Coupe Bike Rack?

[ram28]

Has anyone successfully used a bike rack (on trunk) to mount their bicycle (s)? I'm going from a jeep to the nissan altima coupe and just wanted to see if I could still carry my mountain bike without scratching the paint. I'm assuming the bike won't fit inside even with the front wheel removed. Thanks.

[Scandinavian Flick]

if any one has attached a bike rack to the a/c i havent seen it posted on nico yet, and your assumption was correct no matter what size of mountain bike you have, it wont fit,

[Rob.Vegan]

Well you can fit a mountain bike in the trunk and back seat. me and my friend did it, we had to take the wheel off, but that wasn't a big deal at all.

i guess you just need to make sure youre not taking more than one person, which i dont think you could fit 2 bikes in there so no worries there

[dpn]

I haven't worked up the courage to use my trunk rack.

I did install a Class 1 receiver hitch, and use a hitch mounted rack for my road bikes. I got a 2 bike carrier. It's quick to install and remove. and I can open the truck with the bikes in place. I can't even tell the bikes are back there.



I can get my Pinarello road bike in the truck, but I have to remove both wheels. The wheels also fit in the trunk as well...

I know this isn't what you asked, but just offering a solution.

DPN

[ram28]

Did your bike mount require any drilling into the car? Does anything stick out when you are not mounting your bike?

Nice to at least know I could fit my bike in the car without the wheels. Could you fit it with just the front wheel off if you fold down the back seats?

Thank you.

[dpn]

The RECEIVER HITCH I installed required that I enlarged some existing holes in some frame members above the exhaust system. The only thing that sticks out when the bike rack isn't installed is a 1 1/4" square tube that is flush with the back of the car. It is very difficult to see.

I used a Curt hitch (11357) that works with the Infiniti G35. I bought a 2 bike hitch ball mounted carrier. It's all very secure. I use a locking hitch pin to secure the bike rack to the hitch, and use a long cable and lock to thread through the frames, and wheels, and then to the hitch.

I had to remove BOTH wheels, and even then I had to lower the rear left seat panel. There is no way my bike can fit with any wheels on.

DPN

Did your bike mount require any drilling into the car? Does anything stick out when you are not mounting your bike?

Nice to at least know I could fit my bike in the car without the wheels. Could you fit it with just the front wheel off if you fold down the back seats?

Thank you.

[maxentropy]

Nice work!

[tommytheduck]

Has anyone successfully used a bike rack (on trunk) to mount their bicycle (s)?

We have a Yakima 3 bike carrier. It was the second type we bought. We had to return the first 3 bike carrier we bought because it recommended only carrying 2 bikes on the A/C. So ask to see the booklet before you commit to buying a multi-bike carrier for this car.

The Yakima fits nicely over the trunk and holds my large bike, my wife's smaller bike and our son's small bike. That much weight does bounce around a lot and makes me drive very conservatively, but does not dent or warp the trunk at all. It does need to be tightened well, and because of the lines of the trunk, you need to make sure you have the side strap hooks placed in the right spot, or else they will seek out a better spot on their own, loosening the rack's side to side holding capabilities.

[ram28]

Thanks for the info. For the near future, I'm planning to just mount one mountain bike. Maybe when I get a girlfriend I'll have two up there Do you use any towels or covers between the bike rack and the car to avoid any paint scratches? If it's just one bike, does it bounce around over say speed bumps or gravel roads? Which Yakima rack did you use? I noticed different versions of the "_Joe" type. Any chance you have pics of setup?

Thanks again.

[beeristasty]

I love the forks and stays on Pinarellos... they're freakin gorgeous...

I hope you all are happy - b/c of this thread, I had to take my roadie out for a (much needed) spin today

[TrueFaith]

I would never use a trunk rack on my Coupe. I've seen what they can do to a car's finish. I have a Yakima roof rack that I used for my Corolla. It won't fit my Coupe unless I get new towers for it. Since I use it to carry a my bike and a kayak I don't really have the option of using a trunk rack anyway. The problem is that dirt always works it's way under the pads for the towers and leaves marks on the roof after the rack is taken down for the winter, no mater how well you clean the roof before installing it. I just can't bring myself to do that to my new Coupe!e-trailer.com has no-drill Class 1 trailer hitches designed specifically for the Coupe. Given how well the previous posters hitch works, I think a trailer hitch and trailer may be the best solution for me since I can then also transport my motorcycle.

[dpn]

Yeah, I agree...

That's why I decided to go the receiver hitch/hit mounted carrier route. I just couldn't risk ruining the paint, and I've seen it happen before.

Installing the receiver hitch took about 4 hours more or less, but I had to use a Dremmel took to enlarge the 4 mounting holes in the frame members. You also have to fish the 4 bolts into position using a wire, and I was doing this on my back in my still hot garage...Some foul language was used!

The only downside to a rack like this is I'm always thinking that I have a pretty expensive rear bumper when my bike is back there!!!

DPN

I would never use a trunk rack on my Coupe. I've seen what they can do to a car's finish. I have a Yakima roof rack that I used for my Corolla. It won't fit my Coupe unless I get new towers for it. Since I use it to carry a my bike and a kayak I don't really have the option of using a trunk rack anyway. The problem is that dirt always works it's way under the pads for the towers and leaves marks on the roof after the rack is taken down for the winter, no mater how well you clean the roof before installing it. I just can't bring myself to do that to my new Coupe!e-trailer.com has no-drill Class 1 trailer hitches designed specifically for the Coupe. Given how well the previous posters hitch works, I think a trailer hitch and trailer may be the best solution for me since I can then also transport my motorcycle.

[tommytheduck]

It's the "King Joe 3." For 3 bikes. You shuld be able to find one for one or 2 bikes np problem. Like I said, ask the store to try it on right there, as we had to return our first one.

No pics right now, sorry. We don't use it very often, but it's nice when we do. Therefore, I take it off immediately after use. I don't drive around with it one because I want to keep the rack clean and minimize any potential it has to hurt the trunk lid. Like anything, you have to be careful throwing the hooks around, dirt under the pad, etc.

[tommytheduck]

It's the "King Joe 3." For 3 bikes. You shuld be able to find one for one or 2 bikes np problem.

Wow, I really butchered that first sentence...

[tri2dv8]

I just brought home a 09 coupe and the first thing I did was see if my bike would slide in. I have a 56 cm fondriest road bike and it went in snuggly with the front wheel off. I have not tried my mountain bike or triathlon bike. Ive search yakima for towers but could not find anything. After reading your post I guess the trailer hitch is the way to go but I hate the way those racks rub the paint on the bike tube...spouse thats better than trashing the roof though.

[louiebgt]

I used a trunk rack for my beach cruiser...I thought everything was alright, but when i took it off i saw something thatpissed me off! Tiny marks on the edge of the truck and a pretty deep scratch on my bumperfrom my bikes fender.You just have to be careful that the frontwheel and handle bars are not swinging back and forth. thats what did it for me But now that i got a place walking distance fromtha beach, i dont need that crappy rack anymore!

[fadij]

I haven't worked up the courage to use my trunk rack.

I did install a Class 1 receiver hitch, and use a hitch mounted rack for my road bikes. I got a 2 bike carrier. It's quick to install and remove. and I can open the truck with the bikes in place. I can't even tell the bikes are back there.



I can get my Pinarello road bike in the truck, but I have to remove both wheels. The wheels also fit in the trunk as well...

I know this isn't what you asked, but just offering a solution.

DPN

you will get a ticket for that in Cali...its blocking your licenses plates

[dpn]

Good thing I don't live there!!!

[dhold]

I think I'd go with the hitch mount myself. It seems like once you have a hitch, there should be a number of nice bike racks that might work. Of course, it's always nice to see one already installed and with the owner's feedback, too...

[CrimsonBlack]

You won't get a ticket for blocking your plate while transporting bikes, but you will if you leave the rack on all the time. As long as you remove the rack between uses, you're fine. Cops may pull you over for blocking your plate, but they don't have a leg (or law) to stand on.

[PHENOMenalVinyl]

Has anyone successfully used a bike rack (on trunk) to mount their bicycle (s)? I'm going from a jeep to the nissan altima coupe and just wanted to see if I could still carry my mountain bike without scratching the paint. I'm assuming the bike won't fit inside even with the front wheel removed. Thanks.

hahahahahaahahahahahahha i was gonna respond to the thread saying get a jeep lmao wow that was funny sorry......put down the seats n c if u take the front wheel off itd work