Bicycle hitch mounted rack

Hello forum,

In the interest of having some fun at a low cost, getting some exercise, & exploring what few bike trails South Florida has to offer (wish there were mountain trails here) my wife & I are going to start riding bikes. I'm looking at these from Walmart ($119.00 each):

Mens: Womens:


I first I thought of just tossing them in the bed but I don't know how to keep them from moving around. I have the Extra D-Rings mod but I'm sure they will get scratched up back there anyways:



I am looking at buying this. Part #63124 & only costs $109.95:




The good thing about this is that the bed is completely available for aything else I might want to load in there. Anyone using this or have any other ideas or suggestions? Let me know.

 

The woman's bike will likely not work with that rack due to the curve of the top tube. I would suggest lying them in the back and if you are worried about scratches, throw a blanket between them.

Also scan craigslist for deals on hybrids, you will probably be happier on that type of bike.

 

REIoutlet.com has several Yakima racks right now that are being cleared out... just bought one. Great company to deal with, even if you aren't near a brick-and-morter. The rack you are looking at is a scratched tailgate waiting to happen, as it has nothing to keep the bikes from swinging back and forth.

The Kingpin (the one I bought) and the 2 bike double down would work perfectly for you. http://www.rei.com/outlet/brand/Yakima

As for the WalMart bikes... save your money. Go to a local bike shop and spend a little more money on a MUCH better bike, like most things in life, you get what you pay for... not to mention support a local business.

Craigslist is a great place to score a rack, maybe even a couple lightly used bikes... it's worth a look.

 

The women's bike will work with that style of rack. The top tube and bottom tube is used instead of just the top tube.

I like the Hollywood racks because they have a tensioning system that takes the play out of the receiver hitch so the rack doesn't sway back and forth.

 

id go for the hitch mount, i have the same style one (hidden hitch) and love it. With a womans frame your bike will be angled but still balanced, go for it. It will leave the bed open for other storage.

 

teamfast, or anyone else who may know,

Have you had any issues with the bikes hitting the tailgate when you brake? It seems unlikely since the bikes appear to ride far from the truck itself but I am not sure.

 

I have a Saris hitch mount. Mine is for four bikes, but they make a two bike version. Check them out here; http://www.saris.com/en/bike-racks/vehicle-racks/hitch-racks.html

Also, for the womens bikes, I use a bike beam to haul my wifes' and daughters' bikes.
http://www.saris.com/en/bike-racks/...ges_norating.tpl&product_id=40&category_id=10

Good luck. (not a fan of the Wal-Mart bicycles)

 

Whats wrong with the Walmart bikes? Is it quality? I'm asking because I have not bought a bike in years. I do know of a nearby bike store that I will check out also.

 

Yes, I'd be concerned about quality. A co-worker bought a bike from there last year and broke the crank on his first ride. Granted, the guy is 220 lbs., so that factors in.

I suggest doing some research on bicycles and find out what you want and how much you can afford to spend. You don't have to have a $500 bike to have good quality. FWIW, I like Trek bicycles.

Good luck.

 

take the advice and skip the walmart bikes... a quality bike is just that.. a quality bike. walmart bikes break easily... rust easily.. heavy.. clumsy.. and not nearly as enjoyable to ride as a 'good' bike. it's worth the extra $100 or $150 to buy a good bike... that has a warranty and is fitted to you.

 

Hardscrabble and KJ said all that needs to be said about the WalMart Bikes... except for the part about supporting a small local business. It's been about ten years since I lived down there, but I bet there are 30+ bike shops between West Palm and Miami.

As for the bike swinging and hitting the tailgate, yes, it can be a problem. That's why I recommended the Yakima racks because they have a piece that allows you to strap the down tube to the rack... keeping the bike from swinging front to back.

 

I've used a hitch mount for 14 years, and have never had a problem with it hitting a tailgate, bumper, or the back of the van. If you're really concerned, you can bungee the front wheel so it doesn't swing. One thing to warch, though, is people hitting the bikes. Had it happen once. I had a guy slam on the brakes behind me, didn't feel or hear anything, so I assumed evrrything was fine. When I got home, the back wheel was tacoed.

As for the Walmart bikes, if you have the bucks for a better ride, I concur with the others. A little more money will make a huge difference.

 

SteelCityPickle,

I was looking at the Yakima King Pin #848750 also. BTW, I want to buy a 4 bike carrier because my 2 boys may come along with us sometimes. I apologize for forgetting to mention that earlier. You, or anyone else, have any pics of this Yakima mounted on your truck? Also, do the arms that the bikes sit on fold down for storage?

Thanks

 

A local bike shop can help you find the right size bike and make adjustments so that the bike fits you well. A good fit is really important for your enjoyment.

At the risk of starting a flame war about bike helmets, I strongly suggest that you wear a properly-fitted bike helmet. A bike shop can help you with that as well.

My wife and I are avid cyclists. Enjoy your time together!

Spindifferent

 

Thank you Spindifferent! I will definitely look at bike shops. Maybe today if I leave work early enough.

 

I have the rack pictured below (sorry the only picture I had was it on my wife's car). It a great rack as it is not "top bar" dependent as many bikes top bars are different.
If you don't need the bed space I have also used a $20 bike rack from Costco, the kind you just drive your front wheel into and holds 2 bikes. I just stick the whole thing in my bed (its light) and park the 2 bikes in it. Still have lots of room for stuff on the sides and in between the bikes.

Have fun riding.
Shawn.

 

I can probably get a picture today.

The KingPin is hinged in two places:

At the top, so the arms can be folded down for storage as well as while still on the truck (some people leave them on the vehicle even when they aren't transporting bikes).

The other hinge point is at the bottom. The whole rack tilts forward. This is so you can access the contents of the bed/trunk of the vehicle. This is only used when there are no bikes on the rack.

 

Thank you. I would greatly appreciate the pics!

 

I'd like to reiterate the advice about bikes. I know we're advising you to double your bike budget but the difference between a Walmart cheapie and an entry level bike from Trek, Giant, etc is huge. The difference in quality of the frame and components plus the weight will directly impact your enjoyment on the bike. Any good bike shop will let you test ride, use the oportunity to ride a few different brands and models. Remember that just like a new car, the price is negotiable. In the end, if you find that the bikes are just collecting dust a year from now, you'll be able to sell the "real" bike for 80% of it's cost whereas a used Walmart bike is near worthless.