Bike Carriers

[marysuch]

I have a 2010 Honda Insight. I want to carry 2 bikes. As I am getting older, I don't think it is a good idea for a roof rack, because as the years go by it will be harder for me to lift the bike up onto the roof.
I worry about adding a trailer hitch because of low road clearance. My driveway is at an incline.
Does anybody successfully have a bike rack that uses a trailer hitch installed on their 2010 Honda Insight? or do I need to go with a rear mount bike rack?

[RahTX]

I considered all the options ("trunk" mounted, hitch and roof rack) and since I only really need to carry more than one bike a few times a year at most, I didn't want to spend too much and make permanent/semi-permanent modifications to the car.

So, I got the Saris Guardian 2 with the "hatch hugger" straps. Unfortunately I need to get the "bike beam" accessory to fit my small frame bikes on it. So, while I've put the rack on the car, I haven't yet carried bikes on it yet.

If you do go for a hitch mounted one, you can pretty much take your pick as your options are greatly improved over the hatch or roof mounted routes, but I can't address the clearance issue...

// Edit: Also, for what it's worth, after mounting the hatch rack once, I know it's not something I would want to do very often. Certainly not more than once a week. I'm sure I would get faster at it, but it's a pain, and I imagine taking it off and on all the time increases the chances of scratches.

[lhutton]

I'm glad we're having this discussion. I just picked up my Insight last week. I had a receiver hitch on my Accord, and it worked well with my "Hollywood" rack to carry my recumbent bike. So I was a bit concerned about the Insight, and whether it would accommodate a hitch. So interestingly, I began to call around today to a few reputable places; one of which installed my last hitch. Anyhow, everyone confirmed that it is doable, but there were not any concerns about clearance. It does not look to me like there's much difference compared to my Accord, although I would think there would be at least a slight difference.

FYI, the quotes I got were all around $230.00 installed. I'd be interested to see how that compares with others.

And finally I would not recommend a roof rack. I did check with my dealer today also. They confirmed that Honda does not make a rack for the Insight.

[dr_lager]

We've used the Yakima King Joe 2 bike rack. It has worked just fine on the few times we used it.

[Cobb]

When I buy a car I normally get the hitch too. I dont tow anything, but like to beef up the rear end incase of an accident. This car it seems the hitch just sits in place with some band clamps and doesnt really bolt to anything. This could become a projectile in a rear end or front end accident as to why I havent done it.