General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Bike Rack for Hatchbacks Rss Feed  
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2013-03-21 2:52 PM

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Expert
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Casa Grande
Subject: Bike Rack for Hatchbacks

I recently bought a new Ford Focus ST and need advice on Bike Racks.  Since the ST has a center mounted exhaust, there is no way to do a small hitch and receiver style bike rack.  I have had mostly SUV's or trucks in the past and was hoping the BT community could comment on Bike Carriers that various people have used on hatchback style cars.  While I do still have my Land Cruiser, I am hoping to find something that will allow me to take the care and save about 20 mpg!   I am open to suggestions and just wanted some feedback.  Any Ideas?



Edited by jclarke450 2013-03-21 2:58 PM


2013-03-21 3:01 PM
in reply to: #4669328

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Expert
3145
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Scottsdale, AZ
Subject: RE: Bike Rack for Hatchbacks
Saris makes quite a few that should do the trick although I've never used any of them.  Always thought the Gran Fondo was a cool rack.
2013-03-21 3:02 PM
in reply to: #4669328

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Subject: RE: Bike Rack for Hatchbacks
jclarke450 - 2013-03-21 2:52 PM

I recently bought a new Ford Focus ST and need advice on Bike Racks.  Since the ST has a center mounted exhaust, there is no way to do a small hitch and receiver style bike rack.  I have had mostly SUV's or trucks in the past and was hoping the BT community could comment on Bike Carriers that various people have used on hatchback style cars.  While I do still have my Land Cruiser, I am hoping to find something that will allow me to take the care and save about 20 mpg!   I am open to suggestions and just wanted some feedback.  Any Ideas?



What color is the car?

2013-03-21 3:11 PM
in reply to: #4669328

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Southampton, Ontario
Subject: RE: Bike Rack for Hatchbacks
I have always been really happy with a roof rack, I have had a few rear (not hitch mount) carriers as well and I never trusted them and did have a couple of "issues" with them. No lost bikes but Ill just say that it was close.
2013-03-21 3:15 PM
in reply to: #4669353

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Casa Grande
Subject: RE: Bike Rack for Hatchbacks
bradleyd3 - 2013-03-21 1:02 PM
jclarke450 - 2013-03-21 2:52 PM

I recently bought a new Ford Focus ST and need advice on Bike Racks.  Since the ST has a center mounted exhaust, there is no way to do a small hitch and receiver style bike rack.  I have had mostly SUV's or trucks in the past and was hoping the BT community could comment on Bike Carriers that various people have used on hatchback style cars.  While I do still have my Land Cruiser, I am hoping to find something that will allow me to take the care and save about 20 mpg!   I am open to suggestions and just wanted some feedback.  Any Ideas?

What color is the car?

Blue....Well technically it "Performance Blue"

2013-03-21 3:22 PM
in reply to: #4669384

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Master
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Southwest Iowa
Subject: RE: Bike Rack for Hatchbacks
jclarke450 - 2013-03-21 3:15 PM
bradleyd3 - 2013-03-21 1:02 PM
jclarke450 - 2013-03-21 2:52 PM

I recently bought a new Ford Focus ST and need advice on Bike Racks.  Since the ST has a center mounted exhaust, there is no way to do a small hitch and receiver style bike rack.  I have had mostly SUV's or trucks in the past and was hoping the BT community could comment on Bike Carriers that various people have used on hatchback style cars.  While I do still have my Land Cruiser, I am hoping to find something that will allow me to take the care and save about 20 mpg!   I am open to suggestions and just wanted some feedback.  Any Ideas?

What color is the car?

Blue....Well technically it "Performance Blue"

Saris Bones 3 bike is what I have used on multiple vehicles.  Very adjustable.



2013-03-21 3:45 PM
in reply to: #4669396

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Expert
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Oklahoma
Subject: RE: Bike Rack for Hatchbacks
Another vote for Saris Bones.  I have a Bones 2 and really like it.
2013-03-21 3:46 PM
in reply to: #4669384

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McKinney, TX
Subject: RE: Bike Rack for Hatchbacks
jclarke450 - 2013-03-21 3:15 PM

bradleyd3 - 2013-03-21 1:02 PM
jclarke450 - 2013-03-21 2:52 PM

I recently bought a new Ford Focus ST and need advice on Bike Racks.  Since the ST has a center mounted exhaust, there is no way to do a small hitch and receiver style bike rack.  I have had mostly SUV's or trucks in the past and was hoping the BT community could comment on Bike Carriers that various people have used on hatchback style cars.  While I do still have my Land Cruiser, I am hoping to find something that will allow me to take the care and save about 20 mpg!   I am open to suggestions and just wanted some feedback.  Any Ideas?

What color is the car?

Blue....Well technically it "Performance Blue"



Get a silver rack then.

2013-03-21 3:48 PM
in reply to: #4669396

Regular
123
100
Toronto, ON
Subject: RE: Bike Rack for Hatchbacks
I use a Saris Bones 3 on a Hyundai Elantra Touring, and it works well for me.  However, if your bike has a curved top tube and externally routed cables, any bike that grabs the bike by the tube and not the tires may create an issue.
2013-03-21 3:52 PM
in reply to: #4669328

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OBX, NC
Subject: RE: Bike Rack for Hatchbacks

I have a Saris Bones RS - I think it is a great and very stable rack....

2013-03-21 4:52 PM
in reply to: #4669453

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Expert
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Charlotte, NC
Subject: RE: Bike Rack for Hatchbacks
Ditto on the Saris rack - I've had a good experience with mine.Great car choice by the way!


2013-03-21 5:11 PM
in reply to: #4669328

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Regular
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Evansville, Indiana
Subject: RE: Bike Rack for Hatchbacks
I have an Allen sport bike rack and it works perfect for my civic hatch. I was having trouble finding something that would work with my hatch until I discovered this. Plus it's cheap...like $40 or so
2013-03-21 5:17 PM
in reply to: #4669328

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Master
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University Park, MD
Subject: RE: Bike Rack for Hatchbacks

I have multiple racks for different cars/bikes, and I'll add another vote for the Saris Bones. It's much better than the Yakima rack that I also have. I use a Bones 3, and I'd recommend that one even if you're planning to only carry 1-2 bikes. Getting 3 bikes on the Bones 3 seems a bit optimistic. Saris also has a small rack ('Solo') that they target at people looking to carry a single bike on a tiny car -- I tried that, but found it to be too unstable.

2013-03-21 7:17 PM
in reply to: #4669328

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Subject: RE: Bike Rack for Hatchbacks

Here is a trailer hitch for a focus st, with picture:

http://www.etrailer.com/question-52559.html

 

How do you like your focus?

2013-03-21 8:42 PM
in reply to: #4669328


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Subject: RE: Bike Rack for Hatchbacks

Hmm, bought my hatchback (Veloster) so I could just throw the bike inside the car.  Roof rack decreases mpg's.

2013-03-22 2:46 PM
in reply to: #4669559

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Portland, Oregon
Subject: RE: Bike Rack for Hatchbacks

fubar44 - 2013-03-21 3:11 PM I have an Allen sport bike rack and it works perfect for my civic hatch. I was having trouble finding something that would work with my hatch until I discovered this. Plus it's cheap...like $40 or so

A friend drives a focus hatchback and this is what she uses. I borrowed it and with a quick strap adjustment, it fit on my saab (even though my rear glass is a much shallower angle than the focus).

They are cheap and quickly configurable.



2013-03-22 6:35 PM
in reply to: #4669328

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Subject: RE: Bike Rack for Hatchbacks

Look at Seasucker. It will be roof mounted, so your mpg will definitely decrease, but easy to use, and easy to mount/dismount.

Seasucker bike rack on a 1991 NSX

2013-03-22 6:53 PM
in reply to: #4671009

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Subject: RE: Bike Rack for Hatchbacks
DeVinci13 - 2013-03-22 7:35 PM

Look at Seasucker. It will be roof mounted, so your mpg will definitely decrease, but easy to use, and easy to mount/dismount.

Seasucker bike rack on a 1991 NSX

I'm paranoid using my trunk mount thule rack. No way I'd want my bike held on with a suction cup haha

2013-03-23 8:16 AM
in reply to: #4669328

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Urbana, MD
Subject: RE: Bike Rack for Hatchbacks
+1 for how do you like the Focus? We're going to be looking for a car for my wife in a couple of months and I'm intrigued by the new Focus (HB version). 
2013-03-23 10:58 PM
in reply to: #4669328

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Expert
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Timmins, ON. Canada
Subject: RE: Bike Rack for Hatchbacks

I got the cheapest one I could find at Canadian Tire last summer, and I am pretty happy with it, although it did make accessing the hatch difficult, you could still do it by supporting the weight of the bike with one hand while popping the hatch with the other.

I don't have a high value bike, so I wasn't really worried about that. But having seen how this rack performed on a 500Km+ road trip, I wouldn't mind putting a new bike on it.

We have a 2009 Toyota Prius that it fit on perfectly, according to the box it will fit on any car/jeep with easy adjustments..

People with pricier bikes can chime in on whether this is a bad idea for a high end bike...I be interested to know as well for the future.

 





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2013-03-23 11:22 PM
in reply to: #4669328

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Salt Lake City
Subject: RE: Bike Rack for Hatchbacks
Will the bike fit in the back of the car?


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