KTaylor

My wife and I just bought trek ds hybrid bikes. I bought a bike rack that goes in the hitch receiver of my truck. After loading the bikes on it once, I don't like it. What type/brand of bike rack do y'all like for your hybrids? Or do y'all use the kind where you put it in the bed of a truck with the front wheel off? I have an F150 super crew. 5.5 foot bed Thanks!

jase33

I have used THIS one for about six years with no issues. Even drove from Florida to Nevada once with it. Have used it with mountain and comfort bikes and now with DS4 and Neko 2.

jtaylor2

I just lay it on its non-drive side in the bed on an old piece of carpet. Slides in under the tonneau cover. I have a Silverado extended cab with an 8 foot bed (which they don't make anymore) so for one I don't have to take the wheel off, but if I'm taking my wife's too I have to take the front wheel off one of them.

Jim

hokiefyd 

This is my setup:



I have a fork mount beam at the front of the bed to which I can attach two bikes. They stay in the bed, and I have a Swagman XC Cross Country rack for the hitch. I'm satisified with the Swagman rack. It doesn't feel as bomb-proof as something like a $500 Thule would, but it also didn't cost $500. I think it runs something like $150-175 on Amazon.

With the hitch rack and the fork mount beam, I can carry all four bikes for family bike rides. The Ridgeline has a five foot bed, and all but one of our bikes will fit in the bed with the 'gate closed. The large blue bike on the hitch rack in that photo is just barely too long to fit with the 'gate closed, but I do carry it in the bed with the 'gate down. By sheer dumb luck, I can lower the 'gate with the hitch rack installed, so I can actually carry three long bikes (two in the bed with the 'gate down and one in the aft position on the rack).

ad18

I have a Swagman XC2 hitch mount similar to the above hokiefyd picture. Works good for me on my GMC Sierra. Very stable up and down over bumps, but does sway a wee bit side to side on corners. Nothing serious though.

brianmcg123

I use a long 2x4 with a quick release mount. I store it in my tool box when not in use. That and a strap over the top tube and its secure.

finch204

IMO, tow hitch platform bike racks are the best option if your vehicle allows it. It has minimal effect on your vehicle's fuel mileage, avoids damage to your bikes from road debris/avoids bug splatters, it is very easy to load a bike unto the bike rack and you don't have to take the front wheels off. We use a 1UpUsa bike rack on our Mazda CX-5. I have no complaints about it, other than the fact that it is a little heavy.

Swampledge

What is it about the rack you have that you dislike? I got tired of lifting an securing my bike in the bed of my F250 and so purchased a hitch receiver rack that fits my needs adequately. It "wobbles" in the receiver tube, but is secure and the bike doesn't mind.

Jerry

prj71

Some of the newer bike racks don't have wobble. They have a wedge that tightens in the receiver. Such as the Thule XT or Yakima Dr. Tray

hokiefyd 

The Swagman XC racks have a bolt that goes through the receiver instead of the standard clevis pin. This requires you to bring a ratchet or wrench with you if you want to remove the rack on your trip, but it REALLY fixes it to the vehicle and eliminates any wiggle.

prj71

That's why I didn't buy that style.

I have the Thule XT shown in the video above. Spring loaded hitch pin is built in plus the wedge tightens it in the receiver.

I like the 1up racks also, but they are priced way too high for what they are. They act like their racks are made of gold. 2 bike rack from 1up is $530...They are nuts!!! Got my Thule XT for $400 on sale minus my active junkie discount.

finch204

I believe the main reason they are pricey is because they made in the USA. They also have some pretty cool features, like their modular design. You can add and remove platforms depending on how many bikes you will be transporting. They are almost impossible to steal without damaging it or the vehicle. (The only other people that can steal your 1UpUsa bike rack, are other 1UpUsa bike rack owners.) It also folds nicely and it takes little space in the garage. I have it resting on the wall alongside a car and I can still walk between both easily. This is actually the main reason we got one since we have limited garage space.

I do agree that it is pricey and if you're on a budget, there are some cheaper options out there that will work just as well.

sh00k

racking equip is generally pretty expensive. another option is to know what will fit your car/hitch and look at craigslist. you will find dirt cheap mounts/cargo boxes/hitch accessories on there.

as for me, i can carry 2 bikes in my trunk but i have to take all 4 wheels off which is not a problem at all. but i very very rarely travel with my bikes. actually, i've only done it once

Wanderer

I can't believe that nobody said the obvious????

Ride 'em!

KTaylor

Thanks everyone! After weighing the pros and cons, I decided to go ahead and get a "Kuat transfer 3" bike rack that goes in my hitch receiver. I have used it three times so far and love it!

hokiefyd 

Nice rack (said on the only internet forum where that's PC to say)!

Pompiere

I have a nashbar Shadow rack with a bolt and I just bought a cheap ratchet wrench at a flea market to keep with the rack.

For hybrids and mountain bikes, any rack with wheel trays is a whole lot easier to use than the older hang-by-the-frame style. Mine has knobs to adjust the size, but the more expensive models have nicer ratchets that just click into place.

Next easiest is the fork mounts, where you take off the front wheel. They can be mounted in the truck bed, on a board, and I know one guy that has a pair mounted to the roll bar on his VW convertible. The rear tire rests on the folded top, the front wheels go in the back seat.

Laurido92

Ride them!!!

Just kidding. I use a Saris Freedom Superclamp 2 Bike and it's the easiest rack I've ever used. Plus it lock at the wheels so the rack NEVER touches the frame.

tomba

I use the hitch mounted Hollywood Racks sport rider 4. Can be configured to transport 2 or 4 bikes (including my Trek DS4), or the sport rider 2 is available if you only need 2 bikes.
It has a nice hitch snugging mechanism that eliminates any wobble. The bikes are all totally secure and it comes with a locking hitch pin and common keyed 8 foot cable lock for quick stops. A bit pricey, but it's worth the peace of mind and is easy to setup and use. Love it.

rumrunn6

what didn't you like about the old one? what do you like about the new one?

chong67

Did you know uhaul install hitch? Not expensive at all.

rumrunn6

that's where I had mine done only took 45 min

jbw57

Congrats on the new bikes and new rack..... We use a Thule Helium Aero 3 hitch rack......with two Hybrids to carry I initially bought the Helium Aero 2 but the bikes ended up to close to one another and would just get dinged up, so i swapped it for the Helium Aero 3......plenty of room, super light weight, easy to take on/off and tilts down out of the way to get in the back of the SUV or truck. This filled the bill and worked out perfect for our needs.