I'm running a bike rack for the first time ever really, well had a trunk mount rack I used once in a blue moon, I usually loaded bikes into the back of a wagon.
But the wagon died and now have a truck with a class III receiver, so I picked up a sport rack 4 bike rack from candian tire (on sale for $260 woot!).
Its a tray style rack, the top tube racks don't work so well with the bikes we have due to funky shapes and shock locations.
Used it for the first time yesterday, seems to do the trick.
I'm running the Saris Cycle-on Pro and I would definitely not recommend it. I've kept it inside all winter and it's still rusty, the arms get stuck in place, and the "new" rear wheel tray lock/covers they sent me don't lock. They flip flop in both directions. I've been fortunate in that Saris put me directly in touch with the Canadian distrobutor, but even after replacing all of the parts, they're failing again. The concept is a home run.
The similar tray offerings from Yakima and Thule look awesome. Even the lower budget sportrack one looks awesome. It won't lock or drop your bike.
i have the saris thelma and have found it to be a good system. it grips by the wheels and the straps are a plastic design that works well and does not rust. i have flipped the rear tray for the back tire to accomadate longer wheel base bikes but have had it for a few years now with no trouble.
oh yeah, took teh truck + loads of gear + 4 bikes to the loaf and back.
Couple of things, 4 bikes + rack is a lot of weight leveraged off the back, at night time, people were a little upset at my, errr, "low beams" (ie pretty much every on-coming vehicle was furiously flashing me), and my high beams were useful only for signaling the mothership for pick up...
Also, the foam things covering the arms that come down on the top tube(s) rubbs through and can marr the frame if you clamp down too tight... have to think about that one.
Oh and the thing moves around a fair bit, have to watch bars contacting things etc, bit scary at first, but after the return trip (7hrs each way) the bikes were still there and no stress marks in the paint. I guess steel is good for being a bit springy, better to flex than to try to stop all that momentum and snap something...
Pretty happy with it, although given the loading, weight distribution etc, I think I'll have to re-evaluate my long trip bike carrying methods...
I got the Yakima Hold-Up two bike this summer... have made a couple of long haul trips with two heavy DH bikes... rack does not sway around and it's a breeze to put on and take off the bikes
Hi all,
I am curious to know what most people use for a hitch mounted rack and what you think of it. I know I like the tray style opposed to the top tube holding type. I just don't know if there is a real benifit to one over the other.
Thanks