advice on hitch mount racks?

Shane Y. Gibson

2010-04-07

Jonathan Vinson wrote:
> I've looked at 1-up USA, raxter, Saris so far.
>
> If anyone has opinions/experience with these or others, I'd love to
> hear about it off list.

Jonathan - I have an older model 1-UP USA rack, which has been in use
now for about 4 or so years. It's a little heavier than the current
model, but basically the same. I absolutely love my rack. It's
incredibly fast to use, it takes only 10 to 20 seconds to load a bike up
- no wheel removal. It's very durable. It's sexy - everyone asks me
about it. I like the flexibility of being able to mount 2, 3, 4, or 5
bike trays on it (the older heavier model went to 5 - the current
lighter model goes from 1, 2, 3, or 4 bikes).

It's true that they are a bit pricey - but if you want quality and a
rack that is going to work ... pretty much ... forever - this is the
rack. They've integrated a couple of features I asked for in the new
line of racks:

* lighter weight
* ability to lock the rack in a tilt-down position with bikes on (for
access to the back hatch)

My only criticism of the current rack model - it looks like they took
away the "native" Class III/IV (2" hitch) size - and only use a Class
I/II 1 1/4" with an adapter collar. The adapter collar means there's
potentially more movement possible?

If I had to buy a new rack - without hesitation - I'd throw down for
this rack again. I've used a couple of other style hitch mount racks -
they all sucked in comparison...

v/r
Shane

--
"Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature,
nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding
danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life
is either a daring adventure or nothing." ** Helen Keller **


halfwheelhill@yahoo.com

2010-04-07

Honestly if I had to do it over again I would get a hitch made. I have a buddy who got a custom flat bed made that went into a 2" hitch. He then got the fork mounts and bolted them through the bottom. He could carry three or four bike safely and securely. I am pretty sure they make something like this already that you could just mount the fork mounts too.

Scott
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

-----Original Message-----
From: Jonathan Vinson
Date: Wed, 7 Apr 2010 08:54:15
To: obra
Subject: [OBRA Chat] advice on hitch mount racks?

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Jonathan Vinson

2010-04-07

All,

I'm thinking of getting a hitch-mount bike rack; would want to carry
2 or maybe 3 bikes. I prefer one that sits low and mounts bikes via wheels
or cranks rather than the ones you hang the top tube on.

I've looked at 1-up USA, raxter, Saris so far.

If anyone has opinions/experience with these or others, I'd love to
hear about it off list.

Thanks so much,
JV