Hitch rack for 2 bikes

joeyjeremiah · 05-11-2008, 06:32 PM

I'm considering these two racks. Need something inexpensive for the occasional transport of 2 bikes weighing 40lbs or less each. The rack is going on a Subaru Impreza with 1-1/4" hitch.

Anyone have experience with either of these? Any others in the same price range?

Swagman XTC2 - $165 (liking this one because of the ratchets)

or

Sportrack 2 bike from Can Tire - $150

Any comments on either, or other options, would be great.

IFO · 05-11-2008, 06:35 PM

send a PM to Furious on the BB..

he has the CDN tire 2 biek one.. he should be able to give u some solid advice

yellowdogx · 05-11-2008, 08:52 PM

Brother in law and another friend both rock the Canadian tire one...Seems all good. Possibly the only weak point is the hitch pin screws in on that modle = pain in the ass.

We have shuttler seymore and sumas with it and it seems all good, although you will bottom out on a lowish car (his honda civic) on rough terrain.

I have the one from MEC looks like the top one I think? (I bought it for the wifes car and to suppliment the three bike trays on top of my car)

The only other real problem with either type is the fact that when you load two bikes on of different sizes (my 23" XC and the wifes 18" XC) it doesnt really work that great as the two arms that lock down over the top tube interfer (SP?) with one another.

I have loaded that thing up pretty good with two freeride bikes and no complaints yet.

boot · 05-12-2008, 02:28 AM

I have the newer Sportrack, that pic is the old version. It's solid with one bike, but wobbles quite a bit with two big bikes. Not to worry though, it's rated at 90 lbs. My only complaint is the tie down hooks have a tendency to slide up, no matter how tight you crank them. Keep a close eye on them, or modify it like I did. Haven't had any dragging issues. Security for the rack itself is lame, if you buy a locking 'tie down bolt' a thief can still get away with everything but the out post (it's completely modular)

Still I would recommend it. And 'tray' is the way to go. Definitely avoid those top tube carriers = nightmare for big bikes.

mickmart · 05-12-2008, 02:33 AM

Hey bud I've got the Swagman's and I've never problems with them.. they're great, solid and reliable. I've got a VW Golf and it works perfectly. I've been able to put two DH bikes on it and it didn't bobble or shake even though I think I went over the suggested weight limit. I would choose the swagmans although I've never had the sport rack model so I can't really comment on them.

Where are you purchasing the swagmans?

Sparkplug · 05-12-2008, 02:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boot

I have the newer Sportrack, that pic is the old version. It's solid with one bike, but wobbles quite a bit with two big bikes. Not to worry though, it's rated at 90 lbs. My only complaint is the tie down hooks have a tendency to slide up, no matter how tight you crank them. Keep a close eye on them, or modify it like I did. Haven't had any dragging issues. Security for the rack itself is lame, if you buy a locking 'tie down bolt' a thief can still get away with everything but the out post (it's completely modular)

Still I would recommend it. And 'tray' is the way to go. Definitely avoid those top tube carriers = nightmare for big bikes.

The father in law has the same one and did have an incident with the tie down hook sliding up - the bike fell back 90 degrees and luckily stayed there because of the velcro straps holding the wheels in the wire tray so luckily no damage. Once he modified it - no problem. Only thing is it only carries 2 bikes so a pain when we want to do multiple shuttles (the rest of us have 3-6 bike capability.)

zooker · 05-12-2008, 03:12 AM

i have the sportrack but for 4 bikes and its great. have gone to whistler and silverstar tones with no problems. what r the hooks sliding up people r talking about? the part that goes onto to frame? i push mine down tighten the noob and it never moves at all. mine is only a year old so maybe they have changed it.

1994canucks · 05-12-2008, 03:19 AM

look at the north shore rack for two!

www.northshoreracks.com

yellowdogx · 05-12-2008, 03:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1994canucks

look at the north shore rack for two!

www.northshoreracks.com

I like the looks, but if you drive a wagon / suv they lean pretty far back....

boot · 05-12-2008, 03:48 AM

Zookers post is the new Sportrack, I payed 159 at crappy tire last year. Yes we are talking about the hooks onto the bike frame. They WILL slide up, bye bye rig. There isn't enough pinch on those clamps, but you can easily mod it.

sheffy · 05-12-2008, 03:59 AM

We have a Saris cycle on pro rack....works awesome.I had a look at those Swagman racks and they look pretty weak,i wasnt willing to risk over 10k in bikes over a few hundred bucks more.

juan · 05-12-2008, 06:22 AM

I run a hitch mount saris for two bikes. It looks a little spaceage but man it is the shit! It has scoops for the front wheels. Super secure and keeps the bikes higher off the ground. I am coming from a swagman and I would never go back.

All I have found with the DH bike on it is the rack is a bit short for the wheelbase, so I just wrap a bungee around the rear wheel to the rack itself.

I really can't say enough about this rack, and I don't even work for Saris lol

sheffy · 05-12-2008, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by juan

I run a hitch mount saris for two bikes. It looks a little spaceage but man it is the shit! It has scoops for the front wheels. Super secure and keeps the bikes higher off the ground. I am coming from a swagman and I would never go back.

All I have found with the DH bike on it is the rack is a bit short for the wheelbase, so I just wrap a bungee around the rear wheel to the rack itself.

I really can't say enough about this rack, and I don't even work for Saris lol

Try adjusting the the mounts for the wheels on the rack and it will make it fit better...i have a medium demo 8 and it works fine

joeyjeremiah · 05-12-2008, 07:09 AM

Thanks for all of the replies. I think I will give the Swagman a try as it has the ratcheting hooks...hopefully they will stay in place better than the Sportrack.

Those Saris racks look really good. Unfortunately I can't spend that much right now. We'll see how much use it gets and maybe upgrade later if necessary.

Quote:

Where are you purchasing the swagmans?

Lordco! They have some great prices on racks and hitches.

Fat Whacker · 05-12-2008, 04:50 PM

Hope you haven't gone out and picked anything up yet. Scratch those two ideas and go for either the Thule T2 or the Saris Cycle On or Cycle On Pro. Way better options for the 40lb bike. You will need to go to your local hitch place to get an adaptor from 1 1/4 to 2" but thats no biggie.

I run the Thule and love it. First ran it on my Jeep Grand Cherokee and am now going to be running it on my Coblat. Hope this helps.

05-11-2008, 06:32 PM	#1
joeyjeremiah Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 45 Rep Power: 0	Hitch rack for 2 bikes I'm considering these two racks. Need something inexpensive for the occasional transport of 2 bikes weighing 40lbs or less each. The rack is going on a Subaru Impreza with 1-1/4" hitch. Anyone have experience with either of these? Any others in the same price range? Swagman XTC2 - $165 (liking this one because of the ratchets) or Sportrack 2 bike from Can Tire - $150 Any comments on either, or other options, would be great.

05-12-2008, 02:33 AM	#5
mickmart Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 7 Rep Power: 0	I've got the Swagman Hey bud I've got the Swagman's and I've never problems with them.. they're great, solid and reliable. I've got a VW Golf and it works perfectly. I've been able to put two DH bikes on it and it didn't bobble or shake even though I think I went over the suggested weight limit. I would choose the swagmans although I've never had the sport rack model so I can't really comment on them. Where are you purchasing the swagmans?

05-12-2008, 03:19 AM	#8
1994canucks WTF. Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 731 Rep Power: 47313	look at the north shore rack for two! www.northshoreracks.com Last edited by 1994canucks; 05-12-2008 at 03:22 AM.

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05-11-2008, 06:35 PM	#2
IFO Cove STD goodness...Yummy Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 13,653 Rep Power: 4442274	send a PM to Furious on the BB.. he has the CDN tire 2 biek one.. he should be able to give u some solid advice

05-12-2008, 02:28 AM	#4
boot Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: shore Posts: 412 Rep Power: 156808	I have the newer Sportrack, that pic is the old version. It's solid with one bike, but wobbles quite a bit with two big bikes. Not to worry though, it's rated at 90 lbs. My only complaint is the tie down hooks have a tendency to slide up, no matter how tight you crank them. Keep a close eye on them, or modify it like I did. Haven't had any dragging issues. Security for the rack itself is lame, if you buy a locking 'tie down bolt' a thief can still get away with everything but the out post (it's completely modular) Still I would recommend it. And 'tray' is the way to go. Definitely avoid those top tube carriers = nightmare for big bikes.

05-12-2008, 03:12 AM	#7
zooker Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 82 Rep Power: 0	i have the sportrack but for 4 bikes and its great. have gone to whistler and silverstar tones with no problems. what r the hooks sliding up people r talking about? the part that goes onto to frame? i push mine down tighten the noob and it never moves at all. mine is only a year old so maybe they have changed it.

05-12-2008, 03:48 AM	#10
boot Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: shore Posts: 412 Rep Power: 156808	Zookers post is the new Sportrack, I payed 159 at crappy tire last year. Yes we are talking about the hooks onto the bike frame. They WILL slide up, bye bye rig. There isn't enough pinch on those clamps, but you can easily mod it.

05-12-2008, 03:59 AM	#11
sheffy Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Vernon BC Canada Posts: 1,227 Rep Power: 26712	We have a Saris cycle on pro rack....works awesome.I had a look at those Swagman racks and they look pretty weak,i wasnt willing to risk over 10k in bikes over a few hundred bucks more.

05-12-2008, 06:22 AM	#12
juan Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: retirement home Posts: 616 Rep Power: 107134	I run a hitch mount saris for two bikes. It looks a little spaceage but man it is the shit! It has scoops for the front wheels. Super secure and keeps the bikes higher off the ground. I am coming from a swagman and I would never go back. All I have found with the DH bike on it is the rack is a bit short for the wheelbase, so I just wrap a bungee around the rear wheel to the rack itself. I really can't say enough about this rack, and I don't even work for Saris lol

05-12-2008, 04:50 PM	#15
Fat Whacker Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Lethbridge AB....I miss Kamloops! Posts: 960 Rep Power: 226	Hope you haven't gone out and picked anything up yet. Scratch those two ideas and go for either the Thule T2 or the Saris Cycle On or Cycle On Pro. Way better options for the 40lb bike. You will need to go to your local hitch place to get an adaptor from 1 1/4 to 2" but thats no biggie. I run the Thule and love it. First ran it on my Jeep Grand Cherokee and am now going to be running it on my Coblat. Hope this helps.