hitch mount rack for cross country travel

[skinimini]

I need a hitch mount, platform style bike rack for cross country travel. I found the Yakima Stick up--closest to what I believe would suit me. I really like that the rack folds down with bikes mounted for easy access to rear of the SUV (Subaru Forester). However, I don't like that there is a bar that clamps down on the top tube. My current rack for my mini cooper (which I love--the Mini and the rack, but it's not going cross country!), has wheel mounts and seat post attachments, so there is no way to damage the carbon frame. Anyone have other carriers that you would recommend?

I'd also welcome any opinion about the hanging type racks with a carbon frame. I'm traveling from Atlanta to Seattle and back and want my bikes to be as protected as possible. Thanks in advance for any insight. I'm too short for roof mounted racks.

[pll]

The Yakima "Hold Up (http://yakima.com/shop/bike/hitch/holdup125)" secures the wheels. I would go for that over pressure on the top tube. I don't see how the stick-up folds down with the bikes mounted.

Correction: I see the tilt down now.
For the Stickup, there is a video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPd3wLwmvVc
For the Holdup, there is a video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6P8dM7oE_34

[thekarens]

My first two choices were Kuat and 1 Up. We got the Kuat.

[rebeccaC]

You might want to look at the Thule T2 XTR. It clamps the top of the front tire instead of some place on the frame and holds 2 mountain or road bikes securely. It also has a tilt down function that gives access to the rear door. I'm sure there are reviews on the net. I looked at one at REI and liked it but decided to go with a Yakima roof fork mount for my CRV. For me there is a needed psychology to looking through the sunroof and seeing bikes firmly in place....and even with a back up camera I'd be worried what I could do by accident with a hitch mount :)
A small two step aluminum ladder can help with a roof mount if needed.

[pll]

My first two choices were Kuat and 1 Up. We got the Kuat.

The Kuat looks great. I like the built in workstand! (here is the video review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAW9dn3V0ps)

Ah, my next car should have a hitch.

[thekarens]

If it doesn't have a hitch they are easy to install. U-hall will put one on for about $200. One guy in our club had one installed on his Mini Cooper.

[skinimini]

Thanks guys! The Kuat and the Thule both look like much better choices than the Yakima Stickup. I will definitely investigate further. The Yakima Holdup won't work because I have a 1.25" trailer hitch and it take a 2". I really appreciate the info.

[skinimini]

My first two choices were Kuat and 1 Up. We got the Kuat. How is the weight on the Kuat? The specs say it weighs 49 lbs. That's a hefty rack!

[Scrappy]

Steer Clear of this one: I have the Saris Freedom (Ordered from REI) - reasonably priced, lightweight & great for non-traditional bike frames or if you don't have to adjust it very often for different bikes, but getting it setup just right for each bike is a pain in the #@$!! (oh yeah and it's a lot of plastic. I've had parts break within the first month)

Scrappy

[MelC]

My 1 Up review. Still loving it.


Bike Rack
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?p=674692#post674692

[thekarens]

How is the weight on the Kuat? The specs say it weighs 49 lbs. That's a hefty rack!

That's about right. It's hefty. Once on you won't want to take it off, but thankfully we've never had a need to take it off.

[MollyJ]

This is what I have and I really like. Held my bike rock stable and I would trust it for distance travel.

Swagman XTC-2 a 2 bike platform carrier. Got it at my LBS.

http://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Bike-Racks/Swagman/S64670.html

With the bikes off the carrier, you can access stuff in the back of your vehicle, which also would be handy.

[skinimini]

Decided to go with the Thule T2 XTR. It was available at my favorite LBS, and there's nothing like being able to evaluate something firsthand. It is truly a heavyweight, but my bikes will be secure. All that upper body work at the gym will finally pay off!

[lgibster]

Swagman G2. VERY easy to use and I drove 10 hours with my bike along all types of roads and no problems. Not sure if the back hatch would clear the rack, but my tailgate on my truck does. The hook that sits on the tube is padded and I have had NO issues with the pressure applied to my carbon frame (because it doesn't take much) because the wheel straps keep the bike from moving too much. I will say you will need to buy some lock washers to go between the knobs and the trays since they WILL vibrate off if you don't have them (lost two on the way home from the LBS the first time). Wish they would include lock washers with the rack, but then I guess they couldn't sell the replacement knobs. They include a cable that you lock to the hitch pin so you don't need an extra lock, just the one that locks the end of the hitch pin. Most stable rack I have ever used.

[colorisnt]

Yeah, I would steer clear of the stick up. It's what my Dad has on his truck. It's not a bad rack, really, at all but it's not great for what you need. I like my cheapy $75.00 rack but I don't have a carbon frame, just a fork. My bike doesn't need to be babied that much. It comes down so I can leave it on my car during trips no problem or just take it off. I really would love one of those platform racks. I have a 1.25'' on mine, I think. I have a kia soul. I don't haul anything with it but the bike rack is SO nice. I paid about $150.00 to get it installed. It was really easy to do. Great for long car trips.