Hello,
I have a Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder 2008 model and I would like to install a bike rack. So I plan to buy and install a Class 1 1.25" hitch like this one Curt Receiver Hitch - 3675+ Reviews on Curt Receiver Hitches + Free Shipping & Video Install Guides - CURT Class I, II, III, IV & V Colored Hitches and one of my friends has a used 1.25" bike rack that I should be able to attach into this hitch. I am wondering would a 1.25" hitch be enough for carrying one or two bikes?Am I missing anything else? I see posts like this Who makes the best hitch rack? | Erik's Bike and Board Blog talking about best bike racks etc. Should I go for a more expensive bike rack. I don't see any huge advantages of these bike racks as long as the bike rack my friend is giving doesn't drop the bike or bang it against the car?

should be fine assuming the bikes+rack are within the hitches specs

You also have to make sure the bikes' combined weight are within the racks capacity.


And last thing, you have to make sure you have enough ground clearance for a hitch. The hitch/rack system may work when on level ground or (if it's a platform rack) when the rack is folded it, but when you pull into a drive way or some raised ground (per se) the rack/hitch may drag on the ground if your car is too low to begin with.

I use an inexpensive Allen rack that retails for about $99 and have carried up to three old-school steel bikes on it at a time with no problem. I would recommend a 2" receiver for more stability. Though a 1.25" is probably strong enough, they tend to allow a lot of bounce. The only thing I will be changing on my rack is alter the spacers from the current 4-bike configuration to 3-bike with more spacing in between. The bikes are pretty cozy as it stands and the first position is so close to the post that I have to be careful about the bike banging against it.

The bike is a Scattante road bike 2010 model and I can easily carry it with one had so I believe it shouldn't be too heavy..