The racks that hold the bike by the frame one isn't an option for certain bikes. I heard carbon fiber frames should not be transported that way. For bikes, especially full suspension bikes without a traditional style frames, it would require an adapter in order to transport the bike. Too much hassle to load and unload the bike for before and after riding.

The tray style works perfectly for me. The rack makes no contact with the frame to damage the bike's finish and the bike is in there solid, no wobble whatsoever.

here's the Yakima DoubleDown Hitch Rack that doubles as a ski/snowboard carrier, shown below. it works great for transporting my mountain bikes, too!

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Here is a thread with loads of photos and discussion.

Roof Rack and Hitch Setups HERE!

I'm very happy with my Thule T2 setup. It is great with all my bikes: FS 26" mtb, HT 29" mtb, 700c road bike, 700c cross bike, and 700c hybrid. It is super sturdy in the receiver and it can pivot to give access to the tailgate. I think one capable of 4 bikes, though, would be way too long for my comfort level. I have some Thule crossbars on the roof for canoes and I can attach my old mtb trays up there if I need more than 2 bikes.

Uploaded a picture of my custom/converted bike rack.

It is a bed-extender that I bought at Harbor Freight for around $25 couple years back. The web lists that particular rack at $70 now.. Truck Bed Extender

I used a performance bike brand fork mount. Note that it is offset to the left, as it doesn't fit on the bar width, but that's also on purpose so my mountainbike's brake caliper will fit/sit to the side of the bar, so it worked out great. The back has a cut/painted PVC pipe.. I just cut down the L extension and then drilled it, not much to it. Rated at 350lbs!

Yakima Double Down has been treating me well for the last year. It won't break the bank either.





That red knob at the base of the rack in the second picture lets you lay it back so that you can open the gate without removing bikes. There is also a cable lock that sits inside the rack that you can lock the bikes with.

Dude! Look at the Softride Dura.

It is a great system. Rolds up to 4 bikes on the hitch mounted system. It pivots so you can get into the back/ fully open the liftgate without taking the bikes off the rack OR them ever touching the ground. It has an internal cable so the bikes lock to it, and a hitch lock. (these are usually additional costs) I got mine on amazon for $250, and it is well worth it.

This picture really doen't show how beefy it is, but you may be able to see the pivot points; although, it probably would be best to just go to their website.



I rode around with it on my gen 4 without taking it off once for over a year and a half. No rattle, no problem. I love the thing and plan on posting a write up on it in the near future with a bunch of pics.

here is their site
Softride, Inc. || Hitch mounted bike rack || Dura 4 Bike Rack
(I'm not associated with them, just like quality products)

I have been using Yakima double down 4 (holds up to 4 bikes) for almost a year now. It is very stable.
One advantage of the double down style mounting is that I can manage to put my two kids bikes on it.
I do not think I can do that on those type that holds the bike wheels from bottom. Those type are most easy to load and unload. But I think it hold one bike on on slot. But double down can hold bikes on the two parallel bars in various ways to allow me put kids bike on.

thanks for the pics all!

yup, i was also thinking what would be better for kids bikes in my near future...

Thanks! I'd be interested in looking into this one, Kuat looks great but a bit out of price range to hold 4 bikes! $500 + $350 to hold 4 bikes?! yikes! But looks solid.

This one looks to be more in price range. Can you post some pictures with the bikes on? is there much contact with pedals?

Thanks!

Looks like I'm gonna have to bump up my write up and pictures and such.
If I don't do it in the next few days, I'll do it this weekend.

In the mean time amazon has a few pics

Amazon.com: Softride Access Dura 4-Bike Hitch Rack: Automotive

As for pedals and such, I usually bungee them so they don't do much moving. I just figure it's good practice.

the softride looks great...it was a toss up between that and the thule 915XT roadway (5 bike). i went with the thule though...bicyle_outlet had them on sale for $228 shipped on their ebay store.

thanks for the help all. i will try to post some pics as soon as i can find another free web hosting site.

just wanted to see if you were able to do a write up on this product. I am in the market for one and am torn between the yakima doubledown, hollywood Amazon.com: Hollywood Racks HR8000 Traveler 4-Bike Hitch Mount Rack (2-Inch Receiver): Sports & Outdoors, OR thule doubletrack Amazon.com: Thule Doubletrack 2 Bike Hitch Carrier with STL2 Lock: Sports & Outdoors.

I snapped some pics of the Kuat sherpa on my 4runner with two 30+ lb. Trail bikes on it. It been an awesome rack so far.

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I have the Kuat NV2 with the additional 2. Yup... I spent the $$$ but it's worth it. The 2 addition was actually a gift. This bike rack is awesome. You can load or unload a bike in less than a minute. Often times about 30 seconds a bike. Very very quick and easy. It's stable and secure. Clarence from the ground is very high so you won't have to worry about it too much on the dips or driveways.


Clearance


Folded up. Buddy's 4th gen behind me


W/ 4 bikes

Hitch racks, Sport Rider, 4 bike capacity bike racks, bicycle carriers - Hollywood Racks