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What bike rack to recommend

17K views 24 replies 14 participants last post by  Kimchisup  
I have a single place 1-up. I like how it works and glad I have it despite the cost for just a single bike carrier. For a 2022, I am into it for about $800 for just me to carry only my bicycle including hitch.

You need to do some research of your own then come up with a budget. These things aren't cheap, especially if you want a 3-place. It is sometimes easier to answer what a person thinks about a certain item vs trying to answer about every product out there. Just in case I suggest the highly overpriced 1-up and you say "Oh, I meant I wanted the cheapest one". There are several HQ models that carry a similar price tag too.

You should let us know if you are carrying 3 45lb e-bikes or 3 ultra light carbon road bikes though.
 
I have an Allen 4 bike hitch rack. It has a no wobble connection. Make sure you get a 2 inch receiver hitch which is stronger than the 1 1/4 hitch. You should get the 4 bike hitch rack since you can space it out more.

Just note the spare tire sticks out which means the bike needs to clear that. I used a short extension to my hitch so it clears the spare tire. Other bike racks maybe longer so you need to measure the distance. You do not want a very long extension due to the offset weight on the tongue.

By the way I forgot to mention I had to put thin metal shims on my extension to prevent it from wobbling. You want a tight connection on your hitch since the bike rack will bounce up and down plus some swaying over any bumps on the road. It can get crazy on those loose gravel roads to camp sites.
Hey, there is no exterior mounted spare tire on a 2023 RAV4. Added distance/clearance is not necessary.
 
Are your bikes able to be hung from a rack? Note the crossbar needs to be straight and unobstructed.
Neither of my mountain bikes will hang from a rack like that for example. One of my bikes has an unusual configuration and the top tube is too large to even fit. A second bike has a very steep top tube, the bike would be hanging at a crazy angle, and I think the top tube is too large of a diameter (and is not round).

If you have basic aluminum road bikes you are probably okay. If you have carbon with irregular shaped tubes you may not be able to use that style. I believe hanging bikes are more prone to sway as well. If you don't want your bikes to hit each other, that may not work for you. Dr. Shadow may have more input.
You haven't said what you are carrying so I thought it beneficial to offer a though in case you aren't aware.

If you have 3 heavy bikes, I don't know if I like that rack, it looks pretty cheap. The 1 1/4" mount just seems weak to have the bikes extended away from the vehicle (unless you have three bikes of 20lbs.
 
You are right - if shape of bike frame irregular may be adapter will be needed. One of my bikes like this (2022 Supercycle Radex 26, Dual Suspension Mountain bi...) . It still fit , but not hangs exactly horizontally.
I'm using adapter (https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0817M1S8Y) mostly because it's easy to hang bike in garage and on the rack. Adapter will work for any crazy style frame bike and Allen rack.
Also rack is 2'' and has no problem with 3 heavy bikes, they have 1 1/4" mount as well but it looks weak. Also I'm using ratchet strap through bottom of bikes frames and hitch for additional security.
Ahh okay.
The product description looked like a 1 1/4" with an adaptor to fit a 2" receiver, not a 2" build.
Good to know that it is in fact 2". Disregard my previous comment then.