[adventurer]

I'd like a bike rack for my car-I have an '04 Honda Civic. I would like a bike rack that won't be too difficult to operate, i.e. my bike can come on and off easily. Needless to say, it will need to be installed on top of the car.

[emoryeb]

saris bones is the best rack i have ever had

[Doc]

Have you looked into yakama racks yet?

[BigDumbBear]

I have a pretty sweet thule on the roof of my mustang... all my buddies seem to like it best. I don't even have to pop off a wheel and I can put nearly any bike on there in about 5 seconds. It has this style of bike holder http://www.thuleracks.com/product.asp?dept_id=8&sku=594

I suggest the newer style of rails too. They are ovalized to help reduce wind resistance and noise.

I've had everything from my buddies 21 inch mountain bike to my friend's-kid's 12 inch wheeled, dora the explorer bike on there with no issues.

[Neuner]

I've owned several brands and they are all relatively the same. Even with a front flair and wind shaped bars, they do create drag and will effect your MPG which may be a factor if you have a decent commute to work. I took mine off for this reason.

I suggest getting the full bike mount trays and not the fork mount. Quicker, easier and you don't have a wheel to worry about.

[tajcrews]

Saris Bones bike rack is the best for a trunk rack. It fits like a glove on most vehicles and it is very easy to use once set up. For roof mounted racks, Yakima and Thule are definetely the best. Fork mounted trays are cheaper but full trays are more convienent. If you buy full trays dont get the cheapest ones you can find or you will regret it. They just aren't sturdy compared to the higher cost ones.

[camilo]

Originally Posted by adventurer

I'd like a bike rack for my car-I have an '04 Honda Civic. I would like a bike rack that won't be too difficult to operate, i.e. my bike can come on and off easily. Needless to say, it will need to be installed on top of the car.

Why do you say "needless to say, it will need to be installed on top of the car."?

Rooftop mounts are fine, but (a) can be difficult to put a bike onto for some people and (b) have significant risk of damage to bike.

I just put a 1 1/2" hitch receiver on our Subaru and got a Yakima "tray" type bike carrier. It has an adapter to make it work on 1 1/2 or 2 inch receivers.

It is EXCELLENT and will hold any kind of bike, road, mountain, kids, bike with fenders, etc. Yakima makes another model and Saris makes a similar model, but less versitile because they won't work with fenders (which is insignificant for some).

Much, much, much better than the hatchback and hitch mount "dangling" carriers I have used in the past. MUCH, MUCH better.