Bike Transport

[vincentsantafe]

Hello, I will receive delivery of our new Prius tomorrow and I have been wondering about transporting bikes. I have been searching this board and have had some trouble figuring out the best way. I was reading about "melting bumpers" etc.. and thought I would ask the experts. I assume I will need a receiving hitch. If so, which should I buy. Thanks. Any advice will be appreciated.

[skruse]

With the rear seats folded down, I transport my bicycle in the rear (through the liftback). With more than one bicycle, I use a Yakima rack on top (with nylon bras to reduce insect and microdust impacts). Either method, the Prius sits low enough to make loading and unloading very easy.

[dspguy]

You might want to check out these thread and others like it.
http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=29262&hl=
http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=9326&hl=
I've had good results with a thule 4 bike carrier on a coastal 2" hitch receiver. I would recommend a bike rack that doesn't hang too far out of the receiver, I had to modify mine to work well.

[jgills240]

This is how I transport mine, along with one more bike, and two surfboards, all at once.

[JimboK]

I just bought a Saris Bones, a trunk-mount hitch, based on the experience of john1701a. I haven't used it yet, so I can't cite any personal experience. I chose the trunk mount because I wanted to avoid the cost and time of having a hitch installed, and because I didn't want anything mounted on the roof for aerodynamic and cosmetic reasons.

[john1701a]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimboK @ Mar 12 2007, 08:00 PM) [snapback]404486[/snapback]</div>

I just bought a Saris Bones, a trunk-mount...[/b]

It's been working really well for me, carrying oddly shaped bikes no less. See:



There are larger photos are on this webpage and there are close-ups of that rack here.


Being able to fit that other recumbant inside at the same time, while still being able to seat 3 people too is pretty impressive.

. .

[JimboK]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(john1701a @ Mar 12 2007, 08:12 PM) [snapback]404490[/snapback]</div>

It's been working really well for me, carrying oddly shaped bikes no less. [/b]

Hey, John, what are you currently using to keep the straps from rubbing on the spoiler?

[john1701a]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimboK @ Mar 12 2007, 08:33 PM) [snapback]404499[/snapback]</div>

what are you currently using to keep the straps from rubbing on the spoiler?
[/b]

Just a piece of cheap foam pipe-insulation does the trick.

[jgills240]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimboK @ Mar 12 2007, 08:00 PM) [snapback]404486[/snapback]</div>

I just bought a Saris Bones, a trunk-mount hitch, based on the experience of john1701a. I haven't used it yet, so I can't cite any personal experience. I chose the trunk mount because I wanted to avoid the cost and time of having a hitch installed, and because I didn't want anything mounted on the roof for aerodynamic and cosmetic reasons.
[/b]

When the rack's not in use, it pops off by pushing 4 (lockable)buttons:

In my eyes, not at all cosmetically unappealing. I actually like it better (there are caps that cover the silver bars).
Plus this way it's expandable for future hobbies; snowboards/skis, kayaks, canoes, cargo boxes, longboards... will not fit thru the hatch. I have noticed no loss in MPG in this configuration.
Also, check out similar topic: HERE

[edselpdx]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jgills240 @ Mar 12 2007, 09:13 PM) [snapback]404594[/snapback]</div>

When the rack's not in use, it pops off by pushing 4 (lockable)buttons:

In my eyes, not at all cosmetically unappealing. I actually like it better (there are caps that cover the silver bars).
Plus this way it's expandable for future hobbies; snowboards/skis, kayaks, canoes, cargo boxes, longboards... will not fit thru the hatch. I have noticed no loss in MPG in this configuration.
Also, check out similar topic: HERE
[/b]

Is this a Thule system? I like the looks of this better than the warts Darrell has (sorry Darrell). Does this require drilling through the roof to attach, I assume? I anticipate a cargo box, bike carrier and future kayak use (not all at once), so am trying to research.