Bike Rack recommendation

[yesno]

I'm looking to fit a bike rack onto my 2003 Saturn Ion so that I can take my bike with me on a transcontinental sojourn.

So I'm looking for a bike rack that is reliable for long drives, but also it isn't going to be used for weird mountain biking trips or anything.

Size:  I have two bikes.  I will only take one.  The bike rack might determine which one.  I have a BMX "cruiser" bike (24" wheels instead of 20") and a Dutch-style city bike.

Could anyone recommend a sensible solution here?

[Beth]

I don't know very much about brands, but I would say definitely get a roof rack.  Although a bike on the roof might increase the drag of your car (and result in some dead bug damage), having your bike on the back of your car is the most annoying thing in the world when you're on a long road trip because you can never get at your stuff easily (This is my personal experience).

I did a google search and they make a roof rack attachment for saturn ions, to which you can attach a bike rack.

http://saturn.dealerfit.com/store/saturn-ion-removable-roof-rack-prod548_4639.php


That's all I've got. Others are probably much more enlightened.

[Jason]

Well, judging by the two bikes you own, i'd say your going to be trundling around exploring the side streets of whatever towns you're visiting rather than covering distances or bombing down trails. You might want to consider getting a folding bike that you can keep in your car rather buying a rack just to hold a bike you already have.

[scotttsss]

http://www.o2gearshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=67&products_id=1615&cPath=1&osCsid=c3bdebe451001127d230213d6e95d93d

don't know about the company who's selling it, but I have this very rack and bought it for 95 bucks from my local bike shop.  I'd feel totally comfortable going cross country with it.  Just make the straps are tight and bungee your front wheel so it won't flop around.  Roof racks are extremely expensive, but you have access to your trunk and your bike is locked to the roof; not so with rear racks such as the one I've linked to.  Folding bicycle might be cheaper than a roof rack (400 bucks or so when I was looking around) but might not be.  Good luck!

[yesno]

A folding bike would be cool.  Or I could just take the front wheel off and shove the thing into my trunk.

I like that Saris rack.  I can get into my truck through the back seat, so that's no big deal.  And if I get a reusable rack, I could use it with future cars.

But my car does have a hitch, so I might just go down to REI and see what they have.  Hitch racks appear to be cheaper.

[scotttsss]

And with a hitch rack I think you could lock your bike to it with a cable-lock if you have to leave it on the car. 

here's a thread from bikeforums.net.  Go there for any other bike related questions too.  A good community. 

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=309317&highlight=rack+bike

[Andy]

we always had good luck with our Saris Bones rack.