Bicycle racks (removable) for sedans?

[92redragtop]

I know there are several cyclists here - curious what you use for removable bicycle racks if you have a sedan? Never got one because I was afraid they would damage the trunk/bumper/paint but with all the options I'm seeing out there on cars now I'm sure there are some that will not(?)

Looking at 2-bike racks. Will be heading to some shops in the next week to check out the options and how they mount, etc.

TIA

[5.4MarkVIII]

Never had one on a sedan but our old suv. I tried one of the “truck/hatch” mounted ones and it sucked cuz when the rack was on you could not open the hatch.

I switched to hitch mounted pretty quickly but I did find that the cheap one I bought first wore the rubber off the frame hook within a year and then started to mark the paint on the bike.

Would probably depend on the quality of the bike your moving around. If it’s a quality bike absolutely look at quality racks from an actual bike dealer

[Stephen06GT]

Maybe a roof rack style one would be a viable option.

[RedSN]

Not easy getting the bikes up on a roof rack. I would opt for a trailer hitch mount rack.

[92redragtop]

Never had one on a sedan but our old suv. I tried one of the “truck/hatch” mounted ones and it sucked cuz when the rack was on you could not open the hatch.

I switched to hitch mounted pretty quickly but I did find that the cheap one I bought first wore the rubber off the frame hook within a year and then started to mark the paint on the bike.

Would probably depend on the quality of the bike your moving around. If it’s a quality bike absolutely look at quality racks from an actual bike dealer

They're not high end bikes - they have been sitting on racks in the garage for several years so want to swap out the rubber/tune them up and start riding again but want to drive to trails and stay off the roads.

I'll look at those trunk mount ones but not sure if they'll damage the car/plastic bumper vs the more involved hitch, when I get to the bike shops.

[92redragtop]

Maybe a roof rack style one would be a viable option.


Not easy getting the bikes up on a roof rack. I would opt for a trailer hitch mount rack.

I'd be afraid I'd be one of those who forgets the bikes on top of the car and drive into something.

[Ponyryd]

Roof mount sucks, I used one for a trip and sold it right after I got home, mileage sucked, killed my top-end and was a pain getting the bikes up there. I sold it to a girl with a high-end bike I could lift on there with my pinky finger.
Strap mounts work but are sketchy with heavy bikes and really limit trunk use, you’re best to get a hitch and proper carrier.

[Scrape]

Seen a few accidents where people have forgotten and drove into their garage destroying their bikes and the roof. Also consider the sea sucker if you still want a roof style rack. http://https://www.seasucker.com/
I'd be afraid I'd be one of those who forgets the bikes on top of the car and drive into something.

[mavrrrick]

Not that I ride a lot, but have trailer hitch mounted one and its great. Can get at Costco.

[MUSTANGWOP]

I went with a roof mounted one (mounts to the crossbars) mainly for the for the versatility of buying other mounts for it such as kayak cradles, snowboard/ski holders, roof top carrier, etc. I don't find the bikes hard to load at all, there is a technique to it, but it's not difficult to me.
I do agree with ponyryd about it killing my fuel mileage when I have the bikes on there.

[5.4MarkVIII]

I'd be afraid I'd be one of those who forgets the bikes on top of the car and drive into something.

If you have a trailer hitch already. We had pretty good luck with this style. Holds the wheels and the frame so the bikes would not flop around and scratch up the bumper.

Not this brand but this style of mount. I think ours was a Thule.

https://radpowerbikes.ca/products/hollywood-racks-ebike-hitch-rack

[IanGTCS]

I had one like this https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/ccm-3-bike-trunk-mount-bike-carrier-0401193p.html?loc=plp years ago and it worked ok for my limited use. I never had any issues with it. My wife got me a Thule hitch mounted one for my birthday a few years ago and it's so much better and easier. I'll never to back to anything but a hitch mounted one. Honestly well worth the cost of having a hitch mounted if you don't have one.

[Gabe]

I use a seasucker style as mentioned above

Always the risk of driving into something of course, but has worked well for me

I have a strap based one for the trunk, but always concerned about chipping the paint with the clips sitting in between the trunk and rear quarters. Seasucker is very small, compact, easy to travel with, keep in the trunk at all times, works on multiple cars.

https://i.imgur.com/VoA36dh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/RIPiWS0.jpg

[92redragtop]

Thanks everyone - will go with trunk mounted most likely for now so will look for a deal on a rack before next summer (at least for the cars we have currently).