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Rhode Gear
Spare Tire Shuttle
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Submitted by
P N
a Cross Country Rider
from Cupertino
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Last Weekend | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | REI Outlet.com | | Strengths: | Cheap. Works. Front wheel stays on the bike. Excellent for carrying one bike. | | Weaknesses: | Needed to shim my spare tire on the Jeep Liberty for clearance. Not good for 2 bikes as they will rub oneachother | | Similar Products Used: | All sorts of roof racks and reciever racks. | | Bike Setup: | Full suspension monocoque, traditional hardtail, and road bikes. | | Bottom Line: | This rack is great for the price and works properly. It is easy to install and remove, and stores compactly in the garage. Really only a good solution for carrying one bike. Reasonable security can be acheived with locks and cables but is not strength. Terrible for two bikes.
The straps will need to be replaced periodically. The plastic parts may become brittle over time. The adjustable arms feature actually works really great for me. I easily fold the arms down when parked so that folks, especially myself, won't impale ribs.
Bungees and creative thinking are needed. Compared to a Sportworks (now Thule) or Saris reciever rack this takes more time. Compared to roof racks, about the same amount of time. Enjoy being able to keep the front wheel on.
I bungee the wheels so that they don't rotate. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Asheville
Date Reviewed: August 12, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Kitsuma | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Liberty Bicycles | | Strengths: | Quick setup, opens with spare tire, very reliable for one or two bikes, relatively inexpensive | | Weaknesses: | bikes move more than on a roof rack, but I have never had bikes fall off or almost fall off, they always seem secure. | | Similar Products Used: | Trunk racks. | | Bike Setup: | 97' Jamis with "trail bike" stuff. | | Bottom Line: | My Rhode Gear strap-on rack has been extremely reliable. I have often put 2 bikes on it (approx. 60 lbs.) and have had no probs driving for 12 hours at 85, er, I mean, 55 mph. For day trips I don't bother adding bungee cords, the velcrow straps are secure, but I do add bungees for the long trips just for extra safety.
For security, I use a regular bike lock.
I can see how this rack would suck if you don't put it on right, so make sure you put the strap that goes around the circumference of the tire FIRST, then the one that goes around. The one that goes around will hold the first strap in place. And of course, pull the straps tight, and you shouldn't have any problem. I go over bumps faster than I should all the time, and will watch my bikes bounce around, but the rack never unseats from bouncing.
Keep it in your car if you don't want it to rust, it's insanely fast to set up if you don't undo the clamps; 2 straps and you're done.
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Submitted by
Ahmad
a Cross Country Rider
from Brooklyn
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | bike store | | Strengths: | inexpensive, simple install | | Weaknesses: | straps that hold to the spare tire were weak. | | Similar Products Used: | switched to a hitch monted receiver | | Bike Setup: | univega 700 pro series comp | | Bottom Line: | DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT. I BOUGHT IT AS A QUICK SOLUTION TO TRANSPORTING MY BIKE. IT IS A 2 BIKE CARRIER. IT DIDNT SEEM TO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY BIKE, I MEAN THERE WAS A LIL SHAKE AND I ONLY WENT ABOUT TWO MILES. WHEN I PUT TWO BIKES ON IT RIGHT AWAY I NEEDED TO RE TIGHTEN THE STRAPS. EVERY BUMP I HIT ON THE HIGHWAY I CAN SEE THE TWO BIKES BOUNCING. AS I CONTINUED TO DRIVE I LOOKED IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR ONLY TO SEE THE FRONT TIRES OF MY BIKES POINTED STRAIGHT UP. THAT RIGHT THEY HAD SHIFTED AND WERE WITHIN INCHES OF THE HIGHWAY. I PULLED OVER AND STRAPPED AND BUNGEED IT AS MUCH AS I COULD BUT AS I CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE BUNGEESS EVEN SNAPPED, THATS SOME SERIOUS TWISTING, SO IF YOU DONT WANT YOUR BIKE ANYMORE, AND DONT LIKE THE GUY WHO DRIVES BEHIND YOU THEN GO RIGHT AHEAD AND BUY THIS. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
scott mcconchie
a Weekend Warrior
from baker, nv usa
Date Reviewed: September 16, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$99.00 | | Strengths: | Goes on easy. Cinches down tight. | | Weaknesses: | Plastic straps get weak in the sun (However rhode gear replaced them for me for free with one phone call!!)
| | Similar Products Used: | Yakima Terra-gate (too expensive!!) | | Bike Setup: | Schwinn Moab | | Bottom Line: | Good product for the value. Not perfect but pretty nice. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Curtis
a Weekend Warrior
from Plainwell, MI USA
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Fort Custer | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Cambria Bicycle Outfitters | | Strengths: | Very stable, quick to put bikes on and off, opens with spare tire, Stable Control blocks are nice. | | Weaknesses: | Control blocks slide up and down arms. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Giant Yukon | | Bottom Line: | I wanted to get a good, affordable rack for my Blazer (w/ spare tire, obviously) and shopped around quite a bit for a deal. I found this great deal at Cambria, but they screwed me on shipping for $30. Oh well. Setup was easy, and mounting the bikes is quick and painless. I really like the stability of this rack. I got the 'bolt-on' rack, which bolts directly to the bolts that hold my spare, so it's real stable on the back of my truck. Once my bikes are on, I don't worry about a thing. I did make one long trip with 2 bikes, and the little rubber control blocks slid around, allowing our bikes to scratch each other pretty well. To fix that, I've cut 2 pieces of PVC pipe (one for each arm) that rests between the control pads, keeping them apart from each other. In addition to that, I made some little additional arms out of PVC that hold my bikes apart down by the wheels. That way, when they swing, they swing together and don't hit each other. It was an easy fix for the only problem I could find with this car rack. Very good buy if you're looking for a quality rack for your bikes. Now I just need to find an attachment for snowboards. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike
a Cross Country Rider
from lansing, mi
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | burchfield | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | dicker and deal, used stuff. | | Strengths: | cheap, lightweight, easy to put bikes on. nice colors. | | Weaknesses: | It doesnt adjust all that easily, and rusts quickly. the "jaw" broke on one side, and is held togther by a beefy pipe clamp now. It seems like it is going to fail spectacularly at any bump in the road, and fling my bikes into traffic. It worries me. Straps are easy to lose, and done always hold bikes on over bumps. | | Similar Products Used: | Rollbar on jeep, with straps. | | Bike Setup: | '01 trek 8500 | | Bottom Line: | I would look for other options, unless you are strapped for cash. It still beats the department store type of racks by a mile. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert
a Weekend Warrior
from Augusta, Ga USA
Date Reviewed: December 4, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Canal, Wine Creek, Lick Fork Lake | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$89.00 | | Purchased At: | Andy Jordans | | Strengths: | Quick installation and removal, Carries bikes well, Sturdy and stable | | Weaknesses: | Designed for a SUV not a truck | | Similar Products Used: | no clue | | Bike Setup: | Giant Rainer SE, upgraded rims and tires | | Bottom Line: | I drive a truck, GMC Snoma, and hooked it to my tailgate. It worked, but I still have some minor instability to over come. It mountes to the bolts that hold my tail gate handle.
Great for short hauls, bikes go on quick and ride well with little movement or sway. The arms can be put into 4 different positions and move the bike position low, high, left or right depending on how you adjust them.
I also have rail mounts for long hauls but like this cause I can just hang the bike on and do not have to mess taking the tire off, hooking straps, huffing the bike up and down.
So far it is great with no problems to speak of and carry two bikes easy. Well worth the money so far. The only problem is the instability I have to over come having it ride in the bed of the truck. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jerry
a Cross Country Rider
from Charlotte, NC
Date Reviewed: December 3, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Catawba | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Sports Authority | | Strengths: | Simple Design, Quick Attachment/Detachment to car. Configurable for spare tires that are not centered on the vehicle. Velcro straps are sturdy. | | Weaknesses: | Requires additional security system - I chose a cable/padlock combo. | | Bike Setup: | Giant XTC-1 | | Bottom Line: | All-arond good product. I drive a Chevy Tracker (bouncy ride) and the rack's simple design is easy to attach to - and remove from vehicle - a big plus when you have to mess with it! My friend uses a trunk-connected rack on his car and it seems cumbersome to attach compared to this model.
Nylon straps cinch tight (when correctly buckled) and I have had ZERO problems with them working loose. My travel to/from work and to the trail involves speed bumps, rough road, etc. and it has no problems. The velco straps appear to be MUCH more secure than the rubber-band style straps I've seen on Yakima racks. They obviously don't deteriorate in weather like the rubber straps do.
Once I inadvertedly stress tested the rack while transporting 2 bikes (my bike and my friend's *heavy* Schwinn):
I forgot they were attached and hit a speed bump at ~ 15 MPH (duh) and while the bikes BOUNCED up-and-down in the rack, the straps held tight! I suspect both bikes combined were ~ 60 pounds.
I have never used bungie cords as the documentation states. You are supposed to always check the rack before every trip to make sure the straps are tight to the wheel and the bikes. This is plainly stated in the documentation. I suspect this may be part of the problem that others had?
Security - I used a 6-foot Krypto- bike cable, with a combo padlock, threaded into my spare-tire mount. Works like a charm - cable is long enough to thread around both bike supports.
I would recommend this to anyone that doesn't have a trailer hitch, or who wants to keep using their spare-tire cover.
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Submitted by
Hunter
a Cross Country Rider
from Baton Rouge
Date Reviewed: March 5, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Hooper | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bicycle Shop-LSU | | Strengths: | Price, convenience, adjustability. | | Weaknesses: | Not much confidence in straps. | | Similar Products Used: | None, nothing else will fit my spare b/c of deep alloy rims and larger tires. | | Bike Setup: | FSRxc w/ XT upgrades, plus several other newbies | | Bottom Line: | Man, everyone is slamming this rack! It fits my '00 Jeep perfectly. I don't worry about the thin straps because the top bar only fits between the brakelight and spare if you loosen the spare and then wedge it in. You cannot remove the rack without loosening the spare, so it stays on all the time. I have had it for about a year and have not had any of the rubber-straps crack and fall off like everyone else, even though it stays in the elements year-round. One other point, this rack will hold a full-suspension without an adapter. If you drive a jeep(no, a cherokee is NOT a jeep), and you have the deep jeep alloys and large tires, this is a great rack. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Iguanaman
a
from WEST CHESTER, PA
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Iron Hill | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | It was the 1st Spare Tire carrier around. Easy to use and store. | | Weaknesses: | A couple of the straps broke, I called Rhode Gear and they sent me a bunch of spares. | | Similar Products Used: | none. I have Yakima's but putting bike on top make me scared going under bridges! | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Giant Iguana SE, props to my old Fuji Tahoe - you served me well old buddy. | | Bottom Line: | My shuttle has been in use for four years now. A couple things. Do not leave it on your tire when not in use. It will get beat up by the weather. It is not meant as a permanent attachment for your car (thus the name shuttle, not rack). Use a cable and pad lock with this shuttle. They are easy to steal off the tire if you don't. ALWAYS use bungee cords to secure your bike to the shuttle. IT SAYS TO DO SO IN THE DIRECTIONS. You follow these simple steps the spare tire shuttle will serve you well. My shuttle has been on my car for many trips from PA to the OBX, NC and PA to Mount Washington in New Hampshire. There all accesories for this rack too (such as ski attachments) but I have never seen them in a shop. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Punter
a Weekend Warrior
from VA
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | none | | Weaknesses: | straps are cheap, didn't really think it could support two bikes | | Similar Products Used: | Barrecrafter hitch system(MUCH better) | | Bike Setup: | Schwinn | | Bottom Line: | Ended up returning to the store for credit. Just didn't get the peace of mind I do from the hitch system I have now. The manager of the store later told me the best thing to do is actually deflate your spare tire somewhat, install the straps, then reinflate your tire. Sounds like it might work well, but I didn't want to leave the rack on all the time. At $79 I didn't think it was even that inexpensive. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lisa
a Weekend Warrior
from Holliston, MA USA
Date Reviewed: January 19, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Vietnam | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Cheap, convenient. The only one that fit on my 1990 Geo Tracker. Also fits my 1999 Chevy Tracker. Easy to install, lightweight. Travelled over 500 miles without a problem. | | Weaknesses: | It is a bit shaky, but with extra care to ensure it is mounted tightly I have had no problems. I also use extra bungee cords to ensure I won't lose my bike. | | Similar Products Used: | None, this was my first rack. | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale M500 14" | | Bottom Line: | If you can't afford a Thule, this is still a good option, but don't expect it to be perfect. Mine is over 3 years old with no cracks on the straps, and I've had many uneventful trips with my bike with this rack. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Weekend Warrior
from Central New Jersey
Date Reviewed: January 8, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Price | | Weaknesses: |
Weak! | | Similar Products Used: |
Thule Spare Me | | Bike Setup: |
Specialized Rock Hopper | | Bottom Line: | This was my first bike rack and it suited it's purpose for my first summer back into biking. Although I wasn't that happy with it. I could never get the straps tight enough around the spare tire ('99 Jeep Wrangler) and the straps that hold down the bikes are cheap and will crack and break (if you don't lose them first). I just picked up a Thule Spare Me rack today and installation was a snap. It appears to be MUCH sturdier than the Rhode Gear. We'll see! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Cross-Country Rider
from Tennessee
Date Reviewed: January 6, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Easy to use,
cheap...bought on sale,
convenient | | Weaknesses: |
Too easy to set up too loosely | | Similar Products Used: |
none | | Bike Setup: |
1999 Gary Fisher Paragon | | Bottom Line: | I have had none of the problems mentioned by other reviewers. At first, I set it up too loose, but after re-adjusting, it fits just fine.
The straps are very easy to use and hold the bike securely. maybe mine is a slightly different model because it has never been a minute's problemand I have no qualms about carrying my bike long distance with it. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill
a Weekend Warrior
from Albq, NM
Date Reviewed: December 21, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Easy on, easy off. Goes over the spare tire cover. Securely carries 2 bikes. | | Weaknesses: |
Won't work with a flat spare tire. Hard to fold up and unfold when left on the car. | | Similar Products Used: |
None | | Bottom Line: | Excellent for use on the my wife's SUV. I can put it on when I need to haul bikes, take it off to please the driver who hauls the groceries. I have carried 2 30lb mountain bikes for 500 miles...no problems, no need to tighten straps when securely attached the 1st time. I would buy it again. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
H_berner
a Weekend Warrior
from San Francisco, CA
Date Reviewed: December 17, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
low price | | Weaknesses: |
it feels pretty flimsy on my car, the straps seem like they don't grip onto the tire. the whole thing shakes a lot and i worry that the bikes will fall off/ i'm going to return the rack and get the Thule tire rack which friends have recommended | | Similar Products Used: |
Road Gear Trunk rack | | Bike Setup: |
Ricky Mountain Blizzard, Marzocchi Bomber | | Bottom Line: | I would not recommend this rack, spend a bit more and get something more secure like the Thule spare rack | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
G-Man
a Weekend Warrior
from VA
Date Reviewed: October 26, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Difficult Run | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Price and size | | Weaknesses: |
Bikes are not secured | | Similar Products Used: |
Yakima roof rack | | Bike Setup: |
Kona Cindy | | Bottom Line: | For the money, it's okay. I have a Discovery and I, too, think that putting my Yakima Roof Rack will be too high for my truck. The hitch system is also too expensive and bulky to store when not in use. This is the compromise although it really doesn't give me the peace of mind whenever I travel. If I have to buy something similar to this product, I would purchase the Thule or Yakima spare tire racks. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chuckie
a Weekend Warrior
from Allentown PA
Date Reviewed: July 31, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Blue Marsh | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Easy on the wallet (there's a reason) | | Weaknesses: |
Cheap - cheesey nylon straps that connect the rack to the tire are about as sturdy as shoestrings. My straps broke with moderate use in under 3 months! Now I rig the rack to the tire with serious straps purchased from Home Depot. Also, the rubber straps that hold your bike to the rack will crack and fall apart...mine did in less than a year! | | Similar Products Used: |
Thule Fork Mount Roof Rack - The Almighty King of Racks!!! | | Bike Setup: |
Hoo Koo E Koo, Rock Shok; Trek, Rigid | | Bottom Line: | El Crappo! I'm getting ready to drop some cash on a real receiver hitch system. I would NEVER put two bikes on this thing!!! Even with one, the thing wobbles and shakes and shimmies more than my legs coming off a 30 mile ride through the forest! Also don't feel good that Car Manufacturers have designed those swing out spare tire mechanisms to handle the additional weight of the rack and 60 pounds of bikes. My suggestion...stay away, very far away! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jn
a Cross-Country Rider
from Redwood City, CA
Date Reviewed: July 12, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: |
inexpensive, doesn't require vehicle modification | | Weaknesses: |
flimsy
straps can easily come loose | | Bike Setup: |
mountain bike | | Bottom Line: | I wouldn't feel comfortable putting an expensive bike, or more than 1 bike on this rack. Bottom line, it's cheap and you get what you pay for. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Gibbs
a Weekend Warrior
from Chicagoland, IL
Date Reviewed: June 5, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Keeps bikes well away from vehicle.
Bikes don't wobble on rack. | | Weaknesses: |
Attachment to vehicle is precarious... held on only with nylon straps.
Also has a tendency to slip if the straps aren't super tight. | | Similar Products Used: |
Yakima locking tread head | | Bottom Line: | I don't recommend the spare tire shuttle... go with something that has a hard connection to the vehicle. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Suzanne Smetana
a Downhiller
from Boston, Ma
Date Reviewed: June 1, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Slick Rock, Moab, UT | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Bikes don't come in contact with car, low cost, easy of use, small size so easy to store. | | Weaknesses: |
Doesn't fit on tire tight enough, | | Similar Products Used: |
Yakima roof rack systems | | Bike Setup: |
Porsche Bike S, Votec shock, Sachs, Magura | | Bottom Line: | I bought the rack because I thought my new car (Land Rover Discovery)was too tall to deal with a roof rack and there was a photo of my car on the box of the Rhode Gear Spare Tire Shuttle. I also bought it because of the reasonable price and size - the Land Rover rear hitch bike rack costs over $300 and is huge so it would be a nightmare to store when not in use. I used it for the first time this weekend and was relatively pleased with the product however felt that it was a little small for my tire. Although my tire size was listed an appropriate size for the rack. The rack and the bikes managed to remain attached to my car throughout the weekend which include over 300 miles of highway driving and about 50 milles of off-road bumps, stumps and rocks. Although I feel it is a good rack for the money it doesn't give me the secure feeling that my old roof rack gave me. | | Overall Rating: |
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