Is there a difference in bike racks?
We were looking to a get a new bike rack for our car so we could transport our bikes without having to constantly take off the front wheels and such.
We need a two bike, trunk mounted, rack for our car. We don't have a hitch installed, so it has to be trunk mounted. The local shop here has a few different racks, but they all seem drastically more expensive than something at a discount store.
My question is, is this one of those times where you don't have to get the name brand stuff? I mean, is there that big of a difference between the Wal*Mart 2 bike rack, vs the Saris 2 Bone 9.99 bike rack?
While I know the more expensive ones look more sturdy, we have road bikes that don't weigh very much. The rack itself weighs more than our bikes combined, heh.
What are the pros/cons in just going to Wal*Mart/Target to get a rack instead of dishing out the name brand cash? (We ride Trek 1.1s, so we want to make sure it does hold our bikes safely.)
Is the only difference, one is more sturdy?
Posted in buy sari
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July 25th, 2010 at 11:54 pm
Tom
I agree, do not get the hitch mounted. The absolute worst thing about them is their weight AND the storage issues related with this monstrous rack…..
I used to have one of those $30 racks. Yes they work. I had to put a towel down so the pads did not ruin the paint. The webbing aged quickly, the rubber parts aged quickly as well. The aluminum frame pitted and aged rapidly as well. I bought the Saris Bones 2. What a difference
I love the Bones rack. It carries the weight of the bike rack on the bumper with a sturdy leg. It goes up and comes down quickly. It folds flat for storage in the garage or the trunk!. It carries the bikes with no concern that they are going to go on an unexpected and unwanted trip. If money is an issue, get one used on Ebay!
Soccerref
July 25th, 2010 at 11:54 pm
If you value your bikes get a good rack. I have the Saris bones 2 and it is a lot sturdier then any department store rack and it has a lifetime guarantee.
This one is better for not much more then the Walmart racks.
http://www.amazon.com/Saris-Sentinel-2-Bike-Trunk-Mount/dp/B000BT6Q3K/ref=sr_1_23?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1279904315&sr=1-23
July 25th, 2010 at 11:54 pm
BobA is right again. The quality difference between brands may not be obvious but it’s there. But the real difference is the design. In the Saris, for example, notice how it’s arched? That’s not only for strength but it allows you to mount it over a spoiler. Well thought out, see.
The rack is not only to protect the bike but the car too. A poor design can easily mean a nice $129.99 paint scratch because of a cheap pad on a tube that dug into the trunk lid. Or a poor design that caused you to drop the bike as you tried to lift it off. Now imagine it fell off and bounced against the car, real money now. Here’s the worst: The rack breaks and the bike comes off, dragging across your car first then mangling the car behind you that runs into it. Bike gone, car mangled and liability payments coming.
I know a lot of people who own pickups just for thier bikes and I have one friend who actually bought a minivan and removed the seats to keep his $10k worth of bikes out of the weather and safe from thieves.
Pay the two dollars.
July 25th, 2010 at 11:54 pm
WIth a cheaper rack you risk the rack failing quicker, it’ll be more difficult to attach to the car, and you may scratch up the car with the hooks and bars because they won’t have the same padding protection level. If you can afford it, I would go with a sturdier and higher quality rack, especially if you are going long distances. The sturdier racks keep the bikes in place better - not that the issue would be the bike falling off the rack while driving, but the bike my get a bit dinged up bouncing around on the rack, or worse yet, hitting your car and dinging it up. I too had a difficult time spending so much on a good rack so I decided to go mid road - I bought a nice sturdy trunk mounted Thule rack from Craigslist. Many people buy really nice racks and then just use them very sporadically - like when they are going on vacation once/yr. or so. THey are still in good condition. The rack I got has a numbering system that can be somewhat customized to the specific car so the fit is nice and tight and the bike sits on a very padded hook and loop. I’ve used cheap racks before and the Thule is much more of a pleasure. Try craigslist first for a good quality rack in nice condition. Good luck.
July 25th, 2010 at 11:54 pm
It is also possible to have a hitch mounted, just because you don’t have one now is not a reason to dismiss hitch racks. Hitch racks have a ton of advantages, they bolt directly to the car, and can’t scratch your paint as a trunk rack is very likely to do. They also attach much quicker, mine takes about 30 seconds to install and secure on the car. You say your bikes are light, meaning that they are probably good quality machines. Why would you risk them by using a flimsy bargain basement rack? My hitch rack stores in a small corner, if folds up when not in use so I can tuck it into a corner beside my garage door.
August 18th, 2010 at 5:51 am
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