Here is a really stupid question (bike rack related)

[EndoMaster]

When using a trunk mount rack, is there anything that keeps the bike from swaying for and aft? I've been looking at racks online and it looks like on most racks the bike sits on two bars and then the frame is secured to the bars with straps. What I don't see is anything to keep the bike from swaying and possibly bumpin/hitting the car.

[scruffylooking]

I strap the BB of the bike to a lower support on my trunk mount frame so the bike is secured at the top and the bottom. That said, if I had a car that was worth more than my bike, I'd probably not be using a trunk rack.

[Collette]

There should be a single strap that you can tie the Bike down with, even the wal-mart trunk racks have it.

[Wrecker]

That's why God invented bungee cords...and I second that if the car is worth more than the bike, you might want to look into other things. I had someone place my truck rack in the wrong position and the feet rubbed off a bit of paint.

[EndoMaster]

That's my concern, I recently purchased a new car. I used a roof rack on my previous car but it always seemed to leave little marks/scratches on the roof of the car even if the surface was clean when I installed the rack. So having had that experience I don't want to use a roof rack on this car.

When I bought the new car I wasn't even thinking of bike transport. This weekend I gave away my old car and after having done so the first thing that popped into my head was, "How am I going to get my bike to the trailhead"?

So it sounds like I need to look into a second car if I don't want to scratch my new car. That or turn into full time roadie so I can go on rides from my front door instead of having to drive to a trailhead.

[Sharky]

What kinda car? http://www.mmmiata.com/images/products/MM085-B1.jpg
This is what I use and found out AFTER a few scratches where you needed to place the extra straps you might have to keep it stable. Strap the Fork/tire to the lower side bar and it stops the frame from moving around or the tires from rolling. Haven't had any scratches since. Hope that helps...

[scruffylooking]

My trunk rack and my bike have scratched the heck out of my trunk's paint. I'm not experienced with roof racks on cars that don't have factory rails so I can't speak to the little scratches you've seen from roof racks.

Maybe a hitch rack on the back? They're ugly but they work...

[EndoMaster]

Originally Posted by SHARKY

What kinda car? http://www.mmmiata.com/images/products/MM085-B1.jpg
This is what I use and found out AFTER a few scratches where you needed to place the extra straps you might have to keep it stable. Strap the tires to the lower side bars plus one pedal and it stops the frame from moving around or the tires from rolling. Haven't had any scratches since. Hope that helps...

Thanks for the photo, I was looking at something similar from Saris, I can't think of the model right now. So far they are the only company that that I've found so far that has a fitment for my car. Yakima, to my surprise, did not have a rack that fit, at least according to their fitment chart.

The car I purchased is a Mazda RX-8.

[Neccros]

Yakima might still be doing R&D on your car... might want to email them and see what they plan for your ride....

"Please Yakima.... Rack my ride!!"

[Skeeter]

You might want to try the "clear bra" paint protector strips. Just place the strips where the rack mounts to the car and it should help with most all the scratches.
heres a video of the product in work. Its gravel but i assume it should work for what you need also http://www.xpel.com/video_gravel.asp

[witt]

thats why i have this bike rack


folds up to a pretty small size when all is said & done. . .
and the bikes dont move at all. . .

although my 2.5" tires are a tight squeeze into the rails

[EndoMaster]

Originally Posted by RSMLA

You might want to try the "clear bra" paint protector strips. Just place the strips where the rack mounts to the car and it should help with most all the scratches.
heres a video of the product in work. Its gravel but i assume it should work for what you need also http://www.xpel.com/video_gravel.asp

That looks really interesting.

[Skeeter]

could be a cheap fix, or prevent to the problem

[jruiz]

you always have the option of stuffing your bike in your trunk. i second the suggestion for a hitch mounted rack

[roadkillross]

Originally Posted by RSMLA

You might want to try the "clear bra" paint protector strips. Just place the strips where the rack mounts to the car and it should help with most all the scratches.
heres a video of the product in work. Its gravel but i assume it should work for what you need also http://www.xpel.com/video_gravel.asp

did someone say CLEAR BRA ??

[Skeeter]

Originally Posted by downhillross13

did someone say CLEAR BRA ??

Yeah when i googled that i was expecting better pics then i got

[sauce]

Don't do it! I bought a Saris Bones trunk rack, and I hate it. I am totally paranoid that someone is just going to cut the straps and steel the whole rack -- bikes and all. Trunk racks suck. I might junk mine ...

And the straps HAVE come off before. They looks so taut and dinky ... like they will snap any second. LIke I said ... I'm paranoid. When I put 2-3 bikes on it, it shakes like crazy. I try to only put one bike on it.

[new2mtb]

In my experience all trunk mount racks will dent or scratch your car. Nothing you can do to avoid this, maybe lessen but it will still scratch it eventually. Trust me, im **** on my car. The least scratch is roof rack but have to get the viper or any fork mount. The other racks are just not stable enough. Now if you have an SUV, =) sportsworks is the best hitch rack in my opinion. For now I just put my bike in my trunk with seats folded up, easier on the car.

[Sharky]

Sarah makes some good points...I have nightmares of looking back and seeing my bike being pommelled on the freeway. The fit of mine is specific to the miata so actually does fit securely and when locking up always run the bike lock through the metal transport ring under the car. Only regular prob are the black marks left by the rubber/foam rings that sit against the car itself. Still there are never any guarrantees against theft or straps releasing!!

[EndoMaster]

Thanks everyone for your experiences and advice. I think I'm going to look for a beater car that I won't care about and stick my roof rack on it. I have the Sportworks racks and I love them, I want to continue using them as long as I can. Soooooooooo..........

If anyone sees a multi-color car at a trailhead in the not too distant future stop by and say "HI". Chances are it will be me.