Bike rack question

[ECOdork]

Instead of renting a ridiculously over-priced U-haul trailer to make my move back to TX, I think I'm going to get a bike rack instead. As it is, the most cumbersome things I'm bringing are my bikes and since I'm planning on mtbing and camping my way across the southwest, \/ it seems to make more sense.

Anyway, I have a Nissan Xterra....as much as I would prefer to get a yakima LoadWarrior (roof basket) and put a bike rack on it, the extra inches on top of the factory rack would seriously impact my ability to enter a parking garage....I wish it didn't matter, but that is a deciding factor...damn urbanization...

So I think I'm going to with one of those hitch mounted jobs.
Anyone have any input on these things? Would you trust putting your bikes on one for a 1500 mile journey? [-o< Anyone have the new yakima Hook-Up? Are the "sportmart" ones from globo-gym (super-go) quality?

thanks

[Evel Knievel]

The Sportworks brand is solid and trustworthy. Then The Yakima is my next favorite.

Both of these have a bar that goes over the front tire and pulls it down. The rear rim is strapped. Niether wheel needs to be removed.

[Big Guy]

I have an XTerra with a SportWork bike rack, I love it. you cannot find an easier rack to use. You can even lower the bikes to access the tail gate.
I joined a picture

[ECOdork]

Thanks for the feedback guys! Good to hear that there is confidence in the easy to use sportmart. And man, who'd a thought someone would produce a pic with the exact rack I'm after being used on an Xterra?!?!?
That's great as now I know exactly how it will work!

Looks like that's the one I'll be checking out tomorrow!
Thanks again!

[ECOdork]

I forgot to add...
where do you acquire one of these sportWORKS racks?

[Big Guy]

I got it at The Path in Tustin

www.thepathbikeshop.com

[ECOdork]

i found the sportworks website, which model are you using and how much did it set you back (if you don't mind me asking)?

[Big Guy]

I have the TranSport series Mad Phat (wider tire hoops), but you can use the rack with the regular hoops anyway(about $40 cheaper), the front wheel is just more snug.

The rack is about $300, $340 for the Mad Phat.

[ECOdork]

~$300...That is what I have been finding.
After hiking Santiago Trail with my wife and dog yesterday I saw some dude with one at the nearby Wahoos. He said it was somethine like $150! Either he was remembering wrong or they are on super sale!
Either way it is still cheaper--and way more versatile--than renting that Uhaul!

[EBasil]

I bought a $130, two-bike rack from Performance last summer that is currently on sale for the same price. It also comes in a 4-bike, and uses hoops to hold the tires of the bike, plus a top-tube clamp that slides down. Identical to a Hollywood brand rack I saw elsewhere for $40 more. I got it because I needed to carry 4 bikes, a trailer and gear and that overfilled our LoadWarrior/Yak sytem. This design is compatible with low-top tube bikes or bikes w/o triangle space (ie a small Blur, etc...)

At first, I thought it was a little rinky dink, but after two runs to Mammoth and another two to Los Angeles, I think enough of the rack to reccomend it. I double-secure the bikes by using long, foam-covered "twist ties" I bought at Home Depot to lash the wheels onto the hoops. Quick, cheap and easy. Just like mah women

[ECOdork]

Thanks for all the feedback!

After hours of deliberating--and more shopping then I can handle--I ended up going with a Yakima 4 bike rig. As much as I digged the ease and design of the Sportworks, the idea of holding 4 bikes (for less cashola) won me over. It tilts too, so once I make sure it will work on ye'olXterra, I'll be set.

Hmmm, now it looks like I'll need to take'er for a few trail-runs this week to work any kinks out! \/

[PacMan]

I know this has been discussed pretty well already, but I thought I'd throw in my 2 cents anyway

I bought a "Hollywood" hitchrack awhile back and it works great. I only paid $180 too. Not too bad. It holds 2 bikes(though I only have 1 on it in the attached pic). I have hauled 2 bikes on it on some pretty good distance road trips many times without any problems.