Jeffrey_VB
New member
Looking to get back into Mtn Biking this year. Anyone have any recommendations for a 4 bike, hitch mount, swing away carriers?
Bike Rack Recommendations
- Thread starter Jeffrey_VB
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
I have this one, and its done well for me. Hasn't rusted and I left it on through a majority of winter 2013. It's fairly cheap compared to the name brand racks.
Hollywood Racks HR8500
Hollywood Racks HR8500
olsen_karl
New member
I've had many bike racks, both roof and hitch mount.
The Thule T2 (and Yakima equivalent) are both fine, both priced about the same. I used to have a Thule T2, sold it. They get very heavy if you add on the 2-bike addition (for 4 bikes total). If you can get a deal on one vs. the other, go for it. The Yak version folds up a little more compactly.
The Kuat is built nicer than either the Thule or Yakima, but works about the same. I currently have a Kuat NV on a 1 1/4" hitch for my car. Costs a little more than the Thule/Yak.
Friend has a 1up, with 3 racks. Nice modular design (can use it set up for 1, 2, or 3 bikes by adding/removing trays), but bikes can move in that rack a lot more than I would be comfortable with offroad. Expensive.
I have a cheap Yakima Doubledown 4, which works fine, but doesn't really fit full-suspension mountain bikes well. (Holds bikes by top tube.)
I used to have a Softride 4-bike hitch rack (current version seems to be called the Dura). Pro: came with a ski rack attachment. Con: everything else -- heavy, ski rack sucked.
I used to have a Swagman XTC 4 on the back of a camper truck. Cheaper rack, but I intended to leave it on the back of the truck at all times, and did. Problem was that it didn't hold up to offroad use, and slowly bent. Swagman warrantied the bent parts, and I rebuilt it and sold it.
I also have a North Shore 4-bike rack (google them), which is stronger than any of the above. They also have a 6-bike version. This is easily my favorite of any of the racks I've had. Note: does not work with road bikes, because it holds bikes by the fork crown, and road forks just don't fit it. Requires a 2" receiver hitch. The NSR replaced the Swagman for the back of my camper truck, and has held up for 3 years now of offroad use -- no problems.
The Thule T2 (and Yakima equivalent) are both fine, both priced about the same. I used to have a Thule T2, sold it. They get very heavy if you add on the 2-bike addition (for 4 bikes total). If you can get a deal on one vs. the other, go for it. The Yak version folds up a little more compactly.
The Kuat is built nicer than either the Thule or Yakima, but works about the same. I currently have a Kuat NV on a 1 1/4" hitch for my car. Costs a little more than the Thule/Yak.
Friend has a 1up, with 3 racks. Nice modular design (can use it set up for 1, 2, or 3 bikes by adding/removing trays), but bikes can move in that rack a lot more than I would be comfortable with offroad. Expensive.
I have a cheap Yakima Doubledown 4, which works fine, but doesn't really fit full-suspension mountain bikes well. (Holds bikes by top tube.)
I used to have a Softride 4-bike hitch rack (current version seems to be called the Dura). Pro: came with a ski rack attachment. Con: everything else -- heavy, ski rack sucked.
I used to have a Swagman XTC 4 on the back of a camper truck. Cheaper rack, but I intended to leave it on the back of the truck at all times, and did. Problem was that it didn't hold up to offroad use, and slowly bent. Swagman warrantied the bent parts, and I rebuilt it and sold it.
I also have a North Shore 4-bike rack (google them), which is stronger than any of the above. They also have a 6-bike version. This is easily my favorite of any of the racks I've had. Note: does not work with road bikes, because it holds bikes by the fork crown, and road forks just don't fit it. Requires a 2" receiver hitch. The NSR replaced the Swagman for the back of my camper truck, and has held up for 3 years now of offroad use -- no problems.
Cause I just did this...
I just went through this too. I have experience with the Kuat and the 1UP. Friends have both so I was able to mess around with each one before making my decision.
First of all, get ready to spend some coin, as either of these and all quality racks will set you back.
Kuat - Great looking rack, easy to load bikes, built in repair stand (one model) and a very cool built in cable for locking bikes to rack - a big plus.
On the downside, it is SUPER heavy so a pain to take on and off. Also, the rack does not fold out of the way WHILE a bike is still on it...you have to remove bikes to open the hatch.
1UP - Also nice looking, but different. Bikes super easy to load/unload. No built in goodies, except ability to go from 4 bikes down to 2. Very secure fit to the vehicle with no rocking or movement. Bikes will sway a tiny bit, unless you lock them down tight on the rack - by pushing the wheel clamp harder.
You CAN lower the fully loaded rack out of the way to get in the back. The placement of the lever is a bit tricky, but it can be done.
I ended up going for a 2 bike 1up and am very pleased after the first month. I think either of these are the best quality and design. Thule and Yakima aren't bad, but don't offer enough cost savings to justify the lower quality (in my opinion)
Good luck!
I just went through this too. I have experience with the Kuat and the 1UP. Friends have both so I was able to mess around with each one before making my decision.
First of all, get ready to spend some coin, as either of these and all quality racks will set you back.
Kuat - Great looking rack, easy to load bikes, built in repair stand (one model) and a very cool built in cable for locking bikes to rack - a big plus.
On the downside, it is SUPER heavy so a pain to take on and off. Also, the rack does not fold out of the way WHILE a bike is still on it...you have to remove bikes to open the hatch.
1UP - Also nice looking, but different. Bikes super easy to load/unload. No built in goodies, except ability to go from 4 bikes down to 2. Very secure fit to the vehicle with no rocking or movement. Bikes will sway a tiny bit, unless you lock them down tight on the rack - by pushing the wheel clamp harder.
You CAN lower the fully loaded rack out of the way to get in the back. The placement of the lever is a bit tricky, but it can be done.
I ended up going for a 2 bike 1up and am very pleased after the first month. I think either of these are the best quality and design. Thule and Yakima aren't bad, but don't offer enough cost savings to justify the lower quality (in my opinion)
Good luck!
I have a Thule T2 but I only use it w/ 2 bikes. I can echo what others say about it being very sturdy (and heavy).
BTW, there's a 4th bike inside the back of the truck in this picture (both wheels removed, frame oriented upside down and up against the rear seat. So by adding one single roof tray the truck can carry 4 people + 4 bikes comfortably. I would feel a little uncomfortable about having 4 bikes on a Thule T2 (2 bike extension). That sticks off the back pretty far. Backing up in a parking lot would suck and you'd have to start worrying about scraping (lousy departure angle).
BTW, there's a 4th bike inside the back of the truck in this picture (both wheels removed, frame oriented upside down and up against the rear seat. So by adding one single roof tray the truck can carry 4 people + 4 bikes comfortably. I would feel a little uncomfortable about having 4 bikes on a Thule T2 (2 bike extension). That sticks off the back pretty far. Backing up in a parking lot would suck and you'd have to start worrying about scraping (lousy departure angle).
I bought the Thule T2 last year at REI with my 20% off coupon. Cost me $320. I'm quite pleased with it. As others have stated, it is pretty heavy but very stout. The main body frame is made out of 2" square x .19" thick tubing.
After installation, I did not like how when collapsed into a vertical position for storage, the rack was positioned about 8" away from the vehicle hatch and it stuck out a bit too far for my liking. I cut off 7" of the 2" square tubing that extends from the receiver and drilled a new hole for a new heavy duty stainless steel 5/8" hitch pin (the OEM Thule pin with lock is pretty cheesy in design). Now the collapsed rack sits about 1" away from the hatch. Also, when the rack is in the down position, I can still open up the hatch without interference.
After installation, I did not like how when collapsed into a vertical position for storage, the rack was positioned about 8" away from the vehicle hatch and it stuck out a bit too far for my liking. I cut off 7" of the 2" square tubing that extends from the receiver and drilled a new hole for a new heavy duty stainless steel 5/8" hitch pin (the OEM Thule pin with lock is pretty cheesy in design). Now the collapsed rack sits about 1" away from the hatch. Also, when the rack is in the down position, I can still open up the hatch without interference.
olsen_karl
New member
FWIW, the Kuat will tilt down with bikes attached to it. I don't know if it moves far enough such that bike handlebars will clear the hatch on the 4R.
Luckily for us 4th genners we can roll down the tailgate window so it's still possible to gain access to the cargo area even if bikes are mounted.. This shouldn't be a concern.
Trialsmaster2
New member
I am also running a North Shore Rack NSR 4-Bike rack for both our 4Runner and our Delica. Love this rack, including the fact that it can fold down with bikes attached. Easy and quick to load the bikes also. I highly recommend it!
I'll have to dig up some photos of it mounted on the 4Runner, but in the meantime, here are a few of it mounted to the Delica.
North Shore NSR 4-Bike rack webpage
I've got the Kuat NV Core and if I had to do it over again I would have gotten the 1up or the North Shore. The best thing I can say about Kuat is they have a great warranty, and you will definitely have to take advantage of that. You just send them a picture and they send you the part. The pivot in the rack gets loose pretty quickly and you'll find yourself tightening it with a socket all the time. It's pretty heavy and awkward to store. Also the built in security cable is absolute garbage. It's not even long enough to secure 1 bike properly let alone 2.
AusTex4x4Sport
Member
Bike Rack
A lot of folks in our local mountain bike club (and almost everyone in our National Mountain Bike Patrol group) have gone to the 1Up rack, and I'm thinking of one myself if I sell my Thule T2. The Thule 2" base rack (2 bikes) weighs over 60 lbs, and adding the extra 2 trays makes it close to 100 lbs and there aren't even bikes on it yet. The 1Up 2" rack weighs in at 48 lbs. The only downside of the 1Up of which I am aware is the 1Up has no built in locking mechanism to secure the bikes to the rack/vehicle, but they do have a unique locking bolt to mount the hitch and are so confident in it they will replace your rack (only) if it is ever stolen.
For our purposes, perhaps the best feature of the 1Up that, while the Thule T2 (and most others I have seen) base goes pretty much straight back from the vehicle, each bike on the 1Up is slightly higher than the one in front; so, for the 2 bike rig, the back point is 26" behind and 8.2" above the bottom of your hitch, and with the 4 bike setup, the back point is 45" behind and 13.6" above the bottom of your hitch. If you're offroad with your truck and bikes and concerned about approach and departure angles, it would seem the only way to go, but, as others have mentioned, they're pricey (like most quality stuff).
Here's the link: 1UPUSA.com :: Bicycle Racks
A lot of folks in our local mountain bike club (and almost everyone in our National Mountain Bike Patrol group) have gone to the 1Up rack, and I'm thinking of one myself if I sell my Thule T2. The Thule 2" base rack (2 bikes) weighs over 60 lbs, and adding the extra 2 trays makes it close to 100 lbs and there aren't even bikes on it yet. The 1Up 2" rack weighs in at 48 lbs. The only downside of the 1Up of which I am aware is the 1Up has no built in locking mechanism to secure the bikes to the rack/vehicle, but they do have a unique locking bolt to mount the hitch and are so confident in it they will replace your rack (only) if it is ever stolen.
For our purposes, perhaps the best feature of the 1Up that, while the Thule T2 (and most others I have seen) base goes pretty much straight back from the vehicle, each bike on the 1Up is slightly higher than the one in front; so, for the 2 bike rig, the back point is 26" behind and 8.2" above the bottom of your hitch, and with the 4 bike setup, the back point is 45" behind and 13.6" above the bottom of your hitch. If you're offroad with your truck and bikes and concerned about approach and departure angles, it would seem the only way to go, but, as others have mentioned, they're pricey (like most quality stuff).
Here's the link: 1UPUSA.com :: Bicycle Racks
olsen_karl
New member
Also, a comment on the Thule T2 and Sidearm (roof mount version) -- don't bother using the built-in lock on the ratcheting arm. It doesn't secure the bike to the rack at all -- if you were to deflate the tire, you could swivel the arm away, even with it "locked." Just use a cable lock.
AusTex4x4Sport
Member
Most locking racks are not foolproof. I lock the arm, but supplement my T2 "security" with a cable. Nothing will completely stop the dedicated and experienced thief, but anything that slows them down is good.
Trialsmaster2
New member
Dug up some photos of the North Shore rack on the 4Runner...
One thing with this style of rack is that the bikes stick out the same amount, whether you have 1 bike on there or 4.
When folded up, it's tall enough that you can see the "uprights" out the back window, to judge how far away you are from things!
One thing with this style of rack is that the bikes stick out the same amount, whether you have 1 bike on there or 4.
When folded up, it's tall enough that you can see the "uprights" out the back window, to judge how far away you are from things!
If you're open to a roof rack style rack and looking for a cheap one, there's one going for 45 bucks:
Yakima CopperHead Fork Mount Rooftop Bike Rack
Yakima CopperHead Fork Mount Rooftop Bike Rack
