Looking for recommendation for a good hitch rack for 2 bikes
 

Anyone willing to make a suggestion for a hitch rack to carry two road bikes? I plan to install a Class 1 hitch and pull off the bike rack when not used. The Swagman XC - 2 bike rack appears to get good reviews and only about $160. Anyone have experience with this rack or have other recommendations?? Both bikes carbon frames if that matters. Thanks in advance.

More expensive, but I absolutely love my Kuat NV. It's fantastic.

http://kuatracks.com/en/products/bike/the-nv/

My friend has the Saris Thelma 2 bike track hitch rack and likes it. I don't want to go too cheap on it, just something secure and easy to use.

I like my Hollywood bike rack.

This is the best rack, but it's not cheap.

http://www.1upusa.com

J.

Avoid the Thule 990XT. It is garbage.

2" or 1.25"?

I've got a Raxter Tarsus (http://www.raxterracks.com/). I got it because folded its more compact than any Thule/Yakima.

110% agree with this. The 1up rack is what happens when an OCD engineer is faced with a problem, and is mercilessly focused on simplicity.

+1

I will second Kuat.

Nope, this is the best hitch rack, but it's really not cheap.

http://www.atoc.com/draftmastersingle.php

We have a Yakima Hold Up. It's been good. It has rusted a little. I think I would have preferred the Thule XTR 916T2 rack.

Merlin...thanks. I have been looking around for a 'fork mount' rack for my 2" receiver hitch.
A question to those who also are fans of fork mount receiver hitches. Note: I don't like racks that touch the top tube or keep the front wheel on.

Any other options out there beside the rack Merlin referenced?. In particular, I am looking for a receiver hitch that will mount:
2 fork mount trays that run transversely across the rear of the car, one in front of the other. I believe Hollywood made a rack like this at point...not sure they still do.
Thanks.

I just installed a Thule T2 and it looks to function similarly but that one looks nicer. Not sure how to tell if either functions better if the bike doesn't fall off or get damaged.

Absolutely not correct... Sorry to sound so dogmatic about it, but I've been there done that. If you are carrying single seat road or mountain bikes, 1up is where it's at. From the rack to riding in 15 seconds.

May I ask why? Taking the front wheel on and off seems like extra work that's just not needed, and it's not like the skewer locks actually work.

+1 for Kuat. I have the Sherpa and love it!

Many feel like you...conflate ease of mounting/dismounting the bike from the rack...with what's best for the bike during transport. A fork mount reduces the mass of the bike and lowers its center of gravity such that side loads are reduced. A fork mount is more solid than a brace around a tire. As far as tire mounted racks go, I bet the 1UPUSA rack is top of the food chain...a quality piece. At least that rack doesn't touch the frame and I could live with it. My personal preference is fork mount however and why I would prefer a rack like the DraftMaster but don't see any reason for vertical mounting if not owning a bent or tandem. At the end of the day, the DraftMaster maybe the fork mount rack of choice however.

+1 1upusa

Nope. 1UpUSA. Modular, light, easy to store, fast to put on take off, don't have to remove any wheels. Sorry.

http://www.kellysbicycle.com/images/...oadrunner5.jpg
Look for a rack with a "sway bar" or "anti sway bar", whatever the heck they're called.
I've owned them with and without. No comparison.

Where is the swaybar on that rack or any rack?
I would never put my bike on a rack that holds onto the bike via the top tube. Your mileage obviously varies. :)

The sway bar is the bottom bar in that google image. It's used to secure the front and rear wheel, to prevent the bikes from swinging into each other.

Thule T2. Solid, no sway.

Their customer service on the other hand is not solid. My rack rust and failed after a yr. Dealing with them was a nightmare so I just gave up.