Bike racks for the car and MPG difference

[Capt Caveman]

I always wondered....with a roof-mounted rack, doesn't your bike end-up with all sorts of bugs and other crap on it after a long-ish drive? Seems like a trunk-mounted or bumper-mounted would protect it a lot more.

I've never had a problem with it but you can buy a stretchable spandex like cover for the front of the bike that hangs from the fork to over the handlebars to keep the bike clean.

 

[TridenT]

I think I am going to get one of these, if I do get one:

 

[Joe C]

I think I am going to get one of these, if I do get one:

This is the rack you want. Pricey but worth it. Can be used on any vehicle with a hitch, protects the finish of the bikes and the vehicle. Go for it, you won't be sorry.

 

[kitatech]

I don't do mountain riding...just here:

...so I just slide the bike in the back standing on the floor with the quick release front tire removed...lotsa room back there in the Camry...

 

[TridenT]

Ordered a Draw-tite 24677 hitch. It was $137 on Amazon.

We'll see how that works out. I'm looking on Craigslist for bike racks. I don't even have a bike yet, but I am eyeballing it.

I want a hitch anyway. I don't know what I can really tow with a Class I hitch on my Honda Civic, but I want my options open. I would like to have a small trailer that I can lug some furniture around on at one point. (So I can actually fucking buy furniture off Craigslist...)

This is the same car as mine but with a different rack than I would have:

Newer model car, but the kind of rack I want:

Do you think I could get a hitch adapter that lowers the bike rack mounting point a bit? I was hoping I could make it more aero to reduce drag, but maybe this is just inevitable.

Oooo... what if I could do sideways mounting right behind the trunk! (Bike is laying on its side as it travels!)

That sounds decently aero, but it would take space and possibly be troublesome? IDK.

 

[TridenT]

According to the internet, towing anything with my honda civic is not recommended in the manual. It says the limit is also 1000lbs. I don't see myself towing even half of that. (Try to get a really light trailer)

I don't know why they don't recommend it. It'll just be me in my car. I'll have had more people in my car with more shit in the trunk in weight than what I'll be towing. (4 people besides myself totaling about 800lbs+75lbs in cargo)

 

[Ksyder]

According to the internet, towing anything with my honda civic is not recommended in the manual. It says the limit is also 1000lbs. I don't see myself towing even half of that. (Try to get a really light trailer)

I don't know why they don't recommend it. It'll just be me in my car. I'll have had more people in my car with more sh*t in the trunk in weight than what I'll be towing. (4 people besides myself totaling about 800lbs+75lbs in cargo)

well, you might have to worry about lights on the trailer, and more stress on the brakes and transmission. but, furniture and such is relatively light usually so I can't imagine a few hundred pounds would be too much.

The main problem I have with trailers is that they have to be stored somewhere.

 

[TridenT]

well, you might have to worry about lights on the trailer, and more stress on the brakes and transmission. but, furniture and such is relatively light usually so I can't imagine a few hundred pounds would be too much.

The main problem I have with trailers is that they have to be stored somewhere.

Yes, storage is an issue. I'm thinking that I might have a yard, garage, or whatever to keep it though.

I'm not worried about the brakes or transmission as much. I'm going to take it easy when I am towing.

 

[TridenT]

So, I'm looking online for bike racks. Platform ones seem to start at $150. I've found one that is low-end but looks like it'll do the job. It's used but like new since the guy didn't use it. Only $65. I'll probably try to grab that since that seems to be the best deal I've seen so far. (I saw one for $75 in my area, but it is well used and doesn't look as secure) EDIT: Damn it. They sold it.

One thing I am curious about: What do you guys suggest for security? I'm super paranoid now and worry about my future motorcycle too. I was looking online for chains and it seems everyone and their grandmother can cut through just about any chain. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VC3hFr8p2ck On top of that, I cannot just secure the bike to the bike rack and put in a locking hitch pin. Anyone with a few sockets and a screw driver could just disassemble the bike rack... 🙁 So, I'll have to attach the chain to the bikes and then to the frame of the car.

This one seems to be impossible to cut with bolt cutters (ain't gonna stop certain thieves, I suppose) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Kvn-FNLcMU But, it's also huge, omfg incredibly heavy, and probably costs a lot. I looked online for cut length chains and it seems 3/4" (19mm) GR 100 chain is >$25/ft. And it's unfuckingbelievably heavy.

I don't know what to do. It seems like U-Locks are the only way to go for the security/(weight+cost) ratio.

 

[thedarkwolf]

http://www.amazon.com/Swagman-Cross-...gman+bike+rack
One of the guys I ride with has that and I just rode with him to the trails this weekend using it. It ain't fancy but it gets the job done and is still way better than the style that hang the bike from the top tube. If you aren't in a hurry watch craigslist and wait for a platform rack to pop up. As for security don't leave the bike on the rack when you can't keep an eye on it.. Really that is the only good solution.

 

[TridenT]

http://www.amazon.com/Swagman-Cross-...gman+bike+rack
One of the guys I ride with has that and I just rode with him to the trails this weekend using it. It ain't fancy but it gets the job done and is still way better than the style that hang the bike from the top tube. If you aren't in a hurry watch craigslist and wait for a platform rack to pop up. As for security don't leave the bike on the rack when you can't keep an eye on it.. Really that is the only good solution.

Yeah, I'm thinking that I'm going to secure the rack to the car with multiple lock pins and a simple chain. And then I'll have to just take the bikes with me wherever I go. (Indoors, outdoors, allthedoors!)

 

[Joe C]

Do you think I could get a hitch adapter that lowers the bike rack mounting point a bit? I was hoping I could make it more aero to reduce drag, but maybe this is just inevitable.

.

Check etrailer for adaptors to do this. Also, look around the site, they have bike racks and replacement parts.

http://www.etrailer.com/

 

[Zorba]

FYI: On my 2006 Subaru Legacy, I just notice a ~1 mpg loss with the roof rack up there, with the fairing, two standup bike rakes with the large clamps and two kayak stackers.

With a bike up there, at highway speed, 5-6 mpg knock down is pretty normal, although that car gets way above EPA estimates normally, so it puts me at EPA. For how little I drive long distances with bikes up there, it doesn't bother me.

If I was driving cross country a lot, or didn't have the kayaks, I would go with a hitch mount.

 

[Yuriman]

Slight derailment, but the role of aerodynamics is really undervalued. Going in the opposite direction, I added a bellypan to my car and gained 6MPG on the highway for $30 in materials:

The bumper looked like a parachute before. Goes to show how far manufacturers actually go to improve economy.

A hitch mounted bike rack or cargo box is going to be your best bet. Some cargo boxes can actually increase gas mileage.

 

[Zorba]

Slight derailment, but the role of aerodynamics is really undervalued. Going in the opposite direction, I added a bellypan to my car and gained 6MPG on the highway for $30 in materials:

The bumper looked like a parachute before. Goes to show how far manufacturers actually go to improve economy.

A hitch mounted bike rack or cargo box is going to be your best bet. Some cargo boxes can actually increase gas mileage.

Impressive, what did you do around the exhaust? Where'd you get the materials?

 

[Yuriman]

Impressive, what did you do around the exhaust? Where'd you get the materials?

Hope Depot, they had 3'x6' sheets of corrugated plastic for $12 each and I got a thin aluminum bar to run across the middle of the car to support it. I cut out around the muffler, but where the pipe ran I held the board away from the pipe about a quarter of an inch, sprayed in some flame retardant foam, and let it dry. No issues with warping and I drive it hard. So far I've tested it up to 100MPH and it hasn't come loose so I don't expect any normal highway driving to pose a threat.

EDIT: Amusingly, driving to my father's (we made a weekend of it) with the coroplast hanging out the back window also provided a gas mileage improvement almost as large. Best I've seen is 52 in a car rated for 23 city 27 highway (equivalent of Civic Si trim, with 1.8L Integra swap, 4000RPM+ on the highway). Best long trip I've had has been 44 (1000 miles, 65-70MPH).

 

[TridenT]

Slight derailment, but the role of aerodynamics is really undervalued. Going in the opposite direction, I added a bellypan to my car and gained 6MPG on the highway for $30 in materials:



The bumper looked like a parachute before. Goes to show how far manufacturers actually go to improve economy.

A hitch mounted bike rack or cargo box is going to be your best bet. Some cargo boxes can actually increase gas mileage.

Just curious, do you know how much the hitch affected your mpg before and after install of the hitch? I'm a bit worried that a hitch will do some damage to my mpg. 🙁

EDIT: I would also think your modification would act as a parachute underneath the car but if you made it air-tight then I guess it wouldn't. Sounds like a bitch of a job on my car.

 

[Yuriman]

Just curious, do you know how much the hitch affected your mpg before and after install of the hitch? I'm a bit worried that a hitch will do some damage to my mpg. 🙁

That's just a tow hook actually. ^^

I don't expect it will be a lot though.

 

[TridenT]

That's just a tow hook actually. ^^

I don't expect it will be a lot though.

Aaah, I see. OK.

Yeah, hoping it's nothing...

 

[rstrohkirch]

I've used the swagman rack listed above for all of last season and it worked great. Fit my xc bike and my downhill bike no problem.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Hope Depot, they had 3'x6' sheets of corrugated plastic for $12 each and I got a thin aluminum bar to run across the middle of the car to support it. I cut out around the muffler, but where the pipe ran I held the board away from the pipe about a quarter of an inch, sprayed in some flame retardant foam, and let it dry. No issues with warping and I drive it hard. So far I've tested it up to 100MPH and it hasn't come loose so I don't expect any normal highway driving to pose a threat.

What are you going to do when that plastic catches on fire?

 

[Yuriman]

What are you going to do when that plastic catches on fire?

I've given that consideration. The foam was originally to be a temporary solution until my exhaust wrap came in, but I ended up driving in stop and go traffic in hot weather since installing it and haven't noticed any discoloration or warping of the plastic, which suggests the foam is an adequate insulator. In fact, after spirited driving I can even put my hand on the plastic right under the pipe. I think part of the reason it's working is that I have a 3.25" pipe, which doesn't get nearly as hot as the stock exhaust would have.

If I notice any signs of heat damage I plan to pull it off immediately and install the wrap, but so far or hasn't been necessary.

 

[JulesMaximus]

My car had a large plastic undertray in the rear to help aerodynamics but I had to remove it to install the trailer hitch. Hasn't really affected mileage at all but I still plan on cutting it down so I can fit it back onto the car as it looks cleaner that way.

 

[Throckmorton]

The added weight is less than an adult human. The added drag won't amount to much with either a roof or trunk rack.

Unless you are doing mostly highway driving, I don't think you will notice a difference at all. Maybe 1-2 MPG at the worst, but that is just a wild ass guess.

The added drag is huge. I've never calculated because when I had a trunk rack I didn't do that much highway driving, but it's probably 3mpg at least at 70mph. Rear view mirrors take away 1 mpg and they're much more aerodynamic.

 

[Brian Stirling]

Anything you add to a car is going to increase drag, somethings more than others. A bike rack at the back of a hatch back, SUV, minivan etc is going to be pretty well masked by the vehicle itself so the drag increase will likely be fairly small unless the wheels stick out on the sides then the drag will go up quite a lot. A roof rack is pure poison for drag, they're just evil.


Brian