For bass levels all over the map, I'll use slight peak compression to bring down the spikes, then Bass Rider to even everything else out.

Have you actually tried doing this with volume automation though Beepster? I know it's one of those things which seems quite daunting especially if you have loads of peaks throughout the whole track, but it's something I keep telling myself I should give a go sometime. I use volume automation when there's just a few spikes that need taming, but I've always shied away from doing the whole "fine tooth comb" thing. Whenever I watch one of those Dave Pensado tutorials and see his Pro Tools sessions on the screen, they always seem to have very intricate note-by-note volume automation on some of the tracks (probably the vocal most of the time). So you know at least some pros do it. 

And if volume automation happens too late in the signal flow, try clip gain envelops.

A technique I use a lot for vocals, but which also applies to bass, is to select the region that needs a fix and use Sonar's DSP gain feature. You can set the crossfade time in Preferences for the region transition. Then the volume change is "baked" into the file and you have a consistent signal to which you can later apply overall automation if you like.
 
To me, automation is about restoring dynamics, adding level variations for parts, and creating level changes that augment the song's rhythm. Although you can of course use it to solve problems, I prefer solving problems at the file level. That way when I back up/export the file, I'm not dependent on automation for the processing. i'll even take out the parts between phrases on vocals to get total silence rather than use mute or automation. This also leaves the automation free for what I consider its most valuable function.
 
I'm not saying my approach is "better" or "worse" or anything, just that after trying multiple processes over the years the file level fixes leave me with the fewest long-term issues. But I'll also admit that I cheat, and since coming up with the EB5 Bass Expansion Pack, that has become my go-to bass instrument...especially with Melodyne's audio-to-MIDI conversion.