# 1
Thule Hitching Post Pro Bike Rack for 4 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches
Although the bike rack is everything I had hoped it would be, I will say the instructions leave a lot to be desired. We are only talking a bike rack and one that is nearly assembled but these are my comments: 1) Which way to the rubber straps go, with the groove edge toward the bike or away? 2) How do you attach the "sway bars" and where? 3) Did they tell you the sway bars connect to the thin part of the bracket, no! 4) What's this big bolt for? Eventually you figure it all out(with the exception of the groove edge of the straps) but why not make the instructions a little clearer? Again, it is a great rack for carrying up to four(4) bikes! MTF
You can't beat this bike rack if you have a receiver hitch for price/quality. Handles 4 bikes easily. The bonus for us on our Ford Edge with a 1.25" receiver, the gate is still able to open with the rack on without having to make it tilt down. The handlebars of the first bike sometimes gets in the way, but it still is nice.
# 2
Swagman XTC2 Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Frame Mount
We bought the Swagman Doubletrack hitch bike rack a year ago to use with our 2013 Ford Edge. Etrailer shipped it out right away and the assembly was very straight forward. The actual use of the bike rack is very easy with 2 clamps that slide down to lock the bikes in position and 4 bungees which lock the wheels in. The rack keeps the bikes secure (even on bumpy roads) and the upright bar swings down and out of the way so we have access to the back of the Edge without removing the rack from the hitch. Just a very good solid design.
Good: the product assembly was fairly easy, and the instructions were good. I found the rack easy to insert and remove from the hitch. I use a wrench to ensure it is tightened, and just keep that wrench in the car at all times. Poor: I found it somewhat cumbersome to organize two bikes on the rack. You need to adjust the tire platforms just so, depending on the bikes. But also, the height matters too, and getting them on there so that the handlebars and pedals don't clash. That can be a small issue with hanging racks too. If you always have the same 1 or 2 bikes, then you figure out a routine and just stick with it. But, that said, I didn't think the inverted hooks securely held the bikes. I never feel as if I can get them snug, and I end up using a couple of bungees just for insurance. Plus, I'm not comfortable with the tires sticking out beyond the sides of the car, even though they probably don't stick out much further than the outside edge of the sideview mirror. My final assessment: I went back to the roof rack I had been using, for convenience and easy of use. I tried the hitch rack because I didn't want to risk marring the roof of my new Prius with the load-bearing bars and then the bike rack-tracks on top of that. But, with a second person, I was able to get the bars and rack positioned with no problems, and decided to just leave it on for the season. It takes me only about 4 minutes to get two bikes on top without any assistance. And I have access to the trunk (which I definitely don't have with the hitch rack).
# 3
Swagman Chinook Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Frame Mount
The rack shipped fast, thank you! Assembly was easy and rack looks very sturdy. I did have to disassemble and switch position of the locking arms to accommodate our bikes, but this was easy to do. I bought this rack to take our bikes to Florida for our 2 month winter break. Fits our 2015 Ford Edge great and tilt feature allows for easy access to rear cargo area. Very happy so far with the Swagman Chinook, the upcoming trip will be the true test of the rack. Thanks etrailer.com for a trouble free online shopping experience.
Still getting spacing sorted out, but so far it's a good carrier. It's stable in my Class 1 receiver and seems to keep the bike from bouncing around. I slipped an old sock over the locking arm to prevent frame rub some people have claimed. While the bike is held securely for travel to/from the trails, I can't get the locking arm to sit in the lowest point of the top tube by the seat post - the safest spot regarding anti-theft - without my bike being shifted to the extreme edge of the carrier. My solution was to get a security cable similar to this - https://www.etrailer.com/Bike-Locks/Master-Lock/72DPF.html - and padlock it to the receiver for trips where I plan to be away from the car/bike for more than a couple minutes. Why I knocked off a star: One of the supplied carriage bolts is 1/8-1/4" too short out of the box, making it impossible to thread the nut on the end with the split-lock washer in place. And perhaps I don't know my own strength, but I over-torqued one nut and snapped the bolt, sending it flying. I replaced all 4 assembly bolts and split-lock washers with some Grade 5, zinc-plated, 5/16-18 carriage bolts in sizes (1) 2", (1) 2.5", (2) 3". M8-1.25 also works.
# 4
Swagman Trailhead Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Tilting
etrailer is one of the best online retailers. George J. Was in constant contact with us through the email on our order. etrailer sent emails when the product shipped and even alerted us when it would be delivered. George also emailed us as far as when we received our product that if we had any questions he was there ready to answer any and all questions. Their customer service is second to none. If I have any future purchases it will be through etrailer. Thank you George and etrailer.
Your service was great and the Swagman S63360 is exactly what I needed to carry our two bikes on our Ford Edge.
# 5
Saris Freedom Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Frame Mount
I had to put my electric bikes into this rack, backwards, to make them fit. Not ideal, but it works.The receiving 'trays' that are intended to provide support for holding the bikes, by being placed under the bike tires, are forced to be moved to a location that is not directly under the bottom of the bike tires. While it works in this manner, it is not ideal.For the support that attaches to the diagonal bike frame, we had to remove it from the vertical rail of the rack. We reinstalled it, upside down, because that's the only way we could make it fit, or 'grab', the bike frame. Again, we made it work, but it's not ideal. We chose to keep the rack because it was so much less expensive than the Thule rack we considered buying. The bike shop owner didn't agree with us. He observed that we are putting $3000 worth of bikes on the rack and risking that investment. So far, no problems, other than the ill-fitting installation.
With a few adjustments this rack has delivered. Needed to add additional strapping since the provide straps for securing the bikes to center bar were not long enough due to my ebike design (Velotric). My bikes are step through with a thick frame so provided straps won't fit. Simple adjustment with strapping resolved minor issue. Speed of 73 mph on the highway and some bumpy VT roads and this rack performed.
# 6
Yakima RidgeBack Bike Rack for 4 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Tilting
The rack arrived fully assembled and the additional HandCuff Cable Lock was securely packed in the same carton. The installation of the Cable Lock was very simple (watch the Etrailer video concerning the lock -- made things very clear though the printed instruction were easy enough to follow). Installing the rack on my 2017 Ford Edge was extremely simple (again, watch the Etrailer video). The rack slid easily into the hitch and tightened up very snugly. I have not used the bike rack yet for transport, but it appears very sturdy and the clips holding the bike in place are very secure. Etrailer customer service was exceptional and I was very surprised to see the cable lock arrive with the rack since I was originally told it was on backorder.
Check out my other review on the hidden hitch for a 2015 BMW 4 Series for the majority of the review, but this thing is great. Easy setup and install, does all the things it's supposed to do. Mounting and removing bikes is a snap with the included clips (big difference from some of the cheaper variants with nylon ratchet straps). Fits very snugly in my 2" receiver, and pretty solid on the highway and over bumpy roads.
What our customers are saying:
"great experience!!! I've been looking for a hitch. With the experience I just had with the bike rack, I;kk definitely come back and order the hitch when I have a little more $$$. delivery was quick! the product was awesome!!! Frank"