Platform Hitch Mount Suggestions
 

I posted this question in the Road section but thought that I would here as well.
I am looking at choosing between the Performance Transit and the Nashbar Shadow platform hitch mount racks. Both are 4 bike carriers.
Does anybody have any experience with either one of these? I am leaning towards the Transit but only because it can be folded for storage. I can't confirm if the Shadow will do the same. I can pick up the Shadow for about $100 less so it is appealing. I have a rack now that holds the frame which is fine for my road bike. However my son and wife are now getting into mtb and their bikes will not fit on this style rack. Thus the need for a platform style. I appreciate all recommendations and input.

I've used the swagarm version of those, bunch of racks use the same basic design. They get the job done, they just don't do it in a fancy way if that makes any sense. The biggest downside to those is they touch the frame and there is always going to be some movement rubbing on your paint, some people can't handle that.

I used a Kuat Sherpa for a few years and like them a lot, but it's a heavy rack, especially the 4 bike version. (Mine is only the 2-bike, so that's why it doesn't get used now.)

There are others like the Sherpa as well, where the bike is held by the front wheel, instead of attaching to the frame. It gets pretty expensive, but that's par for the course on bike racks...

I have direct experience with the Hollywood Sportrider 3-bike rack, which is virtually identical to the Nashbar Shadow and very close to the 4-bike Performance Transit 4-bike rack. Of the two, it looks like the Performance is a bit more refined/improved over the Nashbar/Hollywood versions.

My observations:

• I bought mine because its has far fewer plastic critical pieces (wheel trays, etc.) than mainstream Yakima, Saris or Thule offerings. I wanted metal wheel trays and I wanted a rack that, if something cracked/needed repair/reinforcing, I could weld it instead of buying overpriced replacement plastic. All plastic, no matter how good, gets aged and brittle in exposure to the elements.
• Frame hooks on the Performance are ratcheting - - that's good. My simpler star-knob/bolt clamping (like the Nashbar setup) works but the cheap-grade hardware eventually rusts. I replaced all my nuts/bolts with stainless hardware last year. Wheel trays have plain steel bolts/star knobs too. Grease those so they don't rust as soon.
• Keep an eye on the plastic wheel-strap "buckles" in the end of the tubes - - as the plastic ages they like to fall out. I've lost 3 so far. Once again, the Performance design looks a bit better.
• Loop your unused Velcro wheel-straps back on themselves when not in use. This will prevent them 'unlooping' and falling off.
• Put rubber caps (or tape even) on the end of the frame hook where the end of the tubing sticks out from the foam covering (look at the picture close-up and you'll see what I mean). If you drop the hook down you could ding the end of the tube on the top of your frame. My then-nearly-new SB66 got it's first ugly chip from that :mad:
• Adjustabilty of the wheel trays side-to-side means you can fit ANY bike and make it fit with other bikes in the rack without interference - - downhill bikes with hybrids with trail bikes, whatever. Once you get settings you like, mark the tubes with a paint pen.

All-in-all, I've been happy with my similar Hollywood. Just wish it was a 4-bike.

Great info. I went ahead and bought the 4 bike Transit from Performance. I will pick it up at their store tomorrow. I will test it out on Sat. As my wife, son and I are hitting the trails when I get back from my road club ride. I will say that these 4 bike ones stick out pretty far. putting that on my Toyota Sequoia is going to make our ride pretty darn long.
im pumped to be done with my old rack though. It was a pain to put my 29er and my wife's mtb on that thing. My sons mtb would have to go in the back making it a real pain.

I picked up the rack today from Performance. It is still in the box but I was surprised at the weight--62lbs. Yikes. My son better get strong quickly because I am getting to old for that:)

bwahaha. :thumb:

I have now used this rack several times and it is surprisingly nice piece of equipment. It is heavy but I am sure that any 4 bike carrier is. The locking feature for the bikes is a nice benefit that I was not aware of. It holds the bikes in very snugly and there is no fear of damage caused by bikes rubbing each other. My 29er, my wife's 27.5er and my son's 24 all fit on nicely and with no problems at all. The rack folds up once you take it off for storage. I am going to have to find some place to mount it on the wall as it still takes up more space than I would like. I am going to have to keep my old 3 bike carrier or buy a 1 bike carrier though. I do not want to have to lug that thing out when I take 1 bike to the shop or on a ride where I meet my road club members.
Other than that, I am very happy with this purchase.

^^ Im going to fabricate something like this and lag screw it to the garage wall; then I can slide it into that and fold it upright to tuck it against the wall.

http://reviews.mtbr.com/wp-content/u...2-1024x768.jpg

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That's a great idea. I went to Lowes to find something that would hold it up easily but did not like my options. I have a buddy that owns a tool and dye shop. I may ask him to rig something up. Thanks.