Are Hollywood Racks Platform Bike Racks the Most Stable Bike Racks Available?

Updated 06/12/2020 | Published 11/03/2017

Products Featured in This Question

Hollywood Racks Trail Rider Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Frame Mount

(485)

$299.99

Question:

When I watch the video of the test drive of this bike rack, it seems to have much less bounce and rotation over offset speed bumps and regular speed bumpers than any other platform, frame-mount rack. Even others by Hollywood. From your experience, would you say that’s accurate? Or am I just getting an optical illusion based on the vehicle or camera position in this one’s video? Thank you!

asked by: Sebastian F

Expert Reply:

The Hollywood Racks part # HR1450Z is incredibly stable. While it may not look as sleek as some of the more expensive racks it actually performs better in terms of stability than nearly all of them. Actually the rack doesn't move at all so there's basically no way any other bike rack could beat it...

The test course video for this rack is accurate to how stable this rack is.

There lower end # HR200Z while not as stable as the # HR1450Z is the best choice for the economically priced racks by a mile. I attached both test course videos for you to check out as well.

expert reply by: Jameson C

Jim

6/5/2020

I'm wondering if there is a defect with my HR 1450Z rack. The rack is rock solid in the hitch, and the bikes are rock solid on the trays. However there is a lot of play where the "support beam" goes into the bracket of the hitch tube and is held in place with the front spring pin. The wheel support tubes shake up and down, and rotate a bit horizontal to the ground. Is this normal? It doesn't seem to show up in any of your videos. Thanks!

Chris R.

6/9/2020

You'll have a little movement at those connection points but it sounds like you're getting more than normal. The best thing I can recommend doing is simply going through each bolt and nut on the rack and making sure they're all completely tightened down. If this doesn't help anything please let us know.

Jim

6/9/2020

@ChrisR Thanks. I found that the bolt that attaches the support beam to the bracket wasn't tight enough. It seemed tight but when I really cranked on it, it tightened a lot more and all the play went out of the system. It's harder to fold and lower the rack now but not too hard, and the rack is rock solid when in use.