bike rack question

[srellim234]

I need to put a bicyle on the back of the Versa. I'm really leaning towards a trailer hitch and rack but I'm also considering the more economical alternative of one of those racks that attach to the back of hatchbacks with six straps.

Does anyone have one of the strap-on racks and are they really safe to put on a Versa without causing any tweaking or damage to the hatchback door?

I'm only looking at putting one hybrid bicycle on it most of the time. Occasionally I might also put a kids' bike on it, too, so we're not talking about carrying a lot of weight..

[Jojo Versa]

I hate those strap on types too easy to sratch the paint.

[KimberKenobi]

I have owned my Saris Bones 2 for several years and three cars. I love it and it hasn't scratched my paint on any of the vehicles I've put it on (five). It works great over spoilers and on hatchbacks and I've taken my bike as far as 500 miles.

I haven't noticed any damage to the Camel or my mom's Forester. i usually carry around a 1970 Clipper IV (which is heavy for a bike).

[srellim234]

I like the Saris Bones but at the prices everyone wants for the Saris Bones I could just go ahead and put the trailer hitch and hitch mounted rack on the car. I see a lot of other trunk/hatch racks priced lower between $50 - 100 USD.

[KimberKenobi]

But if you ever think you'll have another car or need to transport your bike on someone else's car... the extra $ may be worth it...

[srellim234]

Kimber- I'm thinking more like the Saris Sentinel that's available for less than half the price of the Bones and still is adjustable from car to car.

http://www.nashbar.com/profile...Racks

[clone]

We replaced a pickup with the Versa and didn't want to continue using the trailer hitch since we also wanted to haul two bikes on a Honda Oddesy.

On another thread, Kimber had mentioned she used a Saris Bones rack. I liked the fact that it has a lot of adjustability to it as well as the hard rubber foot that comes in contact with the rear window. We just got back from a 4700 mile trip with two bikes with no detrimental effects as far as I can tell.

I'm sure there are other good racks and methods; to each his own.

[Wings]

I have a Yakima Little Joe I think it's called. The foam pads won't scratch and the straps have a thick, soft rubber coating. Used it on my Versa and my Altima with out issue. The cheapest of three like this is fine for carrying one bike, but if you plan to carry more get one with the foam pd dividers on the rails so that the bikes are cradled and seperated from each other. If you go to the Yakima site you'll see what I'm talking about.

[KimberKenobi]

here's the rub... the arms on the bones adjust independently of each other, so if you have a bike that has a slant frame (instead of a 'girl's bike' which has the top of the frame running parallel to the ground) it'll put stress and pull the sentinel to one side or other. The bones, you adjust one arm above the other the correct amount to carry the bike straight and decrease the stress on the rack and therefore your hatch/trunk.

[srellim234]

Thanks for the info. I was really wondering why the Bones was so much more money.

I think instead of rushing into something I'll just keep using my Buick Rendezvous to haul the bike. The bike fits upright where middle seats fold down in that vehicle.

If I have to take the family AND the bike I can always open the third seat and let the kids sit all the way in the back.

After I've found employment and saved a few paychecks I'll buy a hitch or Bones rack.

[KimberKenobi]

;oD