Fifty Plus (50+) - car rack for two road bikes

I've just had a 1-1/4" receiver installed on my wifes Mustang.

entire purpose of this hitch receiver is to mount a bike rack

I just wonder is there is a consensus about which rack might be the best for 2 or 3 bikes. There are a number available so please tell me what you are using if using this type rack.

Thanks,

Ed

There are very few (possibly none) for 3 bikes in a 1 1/4 receiver. Those usually require a 2" receiver. I believe that it has something to do with the weight of the rack and the leverage of a longer rack exceeding the tongue weight limits.

For 2 bikes, my history has been as follows.

Rack 1......Hollywood Boomer. This is/was a round tubular single post rack from which the bikes hung on their top tubes. Its claim to fame....brutally strong large tube diamerer with a stabilizer bar below the bikes to which they can be tied with bungee cords to keep them from swinging an bumping each other. It is also very to mount and dismount by placing it over your shoulder. The disadvantage of this and similar racks is bike to bike interference, especially with different styles of bike....ie cruiser and MTB.

Rack 2 ...Another Hollywood rack with wheel troughs to hold the wheels (name escapes me) and a pivoting vertical member with a seat tube clamp to hold the bike in place. Nice rack.........bring a crane to mount and dismount.

Rack 3... A Hollywood rack that is also sold by many online shops such as performance etc. Hoops to hold the wheels and a padded top hook to pin the top bar down so the bike doesn't move. About $130 on sale. Nice rack lighter than #2. Fully adjustable for wheelbase etc. Folds up to vertical when not in use which keeps you from hitting things when backing up (out near the corners of the rear of your car) by concentrating everything in the middle. The only disadvantage is that if you are not careful, the padded hook can cause scratches in your top tube by rubbing the brake cables into your paint.


pant....pant....pant.


Edit: Hollywoodracks.com (I know, I know just trust me...its safe to go here)

Two words: roof rack

I've had a Yakima Bighorn 4 on my van since 2002. It takes a 1 1/4" receiver and is advertised as being able to carry 4 bikes. I've found carrying 4 bikes requires taking off the front wheels and really squeezing them together.....3 bikes is much better:)

http://www.epinions.com/auto-Rack_Systems-All-Yakima_BigHorn_4/display_~reviews

Edit: Hollywoodracks.com (I know, I know just trust me...its safe to go here)

The power of suggestion is an amazing thing. :)

Good info....

thanks


Ed

Two words: roof rack

I considered this... Wife said "Not no but ................ NO!"

I've had a Yakima Bighorn 4 on my van since 2002. It takes a 1 1/4" receiver and is advertised as being able to carry 4 bikes. I've found carrying 4 bikes requires taking off the front wheels and really squeezing them together.....3 bikes is much better:)



Another good suggestion.

Thanks,

Ed

Two words: roof rack


I considered this... Wife said "Not no but ................ NO!"

I agree with your wife:)

My biggest objection is lifting them onto the roof. My second would be forgetting they're on the roof and driving under a low object:eek:

I agree with your wife:)



It would stand to reason that two girls from the same neck of the woods would think alike.

Wife is from Lima.

I'll second a vote for Madmaxx's #3 above. I've been using one of these for about 3 years and it's been quite dependable as well as simple to use.

Regards,
Bob P.

We have the XPORT Flatbed 2-Bike Hitch Rack sold at Performance. We like it very much. Easy to mount the rack and the bikes. It's on sale for $139.99.
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=22745&subcategory_ID=4411

Edit: It fits 2" or 1-1/4" hitches.

I have the Hollywood Pro-Rider hitch rack, 1-1/4 inch receiver. Holds two bikes nice, steady, and solid. It has a wheel tray for the back wheel, front wheel comes off and you clamp the fork to the rack. No hook or straps to scratch your top tube, bikes are spaced nicely so they don't touch each other. One compliant is that the rack is pretty heavy, made from heavy gauge rectangular steel tubing bolted together for the most part, all-in-all a nice rack in my opinion.

I have a Saris, Thelma,two bike rack, and I love it.

Disclaimer up front: I work for Hollywood Racks.

That said, I own and use both the Pro Rider (front wheel off type) and the Sport Rider (both wheels on type). I use the Pro Rider for my Calfee (usually) since it doesn't touch the frame anywhere except the dropouts.

I use the Sport Rider for my Ti GT (which doesn't have paint!), but honestly, the Sport Rider hasn't hurt the paint on the Calfee (or my wife's Redline Conquest D) when I've used it on those bikes.
Just make sure both the hook and the bike are clean (dirt is abrasive) and you aren't squashing any cables or casing into the paint and you'll be fine.

Not sure how much I can say here before the moderators think it's an advert, so either PM me or phone me at the 800 number on our website (www.hollywoodracks.com (http://www.hollywoodracks.com)) for more info or if you have any other questions about Hollywood Racks products.

Rick / OCRR

If you want to save some $ and get a perfectly serviceable rack with no bling value, the Bell racks sold at Wally World, Target and K-Mart for under $100 are fine. Mine is a 4 bike model (http://www.target.com/BV-4-Bike-Rack-Hitch-Black/dp/B000AYCJF0/sr=1-8/qid=1221625733/ref=sr_1_8/601-6343260-0112914?ie=UTF8&rh=k%3Abell_bicycle_carrier&page=1) and has been working fine for a couple of years. Hard to get 4 bikes on it, but 3 is no problem.

My vote is for Saris..great racks... did they install the light plug for trailer lights???? You should have them do this...
I have for my racks... both for the saris hitch rack and a saris bumper rack ...i hang from the frame of the last bike a 1X4 with a PEP boys trailer light set that connects to the trailer light plug... no one can say they do not see my braking, turning or night lights on!!! It does work great, cars keep their distance nite and day !!!