Options for Carrying Three Bikes with 2004 Honda Civic Hybrid  

Question:

Expert Reply:

To carry three bikes on your 2004 Civic Hybrid, your best bet would be to use a trunk-mounted rack like the Thule OutWay, part # TH56BV. The Raceway is extremely simple to install and remove, with only 2 cables attaching it to the vehicle. Instead of the usual 4-6 straps that need to be adjusted, the OutWay uses ratcheting cables that adjust in seconds. If the pedal trailer you are speaking of is the sort that bolts on to the seat post of a bike, I doubt that it would work with the rack. There would be too much weight on one side of the rack, which might damage it.

When using a trunk-mounted bike rack, it is very important to minimize the chances of damaging the vehicle finish by ensuring the portions of the rack and the vehicle that touch each other are perfectly clean and free of any grit. A good coat of quality car wax is also a great idea.

For women's bikes or bikes with sharply angled top tubes or step-through frames, using a frame adapter like part # TH982XT is recommended. The adapter spans the distance between the seat post and the handle bar gooseneck, and provides a level attachment point to the bike rack so the bike is not carried at an angle.

Using a hitch mounted bike rack is a valid alternative, but because of the low tongue weight capacity of the hitches available for the Civic, you would be limited to carrying only two bikes. This would make the trunk-mounted rack your best option.

To see install details as well as product demonstration videos, use the provided links.

expert reply by: Mike L

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