bike racks

[galactic_04]

Well, I got a nice mountain bike finally and want a way to carry it outside the vehicle (mud). I'm looking at hitch mount carriers since they're easy to use and keep the bike off the paint more, but I have a few questions for those that have them. What's the big difference (stability and such) in a wheel holding one vs. one that just holds the top of the frame?

I'm wondering if there's anything wrong with one like this: Walmart.com: Deluxe 3 Bike Rack Carrier for 1 1/4" & 2" Hitch: Bikes & Riding Toys

It's a cheaper model, but should work for 3 (in case I expand the inventory).

 

[4Beast]

I have generally had sort of a policy about not trusting an $80 rack for my $3000 bike, but, I am now faced with the discomfort of having to use a frame toptube adapter for my yakima hitch (an older one) due to a non-traditional frame, so I guess I can't talk now. I still wouldn't get Walmart crap, i don't need the extra anxiety driving down the highway.
I think you sort of get what you pay for as far as security and ease of use. The "tray" carriers seem very secure and easier to use but are the most expensive. Some brands like Hollywood are probably the best combo of performance and price, and from what i can tell, Yakima is slightly cheaper than Thule, but barely. I also got the swing away model so i can open my rear hatch without taking the bikes off, which I imagine will be really appreciated if I am camping etc. naturally it's more expensive though:sniper:

 

[rmstucky]

Yeah, I totally agree with 4beast on this one. You get what you pay for! The issue i see with that Walmart rack for $80, there is nothing to stabilize the bikes to keep them from swinging back and forth on the rack itself. Take a look at the yakima or Thule racks, they might be a bit more $$, but are way more secure and have the extra connection points to hold the bike secure! If you don't want to spend that kinda a cash, find a less expensive one that has some sort of stabilizer that grabs 3 points on the Frame, or get a rack that holds the wheel.

 

[ryangab]

Agree. I bought a new bike and had to get a new rack for my runner. I wound up getting a Yakima 2 bike carrier and could not be more happy. I think I spent about $200 on it but the thing does not move at all when I am headed down the road or off road getting to some trails. The Yakima rack has a bolt that secures it to the hitch so I will not move. Plus you can buy locks that are made for the Yakima racks. I can also fold down with the bikes on if i need to get into the back of my truck. I would spend a little more than a Wal-Mart rack to carry your toys. I'm just sayn...

 

[borgzman]

Now, can someone post a link or model of a particular Thule or Yakima bike hitch rack model you have?

I agree we can talk about walmart crap all day, but we still need help which bike rack(brand and model) you have experienced with. So we can match up side by side with that Allen model(fr walmart) above. Thanks!

Here is a site i know..Hitch Bike Racks: Thule rear bike carrier, Roadway, Parkway and Revolver - Yakima BigHorn and Backswing hitch mounted 4 bike rack. they are not the best price online but I am still confuse which one works best for 4th gen 4R.

 

[michael90630]

I have the Yakima SwingDaddy bike rack which holds up to 4 bikes. I need the Yakima top-loader for my bikes. It's a very solid bike rack and I have driven thousands of miles with two bikes on this rack. It is especially convenient during camping as I don't have to off-load the bikes to get to my gear at the back of the truck.

My model is a few years old (purchased June/July 2007 from REI). However, it is heavy, mounting the bikes is a bit tedious with the straps and attachments etc. So unless you need the swing action, you can go with the other rack suggested by "Tony LT1". The newer Yakima model has better designed attachments, less protruding objects that get in the way when mounting the bikes and smoother surfaces and lower weight.

The bike-rack however is very solid and once it is bolted to the hitch and all the bikes are secured properly, does not swing or feel un-stable on long trips.

Never had any experience with Thule but seems very similar to Yakima. Maybe sometimes a bit more pricier. Their design seems also to be a bit more thought-out.

 

[borgzman]

Tony LT1 & michael90630,
Thank you!

galactic_04,
I'm tempted to buy that carrier too. But I will trust the advices of fellow members here in the forum than the reviewers at walmart. People there will give good reviews to a product with respect to the price.

 

[norcal2]

I have this rack, much lighter than the yakima and it has a lifetime warranty..I wore out my yakima similar to this, and since I ride a lot I use the service rack to work on my bikes when im out...this also expands to 4 bikes, I also have the yakima hanging bike rack and still use it on ocasion for my other vehicle..s
Kuat Racks

 

[JohnsD90]

What's bikes do guys ride? Second off, although I hate walmart, they aren't gonna sell a product that is
Goin to fail during normal use, i have my $1500 bike on on some crap rack and that generic rack held up great. But what I did is get the Thule roof rack with a fork mount carrier. Companies make racks that mount to the roof rails for like $70ish and the bikes are extremely stable, mine has been tested up too 110mph, and you don't feel it up there.

 

[norcal2]

What's bikes do guys ride? Second off, although I hate walmart, they aren't gonna sell a product that is
Goin to fail during normal use, i have my $1500 bike on on some crap rack and that generic rack held up great. But what I did is get the Thule roof rack with a fork mount carrier. Companies make racks that mount to the roof rails for like $70ish and the bikes are extremely stable, mine has been tested up too 110mph, and you don't feel it up there.

You dont feel it until you forget about it and drive under something low and wipe out your bikes..I did that once! I have a roof rack on my other car, not an SUV..

 

[4Beast]

Now, can someone post a link or model of a particular Thule or Yakima bike hitch rack model you have?

I agree we can talk about walmart crap all day, but we still need help which bike rack(brand and model) you have experienced with. So we can match up side by side with that Allen model(fr walmart) above. Thanks!

Here is a site i know..Hitch Bike Racks: Thule rear bike carrier, Roadway, Parkway and Revolver - Yakima BigHorn and Backswing hitch mounted 4 bike rack. they are not the best price online but I am still confuse which one works best for 4th gen 4R.

Yeah, i love this one:
Yakima StickUp 2 Bike Hitch Mounted Folding Rack w Wheel Mount Cradles for 1-1/4" & 2" Yakima Hitch Bike Racks Y02420
but this one would be nice too, i have the older version of it:
Yakima SwingDaddy 4 Bike Hitch Mounted Swing Away Rack w Frame Mount Cradles for 2" Hitch Yakima Hitch Bike Racks Y02422

Some of these say they won't fit 03-04 4runners, but that is usually because of the internal hitch piece being too long and hitting the spare. Nothing a little sawzall won't fix.
Also don't be afraid of considering a used one. you can often find a year or two old Parkway etc. for like $100, and they don't have a lot of moving parts that can be messed up. Many people think that they will use them a lot and then don't and get pissed having them on their truck all the time and sell them to clean out their garages. I'd check Craigslist too. I got mine for $100, cut the end, added a locking pin and cable lock and feel pretty good about the whole thing.

 

[galactic_04]

I ended up with the Gary Fisher Tarpon: Trek Bikes | Bikes | Mountain Hardtail | Tarpon

It seemed like a great starting point and it's upgradable for later. The tubing isn't TOO thick, so I think most racks nonw should accomodate it if I ddi a frame rack. I see some have a "sway device" but it's not shown in most pictures. The Yakima 2 bike frame rack seems to look nice if it will fit the bike's tubing but some just have an anti-sway cradle:
Yakima 2423 Double Down 2 bike fold down hitch mounted bike racks

or you can get this rack:
Thule #958 Parkway hitch mount bike racks and carriers.
with this anti-sway bar
Thule #950 Zip Stick stailizer bar and straps

And the last option is this rack: Thule #912 Roadway fold down hitch mounted bike racks.
with anti-sway cages... which I had to look up a video to figure out:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-900846623243785947#

BY the time you buy the anti-sway device, the bottom rack is just as cheap ($159) for the Thule:
Sport Rack A30901 2EZ hitch mounted bike racks
YouTube - Rack Outfitters Reviews the SportRack 2EZ and I think I like the design that much better that I'd rather have the bottom mount after seeing the videos. I'm not going to change out bikes enough to make it worth getting anything more than the SportRack 2EZ, so I think I'm going to go for that. The only thing I'm not too fond of is how it still sticks out when collapsed, but I think it'll still work great for my needs. Anyone see anything I may have overlooked about the rack design and such?

 

[JohnsD90]

You dont feel it until you forget about it and drive under something low and wipe out your bikes..I did that once! I have a roof rack on my other car, not an SUV..

I know many people forget they are up there, i just hope those people dont have CDL's, cause thats how trailers get wrecked on low bridges.

BTW, i run an 05 Specialized FSR XC Comp, almost everything is upgraded.

 

[mtnbiker]

I'm a big fan of the Thule T2 on the back and Thule Sidearms on the top. These racks are rock solid. The problem with "hanging" hitch mount racks is sway. The bikes bang into each other while going down uneven terrain. Fine if you have a Walmart POS but not fine if you have a nicer rig especially carbon fiber. The T2 folds down if you need to get into the back of your 4R and also comes with a hitch lock and each "arm" has a lock as well. No need to pull off your front wheels anymore. Pain in the rear for those of us with through axles.

I've used many racks over the years and the T2 is the burliest. Also the most expensive. ($419) There's a 2 bike add on available too.

The Sidearm is virtually the same design, just roof mounted. I've carried 5 bikes and 6 peolple with my 4R before (putting one small person and her small bike in the back).

These racks will also work with road bikes and kids bikes no matter the frame design.

 

[4Beast]

^^^that's a good look, befitting your username!
I used to have the High Rollers from Yakima on my roof, they are tops as far as roof mounts go, IMHO.
FWIW, I have an 06 Specialized Enduro Expert frame with most of the components upgraded (except the awesome Fox suspension). Good to see so many other bikers on here!

 

[tweak]

I have a Yakima Kingpin 2 and love it. There's a new model. Can't go wrong with Kakima.

 

[aika1]

My vote is for the Thule T2. I rock that on my 'runner and it's solid. My brother had one as well. Mine has transported my bike about 3,000 plus miles on it (I travel a lot for work and take my bike with me to ride with friends sometimes), and I've NEVER had an issue with it. It's solid, fast, easy, keeps your rig clean, and adjustable side to side for guys with big bikes (me). It's expensive, but you get what you pay for...
Either way, enjoy your ride!!!

 

[Uneek]

I'm using a Yakima Holdup 2. It works great, considering the non-traditional frame design on a '08 SJ FSR. Bike is in the rack solid and no shake or wobble, no bike to bike or contact with the paint.

 

[outdoorboy]

I have both yakima roof and hitch racks. My hitch rack is the hanging style. I went with it over a Rear Sled style for two reasons. First is the decrease in rear departure angle. The Sleds set a lot lower then when the bikes are on a hanging rack. So if you go up or down a steep hill you have to be careful not to drag the rack. Second was forgetting the rack was still on and backing into something. I can see the hanging rack from the rear window. If your bike can fit on a hanging hitch rack, go with it. They are great for working on your bike as well.

One point on the low cost racks. Only time to buy one is if your bike is LOW COST! They are just not worth it.

 

[triple7]

I second (third?) the Thule T2. It's a solid rack. Not much wiggle and the newer models have no problems with 29ers. They are pricey, though. Check out Craigslist - I picked up a practically new one for half of msrp.