# 1
Thule Hitching Post Pro Bike Rack for 4 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches
Hitch pin broke before I got it. Looks like a poor design for the locking pin, they might want to consider a different design. I got a 3/8 shear pin from Home Depot to replace and it works great. Bike rack is great!
Mounted on a DrawTite Class III hitch for a 2008 Outback. Assembly was VERY easy, and it seems pretty sturdy overall. I feel a little iffy on the sleeve that converts/fits it to a 2" hitch from a materials perspective - I wasn't expecting it to be plastic/nylon (not 100% sure what it is exactly so correct me if I'm wrong!) but I imagine it'll probably be fine. The small plastic bars that mount the anti-sway cages also seem like they could be subject to wear from the twisting motion to install them, so that's something I'll have to watch out for. Concerns aside, the test drives I did on suburban streets and a few miles of ~75 MPH interstate seemed to go pretty well with two 30-lb bikes on it. I will say that my wife's Salsa Marrakesh has a slightly compact enough geometry that it was a little bit of a challenge getting the top tube over the cradles, so I'd imagine anything smaller than that is going to be difficult to put on there as well, but my Cross Check fit on it just fine.
# 2
Thule Passage Trunk Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - Hanging Style
I purchased a Thule Passage 2 bike rack based on my prior experience with the brand and I was NOT disappointed. The rack was easy to assemble and install and fit my Subaru Outback like a glove. When shopping for this rack, I ultimately selected a lightly used item offered on the product page and I was pleased when the rack arrived. The Thule rack was as good as new and the price point was great. Without question, I would definitely look to that option in the future. I have purchase from Etrailer.com in the past and I continue to be impressed with the level of service, the variety of merchandise and with their communication. I will not hesitate to be a return customer.
Well, I haven't used it yet, and I'm concerned that it has the potential to do damage to my car. I'm only keeping this bicycle rack because it's a Thule and it is listed as an appropriate rack for my car. Photos always show the lower arm of this rack seated on the bumper of the car but the fit for a Subaru Outback is that the lower arm rests at the bottom of the license plate "well." My concern is that with 2 bicycles on this rack, won't it put a dent in the metal????
# 3
Swagman XTC2 Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Frame Mount
The Swagman XTC 2 bike platform carrier was mounted on a 2010 Subaru Outback equipped with a 2" receiver. I will also use the bike carrier on a 2008 Saturn Vue. Ordering from etrailer was straight forward, shipping was fast with continuous texts from etrailer as to shipping status. Impressive. The bike rack works perfect for my wife's extended wheel base-pedal forward Townie bike and my Giant Sequoia trail bike. Bike positioning is important, but not difficult. Retaining hooks ratchet into place easily, and rubber straps secure the wheels. The anti-rattle receiver mount with threaded locking hitch pin works well. No slop there. The only concern we have is the flexing of the receiver bar. With no bikes on board and the carrier arms in the vertical positing, you can watch the minor 'dancing' of the vertical members. Put 2 bikes on the carrier and you can see a little more wobble of the bikes. I suspect the receiver arm of the carrier needs to be sturdier to eliminate this movement. When you read the warranty, you will notice Swagman will void the warranty if the bikes are carried on a 5th wheel trailer or on a vehicle that is taken off road. That tells me they know the receiver arm needs beefing up. Oh well, it works for my interstate transport. I would recommend this carrier for normal day to day transport of 2 bikes.
Delivery from etrailer was super fast and the price was very competetive. First the PROS: Basic assembly of this carrier was easy and quick. It does carry both our bikes within the width of the car (barely). The carrier is fairly light and attaches easily to the receiver. Mounting the bikes is easy. The latch release can be locked with small padlock, but I would lock both. The squared frame on my hybrid bike can be securely latched down with no marking. Now the CONS: Jiggly! My old Reese carrier was rock solid but this one really sways alot. The wheel carriers are not welded correctly and do not allow folding up to the latch point. Teeth on the hold down bar could be deeper. Getting our 2 bikes to sit within vehicle width took alot of initial finagling. Reflective surfaces were limited so i added my own tape for safety. Purchase of a bike post quick clamp was necessary to fit the 2 bikes on the carrier. And did i say jiggly! Oh, yeah. I don't know how long the rubber wheel straps or the hold down teeth will hold up. I can live with it not folding up as i use the rubber stap to grab the other side wheel hoop. ( i did call e-trailer support about this issue, CSR asked politely if i put it together correctly. Yes, i’m an engineer of 37 years senority). But the jiggling about really bothers me, and evidently, drivers behind as they do not tailgate anymore. So the jury is still out on the value of this product.
# 4
Thule Passage 3 Bike Carrier - Trunk Mount
Great product, high quality, fits our Outback perfectly. Bike fits the rack great. Painless ordering with etrailer and prompt delivery. Only concern was that the shipper banged up the box pretty hard, but the bike rack was not damaged.
It's very good overall, but if you take it on a longer trip or on bumpier roads, expect to make some stops to tighten the straps. It fits mine and my wife's bikes fine, but we have yet to find a way to fit my daughter's 20" bike on here, even using the adapter bar (sold separately). We're using it on an Outback wagon because we don't have a trailer hitch. When we trade this in for a newer model we will be getting a trailer hitch and springing for one of the bike racks that will fit with it.
# 5
Yakima ForkLift Roof Mounted Bike Carrier - Fork Mount
Once I figured out that my factory crossbars *could be moved* everything worked (2009 Subaru Outback). If you happen to have fixed position crossbars, and your bike's wheelbase just happens to place the rear wheel exactly in the middle of the rear clamp, then it won't work (even if you get the free fix). The rear tire ratcheting tie down (wheel tray) can't be placed suitably close to the rear wheel for buckling. Also, the clamps don't *exactly* match the shape of my crossbars, so the gripping force is not spread out. I need a notch between the upper and middle notches, or a rubbery, compressible surface.
The clamps fit factory oval cross bars. No adapters necessary. Setup on my 04 Outback took 20 minutes.
# 6
Swagman Trailhead Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Tilting
Solid craftsmanship. Bikes are secure, easy placement in holders. Nice option of pulling a pin, allowing carrier to tilt, to access hatchback of a Subaru Outback wagon. Slight "side to side" movement when driving down the road however; maintains solid attachment to trailer hitch.
Just installed the rack & took the bike on a little ride... all worked great! Installation instructions could have been a little bit clearer, but I've seen worse.
# 7
Swagman Fork Down Roof Mounted Bike Carrier - Fork Mount
Goes together quickly, appears that it will fit my needs in terms of being cross-compatible on a variety of vehicles. Fit on a Subaru Outback factory crossbar and transported bike locally with no issues when I got it out to set up and test (not quite warm enough to ride much yet where I live). Instructions are not super, but the assembly is pretty straightforward so that is not a problem. At the price point, if this rack indeed holds up to swapping onto multiple vehicles and lasts me a few years, I'll be thrilled with the purchase.
The rack was pretty much as should be expected at this price point. It works, but not great quality. For one, the paint easily chips off. Another, the rails are a bit flimsy and twist when you tighten the rear wheel firmly. The directions don't explain a number of small items (which make for a better installation) such as make sure the lever is positioned on the outside for easier installation of the bike, why is there one different bolt, whether the bikes should be mounted forward, backward or it doesn't matter, the rails have a right (and less right) way of going together, the strap for the rear tire "will" fall off of the rack if you forget to reinsert it after taking the bike off of the car. Despite these shortcomings, the rack works well at an inexpensive price...I think a pretty good value
What our customers are saying:
"Everyone that bought before me was right! I got my rack in time for my next days off and putting it together was fast too. And I'm a grandma!! Thank you for being fast and honest! You beat anyone in my town hands down!"