what hitch rack?

[davidB]

has to be 1 1/4" compatible

I drive a scion tc, only factory options are a roof rack, but that never seemed like a good idea with the glass roof, plus i've always preferred hitch racks.

i'm not looking to spend much money, as most of the time it'll only carry my bike, every once in a while I'll have a second one on their.

been thinking about this one...
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=4411

but to me they're all the same.

[sdyeti]

What kind of bikes? XC? DH? Road?

Seriously, you get what you pay for when it comes to bike racks. We had the kind where the bikes hang and it was not good, especially with the heavier DH bikes.

We just got the T2 rack...pretty awesome so far. It comes in 1 1/4" and 1 1/2". We use it either on my car (Toyota Corolla) or Dan's car (Suby WRX) and it works great on each.

Originally Posted by davidB

has to be 1 1/4" compatible

I drive a scion tc, only factory options are a roof rack, but that never seemed like a good idea with the glass roof, plus i've always preferred hitch racks.

i'm not looking to spend much money, as most of the time it'll only carry my bike, every once in a while I'll have a second one on their.

been thinking about this one...
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=4411

but to me they're all the same.

[Sprockethead]

Spend the bucks, get a T2 and forget about it. One of the easiest racks to use and the bikes are spaced far enough apart you won't have to worry about bikes rubbing.

[el_d00der1n0]

I haven't bought them yet, but I've been looking into hitch racks. IMO you can pass on pretty much all of the ones at Performance. REI has a sale on the big two every now and then. Yakima was 20%.

I'm looking at the swinging type just because I haven't seen what looks like a quality flatbedish rack in my price range. Thule has some that have extra side swing straps that keep the bikes from slamming into the back of your vehicle. They have build-in cable locks too.

[sdyeti]

Yes, but with the swinging type there are a few problems:

1) The straps dry rot over time and actually break. This happened to many of ours. We even replaced them. The replacements dry rotted too. Luckily this never happened with our bikes strapped on, but can you imagine??????

2) The straps will shift during driving and if you haven't tied the bikes down, they will still hit each other. Even if they don't hit the car, they will still rub together unless you do a crazy bungee, tie-down treatment. And that takes time. Trust me. We've done it.

Originally Posted by el_d00der1n0

I haven't bought them yet, but I've been looking into hitch racks. IMO you can pass on pretty much all of the ones at Performance. REI has a sale on the big two every now and then. Yakima was 20%.

I'm looking at the swinging type just because I haven't seen what looks like a quality flatbedish rack in my price range. Thule has some that have extra side swing straps that keep the bikes from slamming into the back of your vehicle. They have build-in cable locks too.

[northshore]

Dooooooddd I'm so glad this thread is here as well. I have a cheapy xport trunk carrier which is totally fine carrying one bike. When I carry two bikes the inside bike rubs on my trunk lid, bumper, plates, everything. My only problem, I don't have a hitch installed nor do I have a carrier. I'll have to look into the T2 because other ones I have seen on the road have the scary looking straps or the clamp on the front wheel but the bike still looks like it's going to tip over.

[mazer75]

Hey I have a related question. I have 2005 Acura RSX-S, and I'd like to get a hitch installed so I can have a hitch rack. My problem is finding where to get this done and how much it should cost. I guess U-Haul can do it, but I have a feeling that they're going to mess up my car. Any suggestions? Thanks!

[2wheel_lee]

I've been wasting time at Thule's website. It really sucks.

[8Trak]

Just got a T2 (1.25inch) for the WRX... works great with bikes. Quick question though... do you guys leave the rack on all the time (folded up when not in use)? If so, ever get hassled by the CHP for obscuring the rear license plate? I used to have a standard (where bikes hang from their top-tubes) hitch rack which worked great for one bike... but when loading two bikes is was a pain, especially with steeply sloping top-tubes. The T2 makes loading/unloading bikes a snap. I will have to say though, that my 29" by 2.3" tires are pretty much at the limit of what the swingarm will clear.

[Abstrakt77]

Originally Posted by Sprockethead

Spend the bucks, get a T2 and forget about it. One of the easiest racks to use and the bikes are spaced far enough apart you won't have to worry about bikes rubbing.

Agreed. The T2 has been one of the best investments I have made so far. Killer rack.

[davidB]

Originally Posted by mazer75

Hey I have a related question. I have 2005 Acura RSX-S, and I'd like to get a hitch installed so I can have a hitch rack. My problem is finding where to get this done and how much it should cost. I guess U-Haul can do it, but I have a feeling that they're going to mess up my car. Any suggestions? Thanks!

i looked around various scion boards only to find out my car wasn't meant to haul anything. I found one guy had custom welded/bolted his own, and ironically a year later hitchsource.com came out with the same (but better manufactured) product. that's where i'll be picking mine up when i have the funds

bottom line, even if your car wasn't designed with a hitch in mind, someone somewhere has probably made one for it, even more likely with your rsx

first i found for your car, most are built the same way
http://www.speedyperformanceparts.co..._ac_rsx_c.html

[sdyeti]

I called a few places here in SD (Preston's Tire & Wheel in La Mesa and San Diego Trailor Supply) that install hitches and got quoted a price from each.

For the hardware, you are looking at ~$150. Labor was ~$70.

From what I've been told, there should be bolt holes already in place underneath most cars for just this reason. If you have the right tools and know how, you could probably do it yourself.

Me, I don't have either, so I had them install it for me. Looks good and only took an hour.

Originally Posted by mazer75

Hey I have a related question. I have 2005 Acura RSX-S, and I'd like to get a hitch installed so I can have a hitch rack. My problem is finding where to get this done and how much it should cost. I guess U-Haul can do it, but I have a feeling that they're going to mess up my car. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Dan used to leave his on the car all the time. Now the T2 has been on my car for a couple weeks. Taking it off isn't too much of a pain.

I could see where CHP might get PO'd about the plate being obscured, but I'm hoping they have other things to worry about, so long as I'm obeying the speed limit.

Originally Posted by 8Trak

Just got a T2 (1.25inch) for the WRX... works great with bikes. Quick question though... do you guys leave the rack on all the time (folded up when not in use)? If so, ever get hassled by the CHP for obscuring the rear license plate? I used to have a standard (where bikes hang from their top-tubes) hitch rack which worked great for one bike... but when loading two bikes is was a pain, especially with steeply sloping top-tubes. The T2 makes loading/unloading bikes a snap. I will have to say though, that my 29" by 2.3" tires are pretty much at the limit of what the swingarm will clear.

[mtbmichael]

Originally Posted by davidB

has to be 1 1/4" compatible

I drive a scion tc, only factory options are a roof rack, but that never seemed like a good idea with the glass roof, plus i've always preferred hitch racks.

i'm not looking to spend much money, as most of the time it'll only carry my bike, every once in a while I'll have a second one on their.

been thinking about this one...
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=4411

but to me they're all the same.

i have something very similar http://www.amazon.com/Swagman-Cross-...5612636&sr=8-1

and it can carry about 60 pounds and still feel relatively stable. there is some slack on the hitch connection, but other than that it feels solid. Somewhat difficult to load inner bike though.

[madrider]

DON'T BUY THE PERFORMANCE XPORT RACK.

If not for the velcro that holds the tires, my buddies' Heckler would've been on the freeway. I was wondering why people behind me were flashing their brights(?), pulled over, the U-Bar on the frame had slidden (is this is word?) up, releasing the frame, and it fell over. Velcro is wonderful, whew! Extra bungies form that day on...

I have since bought the T2 rack and love it. Secure, easy on and off. I agree with others, you get what you pay for. I leave the rack on all the time, no CHP issues to date.

If you insist on the XPORT rack, I have one for sale

[CalEpic]

Add one more for the T2 rack. I have the original 4-bike model. The newer ones are much nicer but mine has been bulletproof. Spend a few more bucks and never look back. (literally)

C

[92se-r]

Don't hate on the Performance racks until you try them. ANY rack that hangs the bike sucks ass.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=4411

This rack is by far the best rack in the market for the money. The damn thing is beefy as hell and weighs 75 lbs. And I've used my fair share of different bike racks. It is stupid easy to use and you can use it even in the middle of the night with no lights.

Too bad you can't use it with your Scion. My advice? If you are really into mountain biking, get a cheap, used SUV/Truck. Best thing I ever invested in. I tried putting a roof rack, hitch, and all the different racks for a car. I was never happy.

Mad rider, the reason your buddy's Heckler almost fell off the rack was USER ERROR. You forgot to tighten the U-bend. How is that the rack's fault? I forgot to put the pin in the vertical bar one time and my bike fell over, but was saved by the velcro. Rack's fault? I think not.

Is your rack a 2 bike or a 4 bike? My friend has been searching for one forever. I got my 4 bike for 199 and it is by far the best deal out there. I've had this rack for over a year and never a complaint. All my friends want one.

[Acadian]

word of caution about the T2...I've broken every single Sportswork and T2 I've own. The last failure left me a little bit bitter and worried about racks in general. so now I have a vehicle that I can put my bike inside (e.g. in the back). Just make sure you keep inspecting that cross brace that hold you're tray on the rack - mine popped open like a soda can and the tray completely came off - bike included.

Let me tell you - loosing a brand new bike (yes I was coming back from my FIRST ride on it) on the freeway going like 70mph is something that is hard to forget.

[mtbmichael]

that looks like pretty thick metal too. sorry about your loss.

[sdyeti]

I have heard that this is a problem. Will keep checking...sorry to hear about your bike!

Originally Posted by Acadian

word of caution about the T2...I've broken every single Sportswork and T2 I've own. The last failure left me a little bit bitter and worried about racks in general. so now I have a vehicle that I can put my bike inside (e.g. in the back). Just make sure you keep inspecting that cross brace that hold you're tray on the rack - mine popped open like a soda can and the tray completely came off - bike included.

Let me tell you - loosing a brand new bike (yes I was coming back from my FIRST ride on it) on the freeway going like 70mph is something that is hard to forget.

[Acadian]

Originally Posted by sdyeti

I have heard that this is a problem. Will keep checking...sorry to hear about your bike!

just trying to spread a word of awareness. I would hate to see this happen to someone else. just keep a close eye on those brackets.

Cheers!
- Luc