I am using a Softride hitch mount rack right now. The rack is great and innovative in some ways but I do not like the anti-sway arms which tend to fall out. So now I am currently using tie downs in addition to the anti-sway arms to keep my bikes from flailing in the wind behind my car.
I’m not really worried about saving $100-200 on the rack. I just want the thing to be functional.
One reason I like the platform style is that I use a Speedfil (radiator) on my bike and the arm/hang style racks difficult to work around the speedfil. But I haven’t determined yet whether there are any drawbacks to the platform?
Are there other racks that I should be considering as well?
Checkout the swagman racks - I use the XC - just need room for two bikes - but the thing is dead simple - loads and unloads in two seconds and the bike is totally secure. Only drawback is if you have a hatch the clearances can be a bit tight.
I’m looking for either style. I just want something “good.” The Saris racks can rub on carbon forks which is not good. The Kuat rack holders can turn 360 degrees so I could switch them around to enable me to mount the bike on the rack without damaging the speedfil. So I’m just trying to figure out what is working really well for other people…and what isn’t working well.
Another thing that I think is bad about my Softride is the rack is amazingly heavy. I feel like it’s ruining my shocks! And the damn thing is a real pain in the ass to take on and off the car.
I have a Saris Thelma and it doesn’t rub on my neither of my bike’s fork. I have a 58 P3C and a 61 Trek 5900. The rack is easy to set up and folds out of the way when not in use. I also like the design. Totally recommended.
the center clamp just slides down onto the top tube - you align the wheel racks to your bike’s wheelbase. Rack solid. A small badlock can go through the ratchet release mechanism to lock the bike.
I left a race without having the hitch pin secured properly - the whole rack let loose and flew off the back of the vehicle at 55 mph. It worked like a roll cage - only damage was a small scuff on the seat. These things are really good.
I have the thelma. I drive an 08 Element and it works well. Most of the time I keep the bike in the car with me, but when I use it it, it works well. I can get it on with my 404s too. And it sits high enough that I can check the bike(s) out in my rear view (constantly b/c I am a bike mommy)
I have one from Draw-Tite. The folks that make hitches. It carries four bikes and has a plate that holds the top tubes in a channel. That’s the part I don’t like – it’s a bit inconvenient and I used to worry about crushing the top tubes.
The best part is that it has tail lights. It plugs into you electrical system and provides two light behind the bikes at eye-level for motorists. In increases visibility. Safer, at least in my little pea brain.
I no longer have the big behemoth, so I don’t need it. If you’re anywhere near Richmond, VA., pm me.
Everyone who posted here, THANKS! I ended up getting a Thule Doubletrack. I also looked long and hard at the T2.
I think the Doubletrack is slightly harder to load up than the T2. But I wanted the stability of the doubletrack. I like that the anchor point for the doubletrack with the arms ratcheting onto the top tube rather than onto the wheels. I hope this results in putting less stress on the forks and wheels than the T2.
I actually got a Saris Thelma (and am selling it now if anyone wants it.) It made me uncomfortable to drive with the Thelma at high speeds (80+ mph). I felt like my TT bike being held by only a couple of plastic straps wasn’t enough. But in town (read <60mph) the saris is very good and is EXTREMELY light…half the weight of the Thule racks. I think it would work well at any speed if you own an SUV but my bikes are exposed to direct wind behind my sports car. Even mounting it to a station wagon might be enough to shield the bike from the wind.
Anyway, my conclusion is that the doubletrack and T2 are the way to go. Saris is better if you are a slow driver, can’t lift much, or are just tootling around town.
I was looking at the Thelma as well, but it will not work with an aero from such as the Felt DA, so I got the Saris CycleonPro. It is a fantastic rack and I could not be happier. It is a little expensive, but solid and can hold four bikes with the add on.
