Silly question, but how the heck do you get bikes up on to the top of a car? Is it just a case of huffing and puffing and trying to lift them on to the roof?
Don't buy a bike that is a tonne ? I've always use roof mounted racks, and the latest Thule ones are great.
As a racer, I used front fork mounted racks for 3 bikes, fine.
When I got married and the kids 'turned up' this was a pain, as the bikes weren't quick release etc. etc, and you have other luggage. Got the
Halfords Advanced racks (which are the Thule basic racks) and it's really easy for me to get them fixed on the roof of a family car - I'll add in my left shoulder is fubar'ed from a cycling accident - so pop bikes on rack, slide bike fore/aft, raise clamp and we are off. Also helps is I got nailed into getting my wife a great hybrid and a Trek tag-a-long for my daughter last year....
My son takes after me..ride/ride /ride.... my wife had a basic bike, and now loves the Pinnacle hybrid, my daughter, although can ride, likes the tag-a-long. Keep them happy.....