Question for BRZ drivers/cyclists

[Max1957]

Hi folks, I drive a 2014 BRZ Limited. Love it. However, I also bicycle. I've been looking into getting a trunk rack what will work on my BRZ, without damaging it, and I was wondering if anyone here had any input.
I've been considering the Saris "Bones 2" and also looking at what Hollywood Racks has to offer.
Anyone out there that has had any experience with these or who has any suggestions or recommendations?
Thanks!

[soundman98]

the brz has some much better options than strap-on racks due to the double thread-in recovery points in the rear bumper.

this thread has a lot of the options in it, there's a few other threads kicking around with similar options.
https://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29963








i honestly haven't used any of this bike rack stuff since about 2012, but got it specifically got it all for the future.

i have a saris bones rack from before(got it for free, so the price was right). i never cared for using it when i had it, but didn't have any other options. no matter how tight i strapped it on, it always loosened up, and the rubber pads would end up sandpapering the clearcoat on the car in bad ways that i could minimize but never completely eliminate with detailing setups. i used scraps of towels under the pads to minimize scratching up the car, but that exacerbated the straps loosening up.

i never lost a bike, but i admit there were a few times where i was surprised i didn't.

[A2TREJO]

I use a thule raceway pro 3. 0 problems. It is pricey tho

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[Max1957]

Hi A2TREJO,
Can you elaborate on what you mean by "problems"? Does the Thule rack tend to scratch the clear coat?
Thanks!

[A2TREJO]

So I had many concerns about scratches, dents or damage using trunk racks or roof racks like any other 86/brz owners out there. I didn't want to drill holes into the roof lines to install a roof rack. I Looked into the slambert twin hitch but I didn't feel comfortable with the 100 lbs tongue weight for a tow hitch bike mount. So that got me looking for a trunk mount. Looked into saris trunk rack because of the price but after watching/reading reviews of it I learned that the 3 legs that make contact with the trunk focus all the weight on that area and warps the trunk for some reviewers. Later I found out of the thule bike rack. Checked all the boxes for me. The 2 sides that make contact with the paint is molded padding and its wider on the trunk. Just clean trunk before setting up the rack. No scratches. Has locks to deter thieves from taking rack. Also a lock on the bikes if I need to stop by a gas station store or whatever and not worry about leaving bikes on there during a quick stop. It is pricey tho. Im sure you can make other bike racks work these were just my thoughts when looking for the brz and cycling solution.

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[Max1957]

Thank you for all of the detail A2TREJO! This is a great help!

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by A2TREJO

I Looked into the slambert twin hitch but I didn't feel comfortable with the 100 lbs tongue weight for a tow hitch bike mount.

The twin hitch is designed to handle pulling a tire trailer as long as you don't go over the tongue weight. I have had two heavy DH bikes on it and it is plenty sturdy.

[A2TREJO]

Yeah, I'm sure the twin hitch is great. The price was a reason i didn't go that route. I think its about $300 no? Plus the tow hitch mount of your choice $100-200. Im carrying 3 bikes on the thule. Didn't want 3 on the twin hitch. I got the thule for $250 used. New are about $380 I think. And I get to use the thule raceway on the my other cars.

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[A2TREJO]

Originally Posted by Max1957

Thank you for all of the detail A2TREJO! This is a great help!

No prob. Glad to add some input here.

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[blackhawkdown]

I use this on my wrx; the bike rack doesn’t touch my trunk; however, i have a 2” hitch.


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[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by A2TREJO

Yeah, I'm sure the twin hitch is great. The price was a reason i didn't go that route. I think its about $300 no? Plus the tow hitch mount of your choice $100-200. Im carrying 3 bikes on the thule. Didn't want 3 on the twin hitch. I got the thule for $250 used. New are about $380 I think. And I get to use the thule raceway on the my other cars.

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You didn't mention cost in your previous valuation of it. If that is a consideration, then yeah, you are buying two items. I already have a receiver mount rack since I use the same one on multiple vehicles. Doesn't make sense for me to buy a rack that only fits my car when I can buy a receiver, use the same rack, and now be able to pull a tire trailer if I chose to go that direction.

[fatoni]

seasucker is pretty cool. it worked on the brz and even on my corvette with a targa top it seems to do okay

[ShackAttack]

In my opinion, the safest option is the twin hitch with a high quality rack. You'll pay extra up front, but don't have to worry about your car or bike getting messed up. I tried a U-haul hitch, which was a disaster, and looked into trunk racks, one of which specifically noted that over tightening on 86s can bend the soft metal on the trunk.

Our cars were simply not made for this kind of thing, so there is no simple solution. The twin hitch is working well for me, though. Plus it's removable if I ever just want to go on a drive.

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[A2TREJO]

How much does a tow hitch bike rack and 2 mountain bikes add up to in weight? If you have any exp on it please share. Is there any flex on the twin hitch factory tow points with the added weight? During speed bumps or uneven roads? When I was looking to buy the twin hitch with a quality bike rack, rack alone was 60lbs. 100lbs tongue weight limit of the twin hitch /:

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