[paultech6]

Tired of putting bike in SUV and looking to buy hitch rack. Trying to decide which one to get . Cradle style the wheels fit into or hanging style. Any thoughts or opinions
Paul

 

[Xela]

My boss has the cradle style and a buddy of mine has the hanging style. I prefer the cradle style. Seems the bike is more secure and protected, especially if there are multiple bikes on there.

 

[hophead]

I would avoid the kind of rack that requires hanging your bikes from their top tubes. Many bikes (especially mtn bikes) won't fit on them. Also, they tend to bang against each other in transit.

My recommendation is the Thule T2. I've had one for a couple of years now. It's the best bike rack I've ever owned. Solid a a rock an works flawlessly.

 

[vitapimp]

i would get the cradle style.

i have a hitch cargo rack and a buddy who welds. i am going to ask him to fab up something out of any scrap metal that he has so i can attach it to my cargo rack and then strap my bike to it. i figure two metal braces to hold the front tire in place and a few quick fist clamps should do the trick. something similar to what hophead posted.

 

[wild]

Look on craigslist there are allways some on there, with people geting rid of there SUVs lots of hitch mounts. If you are a good buddy you won't ask him to build one Think about the liability, let say one of your bikes comes off and the guy behind you swerves to mis the bike and there is a major acadent , are thay going to sue your buddy . I quit doing favers and making trailer hitches long long ago for that reason.
my .02

 

[HandsomeRyan]

I just bought a Saris Thelma 2.

It doesn't fit my wifes car (Nissan Rogue) without a hitch extension but IMHO it's THE BEST "tray" style rack you can buy (cost to ease of use ratio).

 

[funetical]

I use my XJ's luggage rack with bungees. Not graceful, not easy, but worth it for not incurring exterior mods that can mess with clearance, weight, etc.

 

[Biker]

Are your bikes covered if you get hit from behind?

 

[HandsomeRyan]

Are your bikes covered if you get hit from behind?

Assuming the person who hits you has insurance they are responsible for whatever damage they do to your property From a legal standpoint it doesn't matter if they run into your car, your rack with bikes on it, or if they run through the wall of your house and into whatever room you keep your bikes in; the damage done by the other driver is the responsibility of their insurance company.

 

[funetical]

I've always wondered that.

 

[HandsomeRyan]

That said, good luck getting fully reimbursed for replacement costs. I'd imagine most insurance companies would have a hard time believing that the replacement cost for just my rear rack (not counting the value of the bicycles that are on it) is almost $300.

 

[funetical]

Get it appraised then. I was looking at things. If you have a bank loan you have to report the modification to the bank and the insurance company. Other wise they say your s.o.l

 

[HandsomeRyan]

Get it appraised then. I was looking at things. If you have a bank loan you have to report the modification to the bank and the insurance company. Other wise they say your s.o.l

Why would I have to report it to my insurance company? If another driver destroys my property through their negligence it would go on their insurance, not mine.

 

[Xela]

Check out Yakima's new trailer rack.

Brian, did you see this at Interbike?

Interbike 2009 - New Yakima Roof, Hitch, Spare and Trailer Bicycle Racks Bike Rumor

 

[vitapimp]

That said, good luck getting fully reimbursed for replacement costs. I'd imagine most insurance companies would have a hard time believing that the replacement cost for just my rear rack (not counting the value of the bicycles that are on it) is almost $300.

receipts are wonderful proofs of cost.

 

[snowbird]

i would get the cradle style.

i have a hitch cargo rack and a buddy who welds. i am going to ask him to fab up something out of any scrap metal that he has so i can attach it to my cargo rack and then strap my bike to it. i figure two metal braces to hold the front tire in place and a few quick fist clamps should do the trick. something similar to what hophead posted.

I just made a hitch mount bike rack copying (to the best of my ability) the Yakima design that Xela posted here on page 2.
It's an absolutely ingenious design. It captures the front wheel, holding the bike, and the rear wheel holder is positioned to kind of pull the front wheel back into the cradle.
It's so easy to load. Yakima advertizes "loads in 10 seconds". Just pick up the bike and drop it in. The one I saw had a little strap around the rear wheel to keep it from popping out if you go over a bump.
I particularly like that the only part of the bike that touches the carrier is the tires, so there's no rubbing or scraping the paint.

The one I built came out specific to our bicycles. One with 26" wheels, the other 28" wheels. It's a dual carrier and the bikes can't interchange. I'm sure Yakima's is adjustable or designed better for multiple bike sizes.

Building mine I found out that the hold points on the front wheel have to be pretty high to be effective. And the single hold point on the rear wheel has to be high enough to pull the bike back putting pressure on the front wheel. But not so high it hits the bike frame.
Your carrier will probably come out spcific to your bike too. By the time you take into account the wheel size, wheelbase and tire size, pretty much only the one bike is going to fit. (my experience)
I built mine out of 1/2" pipe and 5/16" steel rod. (junk I had on hand). the only out of pocket cost was $7 for a can of hammer finish paint from Lowe's.
Good luck with your project.

 

[wild]

I just made a hitch mount bike rack copying (to the best of my ability) the Yakima design that Xela posted here on page 2.
It's an absolutely ingenious design. It captures the front wheel, holding the bike, and the rear wheel holder is positioned to kind of pull the front wheel back into the cradle.
It's so easy to load. Yakima advertizes "loads in 10 seconds". Just pick up the bike and drop it in. The one I saw had a little strap around the rear wheel to keep it from popping out if you go over a bump.
I particularly like that the only part of the bike that touches the carrier is the tires, so there's no rubbing or scraping the paint.

The one I built came out specific to our bicycles. One with 26" wheels, the other 28" wheels. It's a dual carrier and the bikes can't interchange. I'm sure Yakima's is adjustable or designed better for multiple bike sizes.

Building mine I found out that the hold points on the front wheel have to be pretty high to be effective. And the single hold point on the rear wheel has to be high enough to pull the bike back putting pressure on the front wheel. But not so high it hits the bike frame.
Your carrier will probably come out spcific to your bike too. By the time you take into account the wheel size, wheelbase and tire size, pretty much only the one bike is going to fit. (my experience)
I built mine out of 1/2" pipe and 5/16" steel rod. (junk I had on hand). the only out of pocket cost was $7 for a can of hammer finish paint from Lowe's.
Good luck with your project.

You got a photo we could see

 

[vitapimp]

You got a photo we could see

x2 snowbird. some pics would be cool.

 

[snowbird]

x2 snowbird. some pics would be cool.

Thanks. I'll work on that, but it's supposed to rain here till Sunday.