Submitted by
EduCat
a Weekend Warrior
from Greensboro, NC, USA Date Reviewed: July 29, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Lake Brandt Greenway
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$130.00
Purchased At:
Performance Bicycle
Strengths:
Ease of use; quick placement/remove of bikes; sturdiness; secure hold
Weaknesses:
needs a hitch lock
Bottom Line:
Great product! I'm extremely happy with it. It transports my bikes without any hassels.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
brad davis
a Weekend Warrior
from Charlotte, NC Date Reviewed: June 9, 2009
Favorite Trail:
any
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$139.00
Purchased At:
perf
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.
Similar Products Used:
All of them.
Bottom Line:
Sofa King awesome rack. Cheap, works, and really light. Don't pull your pack putting in on.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
crashtx1
a Weekend Warrior
from Richardson, Tx Date Reviewed: September 21, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Renner Road
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Price Paid:
$135.00
Purchased At:
Performance Bike Pla
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.
Bike Setup:
Trek 1000, Schwin Hybrids
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.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
andybebay
a Cross Country Rider
from Maryville, TN, US Date Reviewed: September 6, 2008
Favorite Trail:
many
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$130.00
Purchased At:
Perf Shop
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
Bottom Line:
Trust me, this thing is great.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andy B.
a Cross Country Rider
from Maryville, TN, US Date Reviewed: September 6, 2008
Favorite Trail:
many
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$130.00
Purchased At:
Perf Shop
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
Bottom Line:
Trust me, this thing is great.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alan
a Weekend Warrior
from Anaheim Hills, CA Date Reviewed: May 14, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Aliso Creek Wood Canyon
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
Performance Bikes
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.
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
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).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David W
a Cross Country Rider
from Chandler, AZ, USA Date Reviewed: April 25, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Technical single track
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
Perf/ Bikes
Strengths:
Low $$$
Weaknesses:
No Locks
Similar Products Used:
trunk mounted ones, paint messed up on trunl now
Bike Setup:
29 er Dos
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.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
What's New
»
BEST OF MTBR - Check out the highest rated bikes, parts, & gear!
»
LED BIKE LIGHT SHOOTOUT 3 - We test all the newest products and latest light and battery technology in this comprehensive guide»
$
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
