Cheapo Back of Car mounts vs Thule

05-23-2004, 12:09 PM

I'm planning a short trip and I have the inexpensive back of the tire bike
rack similar to this:
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Experience on those racks for short trips (100 miles) with interstate
travel?

My other option would be to put bike inside car (no big problem space ok,
but lying bike on side can sometimes tweak adjustments if not careful.

Thule is the 'best' of the three option, and I'm going to inquire on
getting a Thule system...I presume they sell it to you and then you take it
to the shop to have it installed? Or is it an easy mount with screwdrive
and crescent wrench thing?

(I might not be able to get the Thule and get it mounted in time for
departure, I'm thinking, so thus the query...)

-B

05-23-2004, 06:51 PM

On Sun, 23 May 2004 16:09:36 -0400, Badger_South wrote:

>
> Experience on those racks for short trips (100 miles) with interstate
> travel?

It'll be just fine! Actually, I think the fancier racks shine when you
have to mount and unmount the bike often, or secure it with shmancy built
in locks. They're great for carting the MTB to the hills every weekend.

That said, I've driven coast to coast, Chicago to Nashville, many times
with several bikes on the cheap back o' car racks. They work great, and
you can give them away as gifts or parting prizes.

The only thing to worry about is your bike swinging and a pedal scraping
the car and other bike-car rub n' scrape. Pipe insulation and old sweat
socks can prevent any car/bike damage. Bungee cords are an attractive and
cheap accessory.

Unless you're going to transport your bike a lot, and have money to burn,
this rack is the better choice--I've seen cars around here with the spendy
roof racks that I swear have never had a bike on them--the Thules must be
some kind of underground fashion accessory LOL these guys probably don't
even ride.

That said--you'll appreciate the fancy kind if you become a regular rack
user.

05-23-2004, 06:51 PM

On Sun, 23 May 2004 16:09:36 -0400, Badger_South wrote:

>
> Experience on those racks for short trips (100 miles) with interstate
> travel?

It'll be just fine! Actually, I think the fancier racks shine when you
have to mount and unmount the bike often, or secure it with shmancy built
in locks. They're great for carting the MTB to the hills every weekend.

That said, I've driven coast to coast, Chicago to Nashville, many times
with several bikes on the cheap back o' car racks. They work great, and
you can give them away as gifts or parting prizes.

The only thing to worry about is your bike swinging and a pedal scraping
the car and other bike-car rub n' scrape. Pipe insulation and old sweat
socks can prevent any car/bike damage. Bungee cords are an attractive and
cheap accessory.

Unless you're going to transport your bike a lot, and have money to burn,
this rack is the better choice--I've seen cars around here with the spendy
roof racks that I swear have never had a bike on them--the Thules must be
some kind of underground fashion accessory LOL these guys probably don't
even ride.

That said--you'll appreciate the fancy kind if you become a regular rack
user.

05-23-2004, 06:51 PM

On Sun, 23 May 2004 16:09:36 -0400, Badger_South wrote:

>
> Experience on those racks for short trips (100 miles) with interstate
> travel?

It'll be just fine! Actually, I think the fancier racks shine when you
have to mount and unmount the bike often, or secure it with shmancy built
in locks. They're great for carting the MTB to the hills every weekend.

That said, I've driven coast to coast, Chicago to Nashville, many times
with several bikes on the cheap back o' car racks. They work great, and
you can give them away as gifts or parting prizes.

The only thing to worry about is your bike swinging and a pedal scraping
the car and other bike-car rub n' scrape. Pipe insulation and old sweat
socks can prevent any car/bike damage. Bungee cords are an attractive and
cheap accessory.

Unless you're going to transport your bike a lot, and have money to burn,
this rack is the better choice--I've seen cars around here with the spendy
roof racks that I swear have never had a bike on them--the Thules must be
some kind of underground fashion accessory LOL these guys probably don't
even ride.

That said--you'll appreciate the fancy kind if you become a regular rack
user.

05-23-2004, 06:51 PM

On Sun, 23 May 2004 16:09:36 -0400, Badger_South wrote:

>
> Experience on those racks for short trips (100 miles) with interstate
> travel?

It'll be just fine! Actually, I think the fancier racks shine when you
have to mount and unmount the bike often, or secure it with shmancy built
in locks. They're great for carting the MTB to the hills every weekend.

That said, I've driven coast to coast, Chicago to Nashville, many times
with several bikes on the cheap back o' car racks. They work great, and
you can give them away as gifts or parting prizes.

The only thing to worry about is your bike swinging and a pedal scraping
the car and other bike-car rub n' scrape. Pipe insulation and old sweat
socks can prevent any car/bike damage. Bungee cords are an attractive and
cheap accessory.

Unless you're going to transport your bike a lot, and have money to burn,
this rack is the better choice--I've seen cars around here with the spendy
roof racks that I swear have never had a bike on them--the Thules must be
some kind of underground fashion accessory LOL these guys probably don't
even ride.

That said--you'll appreciate the fancy kind if you become a regular rack
user.

05-23-2004, 06:51 PM

On Sun, 23 May 2004 16:09:36 -0400, Badger_South wrote:

>
> Experience on those racks for short trips (100 miles) with interstate
> travel?

It'll be just fine! Actually, I think the fancier racks shine when you
have to mount and unmount the bike often, or secure it with shmancy built
in locks. They're great for carting the MTB to the hills every weekend.

That said, I've driven coast to coast, Chicago to Nashville, many times
with several bikes on the cheap back o' car racks. They work great, and
you can give them away as gifts or parting prizes.

The only thing to worry about is your bike swinging and a pedal scraping
the car and other bike-car rub n' scrape. Pipe insulation and old sweat
socks can prevent any car/bike damage. Bungee cords are an attractive and
cheap accessory.

Unless you're going to transport your bike a lot, and have money to burn,
this rack is the better choice--I've seen cars around here with the spendy
roof racks that I swear have never had a bike on them--the Thules must be
some kind of underground fashion accessory LOL these guys probably don't
even ride.

That said--you'll appreciate the fancy kind if you become a regular rack
user.

05-24-2004, 04:13 PM

On Sun, 23 May 2004 16:09:36 -0400, Badger_South <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>
wrote:
>My other option would be to put bike inside car (no big problem space ok,
>but lying bike on side can sometimes tweak adjustments if not careful.

This is the best option unless you need that space. Put the bike
down on it's left side on carpet or a blanket and there should not
be any adjustment tweakage.
--
Rick Onanian

05-24-2004, 04:13 PM

On Sun, 23 May 2004 16:09:36 -0400, Badger_South <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>
wrote:
>My other option would be to put bike inside car (no big problem space ok,
>but lying bike on side can sometimes tweak adjustments if not careful.

This is the best option unless you need that space. Put the bike
down on it's left side on carpet or a blanket and there should not
be any adjustment tweakage.
--
Rick Onanian

05-24-2004, 04:13 PM

On Sun, 23 May 2004 16:09:36 -0400, Badger_South <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>
wrote:
>My other option would be to put bike inside car (no big problem space ok,
>but lying bike on side can sometimes tweak adjustments if not careful.

This is the best option unless you need that space. Put the bike
down on it's left side on carpet or a blanket and there should not
be any adjustment tweakage.
--
Rick Onanian

05-24-2004, 04:13 PM

On Sun, 23 May 2004 16:09:36 -0400, Badger_South <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>
wrote:
>My other option would be to put bike inside car (no big problem space ok,
>but lying bike on side can sometimes tweak adjustments if not careful.

This is the best option unless you need that space. Put the bike
down on it's left side on carpet or a blanket and there should not
be any adjustment tweakage.
--
Rick Onanian