Recommended Bike Carrying Solution for 2 1960s Era Heavy Bikes on 2008 Mazda 3

Question:

Hi, So I just bought 2 bikes circa the 1960s and though I dont have an exact weight, I think they might be over 35 lbs each. I have a 2008 Mazda 3 and Im wondering if this would be a good rack for my car plus those bikes. Im also planning on taking a couple hundred mile trip on the freeway and Im wanting a good way to bring the bikes along without having to worry about going slow so the rack doesnt ruin my car. If this isnt the best option, could you please tell me what would be? Thank you so much!

asked by: Laura S

Helpful Expert Reply:

The Thule 2-Bike Carrier, part # TH45JV is capable of carrying two bikes weighing up to 66 lbs combined, so this will not work for you.

In fact, the most any of our trunk racks will carry is 35 pounds per bike with 70 pounds total, like the Hollywood Racks Gordo 2 # HRG2. However, when the rack installs, the bottom leg of the carrier would rest on top of the rear bumper. The bumper cover of the Mazda 3 is pretty soft, and placing two heavy bikes on a trunk mount rack is not something I would personally do, especially if I was concerned about cosmetic damage to the vehicle (like you seem to be).

Anytime you have a piece of equipment that is in direct contact with the painted surface of a vehicle, the possibility exists that the vehicle could become scratched or dented. This possibility can certainly be diminished by observing the weight capacity of the rack, adjusting the rack properly and ensuring that the surfaces of the rack and vehicle that touch each other are scrupulously clean, but doing this only minimizes the risk, it doesn't eliminate it.

To completely remove any possibility of damage, and to meet your weight requirements, a hitch mounted rack is certainly the way to go. I'd recommend the Draw-Tite Class I hitch, part # 24816. I've linked you to an install video that you might find helpful. Kuat offers the highest capacity 2-bike rack compatible with a Class I hitch, the Kuat NV 2.0 2-Bike model, part # BA12B that can handle two bikes with a maximum capacity of 60 pounds per bike. An anti rattle hitch bolt is included, along with cable locks for your bikes.

If you'll be carrying women's bikes or bikes with sharply angled top tubes, a frame adapter like part # 64005 is recommended. The frame adapter spans the distance between the handlebar gooseneck and the seat post, providing a level attachment point to the bike rack, which maximizes your ground clearance.