fcarpio

Hello all,
So I got rid of my pickup truck and got a regular car. I was using a Saris Bones 2 bike rack on the car but I found it to be very unstable and a pain to put on and take off as I don't like to drive my car with an empty bike rack. Now I am in the market for a 2 bike rack that mounts on a hitch and I have no idea what to get. My budget is pretty flexible, but I would like to save some money where I can if possible. I would also be able to quickly install and remove the bike rack.

What are the better options available to me? For what it is worth I have a large road bike.

bo31210

I have this one from Swagman. https://www.amazon.com/Swagman-Cross-...ywords=swagman It is lightweight and pretty easy to put on and take off. You can adapt it to different size bikes as well. I have had MTB, Hybrid, Road, and CX bikes on mine.

B8888S

I have been using a Thule T2 with an extension to hold 4 bikes for over 2 years now. It works great. I can easily and quickly load up four 29er mountain bikes on it without any problems. My only complaints are the price and the weight. If I was buying rack again it would either be the T2 or a North Shore NSR 6. I also ride with a couple of guys that have a One Up and a Kuat. Lots of choices depending on what exactly you are looking for, and how much you are willing to spend.

coupster

I've got a KUAT Sherpa. Its a tad heavy but my SO can put it on and take it off without issue, so it works for me. Its a quality rack and replacement parts are readily available.
Take a look here. LOTS of options.

https://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Hitch_Bike_Racks.aspx

Elvo

There really isn't any other option: 1UPUSA.com Double Quik Rack Silver

LuckySailor

+1 on the Swagman. I have a Draftmaster, but I find that it is a little heavy, and if you are looking to save some money, Draftmaster is not the way to go. If you were hauling a tandem as I do, it would be the way to go however.

ramzilla

Dude, you can waste all the money you want on a bike rack. If you just want something affordable that works get one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/Allen-Sports-D...ck+hitch&psc=1

Only problem I've had with mine is the manufacturer expects owner to permanently bolt this thing through the hitch - pin hole. So, you have to drill the damn thing out to accept a standard 5/8" removable hitch pin.

fietsbob

2" receiver on the car and then you can tow a trailer to put the bikes inside and lock the door.

corrado33

I have the yakima 2 bike rack (forget what it's called.) It's on an 1 and 1/4 inch receiver. I bought the locking kit with it which locks the hitch in place as well as locking the bikes to the rack (with an downright small cable lock, but convenient nonetheless.)

It's good. You can FIT two mountain bikes on there, but it's tough. (Have to mess with handlebars and stuff to fit around saddles and whatnot.)

EDIT: For the record, fitting big bikes isn't a problem, it's fitting small bikes that's hard.

B2mac

We have a Saris rack called "Thelma". Saris's name not ours. We've owned in for 7 years. It is a tray style rack. It's very lightweight and easy to mount the bikes. Ours uses 1 and 1/4" receiver and can carry 3 bikes The 2 bike carrier is even lighter. I doubt you will find one lighter or less expensive.

ltxi

I have an Allen. Bought it for local transport. I like it for that but would get something better for serious use. I'm good with their hitch mount bolt...adds a bit of stability and less than half a minute to install/remove with a wrench.

veganbikes

Yakima all the way! They have a bunch of tray style or hanging style hitch racks. If you want something lightweight the Highlite is I believe under 20lbs or if you want something cheaper the Ridgeback is a quality rack at a cheaper price.

I was not a fan of Swagman and maybe they will improve but seeing some of their stuff and mounting it to peoples cars I just didn't care for it.

Looigi

I have a Thelma 2 which works well. If I were getting a new rack now, I'd likely get a Yakima Twotimer.

one4smoke

This one has worked great for me...

https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Bike-...ks/HR1450.html

Chandne

I have used mostly hitch racks. Thule T2, Saris CycleOn Pro, Kuat NV, and the US-made 1UPUSA. The 1UP is the best. It is lighter than the rest too but I like that I can just use one tray instead of two, making it really light. It also fold up and away into its own smallish box, if you need to get it off the hitch. My second favorite was the T2, though the others are all pretty close to it. The 1UP is just ahead of the game.

Canker

Yeah if you don't mind spending the money 1UP is the way to go. If you are just going to carry one bike most of the time you can just get the single and leave it on all the time. It folds up very compactly so there is really no reason to bother taking it off but if you do want to it comes off in seconds and you can fold it up and throw it in the trunk. When you do want to carry two bikes it only takes seconds to install the add on rack. I just have the single since I only need to carry one bike 97% of the time and when I do need to carry two I let somebody else drive lol. The single while not cheap isn't crazy expensive and I will eventually buy an add on so I can carry two. Most of the people I ride with have the swagman or one the clones
https://www.amazon.com/Swagman-Cross-.../dp/B0001VO1YY
that style another friend has a Yakima or Thule that still basically works the same way. You strap the wheels into trays and then clamp the frame. They work fine but aren't as convenient and don't fold up nearly as nicely if you want to leave them on the car. Plus if you are one of those people that freaks out about scratches any rack that touches the frame is going to rub on the paint.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rA-xHipIZtE
There are tons of videos on youtube if you want to kill some time looking at different racks.

One of the big pro/flaw of the 1up is the expander ball instead of using a pin to install the rack to the hitch. It is extremely quick and solid but I'm paranoid so I have a chain going from the hitch to the rack to back it up just in case. It comes with a velcro strap as a back up but I'd rather use the chain plus it is another anti theft device.

fcarpio

Thanks, this is nice and the price is not bad at all.

fcarpio

Thanks everyone for the recommendations, I need to do some research now.

bo31210

Here is what it looks like on the car:

Chandne

Canker, what kind of a chain setup do you use? I'm thinking of picking up a second rack (so I don't have to switch it between the Wrangler and 4Runner) and would like to secure it for peace of mind since I go on some long and rough drives to access the trails. I have had no issues in the three years I have owned it but I like a bit of extra security.

Canker

They updated the racks a year or two ago and added a spot you can put a pad lock to block access to the expanding ball bolt. I just use that and run a chain to the hitch.

fcarpio

lol

fcarpio

Can you please post a link to the 1UP or give me the model?

Thanks.

rumrunn6

had a road trip this weekend & saw a 2 bike hitch rack that was impressive. it had 1 attachment point for the bikes top tubes (as opposed to 2 arms you typically see) & it had no wiggle. no wiggle at the hitch & no wiggle at the elbow. at the top tube attachment point it had a big circular knob or something. I tried to get closer to see the brand but at 70 mph that really wasn't in the cards, sorry. good luck with your choice!

sdmc530

I will second the Thule, a great rack.