bike rack?

[Steve_V]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a good bike rack for my 2000 SL1. My current removable rack, which I used on my '90 Sentra, is the type that lays on the trunk lid and rear bumper, with 2 straps top, 2 bottom, and 2 side. I suppose that I could try to fit it and use it on the SL1, however, I'm concerned about a) damaging the trunk lid or that "flare" where the lid meets the bumper and b) whether the noticeably thinner metal on the Saturn over my Sentra can handle the weight and strain of the rack and 2 adult bikes. Of course, I don't want to scratch the finish either....

Anyone have any thoughts on this? If it's not the right rack, does anyone have an idea of what rack would work well? I'm not very interested in a roof rack, unless it is as easy to remove as my current one.

Thanks!

Steve

[bigbird]

I use a Swagman fold down hitch-mounted rack on my 2000 SW2.If you need more info about it, let me know.

[wei_]

I'm currently looking into a rack from Performance Bike. They have their own 'XPort' line. It's aluminum and looks ok buildwise. For $299 you get the rack and rails for two bikes. Not bad. I'm going to give them a shot and post here with results when I get it.

It'll be nice to be able to bring home that table I wanted but couldn't fit into the tailgate of the SW. <img src="http://64.77.2.166/cgi-bin/UltraBoard/Images/Happy.gif" border="0" align="middle">

<a href="http://www.performancebike.com" target="_blank"><!--auto-->http://www.performancebike.com</a><!--auto-->

[VTHokie00SL2]

I bought a bike rack from performance bike but I need to get an extension for it, due to the fact that the hitch is so recessed. I don't think performance bike sells hitch extensions for 1.25". Anyone know where I could find one?

[jeff92sl2]

I use a rack just like yours (from your Sentra) on my SL2, and it works fine. You might want to put a little piece of foam or thick polyethylene under the two lower contact points to protect the paint. I transport two adult bikes on mine with no problem.
Jeff

[cityhawk01LW30093SW2]

I've got a DrawTite hitch-mounted rack for my 1999 SW2. It carries four bikes and will withstand a direct thermonuclear hit.

[Dave R]

Nice to hear a lot of good stuff about Performance Bike Shop. I've been a faithful customer since the mid-80's. In fact, my bike has a Performance Campione Columbus SL frame (Who remembers that?!).
I'm about to go on a long road trip in my '94 SC-2 and I'm taking my bike. Here's my solution and something to seriously consider: With the rear seat down and my quick-release front wheel popped off, my bike fits nicely INSIDE the car! Security, security, security! Think about it.

Dave R

[Spork]

You got that right! I always carry my bike inside. I just get an old blanket to throw over the seat and then pop off the front wheel. Takes a little finagleing, but is the best thing to do if you are only carrying 1 bike.

[wei_]

True, nothing beats keeping the bike clean and safe in the trunk. Not much room for two bikes back there in the SL, tho. <img src="http://64.77.2.166/cgi-bin/UltraBoard/Images/Sad.gif" border="0" align="middle">

VT, which rack did you get? When did you get it?

I just bought the XPORT Express but I'm not going to open it til I'm sure it'll fit. I may also return it since the standard XPort rack can use Thule and Barrecrafter accesories; if Performance ever discontinues the rack, I won't be left partless. The Tie-Down kit looks good too. FYI for anyone interested, Performance reduced the price to $249.99 for the XPORT XPress and $159.99 for the XPORT Fork locking system.

-Wei

[Steve96SL2m]

I use a Rhode Gear rack on my car. I have a spoiler on the trunk & the rack doesn't touch it, but it comes close. As for your concerns about paint damage, I bought one of those tinted vinyl strips that you put on the upper part of your windshield to block the sun. When I put the rack on the car, I put the vinyl strip on the paint where the rack touches. As long as the car is clean before you put it on, you won't scratch the paint. As for the cost, the rack cost about $50.00 & the tint strip cost $5.00. I carry two adult bikes & have no damage.

[SteveP]

We use a Draw-Tite 1 1/4" reciever hitch on a '94 SL2. The Performance Export (it was the only rear rack that my Ventana would fit on) fits with about 1-2" clearance at the bumper. I also had an adapter fabricated by the hitch shop that allows use of 2" Thule rack. If the Performance Export leg is too short, you shoud be able to have an extension similar to our 2" adapter made by either a hitch shop or a weld shop.