ϳԹ

Trailblazer
Trailblazer

What’s the best rack to transport different-sized bikes?

I looking for a bike rack to transport four bikes from L.A. to the Sierras on my Ford Expedition SUV. One bicycle is an oddly fred full-suspension Diondback XSL Comp, one a standard mountain bike, and the last two kids' bikes. I figure a roof rack is too high off the ground to be practical so I thinking hitch-mounted. My dilemma is that it seems you must choose between a fre clp (works for all but the full-suspension rig) or a tray type that secures the wheels (not sure if it will take a kid-sized bike). I would prefer something that does not require tools or steroids to remove. Sean Los Angeles, California

Published:  Updated: 
Douglas Gantenbein
Trailblazer

New perk: Easily find new routes and hidden gems, upcoming running events, and more near you. Your weekly Local Running Newsletter has everything you need to lace up! .

You could use a roof rack, Sean, but you’d also need a ladder to hit the roof of the Expedition.

Trailblazer Trailblazer


So it’ll be a hitch-mount for you. As for the rack, you have several good choices. Yakima, of course, always makes reliable stuff; their BackSwing 4 ($350; www.yakima.com) accommodates a wide variety of bikes, is very secure and easy to use, and swings away from the rear of the vehicle when you want to get out the Coleman cooler. Yakima’s Bighorn ($170) holds four bikes more economically, but lacks the swing-out feature, which is of course extremely useful when traveling with a crew. Thule’s Trailblazer ($399; www.thuleracks.com) is similar in capacity and features to the BackSwing; maybe a little more ruggedly built.


But what to do about the Diamondback? Get a “top tube adapter,” which creates a top tube for clamp mounts. They run about $25; Yakima makes one, and so does Softride (www.softride.com).

You might also look at the SportsWork TranSport, a tray-type hitch rack that is rugged and highly regarded. It’s $300 in the two-bike configuration, but trays for a third and fourth bike can be added if you have a two-inch receiver on the Expedition, which I expect you do. Setting up the TranSport for four bikes will run about $450 (www.bicycleracks.com).

For more sport-rack reviews, check out ϳԹ‘s .

Filed to:

Popular on ϳԹ Online