Bike Carrying Options...
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 53
Likes: 10
From: PA
Bike Carrying Options...
Hello All,
Really enjoying my car the longer I own it! However I I have a couple kids and we have 3 bikes in total. I have a Chevy Pick-up that I use for work and usually for the bikes, but I was wondering what are some options for the CT? Roof? Rear? Just curious as I would like to be able to drive my car even more. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Really enjoying my car the longer I own it! However I I have a couple kids and we have 3 bikes in total. I have a Chevy Pick-up that I use for work and usually for the bikes, but I was wondering what are some options for the CT? Roof? Rear? Just curious as I would like to be able to drive my car even more. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Pit Crew
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 126
Likes: 34
From: Illinois
There are quite a few options that span lots of price ranges.
id say the least expensive route is a hatchback rack. I’m sure you’ve seen these before. They work well, easy to install/uninstall, but rub on the painted surface if not careful.
I have yet to find a roof rack I like, but there are a few options out there like Thule (last I checked Yakima did not have clips that worked). But once you get the rack on you then have to get the bike racks, so quite a bit more expensive overall.
the route we chose in the end was a hitch mount. The hitch receiver was easy to install (just four bolts in an easy location, didn’t even have to raise the car). It’s low profile so when not being used you hardly notice it. Pretty versatile so you can use other stuff like a cargo rack, etc. we already had a Yakima king pin 4 which is another reason we went the hitch route, but there are lots of other options for hitch bike racks. Generally the more $$ your willing to spend the easier it is to load the bikes and secure them and other features that make them more convenient. We’ve had the king pin for like 15-18 years and still looks new, and the ct for 8 years and the hitch just has a little rust.
i think it boils down to what you like the best. Roof changes the look. Hatch is cumbersome if constantly installing/uninstalling, hitch has a high upfront cost.
id say the least expensive route is a hatchback rack. I’m sure you’ve seen these before. They work well, easy to install/uninstall, but rub on the painted surface if not careful.
I have yet to find a roof rack I like, but there are a few options out there like Thule (last I checked Yakima did not have clips that worked). But once you get the rack on you then have to get the bike racks, so quite a bit more expensive overall.
the route we chose in the end was a hitch mount. The hitch receiver was easy to install (just four bolts in an easy location, didn’t even have to raise the car). It’s low profile so when not being used you hardly notice it. Pretty versatile so you can use other stuff like a cargo rack, etc. we already had a Yakima king pin 4 which is another reason we went the hitch route, but there are lots of other options for hitch bike racks. Generally the more $$ your willing to spend the easier it is to load the bikes and secure them and other features that make them more convenient. We’ve had the king pin for like 15-18 years and still looks new, and the ct for 8 years and the hitch just has a little rust.
i think it boils down to what you like the best. Roof changes the look. Hatch is cumbersome if constantly installing/uninstalling, hitch has a high upfront cost.
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 53
Likes: 10
From: PA
Thank you! I believe I have a hitch mount Thule rack in the garage too. I didn’t know these cars we’re compatible with a hitch receiver. Where did you purchase that from? My pickup cane from the dealer with one already. Does it add a lot of weight when? Decrease gas mileage considerably?
There are quite a few options that span lots of price ranges.
id say the least expensive route is a hatchback rack. I’m sure you’ve seen these before. They work well, easy to install/uninstall, but rub on the painted surface if not careful.
I have yet to find a roof rack I like, but there are a few options out there like Thule (last I checked Yakima did not have clips that worked). But once you get the rack on you then have to get the bike racks, so quite a bit more expensive overall.
the route we chose in the end was a hitch mount. The hitch receiver was easy to install (just four bolts in an easy location, didn’t even have to raise the car). It’s low profile so when not being used you hardly notice it. Pretty versatile so you can use other stuff like a cargo rack, etc. we already had a Yakima king pin 4 which is another reason we went the hitch route, but there are lots of other options for hitch bike racks. Generally the more $$ your willing to spend the easier it is to load the bikes and secure them and other features that make them more convenient. We’ve had the king pin for like 15-18 years and still looks new, and the ct for 8 years and the hitch just has a little rust.
i think it boils down to what you like the best. Roof changes the look. Hatch is cumbersome if constantly installing/uninstalling, hitch has a high upfront cost.
id say the least expensive route is a hatchback rack. I’m sure you’ve seen these before. They work well, easy to install/uninstall, but rub on the painted surface if not careful.
I have yet to find a roof rack I like, but there are a few options out there like Thule (last I checked Yakima did not have clips that worked). But once you get the rack on you then have to get the bike racks, so quite a bit more expensive overall.
the route we chose in the end was a hitch mount. The hitch receiver was easy to install (just four bolts in an easy location, didn’t even have to raise the car). It’s low profile so when not being used you hardly notice it. Pretty versatile so you can use other stuff like a cargo rack, etc. we already had a Yakima king pin 4 which is another reason we went the hitch route, but there are lots of other options for hitch bike racks. Generally the more $$ your willing to spend the easier it is to load the bikes and secure them and other features that make them more convenient. We’ve had the king pin for like 15-18 years and still looks new, and the ct for 8 years and the hitch just has a little rust.
i think it boils down to what you like the best. Roof changes the look. Hatch is cumbersome if constantly installing/uninstalling, hitch has a high upfront cost.
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 31,944
Likes: 2,737
From: North Carolina
Some other threads found using search that might be helpful
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ct-...highlight=Rack
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ct-...highlight=Rack
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ct-...highlight=Rack
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ct-...highlight=Rack
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ct-...highlight=Rack
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ct-...highlight=Rack
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ct-...highlight=Rack
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ct-...highlight=Rack
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ct-...highlight=Rack
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ct-...highlight=Rack
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ct-...highlight=Rack
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ct-...highlight=Rack
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: WI
+ to the Curt hitch, I have one installed on my 2012 CT and a Swagman 4 bike hitch rack and they work great together. I would bring a wrench and tighten the rack pin every stop, as mine loosens after going over bumps. You might also want to look into a SeaSucker. I wish I would have gotten one of those.
Driver
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 62
Likes: 15
From: Nevada
+1 for trailer hitch. much better than any trunk or roof rack.
edit: just saw this.
a friend of mine owns the SeaSucker. i would not recommend it at all. it hasn't fallen off yet, but it's a huge PITA.
edit: just saw this.
+ to the Curt hitch, I have one installed on my 2012 CT and a Swagman 4 bike hitch rack and they work great together. I would bring a wrench and tighten the rack pin every stop, as mine loosens after going over bumps. You might also want to look into a SeaSucker. I wish I would have gotten one of those.
a friend of mine owns the SeaSucker. i would not recommend it at all. it hasn't fallen off yet, but it's a huge PITA.
Last edited by Vegasaurus; Sep 1, 2020 at 01:36 PM.
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