The FreeRider DH is specifically designed to carry heavier bikes. It is the ideal rack for the downhiller, freerider, someone who enjoys cruising on an electric bike, or for anyone who has a bike that weighs up to 50lbs. The sturdy one-piece frame is mounted with 2 Bob Ratchet Quick-load bike mounts. This rack is also perfect for use behind RV's. The DH is available with a collar hitch assembly that can be used with a towbar for towing a vehicle while carrying bikes.
Heavy-duty hitch-mounted rack for 2" hitch only w/Ratcheting Quick-load system (RQL)
No wheel removal required
Available with collar hitch assembly to allow for use of towbar
Carries up to 2 bikes and up to 50 pounds per tray
Folds flat for easy storage or down for access to rear vehicle compartments
Ideal for those with thru-axel and bolt on front wheels
Great for heavier bikes such as downhill, freeride, cruiser and even electric models with battery removed
Submitted by
Matt Plude
a Racer
from Bellingham, WA Date Reviewed: August 21, 2004
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Sportworks
Strengths:
Super easy loading. Holds bikes away from each other so they dont get all scratched up. Ask anyone who rides with me and you'll find out how picky I am about scratches that aren't caused by riding. Folds up out of the way which makes it nice for me when I am up in Bellingham at school. Our apartment parking spaces are a bit on the small side so having the ability to leave the rack on the car but fold it up is awesome and saves me the storage in my apartment.
Weaknesses:
Locking mechanism for the arms would be nice so you can leave the bikes on when you go grab a bite to eat at McD's on the way back from a race/ride. Cable locks work but they bang around and can be distracting while driving or scratch the bikes.
Overall though I guess you can't call that a weakness, more a cool addition down the road.
Similar Products Used:
Yakima and Thule car top racks (cant stand them!)
Bottom Line:
Awesome product that recreational and serious riders should check out. Be sure to get the Anti Wobble locking bolt setup also, makes it secure to the vehicle if you decide to leave the rack on, plus eliminates a little wobble at the hitch. Quickest and easiet loading rack I have owned. I loved mine so much that after purchasing a road bike this past month I ordered a Sportworks Factory Bob and Air Fairing for my 1991 Jeep Cherokee Limited. I now have the ability to carry 3 bikes, loading all 3 in less then 2 minutes and we are on the road.
If you are looking to carry XC or lighter weight bikes this rack might be a bit overkill, check out the Transport series, also allows you to carry up to 4 bikes rather than the 2 that the FreeRider DH can carry.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Johnny Chen
a Downhiller
from Bellevue, WA USA Date Reviewed: August 6, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Dirt Merchant
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
SportWorks
Strengths:
Sturdy, well-thought out design - easy to take bike on/off.
Weaknesses:
I would like some sort of integrated locking mechanism w/ the arms rather than just the cables/locking pin apparatus - I suppose this is more of a peace-of-mind thing, but the cable is just too easy to cut.
Similar Products Used:
Yakima
Bike Setup:
Turner DHR & 5-Spot
Bottom Line:
You really get what you pay for here - as you may or may not know, Sportworks makes all those industrial-strength bikeracks on the front of metro busses that you see all over... They've taken that experience and created a consumer rack that fits exactly to what I need.
This rack handles all the big bikes I can throw at it - the trays/arms on this model are identical to the BobRatchets (rooftop rack model) so you also have the option of running this setup with your factory/yakima/thule/saris/etc. rooftop rack system.
The customer service at SportWorks has been phenomenal as well - it's great to see and experience a great company behind a great product.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Seth Dawson
a Racer
from Fountain Hills, AZ Date Reviewed: August 5, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Holbert, South Mountain
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$425.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Mounts bikes quickly without removing a wheel. Ratcheting Quick-load system is solid and fast. Handles heavy DH and Freeride bikes. Allows quick access to storage compartments.
Weaknesses:
None. This rack is solid and well designed
Similar Products Used:
Cadillac, Yakima, Badger Racks, homemade
Bike Setup:
Turner 04 DHR, Marzocchi 888, Romic shock, Sun Ringle Wheels, Hayes Brakes, Thomson post and stem, SRAM drivetrain, Michelin tires, Azonic bars and ODI grips.
Bottom Line:
This product fixes a problem we've seen for years with our DH and freeride racks. The things just aren't built for 45 lb bikes. The Freerider/DH is designed and built specifically to handly heavier bikes.
After watching several of the other rack systems gradually droop towards the ground with age and long road trips, it's a pleasure to have a rack than can handle to heavy DH bikes without worries.
Bikes mount quickly with the rachet arm system and wheel hoops can fit my 2.8 inch fat Michelin DH tires. This rack has stood up to endless shuttle runs on dirt roads and thousands of miles of road trips to races and adventures.
Perfect rack for freeride, DH riders and anyone who values strength and speed for loading their bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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