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This 2-bike platform rack is perfect for riders who occasionally take a friend or family member out to the trail. You can tilt it with your bikes loaded for trunk access and fold it up for storage. Includes lock for bikes.
Features:
Specs:
The Runway's mast has a pair of ratcheting hooks that hold your bikes securely by the top tube. And because they move independently, you can carry bikes of different shapes and sizes. The hooks have soft padding that won't scratch or scuff your bike's paint.
The rack has wheel hoops that provide a stable base for mounting your bikes. Each hoop has a hand knob that lets you easily slide it along the tray to accommodate your bike's wheelbase.
The rack tilts with bikes loaded for easy access to your vehicle's rear cargo area. To tilt the rack, remove the pin at the base of the rack, slide the platform out away from the vehicle, and use both hands to lower it. To raise the rack, lift it up and slide the platform back toward your vehicle so it catches inside the base, and re-insert the pin. Pull the pin at the base of the mast to fold the mast down so you can fold the rack up against your vehicle.
Security for Your Bikes
Locks on each frame clamp knob secure your bikes to the rack. The knobs spin freely when locked so a would-be thief can't operate them to remove your bikes from the clamps. An anti-rattle lock (sold separately) to secure the bike carrier to your vehicle
The rack includes a threaded hitch pin that helps eliminate rattle in the hitch receiver during transport. The rack also works with both 1-1/4" and 2" hitches. To use it in a 1-1/4" hitch, simply remove the adapter with the included Allen key.
California residents: click here
Average Customer Rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars (46 Customer Reviews)
This 2-bike platform rack is perfect for riders who occasionally take a friend or family member out to the trail. You can tilt it with your bikes loaded for trunk access and fold it up for storage. Includes lock for bikes.The amount you save on this bike will not counter the amount you pay for the damages to your bike after it fails on you on the highway. :-( When i purchased this rack June 2020, I was stoked for using it for my mountain bike this summer, and paying half the price of the competing brands out there. When i received the rack, I assembled it as the directions told me but then found out that the mounting piece was initially installed backwards by the manufacturer. I fixed that myself, but then the locking knob also broke off on initial install (see pic below). This is what caused problems. Not only could the bike not be secured without an additional lock, the actual knob broke off in transit. I made due by strapping my bike down with what i could--but eventually, on the highway, the top piece flew off and sent my bike dragging behind me until i could safely stop. The damage to the bike was about $600. Not only costly, but also very dangerous to me and the drivers behind me. So--my take away, is even though this rack looks ideal for your adventures--be aware, the components and initial assembly will fail on you.
400 miles and held up well. $1500 worth of bikes, so I stopped a few times to make sure everything was holding up. It did well!
You can decide which way to put the “hooks” that go over the frame onto the rack when you assemble it. This will eliminate the problem of not being able to secure both bikes if one frame is lower.
It’s also heavy as heck (with the bikes on it) to tilt to access the cargo in the hatch. For me, I can handle it...for my wife, not so much. Don’t plan on getting to the cargo unless you are strong and have a good back.
The swing arm came with the predrilled holes for the lock pin off by about half an inch, so I had to drill new holes. Even then, the hole for the pivot point also seems slightly off. Once I got new holes drilled, it holds on nice and sturdy and doesn't knock about while driving. The locking mechanism, while clever, seems flimsy. Might just be for preventing crimes of convenience.
I really wish the bike rack had stationary tire tie downs. The ones provided do not keep the bikes from swaying while driving. I use two bungee cords and wrap them around the bikes to stop the swaying. A longer bolt and a lock nut should have been provided to secure the bike rack to the hitch. The bolt loosens easily due to the length of the bolt and causes the bike rack to lean to one side. There is one spot of rust on the bike rack. I was careful to put a lubricant on the bike rack when assembling and attaching to the hitch so that I could remove the bike rack if needed. I cannot remove the bike rack from the hitch. It wont budge. Therefore, most carwashes will not allow my vehicle to go through with the bike rack.
This bike rack is a great design. Easy to assemble and sturdy. I did have to purchase an additional receiver to fit my trailer but the original that came with the rack fits all my other vehicles. Super easy to interchange and use it on multiple vehicles and or RVs. I'm a perfectionist and very fussy when it comes to how things are built and this bike rack passes the test.
Terry
7/20/2021
Perfect! Just like new and no issues to report.
After a year of use this is a good bike rack. It is pretty easy to put on the car, even for one person, and holds the bikes securely. It can be a little tricky to get everything to line up when moving pieces into different positions, but overall it does what it is supposed to do. Also, the tilt down feature with the bikes on the rack is very difficult to maneuver and is pretty much impossible without 2 people.
My biggest issue with this bike rack is that the adapter for the 2" hitch is awful. The adapter got stuck in the hitch when we first used it and made the hitch impossible to install. We eventually had to shave it down so that it would fit more smoothly. With this issue fixed, this is a solid, functional bike rack.
The key broke off in the lock after a few months of maybe weekly locking/unlocking so it’s not the best mechanism but I am now very careful about only locking it when needed since I was able to remove it and am now using the spare…I might look into other locks that I can use instead that match the profile of the current mechanism.
The frame is very study and the drop down features is invaluable. I do wish there was a 2 in hitch version since the adapter adds a little more freedom and wiggle to the rack (and I’m using an anti-rattle hitch lock).
Great bargain. For the money it’s good. The locking knob sucked and broke they mailed me a new one.(same thing) I use 2 nuts instead that I bought at Home Depot and tighten with a wrench. Also the foam that protects the bike frames wore thru in 2 uses. I wrapped it in black tape and it’s holding up.
Use this rack for bikes you are not too worried about scratching. The original foam leaves a black stain residue it comes off easy with a wd40 wipe.. I use for the camping bicycles so to me it is a good option cheap and cheerful. I didn’t have to put out $500 for a nice tire held mount but I leave it on the camper full time. I do have a nice high end rack I use with the nice bikes. It may seem that it’s not a great review. I’m just being honest about my experience. I would buy it again No doubt. It was cheap. I don’t worry of it being stolen. Etc.
Overall, great bike rack. Easy to set up and take down every time I am planning for a bike trip. It is sturdy and easy to use. The only thing is the security when leaving bikes behind on the rack. The security mechanism provided is hokey and the lock broke very easily. I was able to replace but I now use a long chain to lock up because of how easyit is to break. Still highly recommended, I also like how the rack moves down to access the trunk or up out of the way when not in use.
Simple assembly, easy load and unload, bikes secure with minimal fuss and no interference with each other
For a tilt-away hitch rack, this is a good value. Depending on the bikes, you may have to disassemble and reposition the tire cradles to accommodate different wheelbases. The same is true for the hold down hooks, depending on the height of bicycles' top tube. As such, the assembly instructions would benefit from some text as well as the drawings. A chart showing a recommended configuration for various bike height and wheelbase combinations would be very helpful. Plan on at least an hour to assemble the rack, see how the bikes load and fit, and then adjust and/or transpose the cradles and hooks.
Bottom line is I would buy this again, especially for infrequent use. If I were, say, a once or twice a week biker, then I'd pony up the extra $$ for a tire mount rack instead of the center post frame mount. On a side note, the etrailer bike rack categories, subgroups, and pictures make bike rack shopping a breeze. One of the best designed shopping assistance interfaces I've seen for any product.
Fairly easy assembly, wish it came with tools. Lightweight compared to other racks so easy to take on and off the vehicle for us weekend warriors.
just got it, have yet to use it, five star rating is based off of ease of building and apparent sturdiness. i've been driving around with it on my subaru forester in the upright compact position and it seems pretty great. will be using it on fathers day to go biking with my dad. sturdy, doesn't rattle, good looking.
John
6/24/2021
Unfortunately, the product is a bit prone to rust, so if you think you can just leave it out in the rain attached to your car without consequence, think again. After 1 year, I have discovered that it no longer easily moves up and down while attached to my car do to rust forming between the metal where the joint is. I will have to take it apart and reassemble it. A bit of a pain. Otherwise, its a cheap, sturdy bike rack that gets the job done. I am just a bit upset about the rust.
I have never owned this style of bike carrier before, but the ease of use and apparent quality of construction, I would say this is a great bang for you buck!!
The bike rack has provided good service and utility. Im very pleased with it's easier of operation and overall strength. Living in Hawaii has it's challenges, especially rust, I have not experienced any rust thus far and am very happy to report that. Overall I would rate the product as a 9 on a scale of 10, the one pitfal was in ease of installation, it took longer than expected to secure the Hitch in the receiver.
Padding on arms rubbed against frame top tube and wore off some paint. Wheel tie down straps aren't long enough to wrap around some fatter tires. Locking/unlocking mechanism isn't very good and not worth the trouble, I put regular wingnut on there now.
Would have given a 5 rating except for several things mostly related to manufacturing quality. etrailer site was great and technical support was helpful. Nice added feature would have been two locking knobs instead of one. Problems encountered: 1 1/4 inch bar would not slide into my receiver on Avalon. Other products I have slide in easily. Wanted to file paint off Malone unit but etrailer suggested I file inside of receiver & add grease. After many filings and some grease it finally went in. Also had to enlarge each of the pin holes used to hold unit in folded up position so that pin would slide in. In the folded down position holes line up perfectly.
Great service and terrific product. Chris answered all my questions and delivery was super fast. Used it the first time this week with no problems. Did have our grandson put it together. Took him 20 minutes (would have taken us 2 hours)! Much lighter than our old bike rack and I was able to lift my bike on and off myself (I am 77!). It answered our needs.
This Malone Bike Rack only took about 10 minutes to assemble.
The missing star is due to one of the lock keys being broken in the box.
Still waiting on Malone (maker of the rack) to respond.
THe staff at eTrailer have been the best. Thank you all.
Product arrived well packed and in a timely manor. Assembly is straight forward, good instructions that are simple to read. I do wish they would add some suggestions for storing this device when not in use. It is heavy so if considering a wall mount, I suggest using at least two (2) brackets at 32" apart and lag bolted ( 2 1/2 inch ) into a good wall stud. This method will distribute the weight and lessen the likelihood of it pulling free, falling and damaging something else.
Overall, a really nice product.
I use the center hold down bar, the lock come off
Tim W.
7/9/2020
The bike rack is easy to use & strong enough, I use every week, good price & quality.
Instructions did not give any indication as to where the short square in tube with 2 bolt holes went
Was able to figure it out, that it went between the 2 wheel holder arms. That was the only place that the bolt holes lined up. Otherwise, an easy assembly. Spare or replacement parts must be ordered directly from Malone, but seem to be reasonably priced.
We love it. Easily mounted and easy to dismount bike. Best feature is the ability to lower without taking rake off to get in back of our Ford Explorer.
Did not get a chance to use this bike rack yet. But Nicole T was so product knowledgeable. Answered all my questions. Definitely use this company again.
Easy to assemble, folds up nicely for compact size.
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Sierra K.
9/28/2021
This bike rack has a specific anti-rattle locking device that is sold separately that will help with sway: Item # MPG2174. Also, you could pair that with some stabilizing straps that will keep your bikes snug: Item # 18050. As for the bike rack not coming off, this needs to be removed when not in use to prevent rust. I would use lubricant like WD40 heavily, and slowly rock back and forth while spraying to get it to loosen.