Hitch Mounted Bike Rack Question

[MTT77]

Kuat!

I looked at both the Kuat NV and the less expensive Kuat Core. Ended up going with the Core. First, I'm not going to be hauling four bikes around in my 4runner, so no need for the option to expand the rack. Second, I don't need a built in tuning stand. Third, the lock on the NV is easily cut; I'd rather lock the bikes with something more aggressive.

The construction is bomber. Thread-in hitch bolt keeps everything tight, all the parts are held together with big allen bolts (easy to tighten if they loosen up). It holds two 40lb+ DH bikes with no problems.

 

[axxman]

Here is my Yakima, looks like it is above the roofline but only because the seat is extended.

 

[j_shoe99]

Yakima Rack. My seat comes close to the roofline, but not above.

<a href="http://s138.photobucket.com/user/j_shoe99/media/20130609_142121_zps9df15640.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q242/j_shoe99/20130609_142121_zps9df15640.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20130609_142121_zps9df15640.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s138.photobucket.com/user/j_shoe99/media/20130609_142057_zps2dbd1c89.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q242/j_shoe99/20130609_142057_zps2dbd1c89.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20130609_142057_zps2dbd1c89.jpg"/></a>

 

[adam2562]

Yakima Rack. My seat comes close to the roofline, but not above.

<a href="http://s138.photobucket.com/user/j_shoe99/media/20130609_142121_zps9df15640.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q242/j_shoe99/20130609_142121_zps9df15640.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20130609_142121_zps9df15640.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s138.photobucket.com/user/j_shoe99/media/20130609_142057_zps2dbd1c89.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q242/j_shoe99/20130609_142057_zps2dbd1c89.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20130609_142057_zps2dbd1c89.jpg"/></a>

Where do you ride for tires like that? I kinda like the idea.. are they much heavier?

 

[mform]

Where do you ride for tires like that? I kinda like the idea.. are they much heavier?

Dig the fattie......

 

[bgibbs11]

Just a question that i may have answered myself..

Is there any benefit of buying a yakima/thule/whatever else higher end brand of hitch mounted bike racks vs a 50 dollar bell bike rack from walmart or something?

I recently purchased a hitch mounted bike rack and ultimately decided to go with the Thule Vertex. Got it on sale for around $200 and can say that while my rack and cheaper ones both serve the same purpose, I decided on Thule because I've heard good things about quality and warranty. Quality is definitely top notch as the rack is very solid, doesnt rattle or sway at all, and is extremely functional - tilts out of the way to open liftgate and folds up for storage very easily.

As for warranty, I stupidly left the anti sway adapters on the rack without the bikes during a camping trip and lost both of them. I contacted Thule to get replacement parts (about $50) and instead they sent me the parts overnight completely free of charge. I don't think I could ever get that kind of service from something I bought at Walmart.

 

[4RunnerBHappy]

Thule T2 XTR

If you're willing to shell out the money, I highly recommend the Thule T2 XTR.

916XTR T2 - Thule

I got mine from REI. After doing a ton of research, I consulted with my friend who is a triathlon junkie. He says these racks are tough as nails and are a great investment. Not sure if it's any testament, but he's the only close friend I have that has finished an Iron Man, and I'll definitely take him at his word on this rack recommendation. He helped me install it, and my wife loves it!

 

[j_shoe99]

Where do you ride for tires like that? I kinda like the idea.. are they much heavier?

I ride anywhere I want now!:bravo:

I bought mine mainly for riding in the SNOW during WI Winters.

<a href="http://s138.photobucket.com/user/j_shoe99/media/fatsnow_zps787ad7bb.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q242/j_shoe99/fatsnow_zps787ad7bb.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo fatsnow_zps787ad7bb.jpg"/></a>



But, I've done some BEACH riding too, along Lake Michigan...

<a href="http://s138.photobucket.com/user/j_shoe99/media/f26a2756-7640-4d50-82a2-9a6c0a0d7c93_zps766b8a85.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q242/j_shoe99/f26a2756-7640-4d50-82a2-9a6c0a0d7c93_zps766b8a85.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo f26a2756-7640-4d50-82a2-9a6c0a0d7c93_zps766b8a85.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s138.photobucket.com/user/j_shoe99/media/PC032539.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q242/j_shoe99/PC032539.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo PC032539.jpg"/></a>

Note this is not my race bike, as it weighs ~36 pounds or so. The ~5" wide tires are crazy heavy(4-5#), but can go thru anything.(or UP anything, like a snowy, slippery,muddy hill). It's a pretty fun bike...

 

[jrhaze]

Since there are a bunch of people here who seem to know what they're talking about when it comes to hitch mounted racks...

What rack would provide the most ground clearance? Pretty much the opposite of the OPs question (which has been appropriately answered it seems).

I have knocked my bikes off of my rack on more than one occasion because the bike is low enough/far enough back that the departure angle is severely compromised.

I know the roof is an option but I often have 4 bikes and other stuff on the roof.

Is there a rack out there that anyone is aware of that is designed with ground clearance in mind?

 

[adam2562]

If you look at mine.. I've never had an issue.. its a Thule.. they all have to hookup at the hitch and extend out a certain amount

 

[jrhaze]

If you look at mine.. I've never had an issue.. its a Thule.. they all have to hookup at the hitch and extend out a certain amount

I know what you mean, if you look at mine maybe you'll see what I mean.

If the rack were significantly taller the lowest point (when transitioning from flat to climb) could be the bracket that extends from the hitch rather than the back wheel of the bike...

Not sure how much improvement in departure angle this would even buy me...but at a glance it seems like it could be significant.

 

[adam2562]

I know what you mean, if you look at mine maybe you'll see what I mean.

If the rack were significantly taller the lowest point (when transitioning from flat to climb) could be the bracket that extends from the hitch rather than the back wheel of the bike...

Not sure how much improvement in departure angle this would even buy me...but at a glance it seems like it could be significant.

It looks like its roughly the same clearance as mine

 

[jrhaze]

It looks like its roughly the same clearance as mine

Agreed...

To reiterate, I'm wondering if there is anything out there with MORE clearance...more than both yours and mine...