I currently have an old Swagman hitch rack that can take 3 bikes. It does its job, but it is a pain because it doesn’t pivot down so I completely lose access to the cargo area on my wagon and van. So I was going to try to get one of those Yakima Kingpins (that holds 4 bike) that show up every once in a while on Bonktown, but I keep missing it and don’t really know how much they are going for on bonktown. So, I was searching around online and saw that many people are happy with the 552RR from Allen. Here is a link to it and the reviews (4.5 stars out of 5, with 34 reviews); http://www.amazon.com/Allen-Deluxe-5-Bike-2-Inch-Receiver/dp/B001M4H2Q8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1316282276&sr=8-1
Is there any reason NOT to purchase this? For $99/shipped, it seems like a pretty solid deal. I’ve heard that it is not really easy to pivot up and down when there are bikes on it, but isn’t that the case for any hitch rack? I think the only way to lock the bikes on this rack would be to feed a wire cable around the bike frame(s) and through the part of the hitch that you attach the safety chains to.
My carbon fiber frame won’t work on those type of racks. I bought a Yakima Stick-Up hitch mounted rack that connects at the wheels and the top of the top tube.
Yeah, my bike has an aluminum frame, so I am not very concerned about it being damaged by the rack.
Would I like a Yakima or Saris, of course, but I am looking for the best value. I guess I’ll look around for a few more days, but unless someone can think of a reason not to get it, it looks like a winner to me.
This thing is amazing. Super light, folds up small enough to leave in the trunk of the car. It’s expandable, meaning i can add or take away bike trays depending on my needs. It’s all alluminium, so no rusting, it looks great on the car, sits very tight to the car when folded up and the contact points are the wheels, so no frame damage. It really is incredible and I really dont know how a rack could get any better than this.
The only downside is the price, its not cheap, but its going to be the last rack i ever buy.
Yeah, my bike has an aluminum frame, so I am not very concerned about it being damaged by the rack.
Would I like a Yakima or Saris, of course, but I am looking for the best value. I guess I’ll look around for a few more days, but unless someone can think of a reason not to get it, it looks like a winner to me.
My dad has that one (or a very similar one, from walmart I believe) for his truck. Used regularly for 3-4 bikes without any issues. The mechanisms (eg; the pin to swing it down, etc.) aren’t the greatest, so you need to take care everything is lined up properly, but beyond that it’s fine.
It looks like that hitch only holds the bikes from their top tubes. So as you drive, stop, start the bikes sway and bank in to each other. Some of the other hitches have 2 top tube straps and 1 seat tube straps which eliminates the sway/banking of bikes. I also always bungie my front tire or have cable locked the bike onto the rack so i do not have to wory about the fork twisting and hitting other bikes.
Daily email from Bonktown says the Kingpin will be up today.
Yeah, I saw the email this morning. I wonder if it already was up on the site and I’ve slept through it already. I wish they put up a schedule of what time things would be up.
I second the 1upsusa as the best rack there is. We got the just released 4 bike version. It is not cheap, but the thing is amazing! My wife can load 4 mountain bikes (her and 3 kids) in just minutes by herself.
I second the 1upsusa as the best rack there is. We got the just released 4 bike version. It is not cheap, but the thing is amazing! My wife can load 4 mountain bikes (her and 3 kids) in just minutes by herself.
x3. We have the 1upusa on both of our cars. Worth every penny!