Sparky413

Hey yo! I took a look around the forums, and did some research, and am looking for some help/opinions (which are excellent here, thank you!).

• Topic: hitch racks.
• Preference: It seems platform > vertical post w/ arms (example).
• Needs: My needs are 2" hitch, up to 4 bikes (modular 2+2 preferred), but my Specialized Crossroads Sport has fenders.

I noticed that Kuat NV and Thule K2 came up in the forum, but both locking arms would seem to come down on my front fender.

The 1UP looks like the ticket, but is more than I'd ever want to spend (and the Kuat is probably in the same boat). But, I want to be sure I catch as many options as I can before ruling things out.

The next best platform rack that I found was the Hollywood HR 1400, which seems to have the arms locking on the frames.

So:
1. Is platform > post w/ arms (less/no sway, stability, etc)?
2. Would my fenders give me issues with a Kuat NV or Thule K2?
3. Are there higher end options that don't smash fenders? <-- The answer may be the 1UP, but ...
4. Are there other options similar to the style of the Hollywood HR 1400 platform that you prefer?

Thanks in advance. And, yeah, I am probably thinking too hard about this, but you all steered me to a good bike, so ...

fietsbob

Ones that support the bike By the Top Tube.. https://www.saris.com/

GerryinHouston

I have the Sarris Bones 2. Last weekend I did a 300 mi. trip and the 'feet' of the rack which step on the bumper, left two sizable dimples on the plastic cover of the bumper. If you can't step on metal on all three feet, the Sarris is not a good solution.

However, if you can find solid footing, the Sarris has an excellent design, it goes over trunk wings without touching and the 6 straps are connected together, so if one hook gets undone, the other 5 keep most of their tension.

I am moving towards a hitch mounted hanging rack (the Thule Vertex 2). I put a hitch receiver in my Mustang GT yesterday. Unfortunately it barely clears my (steep) driveway, so I'll have to put on the rack parked on the sidewalk outside my house and then mount the bikes. Bummer... if it cleared, I'dd keep the rack permanently on!

msujmccorm

Saris Freedom

Canker

A ton of people make a clone of the Hollywood HR 1400
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...MZVYGB9MDR8HXM

That style works but it isn't fancy. You have to fiddle to get all the bikes to fit with handle bars, seats, and pedals all fighting you but once you get it figure out it gets easier. The arm/clamp holding the bike by the top tube means it is going to rub your paint some people can't handle that others don't care.

I have the 1upusa and it is freaking awesome but I only needed a single. If I were going for a 4 bike I'd probably go for the Curt I posted myself just for cost reasons.

Yendor72

We have the Saris Freedom 2 bike set up with both the trays for road bikes and our fat bikes. Very stable, I trust our bikes on them.
https://www.saris.com/product/freedom-2

Looigi

I like the Yakima Two-timer and Four-timer. They're platform racks with a holddown on the top tube.

PaulRivers

Yeah, here's a pic of the 4 bike version (also comes in 2 bike version) that demonstrates why if you want a tray-style rack to carry bikes with fenders it would work well - it would not touch the fenders:


In my experience tray-style is easier to load bikes onto, but harder to store and get on the car to begin with, so it's sort of a tradeoff. I live in apartments a lot so I'm actually going back to a frame-style hitch rack because it's a lot easier to store and move on and off the car.

RandomEncounter

I also recommend the Saris Freedom. It's lightweight and easy to take on and off. I would like it if the vertical tube would fold fully horizontal, but since I don't keep it on my car all the time it's no big deal.

Camilo

That's what we've been using. works great. There's the potential of scratching the top tube. I put clear frame protector on the top tube or throw a piece if duct tape on there temporarily

Elvo

https://www.1upusa.com/product-fendercushion.html