Bike racks

[GCDingo]

Just wondering what bike racks people are using on their tow bar?

I was hoping to fit maybe my mountain bike and both the kids bikes and in a perfect world be able to open the tailgate also with removing it if that is possible? I haven't started looking yet just was after peoples opinions

[JnK]

I would recommend to check out Cyclingdeal.com.au in Melbourne.
They have a range of hitch mounted racks and at reasonable prices. There is a 4 bike rack available.
We've had one of their 2 bike racks for years (now called a 640A) and it is great, easy to fit, solid and generally a quality bit of kit. The bikes sit on their wheels and clamped with a curved ratchet hook which goes over the top bar on the bike. It also folds easily.
We have carbon mountain bikes and carbon road bikes, the rack adjusts easily for the different wheelbases. It also comes off the hitch bar and mounts to a replacement hitch mount on our van drawbar so our bikes go with the van.
Done probably 100,000k on the Jeep or van, with plenty of rough road work in that.

If you didn't like the look of their 4 bike rack then an option would be to purchase 2 of the racks as above and use a longer hitch bar (its just a piece of 50mm sq tube) so that the 2 racks mount from the same bar.

You might be a bit optimistic hoping to find a 3 bike rack that will allow the tailgate to open with the bikes fitted though……with the rack mentioned the ratchet post does fold so you can open the tailgate with the rack fitted but no bikes mounted if that would suit you.
John

[GCDingo]

Thanks for that JnK. I was just looking at the simple v ones as they all seem to have a pivot. My kids are 6 and 4 at the moment so their bikes are small. I think I need to go actually have a look at few in person

[JnK]

Originally Posted by GCDingo

Thanks for that JnK. I was just looking at the simple v ones as they all seem to have a pivot. My kids are 6 and 4 at the moment so their bikes are small. I think I need to go actually have a look at few in person

My daughter has a 4 bike V rack with a pivot and she manages to put 2 kids (9 and 7) and 2 adult bikes on that - looks like a spaghetti mess when they are on - but it works for her family. Mounts via the tow ball hole. Floppy as….
Our carbon bikes wouldn't survive so it will depend on your scratch and rub tolerance level.
good luck
John

[GCDingo]

Yeh no carbon at my house. Scratch and dent policy with my too is non existent.

[reklaw1947]

I got a 4 bike unit from cycling deal ( which I reduced to 2) but it uses hitch receiver and folds down after removing a pin and clip. We also mount on back of van when needed. Have a look at the link; similar what i’m talking about.

https://www.cyclingdeal.com.au/buy/v...ier/VZ-F13-002

[brianvicki]

Originally Posted by JnK

I would recommend to check out Cyclingdeal.com.au in Melbourne.
They have a range of hitch mounted racks and at reasonable prices. There is a 4 bike rack available.
We've had one of their 2 bike racks for years (now called a 640A) and it is great, easy to fit, solid and generally a quality bit of kit. The bikes sit on their wheels and clamped with a curved ratchet hook which goes over the top bar on the bike. It also folds easily.
We have carbon mountain bikes and carbon road bikes, the rack adjusts easily for the different wheelbases. It also comes off the hitch bar and mounts to a replacement hitch mount on our van drawbar so our bikes go with the van.
Done probably 100,000k on the Jeep or van, with plenty of rough road work in that.

If you didn't like the look of their 4 bike rack then an option would be to purchase 2 of the racks as above and use a longer hitch bar (its just a piece of 50mm sq tube) so that the 2 racks mount from the same bar.

You might be a bit optimistic hoping to find a 3 bike rack that will allow the tailgate to open with the bikes fitted though……with the rack mentioned the ratchet post does fold so you can open the tailgate with the rack fitted but no bikes mounted if that would suit you.
John

Do you have a picture of the van mount, I’m looking at the isis but it is over a grand