What is your favorite 2" hitch mount bike rack?
08-25-15, 09:13 PM
#1
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What is your favorite 2" hitch mount bike rack?
What is your favorite 2" hitch mount bike rack for 1 or 2 bikes under $250?
RH
RH
08-26-15, 07:09 AM
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I love my Allen Sports Deluxe 3-bike. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001M4KXDM
They frequently have "sales" on this. I got mine for $65. My only complaint with it is that you need to bolt+nut it into the receiver ever time. However, it's very stable.
They frequently have "sales" on this. I got mine for $65. My only complaint with it is that you need to bolt+nut it into the receiver ever time. However, it's very stable.
08-26-15, 08:00 AM
#3
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Problem with the Allen Sport, and any rack that mounts like that are:
1) nothing keeps the bikes from swinging. Wind resistance and uneven pavement will cause the bikes to swing in the mount, and rub on each other. ( killed a carbon fiber fork from rubbing on another bike, before I learned that)
2) nothing keeps the front wheel from flapping around, so you need to do something to secure that,
3) those rubber straps can and do fail. I had a Yakima rack with essentially the same closures, and almost lost a $5,000 bike on the interstate. Seeing the bike sailing in the wind, with only one strap still attached, on the interstate at 75mph is not a good feeling.
If you value your bikes, I would swing for something with a wheel tray mount, or a fork mount.
1) nothing keeps the bikes from swinging. Wind resistance and uneven pavement will cause the bikes to swing in the mount, and rub on each other. ( killed a carbon fiber fork from rubbing on another bike, before I learned that)
2) nothing keeps the front wheel from flapping around, so you need to do something to secure that,
3) those rubber straps can and do fail. I had a Yakima rack with essentially the same closures, and almost lost a $5,000 bike on the interstate. Seeing the bike sailing in the wind, with only one strap still attached, on the interstate at 75mph is not a good feeling.
If you value your bikes, I would swing for something with a wheel tray mount, or a fork mount.
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You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
08-26-15, 08:09 AM
#4
SuperGimp
Problem with the Allen Sport, and any rack that mounts like that are:
1) nothing keeps the bikes from swinging. Wind resistance and uneven pavement will cause the bikes to swing in the mount, and rub on each other. ( killed a carbon fiber fork from rubbing on another bike, before I learned that)
2) nothing keeps the front wheel from flapping around, so you need to do something to secure that,
3) those rubber straps can and do fail. I had a Yakima rack with essentially the same closures, and almost lost a $5,000 bike on the interstate. Seeing the bike sailing in the wind, with only one strap still attached, on the interstate at 75mph is not a good feeling.
If you value your bikes, I would swing for something with a wheel tray mount, or a fork mount.
1) nothing keeps the bikes from swinging. Wind resistance and uneven pavement will cause the bikes to swing in the mount, and rub on each other. ( killed a carbon fiber fork from rubbing on another bike, before I learned that)
2) nothing keeps the front wheel from flapping around, so you need to do something to secure that,
3) those rubber straps can and do fail. I had a Yakima rack with essentially the same closures, and almost lost a $5,000 bike on the interstate. Seeing the bike sailing in the wind, with only one strap still attached, on the interstate at 75mph is not a good feeling.
If you value your bikes, I would swing for something with a wheel tray mount, or a fork mount.
If you can spare the money, one-up racks look fantastic. https://www.1upusa.com/bicycleracks.html
Buy once, cry once. Don't bother with 1 & 1/4 inch hitch mounts either IMO.
08-26-15, 01:26 PM
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A little over your price range, but Kuat racks are great. I have been using one a lot this past year and they mount easily including a cam lock in the reciever so the rack doesn't sway. the bike rides in cups that hold the wheels. Really great racks
08-26-15, 01:35 PM
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08-26-15, 01:38 PM
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I got a Curt hitch mounted carrier for FIVE bikes. Options were pretty limited for 5-bikes but this one works great, and it actually fits five bikes. Price: under $200. A bargain.
CURT Premium Hitch Mounted Bike Rack #18065 - Canadian Hitches
Okay. it was under $200 when I bought it.
Still the issue with bikes swinging, but not really a problem with a few well-placed straps here and there.
CURT Premium Hitch Mounted Bike Rack #18065 - Canadian Hitches
Okay. it was under $200 when I bought it.
Still the issue with bikes swinging, but not really a problem with a few well-placed straps here and there.
08-26-15, 02:59 PM
#9
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I live in Texas, and do not want to pay international shipping and only have one road bike and looking to get a second.
Last edited by therh; 08-26-15 at 03:09 PM.
08-26-15, 03:05 PM
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Problem with the Allen Sport, and any rack that mounts like that are:
1) nothing keeps the bikes from swinging. Wind resistance and uneven pavement will cause the bikes to swing in the mount, and rub on each other. ( killed a carbon fiber fork from rubbing on another bike, before I learned that)
2) nothing keeps the front wheel from flapping around, so you need to do something to secure that,
3) those rubber straps can and do fail. I had a Yakima rack with essentially the same closures, and almost lost a $5,000 bike on the interstate. Seeing the bike sailing in the wind, with only one strap still attached, on the interstate at 75mph is not a good feeling.
If you value your bikes, I would swing for something with a wheel tray mount, or a fork mount.
1) nothing keeps the bikes from swinging. Wind resistance and uneven pavement will cause the bikes to swing in the mount, and rub on each other. ( killed a carbon fiber fork from rubbing on another bike, before I learned that)
2) nothing keeps the front wheel from flapping around, so you need to do something to secure that,
3) those rubber straps can and do fail. I had a Yakima rack with essentially the same closures, and almost lost a $5,000 bike on the interstate. Seeing the bike sailing in the wind, with only one strap still attached, on the interstate at 75mph is not a good feeling.
If you value your bikes, I would swing for something with a wheel tray mount, or a fork mount.
2. Fair point. This is actually really annoying, and is the one big reason you want to get a nicer rack.
3. Mine doesn't have rubber ones that "snap in", but I've seen those. My rack has nylon straps that you loop and pull. Haven't had an issue yet.
08-26-15, 03:09 PM
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^ All of this. I have a Yakima hitch mount rack and I always feel a little queasy strapping my bike down. It's so crowded when I put 4 bikes on it that it's actually difficult to get them all in place and subsequently they don't move much but...
If you can spare the money, one-up racks look fantastic. https://www.1upusa.com/bicycleracks.html
Buy once, cry once. Don't bother with 1 & 1/4 inch hitch mounts either IMO.
If you can spare the money, one-up racks look fantastic. https://www.1upusa.com/bicycleracks.html
Buy once, cry once. Don't bother with 1 & 1/4 inch hitch mounts either IMO.
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As I was ogling it, I soon found myself joined by another cyclist, and we were both admiring it.
08-26-15, 04:07 PM
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Problem with the Allen Sport, and any rack that mounts like that are:
1) nothing keeps the bikes from swinging. Wind resistance and uneven pavement will cause the bikes to swing in the mount, and rub on each other. ( killed a carbon fiber fork from rubbing on another bike, before I learned that)
2) nothing keeps the front wheel from flapping around, so you need to do something to secure that,
3) those rubber straps can and do fail. I had a Yakima rack with essentially the same closures, and almost lost a $5,000 bike on the interstate. Seeing the bike sailing in the wind, with only one strap still attached, on the interstate at 75mph is not a good feeling.
If you value your bikes, I would swing for something with a wheel tray mount, or a fork mount.
1) nothing keeps the bikes from swinging. Wind resistance and uneven pavement will cause the bikes to swing in the mount, and rub on each other. ( killed a carbon fiber fork from rubbing on another bike, before I learned that)
2) nothing keeps the front wheel from flapping around, so you need to do something to secure that,
3) those rubber straps can and do fail. I had a Yakima rack with essentially the same closures, and almost lost a $5,000 bike on the interstate. Seeing the bike sailing in the wind, with only one strap still attached, on the interstate at 75mph is not a good feeling.
If you value your bikes, I would swing for something with a wheel tray mount, or a fork mount.
The bottom bar, which is called something like an anti-sway bar, works fairly well. It's not perfect, but if you secure the wheels really tight, it does keep multi bikes from crashing into each other.
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Last edited by Nachoman; 08-26-15 at 04:10 PM.
08-26-15, 04:32 PM
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I have a Kuat NV, but if doing it again would probably get the 1Up rack. Both are top notch, but I like the design of the 1up better. One down side to older 1up racks was, a supposed, inability to lock the rack to the car since they do not use a conventional hitch pin. However, they now provide a means to secure to the rack.
While the Kuat has been great for me, the one thing that I don't like is that front wheel retaining mechanism. A friend broke one, but Kuat replaced it for him.
Both are probably outside your price range.
While the Kuat has been great for me, the one thing that I don't like is that front wheel retaining mechanism. A friend broke one, but Kuat replaced it for him.
Both are probably outside your price range.
08-27-15, 09:25 AM
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I love my Allen Sports Deluxe 3-bike. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001M4KXDM
They frequently have "sales" on this. I got mine for $65. My only complaint with it is that you need to bolt+nut it into the receiver ever time. However, it's very stable.
They frequently have "sales" on this. I got mine for $65. My only complaint with it is that you need to bolt+nut it into the receiver ever time. However, it's very stable.
I have to admit that the thing scares me a little. I do not like the straps even though I have had no incidents. I always secure my front wheel with a bungee cord to keep it from moving. I have to secure all the wheels if we transport more than 1 bike to keep them from moving and scratching the other bikes.
All in all, I find the platform style hitch mounts superior. The bikes are more secure and the do not touch each other. It holds different styles of bikes, which is critical. It also locks easy. I am not sure that I need to lock it to the car though. I would love to see the hulk that could lift that thing with multiple bikes locked on to it. Nashbar has similar one to the Transit but if my memory is correct, it does not lock the bikes. Either way, they are great products.
08-27-15, 01:24 PM
#16
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I bought a oneup a few months ago and have been totally satisfied with it. I bought just the 1 bike tray so while expensive it wasn't that expensive. It is a one time thing and I use it all the time so I thought I might as well do it right.
08-27-15, 03:17 PM
#17
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I have a 5 bike Allen rack I got from Amazon as well. Works great when travelling with 5 bikes as they don't swing at all. With just one bike it does swing a bit but I haven't had a problem with it. I'm not driving the SUV like a race car so it's not an issue for me.
08-27-15, 03:25 PM
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Put a short bungee cord from you water bottle cage, through the front wheel and back to the other side of the water bottle
cage and your front wheel will not swing. Also works like a parking brake when you pull it off the car and want to fill the tires, or get
your saddle bag ready for a ride.
cage and your front wheel will not swing. Also works like a parking brake when you pull it off the car and want to fill the tires, or get
your saddle bag ready for a ride.
