Submitted by
Roller
a Weekend Warrior
from Chantilly
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2011
Strengths: - Quick and easy. I can load my bike, secure it, and be on the road in about a minute. Offloading is even faster, taking perhaps 10 seconds per bike.
- The frame fits a 1¼" hitch receiver, and comes with an adapter sleeve (made of a hard rubber to eliminate any rattle) for 2" receivers. Bolted installation into the hitch receiver makes for a very solid attachment to the car.
- Put the rack on the car (and taking it off) is very simple--about the same as putting a trailer hitch into the receiver.
Weaknesses: - Rubber hitch sleeve has deteriorated, and I cannot find a source for replacement.
Bottom Line:
Highly recommend. I'm sure this rack will outlive me, but if I ever have need of a second one, I won't hesitate to get another. I just wish the price was a little bit lower.
Strengths: - Quick and easy to install/remove unit (I put depth marks on adapter and bike rack)
- Quick and easy to load bikes
- Folds down in every direction for vehicle access. I have an Isuzu Rodeo with glass that goes up and a door that opens out. The vertical bar drops flat and I can get in my vehicle without removing the rack.
- Durable enough to go mild 4x4ing in the East Grand Canyon/Indian Land area with bikes on back and not damage the vehicle or bikes.
- Keeps bikes in rear view mirror, slip-streams behind vehicle.
Weaknesses: - Rack doesn't lock to hitch. Has a cotter pin into the mounting bolt to keep it from backing out.
- Nylon/velcro straps that hold bikes to the wheel stops will deteriorate in a year or so. I replaced with webbing.
Bottom Line:
Great, easy, flexible, inexpensive rack that lets you access the rear of any vehicle, no matter how it opens up.
After 3 years, I have had no issues with years highway travel or light 4x4 use, except the hard-plastic adapter from 1.25" to 2" receiver adapter is starting to wear from offroad shaking.
Black blends in. I put bright yellow reflective tape on it to make it more visible.
Appears to be a Performance, Inc brand.
Model: 40-3559 Xport Flatbed 2-bike
Owners manual at:
http://www.performancebike.com/images/performance/web/PDFs/40-3559%20Xport%20Flatbed%202-bike_INST_0408_2.pdf
Similar Products Used: Many racks from bike club friends, rear-vehicle trunk or tailgate mounts.
Bike Setup: Two hard-tail mountain bikes, one road bike.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
SingleTrackDude
a Cross Country Rider
from La Canada Flintrdige, CA
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2010
Strengths: None unless you want to lose your bike on the freeway
Weaknesses: Built poorly. Bike is unstable on rack. Poor welds. Hardware is junk. Prone to metal fatigue.
Bottom Line:
Do not buy this rack trying to save money. You will pay i the long run. The clamp loosened and my Intense Tracer bounced off on the freeway. BEWARE OF A CRAPPY RACK!!!
Submitted by
CCRiderKY
a Weekend Warrior
from Clayton, NC
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2010
Strengths: Inexpensive for a hitch mount rack, lightweight, easy to set up, no wobbles if you use the included threaded hitch pin
Weaknesses: None that I have noticed. Take care of your rack and it will take care of you.
Bottom Line:
After owning several Hollywood Rack products, I simply needed an inexpensive rack to replace a poor quality Price Point experiment. I needed something that could go between 1 1/4" and 2" mounts. Looked at the Performance product, and realized it was the same item as other known name brands (probably all manufactured in the same off shore plant).
Have used the rack on various cars and bikes, from my wife's touring bike to my kids 20" wheel bike. No problem with any.
I would buy the 4-bike version if I needed to go up to that size (I currently have the 2 bike version).
Similar Products Used: Various Hollwood Racks (my favorite manufacturer), Price Point hitch rack (I think it was a Sette brand......bad experience!)
Bike Setup: SC Heckler set up for all mountain. XO drive train, Avid brakes, CrossMax, Marzocchi All Mountain, Thompson, Race Face, Tru Vativ, Swinger shock. Triple ring set up.
Strengths: Easy to use, lightweight but strong, easily adjustable, works for all our bike regardless of size.
Weaknesses: Can't lock to hitch
Bottom Line:
I would strongly recommend this product. We have it on our Subaru Forester. No wind resistance, nothing extends beyond the sides of the car, can keep an eye on the bikes through the rear view mirror. We drive over some pretty poor roads, including some bad rail crossings and the bikes stay solid. On other racks where the bikes hang they would swing wildly. Other racks have problems with top tubes that slope. None of that is a problem with this rack. The only way to break this rack would be to use it as a ladder. Exceptional bang for the buck.
Similar Products Used: Many including roof top carriers
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
JoeTruth
a Cross Country Rider
from Granada Hills, CA
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2010
Strengths: After breaking 3, I've decided to stop using this piece of crap Perfomance puts-out. Even their own employee's question why they keep selling it. Anyone who uses this rack long enough and hard enough, will experience failure. You get what you pay for. Most importantly, Randyboy is the biggest jack-off to ever walk this planet. To think one could co-exist with a beast he lives with, just for a free meal is the most repulsing and disgusting human thought imaginable. How pathetic and desperate can one be! Oh wait, it's Randall the guzzler...never mind. Makes perfect sense. Move along, cock-sucka'!
Favorite Trail: Randyboy's 500 lb. beast he calls his g/f
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Price Paid:
$120.00
Purchased At: Randyboy's gay-boy s
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
RandyBoy
a Cross Country Rider
from Mammoth
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2010
Strengths: Light, functional, best value and bang for buck, thieves leave it alone and won't steal it.
Weaknesses: Non locking.
Bottom Line:
Outstanding value, the Timex of bike racks that fit in 1 1/4" hitches. Slipstreams nicely behind my car, keeps my bike in the rear view mirror, where I can keep an eye on it. Doesn't pinch me too bad on MPG on my ultra efficient VW TDI.
This rack is a sleeper, looks like hell, no fancy name, just delivers performance without the fancy name dropping image. Not suitable for Homers or Bling Kings and Queens.
Submitted by
brad davis
a Weekend Warrior
from Charlotte, NC
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2009
Strengths: Dude, i can't believe this rack doesn't get more reviews. I have all kinds, roof, heavy huge hitch racks, scratchy trunk racks that kill your bike, this one ROCKs and oh, btw, is the cheapest. It's just a simple rack. Love not having to take off my wheels, it's protected behind my car so little to no drag as well. Can load my bike in about 3 seconds, protects it, can take any kind of bike. Pretty much just keep in on my car these days, just be careful when you back up. I had a lock from my more expensive rack so no worries there. Bought a cheap rope lock if I ever leave my bike like stopping for something to eat.
Weaknesses: You'll need to buy a hitch lock.
Bottom Line:
Sofa King awesome rack. Cheap, works, and really light. Don't pull your pack putting in on.
Submitted by
crashtx1
a Weekend Warrior
from Richardson, Tx
Date Reviewed: September 21, 2008
Strengths: Fairly Easy to assemble, very easy to load bikes
Weaknesses: Some parts flimsy, 2" adaptor hard to use, does not fold in toward the car.
Bottom Line:
I purchased this rack to use on my 1999 Toyota Camry with a 1 ¼” hitch. First, the rack does take a few minutes to assemble, but is not too difficult if you follow the directions closely. I did notice that some of the plastic parts seem a little flimsy, but once it was all together it seemed fairly stable. The bolt that is used to attach the rack to the hitch does not come with a locking mechanism, and is not a standard ½” or 5/8” size, so you would have to purchase to accessory lock if you wanted some security. The bikes seemed fairly stable on the rack, though I did not drive around with them very much before returning the rack(see below). Also, the adaptor to use the rack in a 2” hitch is really cheap and somewhat hard to get lined up. It would be better if it actually screwed on to the rack before putting it in the hitch.
Ultimately I returned the rack because while it does fold in from the sides, it does not fold toward the car like the Yakima and Thule(which might explain why it is $200 cheaper). Since it does not fold up I could not keep the rack on while the car is in the garage, so I decided it would not work long term for me.
Submitted by
andybebay
a Cross Country Rider
from Maryville, TN, US
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2008
Strengths: This rack is the BEST rack for the $$. I have had every kind of rack; trunk, roof rack, 4 bike hitch rack that weights a ton. This rack ROCKS. You don't have to take off your wheels, the bike is behind the car so no wind drag, good engineering (i go about 70 mph w/ no problems), doesn't scratch your bike and on and on. I'm serious, this bike rack is what I should have purchased along time ago. It is so easy and freakin CHEAP! Buy it, and then come back and tell us how much you loved it.
Weaknesses: Make sure you get a lock to lock it to your car, then something to lock it to the rack. I use my Thule hitch lock and then just bought a cheap rope lock but don't leave my bike on it so not alot of risk.
Similar Products Used: Thule big a$$ four bike hitch rack is cool, but heavy and expensive, roof rack
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Andy B.
a Cross Country Rider
from Maryville, TN, US
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2008
Strengths: This rack is the BEST rack for the $$. I have had every kind of rack; trunk, roof rack, 4 bike hitch rack that weights a ton. This rack ROCKS. You don't have to take off your wheels, the bike is behind the car so no wind drag, good engineering (i go about 70 mph w/ no problems), doesn't scratch your bike and on and on. I'm serious, this bike rack is what I should have purchased along time ago. It is so easy and freakin CHEAP! Buy it, and then come back and tell us how much you loved it.
Weaknesses: Make sure you get a lock to lock it to your car, then something to lock it to the rack. I use my Thule hitch lock and then just bought a cheap rope lock but don't leave my bike on it so not alot of risk.
Similar Products Used: Thule big a$$ four bike hitch rack is cool, but heavy and expensive, roof rack
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Alan
a Weekend Warrior
from Anaheim Hills, CA
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2008
Strengths: This bike rack was a good choice for me because it simply fits bikes generically. I don't have to worry about the frame type because it just fits. My previous hitch rack (traditional, single bar) only scratched up my frame & caused the bike to swing around a lot. Also, bike installation/removal is fast, fast, fast.
Weaknesses: The only major weakness is that this rack only holds 2 bikes. I know that there is a 4-bike version, but that is ~$300. Also, the 4-bike version is significantly larger and will take up a lot more space in the garage when not in use. There are a couple of minor weaknesses with this rack. The primary weakness is that the arm that holds down the bike uses a rubber coating that will wear off on the bike. If that's important to you, then you need to use a protector (cloth, towel, reg, etc.). Also, the rack comes made for 1-1/4" hitches. To work with the 2" hitch, then you use the supplied adapter. The adapter is difficult to align when you . I drilled a hole in the rack and screwed in the adapter so that it's on all the time. Lastly, this rack was $100 when I bought it in early 2007. I've noticed that Performance now sells it for $150. It was a good deal at $100, but for $150, I'd rather own a 4-bike rack that takes up less space in the garage.
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is that this is an excellent rack for 1-2 bikes where you don't want your new, shiny bike to get all scratched up with a traditional bike rack. Only a couple of minor complaints otherwise, which are both easily solved. I highly recommend this rack (at the right price, that is).
Similar Products Used: I've owned a Swagman 3-bike rack, a Hollywood 4-bike rack, and a Rac-n-Loc 2+2 bike rack. All hitch style. My good friend has the similar style Swagman XC
Bike Setup: Santa Cruz Blur XC
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
David W
a Cross Country Rider
from Chandler, AZ, USA
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2008
Strengths: Low $$$
Weaknesses: No Locks
Bottom Line:
I just ordered it based on other reviews in other places. Sounds like a great inexpensive tray rack. Getting hitch for mounting on my 98 Acura CL was $99 from Uhaul not my favorite people let me tell you. Not many other choices. I will install myself. Then add more info.
