Hitch rack or roof rack (Honda Civic)
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AB, Canada
Posts: 375
Bikes: Trek 1220 - Araya R200 - Specialized StumpJumper
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Hitch rack or roof rack (Honda Civic)
Hey all
(I have searched, and read, but the search terms are so general, I get too much info)
I'm considering buying a used civic 4 door.
I currently have a VW golf, and I just fold down the seats and stuff the bike inside.
The Civic is not a hatch back, so that won't be possible.
I am considering A: a roof rack (I already own a front axel and rear tray system to bolt onto the cross bars) or B: putting on a rear hitch us use a hitch mount (I already own a hitch mount rack too)
What are the pros and cons of each, and have I missed something?
I usually will be only hauling my own one bike.
Hitch PROS
bike is lower - no worries about low entries etc.
less bug on bike
possibly easier to load on bike, (but not a big deal either way)
Hitch CONS
trunk may be harder to access with bike on
may block tail lights/license plate to an extent
bike may get dirtier if driving in bad weather on dirt or dirty roads
With lock running through trailer chain connector, may be more secure than roof rack.
rack sometimes jiggles, because the receiver square is small on these smaller hitches,
Roof rack PROS
could use roof rack bars for alternate carrying such as cargo box, or kayak
bike is less likely to "jiggle" like I see them do on hitch mounts sometimes.
Roof rack CONS
Hight could be an issue
More bugs on bike
Don't like how roof rack has to mount onto modern gutterless cars - looks funny
Need to put front tire somewhere inside car as I'd use my fork mount on rack cross bars
What have I missed, what are your experiences?
Thanks
(I have searched, and read, but the search terms are so general, I get too much info)
I'm considering buying a used civic 4 door.
I currently have a VW golf, and I just fold down the seats and stuff the bike inside.
The Civic is not a hatch back, so that won't be possible.
I am considering A: a roof rack (I already own a front axel and rear tray system to bolt onto the cross bars) or B: putting on a rear hitch us use a hitch mount (I already own a hitch mount rack too)
What are the pros and cons of each, and have I missed something?
I usually will be only hauling my own one bike.
Hitch PROS
bike is lower - no worries about low entries etc.
less bug on bike
possibly easier to load on bike, (but not a big deal either way)
Hitch CONS
trunk may be harder to access with bike on
may block tail lights/license plate to an extent
bike may get dirtier if driving in bad weather on dirt or dirty roads
With lock running through trailer chain connector, may be more secure than roof rack.
rack sometimes jiggles, because the receiver square is small on these smaller hitches,
Roof rack PROS
could use roof rack bars for alternate carrying such as cargo box, or kayak
bike is less likely to "jiggle" like I see them do on hitch mounts sometimes.
Roof rack CONS
Hight could be an issue
More bugs on bike
Don't like how roof rack has to mount onto modern gutterless cars - looks funny
Need to put front tire somewhere inside car as I'd use my fork mount on rack cross bars
What have I missed, what are your experiences?
Thanks
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: St Peters, Missouri
Posts: 30,225
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1572 Post(s)
Liked 642 Times
in
363 Posts
I think that you pretty much have it. When I had a roof rack it made a lot of wind noise until I bought the wind fairing accessory. You do have to be aware of low overheads and I was always nervous because I couldn't see my bike on the roof rack,
I have such a short garage that I have to remove a hitch rack before closing my garage door. I hate that.
If I were in your shoes, I think that I'd cost out what I have to buy new in order to fit each system onto my car.
I have such a short garage that I have to remove a hitch rack before closing my garage door. I hate that.
If I were in your shoes, I think that I'd cost out what I have to buy new in order to fit each system onto my car.
__________________
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Miami, FL
Posts: 1,230
Bikes: 2007 Giant Cypress DX, Windsor Tourist 2011
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 24 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I prefer the hitch simply because I know that sooner or later with the roof rack I would go into a parking garage, or even a fast food drive through with a low roof, and smash my bike. The same may not apply to you.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: South shore, L.I., NY
Posts: 6,826
Bikes: Flyxii FR322, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3185 Post(s)
Liked 2,020 Times
in
1,158 Posts
I use a Thule roof rack on a Forester, mostly as I've had this system a long time and don't desire to invest in a hitch system.
If I were to start new, I'd do a hitch, even though having the roof rack is useful for our canoe, lumber, a roof box with camping gear, etc...
They are about the same investment, $500 or so.
One advantage to the hitch system is if you have 2 vehicles and desire to use either to transport bikes, it's easier to move a hitch system to another vehicle - provided you plunk down an additional $180 for the receiver on the 2nd vehicle. Moving a hitch rack is far easier then moving a roof system.
As well, check to see if the Civic's rear seat folds down. A buddies Honda does this and he can fit his road bike in the trunk once the front wheel is off.
If I were to start new, I'd do a hitch, even though having the roof rack is useful for our canoe, lumber, a roof box with camping gear, etc...
They are about the same investment, $500 or so.
One advantage to the hitch system is if you have 2 vehicles and desire to use either to transport bikes, it's easier to move a hitch system to another vehicle - provided you plunk down an additional $180 for the receiver on the 2nd vehicle. Moving a hitch rack is far easier then moving a roof system.
As well, check to see if the Civic's rear seat folds down. A buddies Honda does this and he can fit his road bike in the trunk once the front wheel is off.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,075
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 27 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
One other con for the hitch rack is that if you get rear-ended, your bike probably is toast. Sure, it's probably the other person's fault, but that still may leave you without a bike for some period of time.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Posts: 5,869
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1792 Post(s)
Liked 1,671 Times
in
955 Posts
I have carried bikes inside small 4 door cars many times. The way to do it is to remove the front wheel. Open the passenger side rear door and put the bike inside the car upside down. Turn the handlebars so that the brake levers face the back of the rear seat. It will fit. Then the front wheel can go on the floor of the car. You will notice that all the greasy bits of your bike will be well clear of upholstery and carpets. I have carried my bikes this way for years. It takes me about 15 seconds to put my bike into the car, including the time to take off the wheel.
#8
The Improbable Bulk
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wilkes-Barre, PA
Posts: 8,401
Bikes: Many
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
7 Posts
Although I have never used them, I am pretty sure that after a long ride, I'm not going to want to lift my bike to the top of my car... and being tired, I am far too likely to scratch up the roof of my car... especially if I remove the front tire, I would end up using my fork as a nice paint scraper.
Also, I have heard of people damaging cars and bikes by driving into a garage with a bicycle on top of their car, and don't recall ever hearing of bicycles being damaged by being rear ended with a hitch rack... You might do some damage if you collide with something while backing up, but you can see the bikes are there when you look back... you can't see them on top as you drive into a garage.
Parallel parking is a pain with a hitch rack... so I avoid places where I have to parallel park when carrying bikes.
I have heard that the gas mileage is decreased whether you use a roof rack or a hitch rack. Depending on car, etc... Roof racks have the bikes facing forward, so relatively aerodynamic. On a hitch rack, even though they are somewhat in the slipstream of the car, they are sideways, and potentially present significant frontal area to catch the wind.
Also, I have heard of people damaging cars and bikes by driving into a garage with a bicycle on top of their car, and don't recall ever hearing of bicycles being damaged by being rear ended with a hitch rack... You might do some damage if you collide with something while backing up, but you can see the bikes are there when you look back... you can't see them on top as you drive into a garage.
Parallel parking is a pain with a hitch rack... so I avoid places where I have to parallel park when carrying bikes.
I have heard that the gas mileage is decreased whether you use a roof rack or a hitch rack. Depending on car, etc... Roof racks have the bikes facing forward, so relatively aerodynamic. On a hitch rack, even though they are somewhat in the slipstream of the car, they are sideways, and potentially present significant frontal area to catch the wind.
__________________
Slow Ride Cyclists of NEPA
People do not seem to realize that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Slow Ride Cyclists of NEPA
People do not seem to realize that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AB, Canada
Posts: 375
Bikes: Trek 1220 - Araya R200 - Specialized StumpJumper
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks for the input all - I'm leaning toward the hitch.
I also have an F150, so I use that to haul stuff, and don't ever need to put lumber on a roof rack.
The F150 already has a hitch and receiver, so I can move the rack from truck to car easily.
I have wide cross bars on a canopy roof rack on the F150 too, and carry a canoe an two kayaks up there, but they are too far apart for bike rack purposes.
Looks like a hitch is only around $150 - $200, and I can do the install. A good roof rack would cost more.
I believe it would take longer to remove the roof rack and reinstall it when I want to take it off, and put it on.
The hitch, just pull the pin, and slide it out. 15 seconds or so to install or remove the hitch rack.
This is not in my original PROS and CONS list, but it's a big PRO to me, maybe I'm lazy?
I also have an F150, so I use that to haul stuff, and don't ever need to put lumber on a roof rack.
The F150 already has a hitch and receiver, so I can move the rack from truck to car easily.
I have wide cross bars on a canopy roof rack on the F150 too, and carry a canoe an two kayaks up there, but they are too far apart for bike rack purposes.
Looks like a hitch is only around $150 - $200, and I can do the install. A good roof rack would cost more.
I believe it would take longer to remove the roof rack and reinstall it when I want to take it off, and put it on.
The hitch, just pull the pin, and slide it out. 15 seconds or so to install or remove the hitch rack.
This is not in my original PROS and CONS list, but it's a big PRO to me, maybe I'm lazy?
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Posts: 5,869
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1792 Post(s)
Liked 1,671 Times
in
955 Posts
Thanks for the input all - I'm leaning toward the hitch.
I also have an F150, so I use that to haul stuff, and don't ever need to put lumber on a roof rack.
The F150 already has a hitch and receiver, so I can move the rack from truck to car easily.
I have wide cross bars on a canopy roof rack on the F150 too, and carry a canoe an two kayaks up there, but they are too far apart for bike rack purposes.
Looks like a hitch is only around $150 - $200, and I can do the install. A good roof rack would cost more.
I believe it would take longer to remove the roof rack and reinstall it when I want to take it off, and put it on.
The hitch, just pull the pin, and slide it out. 15 seconds or so to install or remove the hitch rack.
This is not in my original PROS and CONS list, but it's a big PRO to me, maybe I'm lazy?
I also have an F150, so I use that to haul stuff, and don't ever need to put lumber on a roof rack.
The F150 already has a hitch and receiver, so I can move the rack from truck to car easily.
I have wide cross bars on a canopy roof rack on the F150 too, and carry a canoe an two kayaks up there, but they are too far apart for bike rack purposes.
Looks like a hitch is only around $150 - $200, and I can do the install. A good roof rack would cost more.
I believe it would take longer to remove the roof rack and reinstall it when I want to take it off, and put it on.
The hitch, just pull the pin, and slide it out. 15 seconds or so to install or remove the hitch rack.
This is not in my original PROS and CONS list, but it's a big PRO to me, maybe I'm lazy?
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,528
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5219 Post(s)
Liked 3,564 Times
in
2,331 Posts
is there a compelling reason not to consider a traditional trunk rack?
#12
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AB, Canada
Posts: 375
Bikes: Trek 1220 - Araya R200 - Specialized StumpJumper
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#13
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AB, Canada
Posts: 375
Bikes: Trek 1220 - Araya R200 - Specialized StumpJumper
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
My rack has a single bolt through the hole used for the ball, so I can bolt it onto a 2" or a 1-1/4"
I could also mod the receiver on the Honda to 2" - knowing I'd never tow with it anyway.
(I have metal working equipment as needed)
I could also mod the receiver on the Honda to 2" - knowing I'd never tow with it anyway.
(I have metal working equipment as needed)
#14
Banned
If the hitch ball is on a Square steel Piece and removable, leaving a 2" square tube receiver on the car , then there are racks to use that Fitting sub frame on the Car.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Bozeman
Posts: 4,094
Bikes: 199? Landshark Roadshark, 198? Mondonico Diamond, 1987 Panasonic DX-5000, 1987 Bianchi Limited, Univega... Chrome..., 1989 Schwinn Woodlands, Motobecane USA Record, Raleigh Tokul 2
Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1131 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'd vote for a hitch rack. The adapters aren't a pain (for a 2 inch hitch vs. smaller) and you can keep the rack forever as for a roof rack it'll only work as long as you have the car.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,528
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5219 Post(s)
Liked 3,564 Times
in
2,331 Posts