# 1
Swagman XTC2 Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Frame Mount
This I was not as happy with. Service was great. Delivery was great but the product QC was off and there is a design flaw in the product (that is most likely fixed by me spending more money, so thats on me.) Assembly was easy to follow however there was one big problem. The bar coming from the hitch to the rack. The metal mechanisim inside the square tube is cocked (image included) and thus lines up the threads for mounting at an angle and is a perfect setup for cross threading during installation. I managed with some work to get the pieces together (provided hex wrench + vice grips + torque bar). That said I can most likely never disassemble the product again for those threads are going to be toast and unsuable again. Mounting the rack to hitch was easy. Adjusting the setup for bike was easy. Design flaw and place I should spend more money is that once the bike is on the car I can no longer open the hatch to my car. Even if I pull the clamp bar off the rack closests to the hatch. Considering the cost of the rack I can live with this. It just means I cannot drive around with the rack always on the car and I will be pulling it off and only using it when I ride. Never time however I will be spending more to get a rack that either swings away from a hatch or has some sort of a pivot release to gain access into the car. For the money I spent this is going to work, considering the cost of some of the big name platform racks this is literally a small fraction of their price. So I cannot complain too much but that cross thread issue is not a good one.
I bought this (and a receiver) from etrailer for my Prius V (2012). I'm using it to carry a Trek Mamba (29er). The carrier looks to be well made. It's easy to install and take off. And easy to load one bike (I've never carried two on it). I see the carrier flex a little side-to-side sometimes when going over bumps. But it's minor - I don't feel like it's going to fail. I'd buy this carrier (or another Swagman product) again.
# 2
Swagman XC2 Bike Rack for 2 bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Frame Mount
Great bike rack that works well on my 2016 Prius. Easy to use and I can still open the rear door on the Prius with the bike on the rack. I regularly take my bike when I go hiking in the Smokies to ride between trailheads. Quality product at a reasonable price. I highly recommend this product.
I had to trade in my car and was unable to get my Yakima rack out of the receiver. It went with the car but It was OK as I had developed arthritis in my wrists and hands and after careful reading, reviews, etc. , I decided I would opt for the Swagman XC 2 for my Prius C. I had no problem putting it together- it was a breeze. I promptly put my Cannondale on-board- no problem. I headed down back roads to my favorite trail at deliberate speeds of 50-55 mph. Some bounce but not much. This reasonably priced product is perfect for my needs. I did add a bungy around the seat post for my own peace of mind. I may see if I can loosen up one of the top grips as it is super tight and hard for me to squeeze- but that may just be me. Lifting the bike onto the the Swagman was a breeze. Haven't tried it with two bikes yet but I don't anticipate any problem. Thank you etrailer for your excellent service, 2nd time around and for all the available installation tips and product reviews.
# 3
Thule Hitching Post Pro Bike Rack for 4 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches
This rack has been excellent. We transported three bicycles from MA to MN and then to Ontario on a Toyota Prius. The rack served us well.
Fits to my 2013 Prius to a Tee. So far so good. Happy with it. But noticed that the price went down a few weeks after I bought it. Bummer. Also passed up on the Whitehall rack Thule lock. Now have to buy it after further consideration
# 4
Kuat Beta Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" Hitches - Tilting
We've been using this bike rack with a 1.25" Draw-Tite receiver hitch (also purchased from etrailer) on a 2012 Prius C for a month with no problems. As shown on the pictures, it fits two bikes very well, even one with a baby carrier. I chose this model based on recommendations from etrailer that it can be easily detached from the car without tools. True to their word, it is very easily detachable from the hitch and folds up nicely to fit in your garage/closet/storage area. Basically, it uses a hand tightened ball bearing mechanism to secure itself into the hitch receiver, and then uses a 3/8" hand locked pin as a safety device. You can install and de-install this rack in just a few minutes. During driving, there is little noticeable vibration from this rack, even on rougher roads or speed bumps. The only downside is that the holes on the receiver hitch do not align perfectly with the holes on the bike rack (see picture). I believe a few other reviewers also noted this issue. There is enough room to fit the safety pin, but not quite enough to fit a 1/2" hitch lock. I called Kuat to ask them about this and the rep told me that not all hitches will line up with this rack. Kuat, coincidentally(?), sells a hitch lock that is also 3/8" (same size as the safety pin) and still fits.
I looked at a lot of bike racks and the Kuat was one of the very best. Lightweight and a reasonable price. It folds nearly flat and easy to store in the trunk. I'm using on a Toyota Prius and one pleasant surprise was I can open the hatchback without moving the rack or the bikes.
# 5
Swagman Trailhead Bike Rack for 4 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Tilting
Appears well made out of the box. Anxious to see how it holds up to use vs. the bing names in racks.
# 6
Kuat Sherpa 2.0 Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" Hitches - Wheel Mount - Gray
TLDR: Awesome. Easy. Secure at 80 mph. I have really enjoyed this Kuat rack over the past year. Installation was straightforward (just crank down on that tightening bolt through the hitch!), and I can move the rack on and off the car without too much effort. The rack weighs around ~30 lbs if I recall correctly. This rack keeps my bike safe with no problem going 80 mph down I-10 across west texas or over subpar roads in town. It takes seconds to load and unload the bikes. No fidgeting for 10 minutes to secure the bike. No ratchets to come loose and drop your bike on the road behind you, which I recently saw. :/ Just quickly load up your bike(s) and go. And yes, it can all be operated one-handed while holding a bike or a bag. The tilt down mechanism is great when bikes are loaded on the rack, and I need to access my hatchback area. Otherwise, I can open the hatchback on my Prius without a problem when the rack is folded up. Prius side note: I had a 1-1/4 hitch installed for this rack. Love it! I really appreciate etrailer's videos and pricing. Thanks!
I am so glad I bought the Kuat Sherpa 2.0 hitch bike rack. It looks so good and it fits so good into my Prius. I drove with it this morning and my bike has never been so secured with the integrated locking cable and rattle free design. Assembly was also easy and it took me only thirty minutes to do it. I totally recommend this to any avid biker who is contemplating on buying a decent bike rack.
# 7
Kuat Sherpa 2.0 Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" Hitches - Wheel Mount - Black
All in all pretty good. The arms that grab the front wheel have loosened a little bit and move side to side. They have never failed, just feel a little wobbly. The hitch receptacle is also hard to tighten but might be due to the receptacle it self. Used rack on a long trip and the bikes moved slightly side to side, but nothing serious.
Awesome product. This is the third bike rack that I have purchased from etrailer. It is the second hitch mount bike rack for me. The first hitch mount, Thule, required additional strapping to hold the bike on the rack - which was a pain. Nothing more unsettling than looking out the rearview mirror to see your bike dangling off the back of the car! However, this Kuat Sherpa is an awesome hitch. Bikes are easy to load and unload. Bikes do not touch or rub against each other. They are secure in place and I have no worries about trips down the interstate. If only I had known, this would have been my one and only bike rack purchase.
# 8
Swagman Trailhead Bike Rack for 3 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Tilting
Draw-tite Sportframe Trailer Hitch Receiver Class I - 1-1/4 Swagman Trailhead 3 Bike Rack - Tilting The Draw-tite Sportframe class 1 trailer hitch and Swagman Trailhead 3 bike rack were ordered for a 2017 Honda Fit. The online order and shipping went just as expected. The trailer hitch and bike rack are very heavy duty. I recommend watching the trailer hitch install video before installing, whereas the video is very helpful. The bike rack has triangles that you can rotate to find the best fit for your bicycle's frame. The rubber straps are thick and secure the bicycles when you pull them tight. This bike rack will stay on the vehicle for 6 months each year. The tilt feature and folding arm feature are must haves for a smaller hatchback. I am pleased with this purchase, it appears to be good quality and good value.
My previous bike rack was a hitch mounted Yakima. It was sturdy but not well suited for my low Subaru Impreza. It stuck out too far and hung too low so that I had to inch my way down the driveway or over speed bumps for fear of it bottoming out. A roof rack or a rear window mounted rack was not suitable since I wanted to be able to also carry two kayaks. First, I tried to modify my rack by shortening the part that sticks out of the hitch. I tried to saw off about 6 inches so it wouldn't stick out so far but the steel was much too hard. I ended up ruining several metal-cutting blades on my power saw before I gave up. I looked for other rack options. There weren't many out there. But eventually, I found something that met my needs. I purchased the "Swagman Trailhead 3 Bike Fold Down Bicycle Hitch Rack" in 2013 from eTrailer.com. The part that enters the hitch curves up to increase clearance from the ground. It is sturdy and sticks out far enough so I can still open my trunk hatch without having to lower the main vertical bar on the hitch (though I could if I wanted to). It isn't often I am really excited about a piece of gear but this hitch rack has made me worry-free when I transport my bicycle(s) via car. The only thing I don't like is that it is advertised as being a 3 bike carrier but it only fits 2 hybrid bikes. Maybe it will fit 3 skinny racing bikes but for the average rider, don't expect to fit on more than 2. But my experience is that is the case for all bicycle racks.
What our customers are saying:
"Sent out an e-mail to you earlier this week asking which hitch woudld be the best choice for installing on a 2000 Venture van for hauling a bike rack with two bikes. You suggested the one that would be easiest to install..received in a matter of days..installation went great ..very well thought out instructions. Everything went smooothly and the hitch is up nice and snug..doesn't stick out..looks great."