Does anyone know of the best type of bike rack for the $$ for a MY00 Legacy GT Sedan? I have done a search and all I came up with were racks for the RS's/WRX's, none for the legacy sedan.http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/frown.gif Which is more recommended, a roof mount or hitch mount. Also, if the hitch is the way to go, has anyone had any interference problems between the hitch and an aftermarket exhaust?

AKSubie

The cheapest type of rack thay you can buy for the sedan is a trunk mounted rack that attatches to the trunk lid and hangs the bikes (up to 3) off of the rear bumper, over the liscense plate. I happen to have one for sale that I used four times. I now have a considerably more expensive Yakima roof rack set up. If you are interested I would sell it to you for $15 plus shipping from Seattle. Hope this helps.

Bike racks all boil down to preference. The first is roof vs. hitch. Roof mounted racks are great because the bikes don't get in your field of vision. They also keep your bike from becoming a bumper. Hitches are great because you don't need to hoist your bike over your head everytime.

There are also several types of roof racks -- those that grip the fork, the downtube or the crankcase. Each has it's tradeoffs.

Go to Yakima's website to check out more on racks -- www.yakima.com (http://www.yakima.com)

There are lots of brands out there, but I've found Yakima's stuff to be very well made. I think REI is having a sale on their stuff.

Probably the least expensive way to rack your bikes is to use your existing factory cross bars, buy some adapters (MightyMounts) and go with a LockJaw.

Ken

I think my RS looks bald when it isn't wearing its roof rack. I almost got a hitch rack, but I like not needing to take it on and off.

I almost wish I would have got the hitch rack, just because I will need a hitch in a couple of months for a U-haul. Other than that I like the style of roof racks. As an added bonus, the fairing thing gives me a nice place to put stickers http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif.

I have looked into the trunk mount before but my friend had one for his Accord and it scratched the heck out of his trunk. That is why I wanted something else.

I don't have the cross bars or rails from the factory, so I will probably have to get the whole setup, but I have heard that the roof mounts can ruin the finish of your roof, is that true?

I agree with Keith, and call me lazy all you want, but an RS looks way cooler with a roof rack! I've had my Thule rack on ever since the second week of ownership, over a year now. Kinda scared to see if it is leaving any marks on the roof http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/eek.gif

FWIW, here's the bike rack I'm using. Graber makes it and it's a solid rack with lateral tiedowns; the bike hardly moves side-to-side, even as you drive hard into the turns.

Ed.
http://members.home.net/edekker/rs/bikerack/brack1.jpg

I wouldn't worry too much about the paint if you get a good rack like a Thule or Yakima. I have seen the Thule in person, and I own a Saris (from a previous car, got new clips), and they fit really well. The Saris needs to be replaced- I just don't like how they fit. I have taken the rack off a few times, however, and the paint is holding up (I wax it pretty well while I have the rack off).


Cheesy Saris rack:
<IMG SRC="http://216.242.153.40/MembersList/UserPics/4721/019_20.jpg" border=0>
(This pic is before I put on the wind deflector/fairing thingy, which is very necessary...

[This message has been edited by KeithRS (edited May 22, 2001).]

There is a 20% off sale on Yakima stuff at REI.com... but watch out for the sales tax because they don't put it in your total!