Bike Rack Recommendations

[relwell]

I have recently gotten into riding my bike to work thanks to the JK being in the shop due to a bad case of PO-itis.

While I do have the JK back and while it isn't perfect, it runs better than it ever has since I have owned it.

The problem is now that I am enjoying biking to work most days, I would like to get out and do a bit more. I know I can get a cheap tire rack for about a hundo and strap it down, but I would rather get something I know works and is safe.

I will be light off-roading with the family, (No mud. That stuff is gross. Just rocks for me, thank you) so I would like something sturdy. I was looking into the locking A-Frame racks but the reviews seem split between it is good and it is a nightmare on a stick.

What I would like is a locking spare tire rack to keep clearances in the rear, locking the bikes to the rack also a plus but can rig that myself later, I would like it to hold 2-3 bikes and won't bend off if I get a bit bouncy with the Jeep. Anyone have any ideas or experience?

Price is an object, but this is something that will hold large wheeled projectiles on a highway, so in the interest of safety I don't mind paying a bit more.

The Rhino Rack here seems to tick the boxes, just wondering if anyone had any better ideas before I bite the bullet and spend a month trying to find one cheaper before finally giving in and getting one like this.

Thanks!

[st_za]

Where is your rego plate on the back?

[relwell]

It hangs on to the passenger lower rear bumper. Rhino makes a plate holder as well that plugs in, but when doing the very official 'holding my bike to the rear tire' it still leaves the plate with plenty of visibility.

Most spare tire racks should be fine with it offset to passenger like it is.

[Banshee]

You can also buy a bike rack plate for your car from the RMS, or should be able to get one from the ACT's equivalent.

[relwell]

Originally Posted by Banshee

You can also buy a bike rack plate for your car from the RMS, or should be able to get one from the ACT's equivalent.

Has to be cheaper than the Rhino one! Sweet Mary it costs almost as much as the rack!

Thanks for the tip, will look into it and add it to the list. Last thing I want is something like that to draw attention to the Jeep which I am pretty sure is now 100% street legal but why push my luck, ya know?

[Banshee]

I got one for mine from the RTA, (when it was still called that...)

The plate is on the left side of the bumper, but gets concealed by bike wheels when they are on the rack. (It's a cheaper one I got from Anaconda.)

[st_za]

I bought a Thule Spare Me Pro for $250 but I have yet to find a way to make my spare tyre mounted licence plate bracket attach to the Thule mounting arm that sticks through the spare tyre centre hole. It seems well made and well packaged though

A mate of mine has a cheapie hitch mounted rack because he's worried about the extra weight hanging off the spare but it makes getting at the tailgate a giant pain in the ass. The $100 hitch-mounted rack with a few occy straps has proven surprisingly durable though.