I’m having a hitch installed on my Jeep this weekend and need recommendations for a bike rack. A 4 bike model would be nice but 2 would fit 90% of the time. Any suggestions?
I have a 3 bike Saris Thelma. My friend has the 1up and it is nice. I prefer a rack that holds by the wheels instead of the frame.
I’ve got the Allen Sports deluxe 3 bike hitch rack. They also make a 2 and 4 bike hitch rack. Excellent quality and functionality. You can even lower the bikes without removing them to get to your trunk if you need to. You have to use a ratchet or wrench to mount the rack into the hitch receiver (threaded hitch pin), but it’s very stable. I also taped some closed cell foam around the vertical post to protect my bike’s down tube from rubbing up against the rack. Use a short bungee cord wrapped through the front wheel and around the down tube to prevent the front wheel from spinning while driving.
Avoid racks that support the bike by the tires. I’ve had one and they are a total PITA to adjust, and I’ve had a bike fall out of one. I sold it after only a few months.
Kuat NV…best rack i’ve owned.
Kuat NV…is there any other?
Soft Ride Dura 4. Best rack for my money.
I’m having a hitch installed on my Jeep this weekend and need recommendations for a bike rack. A 4 bike model would be nice but 2 would fit 90% of the time. Any suggestions?
I have a Yakima Swingdaddy, 4 bikes. It works great. It’s tricky to mount on the Jeep (I have a 4-door Wrangler). I had to get one of these:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004I63YTQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
And two of these to tighten it all down:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001CMUV4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
And then it worked like magic (you can swing it open and fully open the rear door with 4 bikes on the rack!).
-Eric
Kuat NV…best rack i’ve owned.
I love ours. Easy to use & easy to move around & still have access to the trunk.
I love my Thule T2 916xtr on my Jeep. Seems similar to the Kuat. Thule makes a 2-bike add-on to it but I’ve never seen it in person so can’t comment.
Had the Thule and loved it.
Switched to the NV, no comparison. The NV is quiet and stable. Looks awesome and is actually lighter though it looks like a beast. They also have the ability to add on for two more bikes on the 2" version.
Only downside I have found is that the integrated cable lock could stand to be longer when transporting two bikes. It works, would just be better if you could grab more wheel and frame both.
Also, if you’re using a deep wheel in the back you’ll need to use an additional strap. They sell an extender ratchet strap, but it is not very functional and I believe they’re working on a new one. Like others have suggested I use toe straps from old school pedal cages. Works perfectly.
ihave a swingman. 2 bikes and can be extended to 4. easy to use and secure
lots of long trips with it.
Had the Thule and loved it.
Switched to the NV, no comparison. The NV is quiet and stable
Out of curiosity, why did you prefer the NV to the Thule? Did you find the T2 to be loud and/or unstable?
To me, the Thule bounced around a lot and made noise. Though it has a threaded locking hitch pin it still moves. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great rack and it served me well.
The NV has a ball mechanism that tightens inside the hitch so it doesn’t move.
And even though I was skeptical about how much I’d use it, the built in repair stand comes in handy.
Have had a Thule T2 for a little over a year and it is already heavily sun faded and rust on the clamps. I should be a better owner (don’t have a garage), but disappointed that it hasn’t proved to be more weather proof.
1up racks
.
Thule T2. Versatile enough to carry everything from 29ers to kids’ bikes to cruisers to rigs with fenders. It comes as a 2 bike mount but the 2 bike extension can be added for the big family vacation then removed when you get home and just have yours. It’s really massive with 4 bikes. It’s also nice because all the pieces can be replaced if damaged, not that I’ve ever backed into the edge of the garage or anything like that. But the Yakima Hold-up is all welded together so if you bend a tray the whole rack is compromised. The Kuat KV is nice but not THAT nice to warrant the extra bread, unless you want a status symbol. I’ve heard great things about the One-Up but have never scrutinized one.
Another Vote for 1up
Mine has been on my Xterra for 2 years solid with no rust. Very stable very easy
1up racks
Yup. Great product
I came to ask the same question. I was looking at the Yakima Holdup 2 & the Thule T2, but now I have Kuat NV envy! The sticker shock on the NV is real though. I may have to wait for an REI sale or some other great deal to pick one up.
Just went through this with trying to find a rack for my Wrangler. I ended with the Kuat NV and couldn’t be happier, worth every penny. It mainly came down to this and the Thule T2. A teammate of mine got the T2 about a or two ago and I could notice he already had a little bit of rusting. Second, the pivot mechanism on the T2 is just horrible. It isn’t smooth what so ever and he had to tug and move it around to get it to move. I’ve heard similar remarks that the T2 tends to move around a little. These were enough for me to buy the Kuat. It is solid as a rock and I use a 4in High-Low drop extension in order for the rack to be able to fold up and clear the rear tire. The rack it self works flawlessly and is smooth as butter, not to mention it looks nice and now they have it in black! The integrated work stand is really nice as well. I’ve been able to fit my ENVE 6.7 rear wheel in the clip, but will have to come up with something else if I transport my TT bike with the Zipp 808s.