elb
We have a PT Cruiser. The bike rack we got years ago that was supposed to work on it, didn't. Now we're getting back into cycling and only one bike will fit in the car at a time and there are two of us and two bikes.
We've looked at REI and seen the trunk racks, roof racks and hitch racks, but we want to find one we know will work before investing the money.
The previous rack that didn't work was supposed to go over the back of the Cruiser, which is sort of a hatchback.
The Cruiser does have the factory rack on the top, with two rails going from the front to the back of the vehicle and two bars that go from side to side. The side to side bars can be pushed along the front to back rails to make one cross bar or be split to make two.
We don't have a hitch, so we're trying not to have to get one to get a hitch bike rack.
Has anyone with a PT Cruiser had success with a bike rack?
Thanks for your help.
Answer
I haven't dealt specifically with a PT cruiser but I have dealt with bike racks for a multitude of vehicles, small, medium and large.
The easiest (in regards to purchase and installation) and probably the cheapest way to go would be to get parts that fit your factory roof rack. I have done this on both my wife's S-10 Blazer and my full size SUV using Thule and Yakima trays. Yakima sells universal cross-bar clamps to work with many of their models. If you are mechanically inclined, you will find the installation very easy.
The downsides of having the bikes on the roof are: A) decreased fuel economy; B) increased chance of low-clearance destruction; and, C) having to lift the bike, sometimes awkwardly, into position.
To explain A further, the increased height of the racks and bikes causes wind resistance. The wind resistance causes your engine to work harder and uses more fuel. Even when the racks are not holding bicycles, there will be a slight decrease in fuel economy.
As for B, if you do this, beware of low-hanging drive-through awnings and parking garages (including the one at home). With C, if you're strong and tall, there's no issue.
As for me, I eventually opted to put a 2" hitch receiver on my wife's truck and get a 4-bike hitch rack that we can swap between our 2 vehicles with ease. We have a Saris that holds the bikes by their wheels and doesn't require their removal. It is easily removable for trips to the carwash and stores easily. The bikes can be loaded at a height that even kids can handle and it causes no fuel economy difference.
Depending on how many miles you drive, it may be worthwhile to invest in the hitch receiver just for the fuel savings.
Oh, and check Craigslist before you buy new rack components. You might be able to find what you need, slightly used for a fraction of the price!
I haven't dealt specifically with a PT cruiser but I have dealt with bike racks for a multitude of vehicles, small, medium and large.
The easiest (in regards to purchase and installation) and probably the cheapest way to go would be to get parts that fit your factory roof rack. I have done this on both my wife's S-10 Blazer and my full size SUV using Thule and Yakima trays. Yakima sells universal cross-bar clamps to work with many of their models. If you are mechanically inclined, you will find the installation very easy.
The downsides of having the bikes on the roof are: A) decreased fuel economy; B) increased chance of low-clearance destruction; and, C) having to lift the bike, sometimes awkwardly, into position.
To explain A further, the increased height of the racks and bikes causes wind resistance. The wind resistance causes your engine to work harder and uses more fuel. Even when the racks are not holding bicycles, there will be a slight decrease in fuel economy.
As for B, if you do this, beware of low-hanging drive-through awnings and parking garages (including the one at home). With C, if you're strong and tall, there's no issue.
As for me, I eventually opted to put a 2" hitch receiver on my wife's truck and get a 4-bike hitch rack that we can swap between our 2 vehicles with ease. We have a Saris that holds the bikes by their wheels and doesn't require their removal. It is easily removable for trips to the carwash and stores easily. The bikes can be loaded at a height that even kids can handle and it causes no fuel economy difference.
Depending on how many miles you drive, it may be worthwhile to invest in the hitch receiver just for the fuel savings.
Oh, and check Craigslist before you buy new rack components. You might be able to find what you need, slightly used for a fraction of the price!
How can Nashbar sell a carbon bike with Ultegra for $1500?
Reprobate
No one else seems to be able to.
How do they do it?
Referring to their CR3 (enter CR3 in Nasbar search - would love to post a link, but internet's down)
Answer
Are you never going to buy a bike? Just kidding.
There are many reasons that make this bike not-such-a-great deal. I have mentioned these issues a hundred times with other bikes and I'll do it again just for you.
1) Nashbar has cut off all the low hanging fruit. Every other part on the bike would be expected on a bike with Tiagra or Sora. This is a very common thing to do- put a couple of good things on and drop the grade on the "hidden stuff";
2) The majority of discount CF frames have some issues in common. First, they are made using old molds. Old molds are on the verge of being melted down and made into car fenders because they are almost out of tolerance for production. These things don't last forever. Also, it is common for them to be made up of CF scraps for the underlay... CF frames are laid up with multiple layers, and you'll never see the inside, and the CF is epoxied together, so whats the big deal? The big deal is that the frame may not have a good layup and have weak areas caused either by CF past it's expiration date (yep, it has an expiration date) or by less-than-proper (but still barely passable) layup. There are other things like filling in gaps with pure epoxy and stuff but I don't want to write a book.
NEVER consider a $1500 CF bike at ALL, much less one with Ultegra anything. They are NOT good deals.
EDIT: HIPPIE! I am now going to cut my eyes out. You called a Reynolds product cromoly. Blasphemy!
Are you never going to buy a bike? Just kidding.
There are many reasons that make this bike not-such-a-great deal. I have mentioned these issues a hundred times with other bikes and I'll do it again just for you.
1) Nashbar has cut off all the low hanging fruit. Every other part on the bike would be expected on a bike with Tiagra or Sora. This is a very common thing to do- put a couple of good things on and drop the grade on the "hidden stuff";
2) The majority of discount CF frames have some issues in common. First, they are made using old molds. Old molds are on the verge of being melted down and made into car fenders because they are almost out of tolerance for production. These things don't last forever. Also, it is common for them to be made up of CF scraps for the underlay... CF frames are laid up with multiple layers, and you'll never see the inside, and the CF is epoxied together, so whats the big deal? The big deal is that the frame may not have a good layup and have weak areas caused either by CF past it's expiration date (yep, it has an expiration date) or by less-than-proper (but still barely passable) layup. There are other things like filling in gaps with pure epoxy and stuff but I don't want to write a book.
NEVER consider a $1500 CF bike at ALL, much less one with Ultegra anything. They are NOT good deals.
EDIT: HIPPIE! I am now going to cut my eyes out. You called a Reynolds product cromoly. Blasphemy!
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