Submitted by
John Doe
a Racer
from Phoenix, AZ Date Reviewed: July 31, 2009
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Weaknesses:
Should be common sense for most but make darn sure that you have the quick release tight on this because that's the only thing keeping the wheel on carrier.
Similar Products Used:
Thule #593 Wheel On - Holds front wheel more securely with channel for the axle which prevents wheel from falling off.
Bottom Line:
Better off getting the Thule #593
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David
a Weekend Warrior
from Las Vegas,NV Date Reviewed: August 20, 2007
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$190.00
Purchased At:
Performance Bike
Strengths:
This is for the roof rack Xport(Bearcrafters US-1401)the rack is not bad. I used a hack saw to cut the 53" bars about 5" Looks like they updated the mounting clamps as they sent me new ones a few days later. Rack is snug on my cars.
Weaknesses:
The fork mount rivets on the bike rail are a joke. I can see where someone posted they broke. I will probably drill them out and use a hex bolt and nut to hold and get someone to weld up the corners.
Similar Products Used:
Thule Roof rack
Bike Setup:
IronHorse FS
Bottom Line:
Not a back rack for the $$$. I bought the locking one and the locks work fine. The only issue and i find this one a big one is the rivets on the fork mount rails is a bad design. At some point they WILL break and send your bike flying. I guess if you are running 18lb rigs you will be fine but not my 35lb FS. So if you are buying this for the sole purpose of a bike, consider buying something else or welding up the rail,replacing the rivets with bolts or maybe even both. If you just need a cheap rack and will only use the fork mounts rarely then it is a great deal.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gerald
a Weekend Warrior
from Orlando, FL, USA Date Reviewed: July 10, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Jones Trail
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$120.00
Purchased At:
Performance Bike
Strengths:
Price, adjustability, ease of use...
Weaknesses:
Sways a little...but you get used to it...
Similar Products Used:
Trunk racks...horrible
Bike Setup:
2004 Raleigh Ram 2.0; highly modded.
Bottom Line:
This is my first hitch rack and its been great!!! It does sway a little which used to make me feel uncomfortable...but I got used to it. I wish it sat a little higher so that the muffler port would not be directly aimed at the bike's wheel/tire. But I've had no issues either... Overall a great rack for the money. I can't complain... I've had it for over 3 years now and its been great...still going strong!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ridin'Dirty
a Cross Country Rider
from NC Date Reviewed: July 10, 2007
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$169.00
Purchased At:
online
Strengths:
easy to load/unload bikes. hitch receivers keep the bikes off the car.
Weaknesses:
doesn't work! too much flex and give as you travel down the road and your bikes eventually work loose despite securing the bikes properly.
Similar Products Used:
thule (a well designed product)
Bike Setup:
Titus RX 100, Lemond Versailles, and a Turner Sultan have all worked loose from this rack.
Bottom Line:
I re-greased the bolts the first time the knobs used to tighten down the securing arms came loose - no luck bc the whole thing constantly bobs and sways excessively and eventually the bike is going to come off the rack.
The Velcro straps that go over the wheels for additional security dry rot and break easily (not that they help anyway if your bike tips over and catches the road- it's coming off the rack. Constantly have to re-adjust the wheel trays to accommodate bikes with different wheel bases. If you don't get these trays exact the bike will come off the rack despite having the arms tightened. Overall, it is a very poor design despite taking extra steps to keep my bikes safe. You get what you pay for. If you value your bike don't skimp on this rack. This has to be the worst hitch rack ever made.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
JoAnne
a
from Chicago, IL, USA Date Reviewed: May 30, 2007
Favorite Trail:
along Chicago's lakeshore
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Price Paid:
$60.00
Strengths:
Seemed very sturdy, and with six straps, I am sure it would've held well. The rubber loops for securing the bikes seemed very strong, too.
Weaknesses:
The rack was too wide for the two bikes I wanted to put on it. I have a women's xs Schwinn Voyageur hybrid, and the other bike was a Specialized men's hybrid. Neither would fit, because the two bars were too far apart.
Bottom Line:
I wish bike rack companies would include how wide their arms are spaced apart in their specs so that consumers will know if their bike fits before buying the rack, bringing it home, figuring out how to put it on the car, and then realizing it's too big. The salesman didn't ask what kind of bikes I had, and this was my first rack purchase, so I didn't even realize the rack might be too wide. So if you are a novice like me, ask first!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Grant Boysen
a Downhiller
from Castro Valley, California, USA Date Reviewed: January 2, 2007
Favorite Trail:
JMP
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$180.00
Purchased At:
Performance Bike
Strengths:
XPORT Slipstream 4 bike rack
Cheap for a 4 bike carrier. Easy to instal, looks nice.
Weaknesses:
It sways like crazy and there is nothing you can do about it. Almost imposible to get a FS bike on it. Isnt light. The only reason I dont like it is it sways like crazy! Its really scarry when you are on the freeway doing 55 and the bikes are HOPPING! I belive its like that because its a dual hitch reciever. 1/1/4" and a 2" so the plastic warps (I have a 2" reciver) I Returned it.
Similar Products Used:
Cheap Target carrier.
Bike Setup:
Ibex Zone FR-1 and Commencal Combi Disc.
Bottom Line:
Its great if you have a 1/1/4" inch reciever ( tried it out on my friends truck) but if you have a 2" stay away unless you want to have a heart attack.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
RX100
a Racer
from NC Date Reviewed: August 15, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
performance
Strengths:
The new designs are very nice. This is a great alternative to the roof rack. I just got a new Subaru Legacy GT Limited and there were no channels for a luggage rack (the wagon has them but the sedan does not). So, I had a hitch attached at U-Haul which is under the bumber and does not stand out - and then I ordered the Xport Flatbead 2 bike carrier from Performance. It is easy to set up and install. Only two wrenches were needed to do minor assembly and install - a 3/4" and either 13 or 17mm. It holds bikes very securely (better than any roof rack I have used). I put my road bike and my mtn bike on without any problems...you really don't even need to use the velcro wheel straps once the wheels are in the slots/trays and the padded fastening "arm" is pushed down around the top tube. I will go ahead and strap the wheels on longer trips. Overall, a great rack for the price. Especially if you want to keep the bikes off the car and have the option to remove the rack (one bolt that goes through the hitch).
Weaknesses:
No way to lock the bikes.
Similar Products Used:
None similar - I have owned Rocky Mount Noose SL's, Yakima King Cobras, and even a InstaGater truck bed rack. All good racks as well.
Bike Setup:
Titus RX 100, Lemond Versailles, Gary Fisher Aquila that is now my SS.
Bottom Line:
Great rack for the money. Simple, lightweight, sturdy design. It's too bad you can't lock the bikes to the rack and also have a locking core for the bolt that goes through the hitch (like on the old Yakima Terra Firmas..owned one of those too ;-)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dave Fialko
a Weekend Warrior
from everywhere Date Reviewed: July 29, 2006
Favorite Trail:
anywhere in north carolina
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
performance
Strengths:
Inexpensive and improved design since I worked for Perf in the 90's. Everything is now metal. The old bike trays had plastic heads that were weak as hell. You can actually lock the rack to the car now with included barrel locks and keys.
Weaknesses:
Thin metal strip connecting feet to clips. I cannot find a weight limit posted anywhere!
Similar Products Used:
http://www.barrecrafters.com/fitguide/fitp3.asp check this w-site out. It is the rack, Perf just slaps there stickers on it.
Bike Setup:
Trials bike, x-cross bike, etc
Bottom Line:
The system is fair, Its not a Yakima. For 250.00 I got a 3 bike set up. The locking system on the feet to car is fair. But the skewer locking system is kinda gheto. It gives you a master lock to lock around the skewer arm into a supplied metal loop. I wouldnt leave my Trials bike on it if I was to leave the car unattended for lengthy time. But for a quick lunch in a diner or a quick trip to the store, its enough of a deterent. The clips are definetly the week point. there are two rivets holding the clips onto the feet. The system came with feet and I had to oreder a fit kit as well, so I tested the strength of the rivets on the x-tra pair. I drilled one out and it was suprisinlgy solid, taking more effort to drill than expected. I also did a load stress test, they didnt break. It looks weaker than it is. I still think I am going to fabricate new clips for my peace of mind when cruising at 80 down the highway.
Bottom line, me and my wife have bills, mortgage and actually wanted to have spending money for vacation. A equivilant Thule system would have been 500.00 , a equivilant Yakima would have been 600.00. So you decide.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jason f
a Weekend Warrior
from crofon, md Date Reviewed: April 9, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$130.00
Purchased At:
performance
Strengths:
simple, light, inexpensive, works
Weaknesses:
no internal lock, fold down arm to get in suv has a lock that is a screw that needs to backed out to unlock and tightened to lock
Similar Products Used:
other cheap carriers
Bike Setup:
06 cannondale prophet (stock for now)
Bottom Line:
it works, tighten all the screws/bolts, adjust the wheel holders and rock and roll. The first time using it some rail road tracks snuck up on me at 70mph,i was nervous but the bikes stayed on,they didnt shift or sway at all.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
bryan
a Weekend Warrior
from san antonio, tx Date Reviewed: August 21, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$130.00
Purchased At:
performance bike
Strengths:
Cheap
Weaknesses:
DO NOT BUY ANY OF THESE RACKS!!!! I'm dead serious! I've had the factory roof rack (performance trays) for 2 days and already my bike fell off!! I made a slight turn and whammo, the bike fell over on my roof. The bolts holding the tray bent and broke through the mounting hole. Needless to say, i just took pictures and i'm gonna raise h3!!. Don't be like me and try to save a few bucks and ignore the reviews here. I dont' want anyone to have to experience this with their beloved bikes.
Bottom Line:
You get what you pay for. Pay for a Yakima or Thule.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Blue Point, New York Date Reviewed: May 26, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Rocky Point
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
Online
Strengths:
Price, Quality & Strength
Weaknesses:
Required modification to fit disc brake fork, very noisy (I guess they all are)
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
99 Giant Warp DS-One, Manitou Black Comp, Avid Discs front and rear
Bottom Line:
This rack is roughly half the price of the others out there and it is very well made, so if you need a roof rack that costs only slightly more than a trunk mount, this is the ticket. Mine fits my BMW 750il so well that when you shake the rack, the whole car shakes.
I have had two bikes (one with a child seat on the back) at 75 mph on the highway without any problems. I have also used it to carry a door from the Depot, which was really useful. There is a little wobble from the front fork mount, but it does not seem to effect the stability of the bikes.
Speaking of the front fork mount, I had to modify mine to get it to fit my fork with disc brakes - therefore only four for overall.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tom
a Racer
from Oregon Date Reviewed: January 1, 2004
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$120.00
Purchased At:
Performance
Strengths:
Inexpensive, Durrable.
Weaknesses:
Tollerences on fork mount rail are not extremely tight, and bike woble side to side some.
Similar Products Used:
Yakima
Bike Setup:
Road Colnago, Mtn Klein
Bottom Line:
This is for the Sport roof rack which has now been renamed the Xsport roof rack, the crossbars are still the same but it looks like the fork mount rails have been changed. This rack is actually made by Barrecrafts and sold by them as the model 1401. I have had this one sinse 1996. The crossbars and the hook up to the roof have been great. I've used it on a Mustang, and Civic and its always been very secure, I've had 3 bikes on top going in excess of 85mph and its always stayed on, and felt very solid with no play what so ever. The Fork mount rail is another story, while I've never lost a bike with it, the bike does sway side to side and just always made me nervous. So I finally bought a Yakima Copperhead rail and put it on for my bike, my friends still get the scarry ones. Overall, I'm happy with the system and have really got my moneys worth out of it, and would give 5 stars if not for the swaying bikes.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nitish Nag
a Cross Country Rider
from Fremont Date Reviewed: September 20, 2003
Favorite Trail:
anyone
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$180.00
Purchased At:
Performance Bike
Strengths:
Chea for price wise, economical.
Weaknesses:
Weak in design, not a great fit, lots of noise, not very durable, HORRIBLE quick release.
Bike Setup:
2003 Blur w/XTR
Bottom Line:
This is a bike rack for kids whose allowance reaches 5$ a month. Its cheap, in everyway. In the long run save your hard earned bucks and get a yakima. Its very worth it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Billy
a Cross Country Rider
from Woods Cross, UT Date Reviewed: April 29, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$60.00
Purchased At:
performancebike.com
Strengths:
cheap
Weaknesses:
It's a hunk of junk - legs are too far apart
Similar Products Used:
various other trunk mounts
Bike Setup:
2003 Giant NRS 2
Bottom Line:
This is a review for the trunk mounted rack. It fits on my Corolla just fine, but the thing it doesn't fit on is my bike. I just bought a brand new Giant NRS2 and the frame wont even fit on the rack. I had to squeeze the legs of the rack together just to get it on there, and even then it wouldn't stay on the rubber mounts. The crappy rack then dropped the back half of my bike on the way home from the store. I'm glad that the front half stayed on or I'd be making performance buy me a new ride. I guess I got what I payed for. A CHEAP rack.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Drew
a
from Rockville, MD, USA Date Reviewed: March 14, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$45.00
Purchased At:
Local PBS
Strengths:
Inexpensive
Weaknesses:
Total Crap!
Similar Products Used:
Cheapo Dept store model, Saris Bones
Bike Setup:
Frame, 2 wheels, etc.
Bottom Line:
This is for the Xport Porter Trunk Rack:
Do NOT buy this rack - it's a total POS! It's hard to adjust, it flops all over the place, and the arms are too widely spaced, so you have to fight to get your bike's frame over them and onto the cradles. I replaced it with a Saris Bones rack less than a month after purchase.
2 Value Chilis for the low price. I wish I had the option for NO Overall Chilis...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
George Biddlecombe
a Weekend Warrior
from Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA Date Reviewed: January 21, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Santa Ana River Trail
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
Performance Bike Shops
Strengths:
This applies to the much maligned cross bed truck rack. The old round tube design has been discontinued and replaced with a much better square tube design. The rack breaks open shotgun style by unlocking (yes it even has a lock) and pressing in a spring pin. To fit to the bed you simply pull the sliding end out until it is touching both sides of the bed. The slide bar has a ratcheting adjustment. Once the width is set you simply push down on the bar until the pin engages and then lock the bar in plase with the barrel type lock mechanism. That's it, your done. Adjust the fork mounts and your on your way. The bottom of the non slip pads uses a small screw/pin to keep the ends from being forced up to prevent theft or disengagement. I purchased the full rack, (its also available with just the front section but the full rack keeps the bed clear for cargo)and the optional loose wheel mounts. The rear section utilizes the old round tube design but you are only going to mount the wheel tray to it. The rear section has no lock.
Weaknesses:
The rear section should lock when installed into prevent theft. For the same price you could get two front sections and mount 4 bikes alternating forward and backward. The trays for the rear wheel are narrow and the velcro straps are too short to go around my 2.4" moto raptor tires. The spare wheel mounts seem a little flimsy and allow the wheel to wobble when driving down the freeway. I would think that this could contribute to spoke loosening but remains to be seen.
Bike Setup:
Giant Warp DS2. Shimano clipless pedals, Disk brakes.
Bottom Line:
The rack is 100% better than the previous version judging by previous reviews. It's worth every penny. If you have a truck, its the easiest and least expensive option to keep your bike secure on the road.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
bryan
a Racer
from new haven, ct Date Reviewed: July 2, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
www.performancebike.com
Strengths:
Very affordable price ($200 + $40 ship) compared to Thule or Yakima equivalent (~$400). Locks, comes with 2 fork-mount carrier trays. With fairing ($30) there is NO sound.
Weaknesses:
TERRIBLE clip design!
Similar Products Used:
Thule 444
Bike Setup:
Roadie + MTB
Bottom Line:
If you plan on mounting the Performance Bike XPORT to your VW Jetta III (1997 for me) it EASILY POPS OFF. At full-tighten, the locked feet clamped into the rubber-covered rain gutters become dislodged with a simple 'bop' with your fist which will cause the entire rack (with bikes or without) to come right off the roof! Reason: the gutter clips are only 1 inch wide (Thule's are >2.5 inches) and don't hold.
This rack is worthless for your Jetta III.
I've since coughed up the bucks for a Thule and the thing is bomb proof. Fortunately the XPORT fork mount trays fit right onto the Thule so I saved $200 there.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff
a Weekend Warrior
from Longmont, CO Date Reviewed: May 8, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$70.00
Purchased At:
Performance Bike
Strengths:
Cheap (pricewise)
Weaknesses:
Cheap - decent build quality marred by bad design.
Similar Products Used:
Homemade rack using Yak fork mounts and 1x1sq tubing was better... actually a 2x4 would've been better than this.
Bottom Line:
This review is for the adjustable truck bed rack. Saw it on sale ... first mistake. Had to replace my rusting homemade job and decided to give it a try, especially since with my Performance Bike members discount it was another 10% off. The screw adjuster had so much freeplay that no amount of tightening (without denting the bed walls) could take out the wobble. Upon analyzing the construction, the barrel part that it screws into is held in two spots with pop rivets, instead of 4 rivets at 90 degrees. Next whoever designed those fork mounts ought to be shot: Two "3" shaped clamps that held the skewer assembly in the top part and clamped the bar in the lower. Using a round clamp on a round bar... you know that's gotta suck. First, you need three hands to hold the clamp assembly, the skewer, and those cheap rubber gaskets together. Then even wrenching the tightening screw to the max wouldn't prevent the whole thing from rotating on the bar. You'd look in you mirror going down the road and see your precious bike wobbling in back. I'm an avid Perf Bike supporter, but it's a shame this rack even made it to market. Good stuff is hardly cheap, and cheap stuff is never good.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Melanie Mar
a Weekend Warrior
from Salt Lake City, UT Date Reviewed: November 29, 2001
Favorite Trail:
anything on the Wasatch Front
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
Performance Bicycle
Strengths:
inexpensive
Weaknesses:
stregnth
Bike Setup:
Trek 8000
Bottom Line:
Thankgiving Day, 2001 I was driving to Mexico from Salt Lake City carrying 2 White-water Kyaks and 3 surfboards. Somewhere in Orange County, CA the whole fricken rack came off and landed in the middle of the freeway during heavy holiday traffic. I had much to be grateful for that day because it landed on all four feet, no cars hit it and I just happen to have family living close by to help trasport my gear.
I did periodic saftey checks and made sure the load wasn't too heavy.
I lost 1 1/2 days of travel because had to purchase a new rack and I have some damage to my brand new Passat.
What did I learn from this experience? Buy Yakima!!! and Complain to the Manufacturer!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jose tamayo
a Weekend Warrior
from Elmwood park NJ Date Reviewed: September 24, 2001
Favorite Trail:
waywanda state park NY/NJ
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
Performance.com
Strengths:
Price
Weaknesses:
Weak desing, ugly
Bottom Line:
U get what you paid for. I had no problem with this rack until it came off my roof, It fell on the highway (Thank God no vehicles were coming behind me)and damaged one of the two bikes severely. Now repairing both bikes it is gonna cost me more than the difference between a good quality roof rack and this piece of @#$%^. Notice I checked it every time bofore a ride. I usually only carried one bike at the time. I guess it could not stand the weight of an extra bike.
Aparently one of the hooks came off due to the extra weight?? I did not even bother picking it up and trying to fix whatever broke. I simply left it by on the side of hte road. I had no way to bring it home anyways.
Spend the xtra money on a good quality rack, period.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tyler Cox
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego, CA, USA Date Reviewed: September 2, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Rose Canyon
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$70.00
Purchased At:
Performace Bike
Strengths:
I'm talking about the truck bed model. The width adjustment mechanism was quite good, though the "no-slip" pads weren't as aggressive as I would have liked. The price was right!
Weaknesses:
Overall...a very weak design. The fork mounts are difficult to install (whoever invented the no slip rubber pad was a moron!). The mounts have way too much compliance and let the bike rock around to the point that you're sure the bikes are coming out of the truck. Furthermore, the fork mounts won't stay in position, ie they rotate on the bar as you drive. This is a very poorly engineered product and isn't worth having unless you're willing to "rework" some of these weaknesses.
Similar Products Used:
Thule rack system
Bottom Line:
Avoid it...performace has some great bargains, but this cheapo product isn't one of them.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Robert Spears
a Weekend Warrior
from Carson, CA Date Reviewed: August 17, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Los Angeles bike trails
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$130.00
Purchased At:
Performance Bike Shop
Strengths:
Factory roof rack model, at a great price. Easy to install. Had no problem securing the bikes to the carrier.
Weaknesses:
No provision for a locking mechanism.
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
Raleigh SC40 hybrid, Haro Mountain bike.
Bottom Line:
I've been looking for a bike carrier to fit on my Pontiac TransSport minivan, and I found it in the Xport. I had previously bought a Yakima setup which cost me $350 (on sale!), but I wanted to use my existing roof rack. Couldn't use the rear racks because my van body is plastic. The Xport rack held my two bikes securely, and the wind noise didn't bother me at all. At the price I paid, it's well worth the money. For security, when I had to leave the bikes on the rack, I used 2 6ft cable locks through the rear wheels, frame, and roof racks.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jed
a Cross Country Rider
from MA Date Reviewed: July 30, 2001
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
Performancebike.com
Strengths:
Price...easy install, price, locks to roof, price, sturdy, and oh yeah, the price was great
Weaknesses:
no fork lock.
Similar Products Used:
Never had a roof rack, always used trunk mounts
Bottom Line:
This is an incredible rack for the price. I was going to have to spend over $300 to fit a Thule to my car. I got the full rack (2 bikes) and the fairing for $147. Can't beat that. The rack is very sturdy and quiet. The cross bars are very long, so I just cut them off with a hacksaw. Perfect fit for the price.
Value rating gets 5 ++ flaming yah yah's Overall rating get 4 because it is a great rack for the money, but it isn't a Thule or anything.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jen
a Cross Country Rider
from Ogden, Utah Date Reviewed: June 4, 2001
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$60.00
Strengths:
Truck bed model,It's better than nothing.
Weaknesses:
Skewer mount spins on round bar and when you try to tighten so that it doesn't spin the cheap plastic breaks or the poor quality bolts are stripped.
Poor grade bolts that strip easily
Bottom Line:
Very poorly designed rack, cheap parts that are not strong enough to work with the rack they have designed. Not very secure and not very stable. It is usable but barely. It is disappointing to see such a poor though out product actually reach the market.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John-Paul
a Cross Country Rider
from VA Beach Date Reviewed: February 1, 2001
Favorite Trail:
York River
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$230.00
Purchased At:
Performancebike.com
Strengths:
The rack is very sturdy, i purchased the fairing with the rack, and it doesn't make any noise! I drive to a trail that's an hour away, four times a week with two bikes on the roof, and no problems. Would have been cheaper, but i had to purchase an adapter for my 2-door car.
Weaknesses:
The racks lower my gas mileage considerably, but any rack will. The bars that run across the roof are very long, thule's poles on my car are 50", Yakima are around 52". God knows how long these are, but i've hit my head a few times getting in, and they nearly killed my girlfriend!
Similar Products Used:
thule, shady ones that go on the back of car.
Bike Setup:
Cannondale Super-V, all Shimano XT, except the LX crank
Bottom Line:
The racks work really well.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dr. Dirt
a Racer
from NJ Date Reviewed: December 28, 2000
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
mailorder
Strengths:
Inexpensive, durable, functional.
Weaknesses:
A lot of windnoise, no provision for locking the bike to the rack.
Similar Products Used:
Cheeseball department store trunk rack.
Bike Setup:
Airborne LS hardtail, Zoke fork.
Bottom Line:
It ain't beautiful, but it works. Mine has held up well for 3 years--and I've brought home fence sections, barbeque grills, and Christmas trees on it. Uh, yeah--bikes, too. Up to three frames and two front wheels, on a VW Jetta. (Mounted the middle bike facing backwards so the handlebars would clear.)
It's a good idea to spray some silicone lube on the threads of the mounting feet. Put a good coat of wax on the car's roof so the pads won't dull the paint too badly. And if you use the spare wheel carrier, be sure to secure the wheel to the load bar with a bungie cord...unless you want to see how long it takes for the wheel to blow off at highway speed.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
gonzo
a Cross Country Rider
from santa cruz Date Reviewed: November 23, 2000
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$180.00
Purchased At:
performance shop
Strengths:
sturdy
Weaknesses:
the clamps that hold the rack to the roof creat air leaks.. very noisy
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
dean with xtr, mavic517, superfly shocks
Bottom Line:
If you don't mind the air leak noise then this unit will work........good price compared to other brands...
I got rid of mine and got a rack that hitches to the rear bumper...........
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gus Aramayo
a Weekend Warrior
from Ames, IA Date Reviewed: October 17, 2000
Favorite Trail:
anything hawridge
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
Performance
Strengths:
cheap, cheap, and its, um, cheap... i got the unit with locking mechanism to car and wheel holder, and a short roof kit, and it rocks...no wiggles, and it didn't come loose or anything on a 15 hour highway drive!
Weaknesses:
noisy as hell without a fairing...sounds like i got a jet overhead or something.
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
gt backwoods on a '93 vw corrado (coupe)
Bottom Line:
if you need something to get a bike from point a to b and don't wanna have to drill a hitch on or have something resting on your hatchback's rear window, this is the way to go...not the greatest rack ever, but a damn good one, especially for the price
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
PJ
a Cross Country Rider
from NC Date Reviewed: September 1, 2000
Favorite Trail:
PeeWee's
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Performance Bike
Strengths:
Priced Right, Sturdy, Easy Install, Holds bikes well reguardless of speed, or wind
Weaknesses:
Plastic knobs on some attachments are not durable, if tighten too tight the plastic will strip, thus leaving equipment loose
Similar Products Used:
N/A
Bike Setup:
GT Full Suspention, is there any other?
Bottom Line:
It is great product with a small amount of flaws. I recommend it as a great rack. It fits my needs, my wallet, and most importantly my car. It has taken me and my bike to some of the best trails in NC with no problems.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Iain Harley
a Weekend Warrior
from San Jose, CA Date Reviewed: November 21, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Saratoga Gap
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Clamps on existing factory roof rack Easy setup Fit Price
Weaknesses:
Wind Noise No locking mechanism
Similar Products Used:
None, no other product like this, as far as I know
Bike Setup:
Uh, how bout car. I have a Sable station wagon
Bottom Line:
After having searched far and wide for a rack that would fit my car, and be cost efficient, the XPort Factory Rack was my answer. It used the existing cross bars to clmap on to. First drives were a little edgy, but am now completely confident in it. Easy setup. One glith, there's no locking mechanism for the bike, or the rack to car. It's a little noisy even without a bike on top, but it gives my Family car that cool look.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
LG#6266
a Weekend Warrior
from Long Beach, CA Date Reviewed: November 16, 1999
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Cheap Performance lets your return almost anything anytime.
Weaknesses:
Fork clamps slide around bar Can't lock bikes to rack Can't lock rack to truck Setup
Bottom Line:
The model I bought is the XPORT Pickup Truck Bed Rack. I thought having the bikes in the bed would be convenient, but they take up space (the only cargo space I have) and I never felt sure that this bike rack would keep them in the bed. Setup was tricky and I could never get the width right where I wanted it - it was always 1/4 too short or 1/2 too long. Fortunately, Performance let me return it.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
MtbIrv
a Cross-Country Rider
from Florida Date Reviewed: September 7, 1999
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Truck rack model: Allows better use of truck bed.
Weaknesses:
Very poorly designed clamping mechanism for the fork mount quick release. Plastic knob to tighten clamp doesn't allow clamp to be tightened enough without stripping plastic knob. The skewer knob is hard to grip especially if it's wet. Not sure how the bars themselves will hold up.
Bike Setup:
Fisher Joshua Z0 with JudySL; Jamis Eureka with RockShok something or other; Cannondale SuperV with Headshok to name a few.
Bottom Line:
Get the bars but get better designed clamps/skewers from someone else.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Crash
a Cross-Country Rider
from Radford, VA Date Reviewed: June 20, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Brush mountain
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
affordable, sturdy trays
Weaknesses:
Flimsy roof clips, little excessive road noise
Similar Products Used:
Rhode gear, Saris Bones
Bike Setup:
Trek YSL 99 Hyundai Tiburon
Bottom Line:
Wasn't too difficult to set up, but Performance said I needed a short roof kit. Feet hung over too far with the roof kit, so I saved myself the $50. The feet clamp down easily enough, but the clips for the rain gutters are pretty flimsy. I'm pretty sure this is a Barrecrafter's rack in all actuality, their older model at that. For the price, it gets the job done without too much fuss, and has some neat add ons that make the rack a bit more versatile.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
BobC
a Weekend Warrior
from RI Date Reviewed: June 4, 1999
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Cheap. Only place I know that has this type of product.
Weaknesses:
One SIZE!!!!!
Similar Products Used:
Rhode Gear trunk racks.
Bottom Line:
I got this last year for a wagon and returned it after I wasted my time setting it up. IF it fits, its great. What Performance doesn't tell you is that its only ONE model. ONE length. They told me it would fit but their definition isn't correct at times. Fitting it to a wagon, I found: Facing forward-correct method, I can't open the rear. Facing backwards-incorrect, It hangs way over the windshield.So GET the length from them and see if it will fit. Tech support said backwards is fine.. NOT when it over hangs the windshield by a foot like two bull horns. For my hassle .. 2 stars.
Overall Rating:
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