Bike racks

[Groundpounder2]

I'm most likely going to replace my Nissan Frontier with a Rogue soon, and I'll need to figure out how to carry my mountain bike. What do you guys do?

[axel10]

Hi Groundpounder2. I recently went through an extensive process of figuring out exactly the same question you now have. Here is what I came up with as a solution:

1) Curt Hitch (part #13185) purchased from the http://www.thehitchstore.com (great price and service!). Best to go for the Class III 2" receiver for many reasons.

2) Softride Element 4 bike rack (http://www.softride.com/rack-products/s ... _bike_rack). You MUST also use the Extended Hitch Bar (part# 26033) with the Curt hitch to get past the bumper.

I really think the quality and design of the Softride hitch mounted racks are unsurpassed. In Canada, Mountain Equipment Coop (http://www.mec.ca) carries this product for a very reasonable price (you can special order the extended hitch bar from mec as well).

Once the weather clears (more snow over the weekend here) I will take some pics of the setup and post on this forum.

Good luck and let us know what you decide on.

[jsturges18]

hey man i work at a bike shop and a easy way to start is by figuring out how u want to carry your bikes. and how many. hitch racks area good way to go but can get pricey and now u have to bolt sometimes involves drilling a hitch to your car. there are two main types of hitch racks, one type being two bars come out and u rest the top tube of the bike onto the two bars and gets held on to the rack by straps. can be a problem with kids bikes or women specific bikes. they usually will requires an extra tube top bar. another hitch rack is a tray rack. tray racks are very pricey ($400) but are very easy to use. the rack will hold the bike by its wheels but will only hold 2 bikes at first.some companies will offer a 2 bike extension but now you will have a bike rack that sticks out 5 feet.

another way is if ur a tall person is too do a roof rack. even tho roof racks are pricey they make transportation easy. ($300 for a base then around $100 for each bike tray depending on style)

then theres always getting a strap on trunk hatch which i DO NOT recommend because they are not to car friendly but its the cheapest alternative.

i sell yakima products mainly www.yakima.com and also deal with thule www.thule.com check them out. both sites have a fit my car guide to help u decide!!

[philipa_240sx]

and now u have to bolt sometimes involves drilling a hitch to your car.

The Rogue is factory equipped with 4 bolt holes specifically for mounting a hitch. It literally takes minutes to bolt one up and no cutting or drilling is involved.

BTW, I use a Curt Hitch and Yakima Big Horn rack. I prefer the hitch mounted racks for ease of loading/unloading.

[Groundpounder2]

Thanks for the ideas, guys. I only need to carry one bike at a time.

[rayjgold]

and now u have to bolt sometimes involves drilling a hitch to your car.

The Rogue is factory equipped with 4 bolt holes specifically for mounting a hitch. It literally takes minutes to bolt one up and no cutting or drilling is involved.

Wow, this is great news. Does this mean I should be able to install this myself? how easy is it to reach the bolts? would hand tight be enough to keep the hitch on for many years without falling of?!?!?

[axel10]

rayjgold - the following video will explain exactly how easy it is to install the hitch. I chose not to bother doing it myself, and paid a local muffler shop $40 to hoist and install the hitch.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMxs_ZAz1Y0[/youtube]

[Qashqai]

Although using a hitch mounted bike rack is the easiest solution, keep in mind that in some provinces/states, you can be ticketed:

Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H. 8

13. (1) No number other than that upon the number plate furnished by the Ministry shall be exposed on any part of a motor vehicle or trailer in such a position or manner as to confuse the identity of the number plate. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 13 (1).

(2) Every number plate shall be kept free from dirt and obstruction and shall be affixed so that the entire number plate, including the numbers, is plainly visible at all times, and the view of the number plate shall not be obscured or obstructed by spare tires, bumper bars, any part of the vehicle, any attachments to the vehicle or the load carried. 1994, c. 27, s. 138 (7).

(3) The number plates shall not be obstructed by any device that prevents the entire number plates including the numbers from being accurately photographed using a photo-radar system. 1993, c. 31, s. 2 (5).

(3.0.1) The number plates shall not be obstructed by any device that prevents the entire number plates including the numbers from being accurately photographed using a red light camera system. 1998, c. 38, s. 2 (1).

(3.1) The number plates shall not be obstructed by any device or material that prevents the entire number plates including the numbers from being identified by an electronic toll system. 1996, c. 1, Sched. E, s. 2 (1).

(4) Every person who contravenes subsection (2), (3), (3.0.1) or (3.1) is guilty of an offence. 1993, c. 31, s. 2 (5); 1996, c. 1, Sched. E, s. 2 (2); 1998, c. 38, s. 2 (2).

That's why in Ontario I am using a roof top mounted one. You may choose to use hitch mounted one, but don't be surprised if you see red and blue light behind you.

[axel10]

The issue of license plate visibility can easily be solved if it is a concern. Does anyone know if something already exists that would allow one to install the license plate on hitch mounted bike rack?

If not, this would be a great 'add-on' that manufactures of these racks can create and sell.

[philipa_240sx]

I've been driving around Ontario for years with a bike rack on both the Altima and my Rogue. It has never been an issue. I also did a trip out east including Quebec, NB, PEI, and Nova Scotia. Never gave it a second thought.

I suppose a cop could make an issue out of it of they really wanted to. However, that's not been my experience.

[Qashqai]

You are right Philipa, for the last two years, I never had a that issue as well, but that is the law...before buying it, it is good to know and share this reality.

And Axel, the licence plate must be physically attached to the vehicle...and don't forget, bikes on many hitch mounted racks block the brake and signal lights...which is also a violation as well.

[axel10]

And Axel, the licence plate must be physically attached to the vehicle

Qashqai, I respect you concerns regarding the violation of traffic laws, however I do believe that your aforementioned statement is overstated, or at least in Alberta it may be.

Alberta TRAFFIC SAFETY ACT reads...

Licence plates
53(1) Except as otherwise permitted under this Act, a person shall
not do any of the following:
(a) operate or park a motor vehicle or trailer on a highway
unless the subsisting licence plate issued for that vehicle
or that is otherwise permitted under this Act is displayed
on that vehicle in accordance with the regulations;
(b) display on a motor vehicle or trailer a licence plate other
than a licence plate issued or authorized for use on that
vehicle;

I could not find anywhere in the act where it states that it must be 'physically attached', simply that it must be installed 'on the vehicle' to which the plate was issued. In turn, one could argue that a hitch mounted bike rack is physically attached, etc..(the softride rack I have is bolted to the hitch).

I see many work vehicles with custom metal works installed, where the license plate is installed on the metal works (e.g., work racks), not on the physical vehicle.

Also, in the car sales market, when you test drive a vehicle the plate is almost always hung on the back on the car (put into a pouch that is hung using the trunk latch), far less of a physical attachment than a hitch.

Hitch mounted bike racks have been around for a long time and seem to be the most prevalent type of bike rack out there. One would think that if they directly contravened traffic laws, they would be less prevalent.....just saying