Submitted by
Leafer
a Weekend Warrior
from Oxford, MS, USA Date Reviewed: June 27, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Fruit Loops
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
Online
Strengths:
Keeps bikes parallel to the ground when getting things out of the hatch-back, without removing bikes from rack.
It would be pretty effective at minimizing rear-end damage to your car if you were hit from behind.
Weaknesses:
If you have a non-typical frame design (like many mt. bike frames), you have to buy and use a frame adapter, which will most likely make one or both of your bike wheels drag when you go over bumps.
The plastic that surrounds the pins where the arms go into the top of the rack both cracked and broke off within six months of use (and I didn't abuse it and make this happen).
The cradles that "cup" the seat tube to keep the bike from swinging in the breeze while the car is moving rub paint off of the seat tube.
Straps that secure bikes to the arms of the rack seem to prematurely wear and break.
Fairly heavy.
Similar Products Used:
None.
Bottom Line:
I pretty much hate this rack. I sincerely tried to like it, and I admit that I was initially pleased about how well it held my conventional frame road bike, until I saw the paint worn from my seat tube. Also, about the need to use a frame adapter, I should have known that it would take one to carry my mt. bike, but the company's website said nothing about the need for one if you have a non-conventional frame bike (my mt. bike is Santa Cruz Superlight), so I had no idea until I tried to load my bike the first time. Further, the cracking and breaking of the plastic around the pins where the arms attach to the rack-head is just poor quality -- I could understand if I just "slammed" the arms into place everytime I used them, but this wasn't the case. Honestly, if you have a conventionally framed bike, this rack will carry it well, and it will keep the bike level and parallel to the ground while you unload your hatchback, but be prepared for paint damage to your frame and, pretty much, the rack just falling apart quickly.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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