Submitted by
Econoline
a Cross Country Rider
from socal Date Reviewed: October 4, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$270.00
Purchased At:
Amazon
Strengths:
Well made. Compact when folded up. Holds bikes with low rider pannier racks. Includes anti-rattle hitch lock and cable.
Weaknesses:
Instructions are poor, but you probably won't need them.
Similar Products Used:
Yakima roof and hitch mount racks
Bike Setup:
various mtn and road bikes.
Bottom Line:
I did a lot of research to find a hitch mount rack that would carry touring and mountain bikes, was reasonably lightweight, and allowed easy access to the liftgate on my Escape. This rack does the job with a few reservations.
Soft Ride tells me that the rack is going through a minor redesign, so if you can, wait until February '09 to get the new one.
The Soft Ride website shows the rack with two bikes lowered to the ground to provide rear access to the SUV. I quickly found out that you really can't do that. There's nothing but the bikes to hold onto when lowering or raising the rack, and that doesn't work well. I couldn't raise the loaded rack back into position just by lifting on a bike, and no part of the rack is accessible to lift on.
Overall I'm satisfied with it.
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Submitted by
tailwaters
a Weekend Warrior
from St Joseph,MI US Date Reviewed: August 20, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$245.00
Purchased At:
Auto anything.com
Strengths:
Nice solid construction, light weight, very noce and compact, even clears my spare tire on the FJ.
Weaknesses:
Would have liked to see a better straping system. But my guess is it will do the job
Similar Products Used:
Sport rack
Bike Setup:
Trek Top Fuel 8
Bottom Line:
All in all very happy with the rack.I must say for the money much better quality than expected! I only wish they made it in a 4 up. Hoops seem to hold the bikes very well and I have not notice much of any movement as soom have stated. If your looking for a 2 up rack don't pass this one up!!
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Submitted by
Ridethebike
a Cross Country Rider
from NJ Date Reviewed: August 17, 2008
Favorite Trail:
any
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$290.00
Purchased At:
Freehold Bike
Strengths:
Very compact when folded up. High quality construction. Fits my Ex-Large 29er with 2.35 tires. Easy to swing up or down with the large release handle
Weaknesses:
Rubber straps not trustworthy
Similar Products Used:
Thule T2 Thule roof mount Thule top tube mount Hollywood wheel mount
Bike Setup:
Turner Xl Sultan Turner RFX Titus Switchblade
Bottom Line:
I borrowed my buddy's t-2 and to my surprise the Sultan would not fit, the arm that holds the front tire was too short. I saw a review in Bike and had my local dealer order one sight unseen, I am very pleased with the quality of the materials and hardware. I use a strap over the top tube for added security. For peace of mind the rubbber straps that hold the wheels have been replaced with motorcycle type tie-downs.
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Submitted by
R. Schreiber
a Weekend Warrior
from Sebastopol, CA, USA Date Reviewed: April 18, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Many
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
$245.00
Strengths:
Incredibly light and strong for its construciton. Absolutely quiet when on the car, takes up no space behind the car and hitch distance can be modified if you wish. Just drove 1,000 miles with two bikes in high winds, excellent design details.
Weaknesses:
I use a safety line that reduces the windload so that bikes do not lean back at high speed. Only for two bikes.
Similar Products Used:
Thule and Yakima, Allsop (now Softride)
Bike Setup:
Specialized Stumpjumper Pro Carbon, stock setup. Lemond Buenos Aires, stock.
Bottom Line:
I have used almost every major bike rack over the last 30 years and even have another standard Softride Dura which is excellent. However, for mountain bikes and especially carbon frames, this rack is excellent. I have a Honda Hybrid Civic and modified the rack mounting with a 2"x4' tube piece and have 16" of vertical clearance even with my Honda and the rack is only 4" from the car when in the stored position. I was expecting a product that was not well made when I got the rack having read one negative review a few years ago. However, I was amazingly suprised to find a high quality product that virtually disappears on the back of my car rather than sticking up like an eyesore. On long trips to reduce the windload on the bikes and for safety I use a strap that I run over the top of my trunk and out the bottom to locate the bike's top tube. This keeps the bike from moving completely. Also, the best thing is the bikes just don't bounce on the freeway. There is little or no movement over some very rough surfaces. Another little piece is that with my other Softride Dura after a year I had a small broken piece and wrote Softride. Within a few days they send me an entire assembly. I was impressed. If two bikes is all you need, then this is the rack.
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Submitted by
Rick
a Racer
from Southern Pines, NC, USA Date Reviewed: April 14, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Flat Rock Ranch!
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$260.00
Purchased At:
Joe's Sports
Strengths:
Rock Solid Construction, ease of assembly. Compact when raised and folded. The tilt lever is an AWESOME touch, whereas on my old T-2 I had to reach way down to tilt the rack.
Weaknesses:
Despite Bikes being secured per instructions, bikes seem to wobble...a LOT. I'm sure it's normal, but it is still unsettling as I am a new the this rack (less than 2 weeks). Also, the instructions omitted details on assembly of the 1-1/4" yoke...it wasn't in there. A quick call to SOFTRIDE, and the guy told me they accidentally left that out when they went to print, but he was totally cool about it, and had me squared away quickly.
Similar Products Used:
Had a THULE T-2, but backed it into a ditch last year. When I bought a new car this month, I decided to buy a new rack.
Bottom Line:
Owned less than 2 weeks, and I am impressed with the stoutness, workmanship, and overall ease of use. I'm hoping to get over my "wobble-phobia" with this rack. I'm sure I'll change my ratings after some more use and getting used to it.
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Submitted by
TC
a
from Miami Date Reviewed: February 2, 2008
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$270.00
Purchased At:
http://www.bikerackshops.com/
Strengths:
Rock solid construction. Bikes do not move when mounted in the rack. The rack cannot damage the frame of your bike as it only contacts the tires. The rack tilts down for easy trunk or liftgate access and aids in mounting and removing bikes. Rack folds up when not in use. I imaging other drivers appreciate the safety reflector at night. Rest assured that no one will steal your rack due to the hitch lock, which is included. Bicycles can also be chained to the rack for added security.
Weaknesses:
A few of the screws are showing corrosion. I will order replacements and change them once a year. The rack only carries two bikes and is not expandable to carry more. This is not the rack for you if you need to carry 3 or more bikes.
Bike Setup:
Randy Ross Stepper Bike. Hammer model.
Bottom Line:
I got lucky on this one and could not be happier with my buying decision. I did not do any research prior to purchasing. My main concern was to get a rack that could accommodate the unique frame design of the Randy Ross Stepper, with its fat Hoggy-G tires. The Softride Access Versa can accommodate any bike. There are cheaper racks available but none better.
$
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