Recommendations for Carrying 2-4 Bikes on 2011 Kia Sportage  

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Helpful Expert Reply:

If you can make do with carrying three bikes, you'll be able to use a trunk mounted bike rack that would attach to the rear hatch of your Sportage. The Thule Gateway Pro, part # TH78VR is a quality rack that will protect your bike with padded anti-sway cradles and an integrated cable lock to secure the bike to the rack.

The OutWay, part # TH56BV would be the easiest to use option. Most trunk mount racks use a series of 4-6 adjustable straps that can make installing and removing the rack somewhat of a challenge. The Raceway, however uses only 2 retractable locking cables that allow the bikes to be installed or removed in a matter of moments. The rack also has an integrated cable lock. If you wanted to go with a trunk mount option, this is what I'd recommend.

For carrying 4 bikes, installing a trailer hitch like part # C13120 and using a hitch mounted bike rack would be the simplest and most cost effective option. Thule offers the Hitching Post Pro, part # TH934XTR that would work great for you. The rack has a 4 bike capacity, features anti-sway cradles, and can tilt rearward away from the vehicle once the bikes are unloaded to allow easy access to the cargo area.

If you'll be transporting women's bikes or bikes with sharply-angled top tubes, you might also consider a frame adapter bar like part # 64005. The bar spans the distance between the handlebar gooseneck and the seat post, which provides a secondary attachment point for the bike rack. This allows the bike to be carried level, which maximizes ground clearance. I'll link you to a video showing how the adapter bar works, as well as some product demonstration videos you might find helpful.

expert reply by: Mike L

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