Hitch mounted bike rack...

[sigepbiker]

So many things wrong with your statement, but I'll let it go.

Keep in mind this rack wouldn't work for road bikes or any other bike that doesn't have ~2.00 tires and a wide front fork, usually to accommodate shocks.

 

[rocket67]

Thule 916xtr t2. Works great for me!

 

[characterzero]

So many things wrong with your statement, but I'll let it go.

Keep in mind this rack wouldn't work for road bikes or any other bike that doesn't have ~2.00 tires and a wide front fork, usually to accommodate shocks.

Not looking to get into a pissing match, ain't my game, hombre! I'm sorry to have not mentioned that the fork is mounted to the frame with the use of a headset and starnut. Other than that allowance, there is nothing wrong with my statement.

Frame-mount bike racks are the kind that hang bikes by the top tube or down tube - you know the type.


Bikes that fit the NSR-4 from my experience:
+My kids' Strider bikes (balance bikes),
+12" wheeled bikes and
+16" wheeled bikes
+26" wheeled mtn bikes

The kids bikes obviously don't have 2.0+ tires (not sure how tire width correlates with crown width, as most crowns go as wide as the front hub, which is pretty standard, suspension fork or not).


This rack isn't made for road bikes necessarily, and I don't own one so I cannot comment as to their usefullness, but sure, I could see how they might not fit since the fork crown is super narrow for aero reasons.

This works for me, which is why I bought it - I researched it for my needs and never claimed it would meet someone elses, so not sure where your beef is.

 

[smilycook]

I currently have the thule T2 rack and have been lusting after the Northshore rack for a long time. I am glad to see that the are finally shipping to the US! A couple of years ago you had to drive to Canada.

The thule T2 rack does struggle in the offroad environment. I brought my T2 on the whiterim trail when I had my Tacoma and lost a bike off of the back. The problem is that dusty roads will cause dirt to build up in the mechanism that holds the front wheel and eventually bumps will cause the arm to pop off and send the bike flying. Right now I make sure the rack is all cleaned out before a big adventure and hope to one day buy a northshore rack.

 

[rocket67]

I currently have the thule T2 rack and have been lusting after the Northshore rack for a long time. I am glad to see that the are finally shipping to the US! A couple of years ago you had to drive to Canada.

The thule T2 rack does struggle in the offroad environment. I brought my T2 on the whiterim trail when I had my Tacoma and lost a bike off of the back. The problem is that dusty roads will cause dirt to build up in the mechanism that holds the front wheel and eventually bumps will cause the arm to pop off and send the bike flying. Right now I make sure the rack is all cleaned out before a big adventure and hope to one day buy a northshore rack.

Uh oh. The reason I the the T2 is for camping long drives and offroad adventures with the bikes and kayaks. Just got it about a month ago. This is making me kinda worried now as we have about $8,000 worth of bikes on this thing. :wow2:

 

[rocket67]

Off-road use approved...check.
4 bikes at under $600...check
No wheel removal required...check
No frame contact...check

North Shore Racks

Any more pics of this .. mostly looking for a side shot to determine the clearance between the front wheel- rear spoiler of the 4runner

thanks

 

[characterzero]

Any more pics of this .. mostly looking for a side shot to determine the clearance between the front wheel- rear spoiler of the 4runner

thanks

Rocket, I can load up my bike in about an hour (after work...loading only takes 15 seconds). The clearance is 4-8" IIRC, but this all depends on your fork's axle to crown measurement, wheelsize, tiresize and rim profile (that dictates shape of the tire).

The rack has three variables in mounting to help accomodate for those variables.
1. setback adjust (p 2 of the manual) - has two sets of holes that dictate how far away from the hitch the mast is
2. angle of mast- there are 3 positions for the upright: 90* upright and two that are each a bit more obtuse. (figure 4 on p4 of the manual)
3. height adjust - moves mast up or down

Honestly, I've not played with it much, just mounted and ran with it - I've got it closest to the hitch on setback and running the most leaned back setting. I'm awaiting an email response from NSR about what is the optimal setup - if I can slide the setback out and run it closer to 90*, I'd imagine that is less stress, but they are the experts, not me.

I'll post up later.

 

[smilycook]

Uh oh. The reason I the the T2 is for camping long drives and offroad adventures with the bikes and kayaks. Just got it about a month ago. This is making me kinda worried now as we have about $8,000 worth of bikes on this thing. :wow2:

If it is any comfort the bike was still attached to the rack by the rear wheel so I was dragging it. Luckily no damage since I was only going 10mph. I don't trust roof racks either. I lost a bike offroading while it was in a yakima king cobra and I have had multiple wheels fly off using those old single wheel holders.

I did have a friend roll a 4runner and he squished the bikes on the roof, but the two bikes on the T2 on the back were fine. Plus my rack managed to destroy the front of a mini that ran into the back of me.

They do specifically say on thule's website the rack is not for offroading. Keep it clean is my advice or maybe it is just the dust around here.

An NSR 6 is in my future!

 

[rocket67]

Dammit .. NSR 2 or 4 looks like

 

[characterzero]

Alright, here's some info:
setback is 0 closest to bumper, as advised, 1 is 1.75" away from bumper
pin position 1 is ~90* and 3 is most obtuse

Keep in mind that measurements contingent on my bike include a big fork - that is axle-to-crown measurement of 568mm and a large 2.3 high volume tire on there.

setup 1: rack setback 0 and pin position 3
top crossbar measures 39" from center of spoiler
tire measures 8" from center of spoiler
rear hatch opens without bikes mounted

setup 2: rack setback 0 and pin position 2
top crossbar measures 29.5" from center of spoiler
tire measures -2" from center of spoiler (guestimate) - almost fits on the 1st and 4th positions

setup 3: rack setback 0 and pin position 1:
top crossbar measures 21.5" from center of spoiler
tire measures: n/a

setup 4: rack setback 1 and pin position 2

top crossbar measures 36.5" (iirc)
tire won't fit in the middle, due to spoiler, but at the 1st/4th position, as an inch or so clearance.

setup 5: rack setback 1 and pin position 3
top crossbar measures 41" (iirc)
tire measures : way back! You can probably extrapolate,



hope that helps!

 

[Quentin]

I currently have the thule T2 rack and have been lusting after the Northshore rack for a long time. I am glad to see that the are finally shipping to the US! A couple of years ago you had to drive to Canada.

The thule T2 rack does struggle in the offroad environment. I brought my T2 on the whiterim trail when I had my Tacoma and lost a bike off of the back. The problem is that dusty roads will cause dirt to build up in the mechanism that holds the front wheel and eventually bumps will cause the arm to pop off and send the bike flying. Right now I make sure the rack is all cleaned out before a big adventure and hope to one day buy a northshore rack.

Are you using lock cylinders on the T2? You can't even press the release lever in with the lock cylinders engaged on mine. It feels like the lock cylinder eats up all the clearance and there isn't a way for the arm to pop loose.

 

[Ivy Mike]

Note to self: If I'll be doing many miles on unpaved roads, put a rubber strap over the T2's front wheel hook.

I'm also putting reflective tape on the back and sides of the T2. Four bikes can block a lot of taillight.

 

[smilycook]

Are you using lock cylinders on the T2? You can't even press the release lever in with the lock cylinders engaged on mine. It feels like the lock cylinder eats up all the clearance and there isn't a way for the arm to pop loose.

I did have locks engage when I lost the bike. Roads can get pretty dusty here in the intermountain west, not sure there are too many places left in the lower 48 where you can drive 100+ miles on dusty dirt roads. Throw in bumps and washboards and bikes can go flying.

 

[rocket67]

Thanks for the additional pics (characterzero). Last question will be .. is this a noisy set up or does it have much free play? Looks solid enough. Thanks for your posts

Next thing I have to determine is will it have the clearance for my 2 kayaks on top along with bikes on the back.

 

[characterzero]

Thanks for the additional pics (characterzero). Last question will be .. is this a noisy set up or does it have much free play? Looks solid enough. Thanks for your posts

Next thing I have to determine is will it have the clearance for my 2 kayaks on top along with bikes on the back.

Glad to help!

Noisy? with the rack folded down, I think I get an occasional rattle from the cotter pins.

Free play is nil - this thing has the locking anti-rattle hitch pin.

Clearance? ...Hmmm...check the manual, I know it says the mast can go lower, I just setup as is.

I'll also mention that assembly was super easy - all but the hitch bolt are 19mm!

 

[rocket67]

thanks .. I might be sold on the NSR

 

[esto70]

Kuat NV

Those of you that have the kuat NV...I have a couple questions for you. I just bought an NV myself, but I haven't had a chance to use it. Here goes:

1. Does your NV fit well in the receiver? When I have mine installed so the hitch pin holes are lined up, the anti-wobble wedge sits about a half inch outside the receiver.

2. Do you ever just jam the rack in as far as it will go, tighten the anti-wobble, and roll without using the pin?

3. Do you have any difficulty getting the hitch pin (with sleeve) inserted through the hole? I think my holes are not perfectly aligned, and I can't get the pin inserted and locked with the sleeve on it.

Again, for the kuat nv only. Thanks for your reply!

Mike

 

[deekoi]

Those of you that have the kuat NV...I have a couple questions for you. I just bought an NV myself, but I haven't had a chance to use it. Here goes:

1. Does your NV fit well in the receiver? When I have mine installed so the hitch pin holes are lined up, the anti-wobble wedge sits about a half inch outside the receiver. Mine is the same, fits well.

2. Do you ever just jam the rack in as far as it will go, tighten the anti-wobble, and roll without using the pin? No, why would you want to? Personally I wouldn't be able to walk away from the truck if I did that, anyone can walk buy and steal it! You spent good money on that thing so I'd protect it!

3. Do you have any difficulty getting the hitch pin (with sleeve) inserted through the hole? I think my holes are not perfectly aligned, and I can't get the pin inserted and locked with the sleeve on it. Not completely sure what you mean but mine fits, the rack is a bit heavy so it's a bit challenging if you are doing it yourself but you can do it. I put mine on alone all the time and takes no more than a minute or two. After a couple practice tries you should be good.

Again, for the kuat nv only. Thanks for your reply!

Mike

I love my Kuat NV. I haven't had a problem and the kuat reps have always been really responsive and easy to work with. Answered a few of your questions in red.

 

[rocket67]

After almost loosing my gf's new bike on the hwy and the fact that I couldn't get the ratcheting arm to clamp down on the bikes front wheel today I went back to my dealer today and he was kind enough to refund me for my THULE 916XTR T2 and I ordered the NSR-2 at the same time.

I couldn't trust the the THULE. We take a lot of gravel roads to and from the cottage and other trail access roads and I would have to check the ratcheting arms too often.

also the lock cores you can buy for the arms proved to be useless as well. When in place and locked you could still manage to press hard enough to release the arms.

 

[characterzero]

After almost loosing my gf's new bike on the hwy and the fact that I couldn't get the ratcheting arm to clamp down on the bikes front wheel today I went back to my dealer today and he was kind enough to refund me for my THULE 916XTR T2 and I ordered the NSR-2 at the same time.

I couldn't trust the the THULE. We take a lot of gravel roads to and from the cottage and other trail access roads and I would have to check the ratcheting arms too often.

also the lock cores you can buy for the arms proved to be useless as well. When in place and locked you could still manage to press hard enough to release the arms.

Cool.

I just did a trip from Austin to Angelfire, NM (1400mi round trip) with the NSR-4 on the back of a buddy's Tundra. 4 Bikes, all of them heavy for DH/FR riding...ended up on a "not for travel" road that was not paved and not graveled in all spots. NSR won the admiration of my buddies, no sweat, no sway...