Bike rack recommendation January 13, 2017, 11:26:09 am I looked through the thread for bike racks but some are a bit dated. I am looking at Craigslist ads and there are so many to choose from. We would like a rack for 2 bikes. Any insights? Thank you.
Re: Bike rack recommendation Reply #1 – January 13, 2017, 11:39:33 am Quote from: Marciebp - January 13, 2017, 11:26:09 amI looked through the thread for bike racks but some are a bit dated. I am looking at Craigslist ads and there are so many to choose from. We would like a rack for 2 bikes. Any insights? Thank you. I'm assuming you are talking about a hitch mounted rack for the LD or toad? If so two good racks are those made by Kuat, Küat Racks and 1UP 1UPUSA.com :: HomeThey aren't cheap but do a good job and are simple to use. We currently use the Kuat and it is the most stable rack we have used. Have used a similar design by Thule in the past but the bikes tended to rock a good bit with it.The racks that allow you to keep both wheels on and secure the wheels have worked best for us. The problem with racks that hold the bike by the frame are the varying shapes and sizes of bicycle frames today which results in the bikes being held at odd angles.Jim 1 Likes
Re: Bike rack recommendation Reply #2 – January 13, 2017, 12:49:41 pm I have a Thule rack (I think the T2). It is made for the 2" hitch, has integrated locks and will hold two bikes. Folds up (vertical) when not in use. We have had it for a few years and just leave it on the LD year around. It has held up well to weather (our RV is stored in a lot out doors, we live in Northern Virginia). What I like about it is that it holds the bikes by the tires instead of the frame, similar to Jim's. This kind of platform is friendly to many different kinds of bike frames. 1 Likes
Re: Bike rack recommendation Reply #4 – January 13, 2017, 02:47:04 pm Marcie,I've been using a Thule (Tu-lee) four hanger for several years. I don't leave it on a vehicle any longer than its time in use. I prefer to keep the rubber straps out of the weather. I like a rack that hangs up to four bikes since it allows you to seperate two bikes peddles and frames (usually only carry two bikes at a time).To prevent the bikes from swaying, I use bungee cords to secure them. I lock them up securely on the rack as well using strong cables. I can run the cable through the LD skids under the rear bumper as well as through the Thule mount.For ladies bikes that are missing the center bar (step through), I bought an expanding rod at the bike shop that bridges the step through gap. It has a claw at each end that grabs the seat post and the handle bar tube. This allows the bike to hang just like any other bike. Easy to operate and very inexpensive.Purchased the Thule rack on eBay from a bike shop that was offloading the previous years models. They can be pricey and sometimes I like to save money (most of the time actually 😜).Good luck,Kent 3 Likes
Re: Bike rack recommendation Reply #5 – January 13, 2017, 05:13:49 pm Kent, There are a couple of used Thule's on Craigslist right now for $100 - sounds pretty good. I like the suggestion of the 4 bike rack- makes sense. Thank you
Re: Bike rack recommendation Reply #6 – January 13, 2017, 05:31:49 pm Marciebp,I've got the four bike version of the one I've linked to below on my RV. I've had it nearly three years, hauled three, never four bikes, and have been well satisfied with it.Bones Hitch 2-Bike Car Rack | Saris 1 Likes
Re: Bike rack recommendation Reply #7 – January 13, 2017, 07:39:07 pm Marcie,If you need the "tube extender" check KRMUGN's link. It's called the bike beam. Ours is the same manufacturer but slightly different. Here's a shot of our style offered on eBay.Kent 1 Likes
Re: Bike rack recommendation Reply #8 – January 15, 2017, 04:24:24 pm No one mentioned this brand but it has decent reviews and it's close.
Re: Bike rack recommendation Reply #9 – January 15, 2017, 04:35:41 pm The problem with racks that hold bikes by the top tube is their tendency to allow the bikes to bang into each other while traveling. Perhaps that has changed. The ones I used in the past had me spending time wedging foam or towels between them and then using bungee cords to keep them from banging.A friend has a rack like that which is trunk mounted and due to the top tube not being straight she uses the device Kent mentions. That item moves up and down the seat post and stem where it clamps making its use a bit of a challenge. For me the inconvenience far outweighs the dollar savings, but, then we are frequently moving our bikes off and on the rack.Jim
Re: Bike rack recommendation Reply #10 – January 15, 2017, 05:25:31 pm Jim,Good point! We have the luxury of patience on this one! I would be curious as to how you do use your bike rack. I am not sure how we will even use ours. It will be nice to have our bikes that's for sure. We used to lay our bikes inside our TT so a rack would definately be a step up.
Re: Bike rack recommendation Reply #11 – January 15, 2017, 05:31:40 pm Quote from: Jim & Gayle - January 15, 2017, 04:35:41 pm"...A friend...uses the device Kent mentions. That item moves up and down the seat post and stem where it clamps making its use a bit of a challenge..."Jim, You will get no argument from me. The bike rack and bikes are the last thing I load just before traveling and the first thing I remove when returning home.With that being said, I can get the task done in about 20 to 30 minutes on my own. With help 15 to 20 minutes.The bike "tube extender" will allow the bike to wobble if you don't take a little care to prevent it. It's a simple matter of running a bungee around the rack arm and the extender to eliminate any unwanted movement. Works for me every time. Next time I mount the bikes I'll take a few shots of my process. Easy peesy just a PITA. But I love my 45 year old ten speed. It's a classic and probably belongs in the "Relics From The Past" thread. 😜Kent 2 Likes
Re: Bike rack recommendation Reply #12 – January 15, 2017, 05:59:09 pm When we were fulltimers, we had both of our bicycles with us at all times. We kept them on a TerraGate swing away rack that rode on the back of our 40-DP (at the time). It was totally satisfactory. We did not tow, so the rack went straight into the hitch and was quite sturdy. We kept a cover over them, so dirt/rain were kept out pretty much, although some did sneak in from time to time.The cost was a something over $300. (in 2001), so it may be a bit more these days. We gave ours away a couple of years ago when we cleaned out our storage room so I can't take a picture of it for you. Virtual hugs, Judie 1 Likes
Re: Bike rack recommendation Reply #13 – January 15, 2017, 06:57:59 pm Quote from: Marciebp - January 15, 2017, 05:25:31 pmJim,Good point! We have the luxury of patience on this one! I would be curious as to how you do use your bike rack. I am not sure how we will even use ours. It will be nice to have our bikes that's for sure. We used to lay our bikes inside our TT so a rack would definately be a step up. We currently have this rack. Products | Küat RacksIt has a built in arm that turns the rack into a workstand when needed. We simply do not have the room for a regular workstand. That said, that part of it isn't nearly as good as a regular stand. I do all of the work on our bikes and needed that feature.This rack like the 1UP will fit bikes with a variety of sizes of wheels. The one up is probably a few seconds faster because once you have the wheel sizes set there is no further adjustment needed. The 1UP is also much lower profile when not in use and flipped up. With the Kuat you have to slide the arm extension up and then clamp down on the wheel when mounting. Not a big deal but more than you have to do with the 1UP.The Kuat keeps the bikes far enough apart that there is no interference. The 1UP does this by staggering the bikes heights. However, I haven't actually used the 1UP so don't know how well that works. If the vehicle you are putting this on has low ground clearance the 1UP would be less likely to drag. Our Kuat is on a 2011 Subaru Forester and even though it has really good clearance there have been occasions where it has made a little contact on deep dips and rugged roads.One thing I really like about the Kuat is how it secures into the receiver with no wobbling. We travel on some pretty rough roads to get to trails and the Thule we used to have rocked a good bit. However, I think they make some reliable devices that will tighten that up. With the Kuat you just tighten the knob you see at the receiver level by hand and it is rock solid.Jim 1 Likes
Re: Bike rack recommendation Reply #14 – January 17, 2017, 08:26:34 pm Here is my solution to the bike rack dilemma. Unfortunately I cannot remember the name of the manufacturer, but I'm thinking I got it through Camping World. Since the bike cover obscures the inner of the tail-lights, I added a pair of LED trailer lights to the rack. As for bike covers, I tried several and returned every one of them - very flimsy and very expensive. Fellow LD'er Ed D. gave me the idea of using a barbecue grill cover - works great. Much sturdier and lots cheaper! 1 Likes
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Topic: Bike rack recommendation (Read 384 times)
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