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ZKcrew
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Which hitch rack are you guys using?
07/13/13 at 11:34pm
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I've been mounting my bikes on the roof of my Audi A4 Avant.  Just got a VW Touareg with a 2" hitch receiver.  Just wanted to see which hitch rack everyone is using.  I'm leaning towards the wheel mount style over the top tube mount style since they look more stable.  Also, the top tube mount style would seem to contact with shifter/brake cables and would have bikes with angled top tubes sitting tilted.  On the other hand, the wheel mount style is more bulky and more expensive.  Your thoughts and recommendations are appreciated! 

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Gravitythief76
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Re: Which hitch rack are you guys using?
Reply #1 - 07/14/13 at 12:00am
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Wheel mount. All the way.
  
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traildog
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Re: Which hitch rack are you guys using?
Reply #2 - 07/14/13 at 12:06am
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Raxter.  Had mine for 5 years now.
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Enoch
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Re: Which hitch rack are you guys using?
Reply #3 - 07/14/13 at 12:11am
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I think these are about as good as it gets.

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Do what you like. Stop hating people for their riding habits and get back to hating them for their skin color, religion, politics, and sexual orientation.
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RobP
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Re: Which hitch rack are you guys using?
Reply #4 - 07/14/13 at 12:39am
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I have run a swagman on my Jetta GLi since 2006 with no issues.  Just make sure you get the one with the ratcheting action, not the screw tight.

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I carry anything from my Blur LTC to 2 full on DH bikes up to Snowshoe without any issues.  It is a frame mount, but you can usually find them for under $200
  
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santana
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Re: Which hitch rack are you guys using?
Reply #5 - 07/14/13 at 1:30am
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Nothing beats a 1upUSA rack. 

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Yellowduck
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Re: Which hitch rack are you guys using?
Reply #6 - 07/14/13 at 2:43am
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1up here.  If you can stomach the price, it is well worth it.
  
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ZKcrew
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Re: Which hitch rack are you guys using?
Reply #7 - 07/14/13 at 5:14pm
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thanks for the recommendations.  the 1up racks looks nice but definitely pricey.  so it looks like most people are using the wheel mount racks.  anyone have experience with frame mount racks?
  
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gonzo
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Re: Which hitch rack are you guys using?
Reply #8 - 07/14/13 at 5:28pm
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I have the frame mount rack currently.  The main reason I went with it was that during the winter I can put a snowboard/ski rack onto it.  I will keep this rack for that reason, but am currently saving up for a wheel mount rack.
  
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ZKcrew
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Re: Which hitch rack are you guys using?
Reply #9 - 07/14/13 at 5:41pm
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never thought of doing that but that would be a plus.  do you have a link to the snowboard/ski adapter?   

just found this Kuat NV rack and it looks sweet:
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Here it is mounted on a Touareg:
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Gravitythief76
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Re: Which hitch rack are you guys using?
Reply #10 - 07/14/13 at 5:46pm
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Kuat is super nice. One even has a workstand built in for trailside tune ups.
  
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sager
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Re: Which hitch rack are you guys using?
Reply #11 - 07/14/13 at 6:51pm
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1up
  
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dwright
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Re: Which hitch rack are you guys using?
Reply #12 - 07/14/13 at 11:23pm
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Nice bikes . . . I have a Kuat hitch rack and it works great.  My wife backed into something with it mounted - jammed the tongue into the receiver.  I had to yank it out with heavy chain.  It worked fine after that. Also have Rocky Mounts tie-rods for the roof.  I tend to use the roof racks more because I like to access the hatch to get geared up.
  
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Re: Which hitch rack are you guys using?
Reply #13 - 07/14/13 at 11:52pm
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Enoch wrote on 07/14/13 at 12:11am:
I think these are about as good as it gets.

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Worth the expense I'd say...
  
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Re: Which hitch rack are you guys using?
Reply #14 - 07/15/13 at 12:03am
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ZKcrew wrote on 07/14/13 at 5:14pm:
thanks for the recommendations.  the 1up racks looks nice but definitely pricey.  so it looks like most people are using the wheel mount racks.  anyone have experience with frame mount racks? 



Yes I use the Swagman frame mount rack.  As I mention make sure you get the one with the ratchet action.  For the record I carry around a Santa Cruz Blur LTcarbon and a Specalized Demo 8.  

As far as experiences are concerned I have blasted up the curvy mountain road to Snowshoe with 2 40lb+ DH bikes on the back with no issue.  If you are looking for an economical solution the Swagman wont let you down.
« Last Edit: 07/15/13 at 12:04am by RobP »  
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Re: Which hitch rack are you guys using?
Reply #15 - 07/15/13 at 1:32am
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I have a Kuat something or other.  Not the one with the bike stand.  Big fan and it's light as well should the wife ever want to utilize it herself.
« Last Edit: 07/15/13 at 1:34am by TwoNeener »  
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ZKcrew
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Re: Which hitch rack are you guys using?
Reply #16 - 07/15/13 at 3:06am
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RobP wrote on 07/15/13 at 12:03am:

Yes I use the Swagman frame mount rack.  As I mention make sure you get the one with the ratchet action.  For the record I carry around a Santa Cruz Blur LTcarbon and a Specalized Demo 8.  


do you have to use the top tube adapter to mount those bikes?

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msedly
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Re: Which hitch rack are you guys using?
Reply #17 - 07/15/13 at 5:25pm
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I'm using the Yakima holdup. It's a little heavy, but works well.
  
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Re: Which hitch rack are you guys using?
Reply #18 - 07/17/13 at 3:06pm
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ZKcrew wrote on 07/15/13 at 3:06am:


do you have to use the top tube adapter to mount those bikes?

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Sorry when you said frame mount vs the wheel mount I thought you were referring to how the rack holds onto the bike.  With the Swagman it sits in wheel hoops, but then clamps down onto the frame vs the wheel.

Here is an older picture

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Here it is with 2 heavy a$$ DH Bikes before heading up to Snowshoe

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Re: Which hitch rack are you guys using?
Reply #19 - 07/25/13 at 1:58am
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I have a Kuat alpha rack for sale. It is a frame mount. Let me know if you are interested.
  
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Re: Which hitch rack are you guys using?
Reply #20 - 07/25/13 at 12:55pm
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Go with that Kuat or something like It. I am currently rocking my old faithful Yakima DoubleDown4, but am not really a fan. It works, its paid for, it was cheap with my employee discount and it converts between 1-1/4 and 2" easy but other than that its a PITA to get 4 bikes aligned on without some macguyvering.
  
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Re: Which hitch rack are you guys using?
Reply #21 - 07/30/13 at 10:41pm
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1up and I can't even imagine using another rack after using this one.  Damn near perfect.
  
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Re: Which hitch rack are you guys using?
Reply #22 - 07/31/13 at 9:57pm
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I have a Thule T2 rack.  It's pretty easy to use and sturdy enough for my two bikes.
« Last Edit: 07/31/13 at 10:00pm by ChosenOne »  
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ZKcrew
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Re: Which hitch rack are you guys using?
Reply #23 - 08/04/13 at 3:09pm
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thanks to all for sharing your setups. much appreciated. I like the Kuat the most out of the ones I have seen so far.   

I found a Yakima Doubledown on craigslist for $75 so I picked it up so I could use it while waiting to find a good deal on a wheel mount rack.   

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Re: Which hitch rack are you guys using?
Reply #24 - 08/08/13 at 1:05pm
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1up..I love mine.
  
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Re: Which hitch rack are you guys using?
Reply #25 - 08/08/13 at 6:27pm
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ZKcrew wrote on 08/04/13 at 3:09pm:
thanks to all for sharing your setups. much appreciated. I like the Kuat the most out of the ones I have seen so far.  

I found a Yakima Doubledown on craigslist for $75 so I picked it up so I could use it while waiting to find a good deal on a wheel mount rack.  

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My main caution on racks like the Kuat is the strap that holds the rim.  I ruined the finish on some expensive wheels because that strap scored the rims.  On that pretty bike, you may want to be careful with that.  It could be I was doing it wrong, but I went with the 1-up primarily for that reason.
  
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Re: Which hitch rack are you guys using?
Reply #26 - 08/08/13 at 9:25pm
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Just curious, why are some of you guys choosing expensive hitch racks over roof racks?   Is it ease of removal, or gas mileage, or something like that?
  
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sager
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Re: Which hitch rack are you guys using?
Reply #27 - 08/08/13 at 11:12pm
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1 reason is the one I described.  Roof racks scored my rims.  Ease of removal is nice.  My roof rack wasn't as durable.  I ran into my garage a few times.  It made a lot of noise from wind turbulence.  Can leave my bike on my car at night.  Roof  rack damaged my car.  I mean, it works, but hitch rack is better.  IMO
  
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Ridefour15
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Re: Which hitch rack are you guys using?
Reply #28 - 08/09/13 at 1:20am
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Fair enough.  I bought half my roof rack parts used so I saved a ton of money.  I can fit three bikes on the roof with what I have now, but I also used it for a surf board a lot when I lived in Massachusetts (was 35 minutes from Newport, RI).  If I had a nicer car I might reconsider.

Only driven into a garage once so far (two months ago), which was about 5 years after I got the racks.  Damaged my car far more than my bike!
« Last Edit: 08/09/13 at 1:21am by Ridefour15 »  
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