Gerry

I'm looking for a carrier for two bikes. Do I need to add a class 1 trailer hitch to do it right, or is the type of carrier that bolts on and has its own mechanism for detachment when not in use, just as good. I have a screwed up tendon in one arm so I really don't want a roof rack. What products that don't involve much lifting, have folks on this forum had good experiences with? TIA

jkratzer

I have a class 1 Hidden Hitch(brand name) and a Rhode Gear 2-bike hitch mounted rack. The hitch works great and it is hard to see the rack when not in use. Do a search as this has been talked about before.

http://www.hiddenhitch.com

PhantonR

iTrader: (1)

Wal-Mart. I am just getting into MTB and at Wally world you can get a Bell 2 bike carrier for 40 bucks. I is a strap mounted unit and when you put it on put the big foam padded top bar inbetween your trunk and spoiler and you'll be fine. I bought a Yakima roof rack off ebay and I am eagerly awaiting it's arival. I hope this helps. The cool part is when your not using it you can toss it in your trunk.

ABQMAX

BYPASS THE wALMaRT BIKE HANGER AND GET A RECEIVER HITCH INSTALLED AND PUT A YAKIMA RACK THAT PLUGS INTO THE REC HITCH.

y sleep

I put a towel under the foam pads to protect the paint on the trunk lid. In a previous max the pads left a mark after awhile. Roof mounted may be better in the long run.

chinaonnitrous1

iTrader: (12)

Hollywood rack..carries 2 bikes...uses the trunk as a hook..and foam that sits on the bumper..its less than 60 bucks...good if you use it 4 times a month..easy to use.quick to mount/dismount..not permanent.

jkratzer

Never use a bike rack that touches the trunk.

phillyguy

Amen! Truck racks will F@#$-up your paint. If it isn't from the rack, it will certainly be from the bikes. If you are a serious biker/skier/snowboarder/windsurfer/etc., do yourself a favor and buy a Thule or Yakima roof rack. I bought a Thule rack back in '89 for my Civic, and then converted it to our Explorer for with a new pad set for $50. You have to buy a set of rails and tehn buy attachments for what you want to carry. It is expensive, but you will carry it from car to car. Mine is 13 years old, and the new accessories still fit. It is very versatile and I have found that the pad and clips used for mounting were perfect fits. I have not bought the pad set for the Maxima yet, since we still use the Explorer for bikes and stuff. I have never had the rack screw up the paint. You just can't leave it on for months at a time. (well you can, but I would bet that would mess up your paint.)

Otherwise fold down the rear seats and take the wheels off and stuff the bikes in the trunk.