Review of NS racks 2 bike hitch rack- http://www.nsmb.com/2683-north-shore-racks-review/
Link to manufacturer website is at the bottom of the review.
Hitch Mount Racks
Monday, May 10 2010 at 11:04am
#2
Monday, May 10 2010 at 11:25am
#3
Woah! Interesting concept in that one Brian! I either like it or I'm terrified of it! I think I'll send them an e-mail asking about whether or not they have any local dealers.
Monday, May 10 2010 at 11:32am
#4
The NS racks ones are very different than what people are used to seeing, but supposedly very durable.
If you want a more traditional type hitch rack, I do believe Thule has "tilt away" racks that let you access the hatch with the bikes mounted.
I'm not a fan of hitch mounts myself, but if all you want to carry is bikes, they are great. I had a picnic table on my roof rack yesterday to deliver it to my mother-in -law's house, try that with a hitch rack...
Monday, May 10 2010 at 11:39am
#5
I think I prefer roof myself too. The only thing holding me back is price. I'm going to see what mods my Civic's roof rack needs to fit the Cruiser, it might not be such a bad deal for me. Otherwise since I have to get the hitch anyway the hitch mount makes more financial sense. A roof rack on a cruiser isn't the most aesthetically pleasing thing in the world either, but having a hitch mount hanging around all the time isn't much better.
Monday, May 10 2010 at 2:13pm
#6
I have a Saris Thelma and love it. It swings down nicely for hatch access.
Monday, May 10 2010 at 2:39pm
#7
Does it swing down? I wasn't sure that it did!
Monday, May 10 2010 at 3:05pm
#8
Thule T2. I just sold mine, but the guy I sold it to is now looking to sell it already as he bought a new car. It is a wicked rack.
Monday, May 10 2010 at 5:31pm
#9
Andrew,
you are welcome to try my Thelma. 2" receveiver if you want. I will be home Saturday.
Monday, May 10 2010 at 6:21pm
#10
Does it swing down? I wasn't sure that it did!
T2 and Thelma both great choices but significant differences.
No, Thelma doesn't fold down so bikes need to come off to open the back hatch. A fairly quick procedure but not as hands-off as a swing down option.
Advantages of the Thelma are light weight, simplicity, contemporary styling and decent price.
Dis-Advantage are bike weight restrictions, doesn't fold down, trays can't be adjusted to ensure that mtb's don't touch, inability to work with front fender mounted on road (winter) or touring bikes.
I'm sporting a Thule T-2 this year. Some great upgrades over the Thelma (no bike weight limit, adjustable trays, folds down) but also significantly more $$ and burlier than my previous Thelma. Both units offer the same ease of use.
Monday, May 10 2010 at 6:48pm
#11
Thelma is out of the question then, but thanks Darren.
(When Madmartigan needs to brick I've got about 30 seconds to bring the Cruiser from 120 km/hr to stop on the side of the highway and then get him out of the trunk... otherwise it's a horrible, horrible, horrible mess to clean up.)
Saw some Swagman brand racks today where I was getting the hitch put on. They didn't seem too bad.
Monday, May 10 2010 at 6:56pm
#12
Ya might also check out the Sport Rack '2-EZ 2 Bike' also. It's a toned down version of the T2 without some of the bells and whistles. In line with the Swagman stuff.
Tuesday, May 11 2010 at 9:23am
#13
Hey, I bought Ben's T2, then switched vehicles. If you are interested, I am in Halifax this weekend for work.
Tuesday, May 11 2010 at 9:42am
#14
Got your message Tyler, and returned the PM.
Thursday, May 13 2010 at 6:32pm
#15
Hey - I just bought a new car and being a two door, the roof mount was out of the question. I picked up a SportRack (a thule line, branded differently) from Action Cap and Truck Accessories in Dartmouth.
http://www.sportrack.com/a30901
The center post can fold down (by removing a big cotter pin) to give rear access and the side platforms fold up to the center post when you don't have bikes on it. Just started using it and it seems good so far.
Friday, May 14 2010 at 5:11pm
#16
Actually, you can put a roof rack on a 2-door, I have the "Short Roof" kit in my basement right now(I bought my rack used from someone with a 2-door).
I'll sell it for $20, as I don't need it.
I have a new car and I'm getting the hitch put on this afternoon. I need the hitch regardless of where I end up putting the bikes because we have a trailer, but I haven't made up my mind on whether or not I'm going hitch or roof.
I'd be sold on hitch if I could get a setup that swings out so that I can open the hatch back. Does such a thing exist in a quality rack?