Submitted by
P N
a Cross Country Rider
from Cupertino
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2006
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
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.
Similar Products Used: All sorts of roof racks and reciever racks.
Bike Setup: Full suspension monocoque, traditional hardtail, and road bikes.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Asheville
Date Reviewed: August 12, 2004
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.
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.
Submitted by
Ahmad
a Cross Country Rider
from Brooklyn
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2004
Strengths: inexpensive, simple install
Weaknesses: straps that hold to the spare tire were weak.
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.
Similar Products Used: Yakima Terra-gate (too expensive!!)
Bike Setup: Schwinn Moab
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Submitted by
David Curtis
a Weekend Warrior
from Plainwell, MI USA
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2002
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.
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.
Submitted by
mike
a Cross Country Rider
from lansing, mi
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2002
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.
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.
Similar Products Used: Rollbar on jeep, with straps.
Bike Setup: '01 trek 8500
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Submitted by
Robert
a Weekend Warrior
from Augusta, Ga USA
Date Reviewed: December 4, 2001
Strengths: Quick installation and removal, Carries bikes well, Sturdy and stable
Weaknesses: Designed for a SUV not a truck
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.
Bike Setup: Giant Rainer SE, upgraded rims and tires
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Jerry
a Cross Country Rider
from Charlotte, NC
Date Reviewed: December 3, 2001
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.
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.
Submitted by
Hunter
a Cross Country Rider
from Baton Rouge
Date Reviewed: March 5, 2001
Strengths: Price, convenience, adjustability.
Weaknesses: Not much confidence in straps.
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.
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.
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.
Weaknesses: straps are cheap, didn't really think it could support two bikes
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.
Similar Products Used: Barrecrafter hitch system(MUCH better)
Bike Setup: Schwinn
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Submitted by
Lisa
a Weekend Warrior
from Holliston, MA USA
Date Reviewed: January 19, 2000
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.
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.
Similar Products Used: None, this was my first rack.
Bike Setup: Cannondale M500 14"
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark
a Weekend Warrior
from Central New Jersey
Date Reviewed: January 8, 2000
Strengths: Price
Weaknesses: Weak!
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!
Submitted by
Brian
a Cross-Country Rider
from Tennessee
Date Reviewed: January 6, 2000
Strengths: Easy to use, cheap...bought on sale, convenient
Weaknesses: Too easy to set up too loosely
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.
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.
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.
