Racking Your Brain
The Dirt on Vehicle Rack Systems
By Jeff Porcaro and Scott Clayton

There is little doubt that cycling offers the consumer a plethora of options. From road to mountain biking, the choices in framesets, components and accessories, etc. are almost limitless. The method by which bikes are transported also offers many alternatives, no matter what kind of vehicle you own. Let's face it, the easier it is to pack up and get going the more likely you are to get off the couch and onto the trail.

In this review we look at three different ways to get your bikes and with some of the racks, your skis and snowboards to your adventure destination. The first mode, which is also the most economical, is a strap-on or trunk-mounted rack. We also looked at roof racks as well as hitch mount racks, which have become very popular, especially when attached to SUVs. The prices listed for each model are for the base product; most manufacturers offer additional options and modules that affect pricing.

Trunk Mounts
Trunk (or hatch) mounts strap on to the back of the vehicle; some with bars that rest on the bumper for enhanced support. When Jeff was first married he purchased mountain bikes so he and his wife could enjoy some time together. Just after his purchase Jeff realized that he needed a way to get the bikes home. Having broken the piggy bank for the bikes, he opted for a simple (read: economical) trunk mount rack. Despite its relative simplicity and economical price tag, Jeff used the rack for years and had no problems.

Hollywood Racks Expedition
Price: $119
All The Expedition is a no-nonsense rack: an easy-to-set-up-and-take-down bumper-mount rack constructed of high strength powder-coated steel tubing. Its six points of attachment secure your bikes to most sedans, hatchbacks and minivans.

Pros: The rack comes pre-assembled making it easy to setup and attach to the trunk. The folded-down rack has a very flat footprint and can easily be placed in the trunk for storage. It has fully adjustable molded rubber stabilizing blocks to fit most bikes.

Cons: The rack has to be removed to get into the trunk. Security is limited; the bikes could be taken off the car, rack and all.

For more information: Contact Hollywood Racks on the Internet at http://www.hollywoodracks.com/ or at (800) 747-4085.

Saris Bones
Price: $110
The Bones has a personality. It looks like something from the future: Beautiful lines and space age materials that make people admire the Bones. It is built from 100% recycled resin, which is strong and weather resistant. The straps are built-in and hold the bikes securely. The six-point attachment system offers a secure fit on most sedans, hatchbacks and minivans.

Pros: Non-rusting parts stand up to the wettest weather. The rack is fully assembled and needs minimal adjustment of the legs to fit your trunk. Its strong materials withstand heavy loads.

Cons: The integrated bike straps are difficult to get tight and are even more difficult to get undone. The rack has to be removed to get into the trunk. Security is limited; the bikes could be taken off the car, rack and all.

For more information: Contact Saris on the Internet at http://www.sarisproducts.com/ or at (800) 783-7257.

Roof Racks
Roof racks are comprised of feet, or pedestals, which are attached to the vehicle and connect to crossbars; forming the foundation that holds all the accessories. From boats to skis to bikes, roof rack systems accommodate it all. One drawback to a roof system is height. Not only do you have to worry about vehicle height while driving, it can also be quite a task to get to your gear, especially on some of the larger SUVs. You've probably heard a horror story or two of someone who had a bike picked off by a drive-thru, parking garage or carport.

Roof racks for bikes are either upright mounts or fork mounts. Upright mounts allow you to secure your bike without removing the front wheel. We both prefer this style since we find it a hassle to remove the front wheel every time we carry a bike. This is especially true if the rack serves as a carrier for bikes for the entire family, as most children's bikes don't have quick-release wheels. An up side to fork mount racks is that they accommodate all frame types. Roof racks typically require specific feet attachments for each type of vehicle

Saris Roof Rack

Price:	$204.99 Load bars and feet (50")
	$99.99 Upright bike mount
	$99.99 Ski rack (4 skis/ 1 snowboard)

The Saris Roof rack is the only one with triple-channel aluminum load bars. It has the feet pre-assembled making it the quickest rack to install. Adding new modules is easy. Just slip the module into the track in the load bar and you are set. The only tool necessary is used to attach custom clips to the feet.

Pros: Easy installation. We had this rack setup with all of the modules in less than half the time it took to install the other racks. New components are easily added or removed: No more running from side to side to get the rack tight. Only one measurement is required to get this baby hooked up and ready to go.

Cons: Pressure is applied to the feet towards the center of the car while adjusting the tension. This resulted in slight dent damage on my roof beneath the rack feet. Because the trays don't have end caps I lost a strap that worked its way off an unloaded tray and onto the highway.

For more information: Contact Saris on the Internet at http://www.sarisproducts.com/ or at (800) 783-7257.

Yakima Roof Rack

Price:	$115 QTowers
	$22 QClips
	$40 Load bars (48")
	$59 Fairing
	$85 LockJaw (upright mount)
	$79 Copperhead (fork mount)
	$89 Powderhound (4 skis / 2 snowboards)

The Yakima rack is built with stainless steel clips that are thinner than other racks' clips. Thinner clips enable a good grip on tight fitting doors. The crossbars are round to give you control over module adjustment.

On my (Scott's) Coleman tent trailer I hooked up a Yakima rack with five upright mount trays: 4 LockJaws and one AnkleBiter Deuce. Tray setup is straightforward but takes a little time. (The base rack system can be purchased through, and must be installed by, your authorized Coleman dealer.)

Now, taking bikes on our camping trips is a breeze. We've traveled several hundred miles on trips, sometimes over rough washboard dirt roads, and our bikes made each trip relatively unscathed. I'll be honest; we've had occasional mishaps. Like the one time I didn't tighten one of the LockJaws enough. While driving down the highway a vehicle passed us and pointed backwards. I looked in the rearview mirror to find my son's bike horizontal, dangling off the side of the trailer, but still attached to the rack via the ratchet straps. Thank goodness for those straps.

I recommend the LockJaw where possible (it fits 1" to 2 1/8" downtubes). On dirt roads the AnkleBiter Deuce experienced more wobble side-to-side than the LockJaws.

Pros: Easy installation. The variety of modules allows you to carry almost anything. A shared locking system allows one key access. The core rack setup is the least expensive of the roof racks we reviewed.

Cons: The rack caused a little scratching on the inside of the doors where the clips hold the rack to the car. Locks must be purchased separately.

For more information: Contact Yakima on the Internet at http://www.yakima.com/ or at (888) 925-0703.

Thule Roof Rack

Price:	$115 Feet
	$40 Load Bar
	$45 Fit kit
	$90 Velo Vise (fork mount)
	$60 Fairing
	$89 Flat top (4 skis / 2 snowboards)

Thule's CBF purchasing system makes it easy to determine which components are needed to outfit your vehicle. They divide the pieces into three categories: Carriers, Bars, and Feet. All their components have the appropriate symbol on the box.

Pros: More modules than you can shake a stick at. You can carry anything you want with these things. Rugged construction. The feet were easy to install and tighten to the car. A shared locking system allows one key access.

Cons: You have to purchase locks separately. This rack is slightly more expensive than the Yakima rack.

For more information: Contact Thule Racks on the Internet at http://www.thuleracks.com/ or at (800) 238-2388.

Hitch Racks

Most trucks, SUVs, and even minivans these days come equipped with a receiver hitch. Hitch racks use the receiver hitch to attach the rack to the vehicle. Heavy-duty racks typically require a class III hitch to carry the weight of the bikes plus the rack itself.

Hitch racks are easier to load because they're closer to the ground than roof racks. They also cut down on drag created by having gear on top of the vehicle. All the racks we reviewed allow access to the rear of the vehicle while the rack is loaded either by tilting the rack down or swinging the rack out of the way.

Graber Backpacker

Price:	$189
	$159 (2 bike add on)

The Graber Backpacker is easy to load. It will fit any frame type because it uses a fork mount. The rack tilts out of the way to allow access in the rear of the vehicle.

Pros: It fits all bike frame types. Easy setup: just a few bolts and you are on your way. The rack tilts for access to the rear of the vehicle. This is among the least expensive in this review.

Cons: Fork mounting requires you to remove the front wheel to carry the bike. The front wheel has to be stored elsewhere.

For more information: Contact Graber on the Internet at http://www.graberproducts.com/ or at (800) 783-7257.

Yakima ROCn Gate

Price:	$399
	$159 Snow ROC (6 skis / 4 snowboards)

The Yakima ROCn Gate is a simple, rugged, hanging rack with a swing out gate that moves the bikes to the side so you can get into the rear of your vehicle. This rack includes cradles for 4 bikes and accommodates the Snow Roc that can carry skis and snowboards. The ROCn Gate is made with weather resistant heavy-duty steel.

A bike rack's number one job is to safely and securely transport bicycles from your home to a cycling destination. None of the racks in this review do that job better than the Yakima ROCn Gate. Even though it's on the heavy side—and a bit bulky—the solid construction comes through when you need it most.

Pros: Solid, sturdy, stable system; it does an excellent job transporting bikes. The swing out gate moves bikes out of the way for clear access to the rear of the vehicle. One person can easily operate the rack. Movable cradles maximize the spacing between bikes. Yakima's StrataLock system locks bikes to mount and mount to receiver.

Cons: When bikes swing out you can inadvertently hit the vehicle with the bikes. This is the heaviest of the racks and can be a bear to store. It requires a socket wrench in order to prevent wobbling in the receiver hitch. It is bulky; our vehicles didn't fit in the garage with it on unless the gate is extended out to the side. Full-suspension and kids bikes may be a problem for this rack.

For more information: Contact Yakima on the Internet at http://www.yakima.com/ or at (888) 925-0703.

Thule Space Station base / RAK-N-LOC module

Price:	$135 Space Station Base
	$140 RAK-N-LOC
	$60 (2 bike add on)

The Thule hitch system begins with the Space Station Base; adding other modules creates a multi-functional rack. We tested the Space Station with the RAK-N-LOC module adds the ability to carry bikes. There are other attachments that allow you to carry skis, snowboards, and luggage. This rack includes locks so you can secure your investment.

Pros: This rack is the best multi-functional hitch rack for the money. Not only is it less expensive than the Yakima rack, the modular design means you can easily adapt it for other uses. A gas strut (hydraulics) helps make tilting loaded bikes easy. A very small footprint makes storage easy. No time consuming installation: It is simple and easy to use out of the box. The Snug-Tite lock keeps the rack secured to the vehicle and the bikes to the rack.

Cons: Welded cradles cannot be adjusted to accommodate spacing between bikes. Four bikes on this one is a stretch, unless you're ok with them touching (scratching) each other. Some frame types may require a frame adapter.

For more information: Contact Thule Racks on the Internet at http://www.thuleracks.com/ or at (800) 238-2388.

Hollywood Team Rider

Price:	$249.99
	$199.99 (2 bike add on)

Hollywood Racks are constructed of high-strength steel tubing with aircraft-quality fasteners. The racks have thick powdercoats to withstand any weather.

The Team Rider is designed to fit any bike. It has wide wheel trays and can be adjusted for competition cycles to children's bikes—and anything in between. The Team Rider keeps the points of contact to a minimum with a seat post clamp and wheel straps. This prevents the rack from scratching the bike. A No-Wobble wedge system eliminates slack between the receiver hitch and rack without the use of tools.

While the Team Rider isn't quite as stable as the Yakima ROCn Gate, it excels in the convenience category. The ability to reduce required space by folding it up is great, whether it's on or off your vehicle. If space is a major concern or if your frame won't fit on the ROCn Gate check out this rack.

Pros: Fits any frame type of bike. Easy loading: no need to remove tires. It folds up to store easily while still on your vehicle. This and the Roadrunner are the only racks that I (Jeff) am able to keep on the vehicle and park in my garage.

Cons: Assembly is involved. No locking system is included: you have to purchase a cable and lock separately. It is one of the heavier racks tested. It requires two people to pivot the rack down in order to gain access to the rear of the vehicle while bikes are loaded. With all of the advances in anti-wobble technology this rack sure does shake (not at the hitch, but on the rest of the rack). This is the most expensive hitch rack we reviewed.

For more information: Contact Hollywood Racks on the Internet at http://www.hollywoodracks.com/ or at (800) 747-4085.

Hollywood Roadrunner
Price: $239.99

Like the Team Rider, the Roadrunner is made of the same high strength steel tubing, aircraft-quality fasteners, and thick powdercoating. It also has the No-Wobble wedge system.

Bikes are kept tight with durable rubber stabilizers and an anti-sway tie down bar. The system includes a 9' security cable and two keyed-alike padlocks.

Pros: It comes fully assembled and is easy to use. The adjustable stabilizers allow for maximizing space between bikes. The arms fold down when not in use, reducing storage space. Locks and a cable are included. This rack is the least expensive of the racks for carrying four bikes that we reviewed—almost $100 cheaper—making it the best bang for the buck.

Cons: Some frame types cannot fit, e.g, smaller kid's bikes may not fit. With bikes loaded the pivot mechanism may require two people to rotate it back into travel position.

For more information: Contact Hollywood Racks on the Internet at http://www.hollywoodracks.com/ or at (800) 747-4085.

Jeff is co-founder of GearReview.com, Scott is the Fly-Fishing Editor (and he also enjoys mountain biking).