Any mountain bikers? Need some info...

BigP0ppa3

Registered User
Hey guys,

My girl and I bought a pair of mountain bikes to ride on the weekends. Haven't really done anything crazy yet - just some local parks and trails so far but will probably go down some steeper runs once the weather gets a little nicer out here.

My problem is this - I have a Pathfinder but no trailer hitch in back. Right now to transport the bikes I lay the seats down and put them inside, one on top of the other. Not crazy about this and I was looking into getting a bike rack that could strap to the rear hatch [insert rear-hitch strap-on joke here :whip: ]

Anyone here have any feedback on bike racks? I've been looking at the Thule Speedway 962. It's a 3-bike carrier that latches on with 6 straps and it looks pretty stable.

Really the only two brands I've even heard of are Thule and Yakima. Does anyone have any info/recommendations?

Thanks,
BP
 
I've used a few kinds of racks (and both of those brands). Personally, I like the roof mounted ones better. They seem to be more stable. But, the only time I have a rear mounted rack it was on a Datsun B210 and the rack was pretty lame. So I can't really judge from that.
 
As SJA stated; roof-racks are the way to go, but a pain with an SUV. Thule's are excellent, can't go wrong with either type from thule
 
ACtually i have one on my jeep wrangler, worst case i take the top down and throw it in the jeep......But i like mine........It goes on the hitch ( sorry dont know how it works really, except it gets my bike to Arcaida and back )....LOL
 
Some of the newer hitch mounts for SUV's seem quite stable and they'll be a lot nicer to deal with than a roof mount. Just be careful not to back your bikes into something.

Thule is a great brand and from what I hear its a slightly cheaper yet as good as Yakima product.

Now you've made me feel guilty about neglecting my bike :( lol
 
Thanks for the replies folks.

I think I'll be going with the Thule rack that goes on the rear hatch of the SUV.

The roof-mounts are a little pricey (at least $200 and up) and like it was mentioned, getting on top of the SUV is a pain. The hitch mounted racks are nice, but my Pathfinder didn't come with a trailer hitch so that would also run me a few hundred to get installed and buy the rack.

Rear hatch mount it is!

Thanks for the comments! :wave:

BP
 
bioman said:
Go to U-Haul for the hitch..they're usually the cheapest and they install.
Click to expand...
A buddy of mine had one installed by them - it ran him close to $300!

Not sure what the hell they did exactly, cause it does sound a little steep for welding some box steel to my frame. I'll give them a call and see if they can give me a quote.

BP
 
Dude go with a hitch rack, when I had my contour I paid 250 for the hitch and 155 for the rack and was well worth it. The racks with the straps are a pain to take on and off and you have to readjust them everytime. The hitch rack I can take on and off in about 1 minute, and it is way more stable, plus you can lock them in if you ever have to leave the bikes on it overnight (camping, or at a hotel).
 
Some good points all around - I'll be calling around to see how much I can have a trailer hitch installed for.

BP
 
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