' trays for hauling nasty or big stuff or even tow a small trailer.
Look to see if this may affect your warranty having a hitch assembly on your car even if you only use it for the bikes.

People will say "You can't tow anything with a Prius".
I say, "Tell me how towing a motorcycle trailer around the Midwest is any different than carrying you and 3 of your fat friends up the Rocky Mountains".

 

man, I just can't bring myself to installing a trailer hitch on my C. LOL

 

My Habanero C4 (Updated with my Finished Projects!) | PriusChat

on this thread i have a picture of my C with a trailer hitch (by Curt) with a bike rack + my mountain bike.

 

I installed Torklift Eco hitch with Thule platform bike rack, it work great so far & not effect gas mileage

Torklift EcoHitch | PriusChat

 

I used to have a rear-mounted rack, decent quality with straps. I was driving once with 3 bikes on it, triple checked it, and at 50mph I lost the whole thing. Bikes went flying -- my LeMond frame cracked. I was *seriously* lucky one of those bikes didn't hit a motorcyclist or bicyclist.

I resolved: No removable racks. Ever. Again. Moral liability.

I bought a Curt hitch online, had it installed at a u-haul place ($50), and checked at my dealer. I got a Yakima Doubledown 5-bike carrier on sale at REI for about $150. I remember it all cost like 1/3 of the bike I ruined.

Result: Complete bike ownage. Indestructible. I can put the family bikes on there and forget about them on a long drive. Putting them on is hell, due to the way bike racks work (only MC Escher could get 5 bikes on that rack). It's really nice for family bikes, which are all odd-sized and odd-configured. Harder to do this with a roof system, I believe.

Caveats:
- The bikes hang out pretty far away from the tail, and the front end of the car is noticeably lighter. I would get the smallest/lightest rack you will need.
- The rack partially obstructs the rear camera and of course makes the rear of the car 18" or so longer (without bikes), so try to not rear-end someone
- If you get rear-ended in traffic with an empty rack, you've bypassed your rear bumper

For me, I wouldn't carry bikes without it.

 

Also... some jackwagon stole my rack while I was in a parking lot. The lock was in the trunk -- didn't think anyone would steal something like that. Replaced it with the same model at full retail - worth it.

 

I use a Saris Bones 3. No problems with it so far. I only ever put two bikes on it. I put soft cloth between the strap and spoiler to prevent rub marks, but it has worked great for me so far. Waiting on Thule to come up with a solution for the roof so I can use my existing rack, but until then, this more than suffices.

 

+1 for the Rear strap mounted racks! They are simple, cheap and they work. I have a generic brand rear rack and I never go over 2 bikes (the weight is too much and it bounces on the freeway), but ultimately I see it as a temporary solution. It's too simple for someone to come up to your car and loosen the straps and simply steal your rack, or worse, your bike if it's attached to it.

I would like a working roof rack to come out for the Prius C since it would prevent bike/rack theft as well as give you the option of transporting surf boards or a kayak, ect..

 

Has anyone on here had experiences with the SeaSucker bike rack systems?

 

I was thinking of getting the Saris grand fondo. It's suppose to fit the C and it doesn't have any foam that can damage the paint.

 

I'm a big fan of the 1UPUSA.com :: Home rack. Very light and easy.

Here's mine --> What did you do to ur Prius today???? | Page 108 | PriusChat

 

Was the hitch the CURT Manufacturing 11299 Class 1 Trailer Hitch, Pin and Clip and the rack the Allen Sports Deluxe 3-Bike Hitch Mount Rack (1.25 or 2-Inch Receiver)?

 

I really want to find some bike solution for my road bike, I'm also considering getting a mountain bike in the near future and that will definitely not being going in the car after a day on the trails. Ideally I'd like a two bike system, and it seems to me that a hitch mounted system would be more secure and less likely to damage the car. I am nervous though that it might void the warranty, as I seem to remember the manual saying something about never ever put a hitch on this vehicle haha. I wish there was some way to compare these things, most people on here seem to buy one and love it but clearly there are better and worse options out there... Anybody know a bike shop guy who owns a Prius C?

 

I have a hitch mounted Yakima Hold Up and it's very secure, flexible(fixs all types of bike from 20" and up) and "touch less". It includes all locks and cables as well.


For 2013, it's slightly redesigned, new color is now black, locks for each tray vs 1 cable for all, and laterally adjustable to reduce overhang over side of car. One bad thing on the 2013 model is lock cable holder isn't secure enough. Easy remedy is to lock it in place but I also heard Yakima has fixed that problem.

 

Did you end up getting a gran fondo? I am thinking of buying one to carry my mountain bikes and I am looking for opinions of how this rack works with a Prius C...

 

I haven't purchased on but looking at getting a roof rack.

 

I installed a CURT hitch on my C. I use it for my bikes and I plan on using it for a Kayak loader to help get the Kayak on the roof by myself. I think the hitch is the most versatile setup for me. I haven't received my Rhino Rack yet, but it should be here later this week. I'll get some install photos and post em, ASAP.

 

I'm transferring my existing roof rack to my new Prius C (yay!!!) since all I need to purchase are new feet hooks (~$60). I prefer the roof over the hitch since it keeps the weight centered to the vehicle rather than pushing down on the back end. As for noise, that can be taken care of with a fairing or windjammer. Not sure what the MPG impact will be - probably minimal in city, but I'll have to compare for the interstate . . . either way, I'm getting more than double the MPG of my previous car!!