What is your favorite 4-bike hitch rack?
05-03-20, 12:14 PM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
What is your favorite 4-bike hitch rack?
We are looking to buy a bike rack. Would love to know what brands and styles you suggest. Thanks!
05-03-20, 12:26 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 6,319
Bikes: 2012 Salsa Casseroll, 2009 Kona Blast
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1031 Post(s)
Liked 208 Times
in
146 Posts
I am currently looking for a 2 bike hitch rack as I bought a car last fall that has a trailer hitch.
05-03-20, 02:02 PM
#4
Member
Thread Starter
05-03-20, 05:09 PM
#5
Senior Member
I love the 1Up USA, or it's "spin-off", Quik-Rack, but be prepared to pay an arm and a leg.
Likes For Dirt Farmer:
05-03-20, 05:37 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,926
Bikes: Colnago, Van Dessel, Factor, Cervelo, Ritchey
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3933 Post(s)
Liked 7,254 Times
in
2,934 Posts
I've got a Yakima FullSwing 4-bike hitch rack. It's well made, however, there is no way I can get more than 3 road bikes on it.
Likes For tomato coupe:
05-03-20, 09:45 PM
#7
Member
Thread Starter
05-03-20, 09:46 PM
#8
Member
Thread Starter
05-04-20, 05:41 AM
#9
Junior Member
+1 for Thule. We have the Thule Apex Swing 4 bike rack for 2 inch hitch, https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Bike-.../TH9027XT.html. Looks great on back of my CRV. Hauled our bikes from panhandle FL to gulf coast MS then back.
Likes For delacrue96:
05-04-20, 05:49 AM
#10
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 11
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
You really just need to assess what all is important to you. Do you like racks that grip the wheels or frame? There are pros and cons to both.
I personally went with a thule apex swing rack (that swings out of the way when you need to access the rear hatch). There are so many great features on it that I really appreciate. The hitch has a tightening feature that puts it snug in the receiver so it doesn't bounce around and it also prevents theft of the rack because there is a key that prevents it from being loosened. The straps have large holes making it easy to keep things snug. The integrated bike lock provides a small deterrent for someone to not to steal them. It also keeps a peace of mind going down the highway that if the straps break, the bikes won't fall off.
I personally went with a thule apex swing rack (that swings out of the way when you need to access the rear hatch). There are so many great features on it that I really appreciate. The hitch has a tightening feature that puts it snug in the receiver so it doesn't bounce around and it also prevents theft of the rack because there is a key that prevents it from being loosened. The straps have large holes making it easy to keep things snug. The integrated bike lock provides a small deterrent for someone to not to steal them. It also keeps a peace of mind going down the highway that if the straps break, the bikes won't fall off.
Likes For jharmon203:
Likes For tburke:
05-04-20, 07:55 AM
#12
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 143
Bikes: Trek Domane SL5
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 25 Post(s)
Liked 41 Times
in
28 Posts
I have a Kuat 2bike rack I am very pleased with. They also make 4bike racks.
etrailer.com is a good place to shop and compare racks with lots of user reviews.
etrailer.com is a good place to shop and compare racks with lots of user reviews.
Likes For Fendertele:
05-04-20, 07:45 PM
#13
Member
Thread Starter
+1 for Thule. We have the Thule Apex Swing 4 bike rack for 2 inch hitch, https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Bike-.../TH9027XT.html. Looks great on back of my CRV. Hauled our bikes from panhandle FL to gulf coast MS then back.
05-04-20, 07:47 PM
#14
Member
Thread Starter
You really just need to assess what all is important to you. Do you like racks that grip the wheels or frame? There are pros and cons to both.
I personally went with a thule apex swing rack (that swings out of the way when you need to access the rear hatch). There are so many great features on it that I really appreciate. The hitch has a tightening feature that puts it snug in the receiver so it doesn't bounce around and it also prevents theft of the rack because there is a key that prevents it from being loosened. The straps have large holes making it easy to keep things snug. The integrated bike lock provides a small deterrent for someone to not to steal them. It also keeps a peace of mind going down the highway that if the straps break, the bikes won't fall off.
I personally went with a thule apex swing rack (that swings out of the way when you need to access the rear hatch). There are so many great features on it that I really appreciate. The hitch has a tightening feature that puts it snug in the receiver so it doesn't bounce around and it also prevents theft of the rack because there is a key that prevents it from being loosened. The straps have large holes making it easy to keep things snug. The integrated bike lock provides a small deterrent for someone to not to steal them. It also keeps a peace of mind going down the highway that if the straps break, the bikes won't fall off.
05-04-20, 09:19 PM
#15
Clark W. Griswold
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 13,442
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4322 Post(s)
Liked 3,943 Times
in
2,636 Posts
Küat NV 2.0 with add on. That is what I would go for if I was carrying 4 bikes. It has a work stand on it so you can work on a bike trailside if need be and can fold up or down as needed (though with 4 bikes it may not clear so the Pivot swing attachment would be handy) and really holds bike quite securely. It also looks really nice and is quite well made. It may not be a cheap rack but it isn't a cheap rack it is well thought out and nicely designed. Their website is also quite neat not that, that should influence decision but
Thule also makes great racks and if I was only doing a 2 bike rack the EasyFold XT would probably be the one I would pick. They make a 3 bike version in EuroDisney but they refuse to ship it to the U.S. and our distributor won't get it either. It is a perfect rack for our customers and is pretty compact. The EasyFold has a ramp so you can wheel bikes up instead of lifting and folds and wheels around the garage when you don't need it and putting on a second bike is a breeze because you can take off the second arm and reattach after the first bike is on.
Saris Cycling Group makes some good products but their hitch racks aren't on my list but they do have a great warranty and really do support their products so it is not a terrible buy just not a great rack.
I know Yakima made some really neat roof racks as I sold those for a couple years but not as many hitch racks. Their Hang-Over rack is pretty neat for MTB riders because you can carry 6 bikes.
I would basically avoid any of the cheap stuff, having dealt with enough of it I can say it is more faff than fun and really doesn't save you anything. All-en I wish I had bought a better rack because this one doesn't Schwinn and you won't want it to ring your Bell.
Thule also makes great racks and if I was only doing a 2 bike rack the EasyFold XT would probably be the one I would pick. They make a 3 bike version in EuroDisney but they refuse to ship it to the U.S. and our distributor won't get it either. It is a perfect rack for our customers and is pretty compact. The EasyFold has a ramp so you can wheel bikes up instead of lifting and folds and wheels around the garage when you don't need it and putting on a second bike is a breeze because you can take off the second arm and reattach after the first bike is on.
Saris Cycling Group makes some good products but their hitch racks aren't on my list but they do have a great warranty and really do support their products so it is not a terrible buy just not a great rack.
I know Yakima made some really neat roof racks as I sold those for a couple years but not as many hitch racks. Their Hang-Over rack is pretty neat for MTB riders because you can carry 6 bikes.
I would basically avoid any of the cheap stuff, having dealt with enough of it I can say it is more faff than fun and really doesn't save you anything. All-en I wish I had bought a better rack because this one doesn't Schwinn and you won't want it to ring your Bell.
Likes For veganbikes:
05-05-20, 04:19 AM
#16
Member
Thread Starter
Küat NV 2.0 with add on. That is what I would go for if I was carrying 4 bikes. It has a work stand on it so you can work on a bike trailside if need be and can fold up or down as needed (though with 4 bikes it may not clear so the Pivot swing attachment would be handy) and really holds bike quite securely. It also looks really nice and is quite well made. It may not be a cheap rack but it isn't a cheap rack it is well thought out and nicely designed. Their website is also quite neat not that, that should influence decision but
Thule also makes great racks and if I was only doing a 2 bike rack the EasyFold XT would probably be the one I would pick. They make a 3 bike version in EuroDisney but they refuse to ship it to the U.S. and our distributor won't get it either. It is a perfect rack for our customers and is pretty compact. The EasyFold has a ramp so you can wheel bikes up instead of lifting and folds and wheels around the garage when you don't need it and putting on a second bike is a breeze because you can take off the second arm and reattach after the first bike is on.
Saris Cycling Group makes some good products but their hitch racks aren't on my list but they do have a great warranty and really do support their products so it is not a terrible buy just not a great rack.
I know Yakima made some really neat roof racks as I sold those for a couple years but not as many hitch racks. Their Hang-Over rack is pretty neat for MTB riders because you can carry 6 bikes.
I would basically avoid any of the cheap stuff, having dealt with enough of it I can say it is more faff than fun and really doesn't save you anything. All-en I wish I had bought a better rack because this one doesn't Schwinn and you won't want it to ring your Bell.
Thule also makes great racks and if I was only doing a 2 bike rack the EasyFold XT would probably be the one I would pick. They make a 3 bike version in EuroDisney but they refuse to ship it to the U.S. and our distributor won't get it either. It is a perfect rack for our customers and is pretty compact. The EasyFold has a ramp so you can wheel bikes up instead of lifting and folds and wheels around the garage when you don't need it and putting on a second bike is a breeze because you can take off the second arm and reattach after the first bike is on.
Saris Cycling Group makes some good products but their hitch racks aren't on my list but they do have a great warranty and really do support their products so it is not a terrible buy just not a great rack.
I know Yakima made some really neat roof racks as I sold those for a couple years but not as many hitch racks. Their Hang-Over rack is pretty neat for MTB riders because you can carry 6 bikes.
I would basically avoid any of the cheap stuff, having dealt with enough of it I can say it is more faff than fun and really doesn't save you anything. All-en I wish I had bought a better rack because this one doesn't Schwinn and you won't want it to ring your Bell.
05-05-20, 05:50 AM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,545
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5222 Post(s)
Liked 3,574 Times
in
2,338 Posts
be sure your car's hitch is at leat a class II before loading 4 bikes
I have a Swagman Titan 4 Folding Hitch Bike Rack
I removed all the rubber blocks for bike spacing. I nestle all the bikes into each other & use foam insulation peices for padding & protection. I use 3 stability straps to elimate movement
do I recommend it? I don't know. I bought it & continue I use it. it's not perfect but I can't fathom a tray style that sticks out 4 feet behind my car. w/ 4 bike nestled into ea other I can try my car & park it almost everywhere
I have a Swagman Titan 4 Folding Hitch Bike Rack
I removed all the rubber blocks for bike spacing. I nestle all the bikes into each other & use foam insulation peices for padding & protection. I use 3 stability straps to elimate movement
do I recommend it? I don't know. I bought it & continue I use it. it's not perfect but I can't fathom a tray style that sticks out 4 feet behind my car. w/ 4 bike nestled into ea other I can try my car & park it almost everywhere
05-06-20, 07:46 PM
#18
Clark W. Griswold
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 13,442
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4322 Post(s)
Liked 3,943 Times
in
2,636 Posts
