Yakima Hookup or Thule (Sportworks) Bike Rack

[N8G]

I am hoping to get a bike rack for Christmas and I have narrowed down my search to a hitch mount. I am thinking of either the Thule - Sportworks Transport T2 or the Yakima Hookup which appears to be a copy of the Sportworks. They are priced within a few bucks of each other, so that isn't a deciding factor.

From searching the past threads about bike racks it sounds like everyone that has a Sportworks really likes it, but I was wondering if anyone has any experience with the Yakima Hookup?

Also, I am not sure which would fit better with a 2005 factory hitch. It sounds like some people with both types of racks had cut some off for the spare tire, and others didn't. Does anyone know if I would have to cut either of these racks?

And finally locking options. Both websites do a horrible job of explaining the locking options for these racks. They say there are parts availble, but don't describe how they would work. Do both or either have locking cores to lock the rack to the hitch, and then how do you lock the bike to the rack? I can just use a cable if that is what it takes, but would rather use a built in option if there is one.

Thanks!

 

[abin]

I don't have hookup. What I have is Yakima Kingpin5. I normally use it for no more than four bikes. Me, my GF, and another couple from my GF. If you are planning to have only two bikes to go with, it should not have clearance problem. Be sure to have 2" for minimum vibration.

 

[AlexJet]

They are both good. I never heard of anyone experience any problems with Thule or Yakima products, both are reliable makes.
I do personally like Yakima better then Thule due to its design. Choose whatever you prefer.

 

[kenwil]

Sportworks looks good so far...

Can't answer most of your questions, but I just put a Sportworks T2 on a 2005. Looks great, both road and MTB bike on are on solidly. No need to cut the rack, however the second 'anti-wobble bolt' on the top of the hitch bar will be of no use, as the receiver is too short to accomodate it (you'd probably have to see a T2 to understand what I'm talking about). I don't think this is a big deal- the rack feels very solid without it. I was also interested in the Yakima product, but couldn't find one anywhere near me to look at- the T2 seems like it will work as advertised, and already has many satisfied users. One other gripe- the installation instructions are very poorly written- fortunately it's not all that complicated. Good luck.

 

[Pirate VI]

They are both good. I never heard of anyone experience any problems with Thule or Yakima products, both are reliable makes.
I do personally like Yakima better then Thule due to its design. Choose whatever you prefer.

I agree and disagree. Pick it based on your preference on looks, however I love the look of the thule products. I have a thule roof rack on my rav, and love it, now I am thinking about the thule crossbars for the 4runner.

 

[abin]

I am hoping to get a bike rack for Christmas and I have narrowed down my search to a hitch mount. I am thinking of either the Thule - Sportworks Transport T2 or the Yakima Hookup which appears to be a copy of the Sportworks. They are priced within a few bucks of each other, so that isn't a deciding factor.

From searching the past threads about bike racks it sounds like everyone that has a Sportworks really likes it, but I was wondering if anyone has any experience with the Yakima Hookup?

Also, I am not sure which would fit better with a 2005 factory hitch. It sounds like some people with both types of racks had cut some off for the spare tire, and others didn't. Does anyone know if I would have to cut either of these racks?

And finally locking options. Both websites do a horrible job of explaining the locking options for these racks. They say there are parts availble, but don't describe how they would work. Do both or either have locking cores to lock the rack to the hitch, and then how do you lock the bike to the rack? I can just use a cable if that is what it takes, but would rather use a built in option if there is one.

Thanks!

Are you asking about "hookup" or "bike rack"? They are quite different.
My Yakima bike rack came with a screw to lock the rack secured by a hitch pin. There is no need to cut the rack to fit into my 4Runner.

 

[Pirate VI]

I think he is talking about the part that goes into the hitch reciever. I dont know about those racks but when i bought a drop hitch the first one didnt fit because it went too far back and hit the spare tire. the second one i had to put on then crank the tire up into the housing to make it fit.
I think hes talking about the actual part of the rack that goes into the hitch is so long it hits the spare tire.

hope that makes sense, i cant speak good either

 

[N8G]

According to Yakima's website they have a bike rack that looks almost identical to the Sportworks bike rack. It is called the Hookup.

And the part I was worried about fitting is the piece that goes into the hitch receiver. Some people said they had to trim this to make it fit with spare, but it sounds like the majority haven't had any problems.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[AlexJet]

According to Yakima's website they have a bike rack that looks almost identical to the Sportworks bike rack. It is called the Hookup.

And the part I was worried about fitting is the piece that goes into the hitch receiver. Some people said they had to trim this to make it fit with spare, but it sounds like the majority haven't had any problems.

Thanks for the replies.

That's exactly the one I like the most - Yakima Hookup. They both good, but I like Yakima for better look.

 

[speedbump]

My 2 cents may be to late, but here it is.

I got the Sportworks T2. From what I can tell they are almost identical functionally. The one reason I chose the Sportworks is that it can tilt down with the bikes mounted so that you can open the hatch and access the back without removing the bikes (as far as I know, the Yak doesn't have this feature. I saw the Yak at my LBS, they are both solidly built.

As far as locking, the Sportworks recommends using a cable lock and a locking hitch pin (this is what I have-attach the cable to the hitch pin so it locks the rack and bikes). I got the locking pin from Sportworks because it also has threads for the anti-wobble feature. (I think the Yak is the same--no place for lock cores.)

And again, no mods were necessary (though the previous comment about the vertical anti-wobble bolt applies. I stuck a coin in to eliminate vertical wobble).

 

[N8G]

Not to late Speedbump. I have decided to hold off until spring since it would just be sitting up in the garage rafters until then anyway. So thanks for the information. Does the coin instead of the vertical wobble bolt work?

I think I will take the extra time to see if can find both at the local bike dealers. I do like the idea of being able to tilt the Sportworks down to be able to open the rear hatch.

 

[rubberducky]

And again, no mods were necessary (though the previous comment about the vertical anti-wobble bolt applies. I stuck a coin in to eliminate vertical wobble).

I drilled an additional hole on the passenger side, further forward and the reciever hitch for more insertion length. This also allows me to use the anti-wobble mechanism. Holds quite well.