dreamfrog

New user to the boards, I have a 2004 RX8 which I purchased approximately 8 months ago.

Okay, I know this has been discussed, but the discussion I found was from 2003. Did anyone ever figure out what the best option is for a bike rack on their RX8?

I have an 2004, yellow, lovely car, might I say....

anyway....I want a bike rack, yet am unsure of what the BEST option is.
My dealer said, and I quote "If Mazda doesn't supply it, we don't install it. And, Mazda doesn't offer a bike rack...so I recommend you contact a specialty bike shop", which is fine, I will, but before I get some bike sales geek trying to finagle me, I wanted your opinions of any rack you may have.

Thanks in advance!

~

Duke15

I decided to just keep my 4Runner. Helps me save on winter tires too.

lesper4

iTrader: (3)

i have a private message of a guy who did this i will try to dig it up and repost it for you.

Detrich

Have you checked if the Saris Bones racks are compatible? I have one, but I've never put it on my 8 yet. But, I would imagine it should work since it's a very versatile design: http://www.saris.com/p-175-bones-3-bike.aspx

I have the 3 bike (4 leg) one that I use on my beamer and it works really nice. It comes in a variety of colors and uses a double-wishbone design that distributtes most of the weight onto the rear bumper and rear windshield- all the while providing good clearance so your bikes never touch the body of the car, yet are securely fastened.

Check it out and let us know...

lesper4

iTrader: (3)

I spoke to this guy in PM's but i dont have his response, amyeb you can do a search for it, his name is Capt_BunnyHead.

lesper4

iTrader: (3)

Here are the pics sorry for the carrinage https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-multimedia-photo-gallery-6/my-poor-poor-8-a-68275/

swoope

iTrader: (5)

i have been using thule stuff for years. windsurfing and skiing...

yakama is thules competetor, and makes a rack system for the 8.

beer

BasenjiGuy

I have a universal fit Performance Bike Shops rack that works fine - once you get the adjustable straps set correctly. But, the bike is on the outside, not protected, and the rack makes some contact with painted surfaces, though the contact points of the rack have protective foam rubber on them. I don't think the paint will be damaged as long as the foam is clean and the paint is clean.

Or, you can buy a cheepo disposable moving blanket from U-HAUL, make it into a taco and put it in the backseat. Pull the wheels off you bike and put them in the trunk. Carefully place the bike in the back seat, inside the taco, with the crank facing towards the front of the car. It fits pretty well. Just be carefull to cover around the ends of the blanket to keep the bike from making contact with the interior of the car.

This inside-the-car method is great because the bike is protected from theft and you can haul *ss to and from the ride location without having to worry about the bike rack or bike flying off the car and doing damage.

dynamho

Or you can take the folding bike approach.

My folding bike fits fine in the 8's trunk.

I know that Bromptons, Stridas, and any Dahon w/ 16" wheels will fit.

dreamfrog

This one looks great. I'll contact them & ask a TON of questions.
I'm not a REAL cyclist, we just need to get the bikes to my office on my car, so we can ride the bikes to the Jag games on Sundays. And, I want to do this without any risk of damage to my 8. So, it really doesn't matter that much to me if my bike gets a little whipped or whatever. As long as I can transport it relatively safely, I'm not too worried about the bike. I think the thing cost me a couple hundred bucks & that was four years ago. My MAIN concern really is for the car.

dreamfrog

Thanks. I pm'd him.