Anyone have any suggestions for a Bike Rack for their Max. I'm looking for a decent one that attaches to the back. (Having the bike up top scares me!)

I see generic ones out there, but I want to make sure I get one that fits the back of the Max properly. I also have the spoiler, so I guess I need one that clears that as well.

Thanks..

 

buy a beater to carry your bike around. dont put a bike rack on your beautiful max.

 

generic ones aren't so bad. the ONLY issue i have witht hem is the rubber that it sits on. it'll start rubbing up on the body and scratch scratch!!!
i think you should be fine with a universal one, as long as you secure all the straps. and i guess get a towel or a soft cover for when you place it against the body of the car.

 

I had a Hidden Hitch installed on my 2K2. I use a Hollywood rack that holds two bikes at a safe distance from any part of the car. Works flawlessly!

 

Thule Expressway rack for up to 4 bikes or the Hitching Post rack for 2 bikes.

You'll need a hitch put on the car, but the racks slide on and off easy, and no part of the bike or rack touches the car's body. They're pricy, but it's quality stuff.

 

That's one option, but just get a Yakima rack and be happy!
I love mine...never have had any issues with them up there.

 

I have had both the roof (Thule)and the hitch rack. Draw-tite makes a hitch for the Maxima. It cost about $150 installed and you can hardly see it. With the hitch rack, you keep the bikes away from the car and don't have the inconvenience of having the bikes on top. You can still open as use the trunk as well.

 

grey2002_ny: If you want to see a picture of this, let me know I won't mind setting mine up. I need to do this tomorrow anyway before school. I will take a pic for you.

 

I have the Saris Bones Rack, fits on the trunk and holds 3 bikes. The rack it self is a resin and aluminum combo and will never rust. If your interested in it let me know, i'm gonna be selling it and putting the Saris roof rack on instead. If interested, let me know. Chris

 

I agree with the Saris bones suggestion, my family owns a bike shop and thats all we sell. I use it on my max and its great, just don't tighten to hard or you will get smudges, secure and "aluminum bending" are two completely diferent types of tightening. Also voted best rack by numerous bike mags such as Mountain Bike Magazine.
-jc

 

If you only have one bike to carry it will go in the trunk with both wheels off.

 

i dont suggest the trunk for one reason, and its assuming you have no experience with bikes, so if you do, no offense. When you take the wheels off and you don't know what your doing or what to look for you could throw the brakes out of toe, not have the wheel centered (and thenyou get in a whole lot of trouble becuase the brakes wear, the tire wears, and there will be a squeeking), you also run the chance of throwing the rear derailure out of alignment (but this is rare), and then you can't shift. Its also a royal pain in the **** to take the wheels off and one, its easier to just throw everything on a trunk rack where nothing has to be removed. I do suggest using a bungee cord to secure the wheels, if the rear wheel moves, it runs the risk of rotating the pedal into your bumper of trunk, and then you have lovely paint damage

-jc

 

Well, actually I am a Masters USCF racer an I have been all over the world with bikes and had all types of racks.

Rear Mounted racks: They are hard to get tight and not mar paint or dent body. Opening the trunk with bike on is very dicey and Maxima has straight out exhaust pipe which will burn up tire. Theft is an issue.

Roof racks look cool but: Noisy at speed. Can interfere with door seals. Good ones are expensive. Want to buy a Yakama? The big one is damage from driving into garage or low overhead. Hard to constantly remember it is up there. Theft is an issue even with lock.

Hitch mounted may be best as is most secure but still tough to get into trunk and requires a hitch

Wheels off in the trunk: My favorite: Put rear derailler in biggest ring before removing wheel and it will go right back on. Put bike in trunk derailler up and put bedspread between bike and wheels and all is secure.
I have some expensive titainium Merlin and Softride bikes and would never again leave them on a exterior rack.

Just my oppinion.