Swing Away Bike Racks (Hitch mounted)

[LiveFreeAndRoam Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LiveFreeAndRoam]

I've been in search of a rear bike mounting system that swings the bikes away, clear of the rear door. This allows full access to the rear without having to reach over any bikes. I also like the versatility to carry up to 4 bikes.

I've found just three products from two companies, Yakima and Thule.

• Yakima Swing Daddy ($750)
• Thule 9027 Apex Swing 4 Bike ($650).
• Thule 9031 Vertex Swing 4 Bike ($500)

I'm leaning toward the Thule 9027 based on price alone. These Thule designs are also their next generation design and incorporate a few clever features not seen before: curved arms, slots for cables, integrated hitch pin in the 9027. [As an aside, these new Thule's supersede the Thule 964 Revolver design ($750 last year).] I'm guessing Yakima will need to rev their design real soon or lose.

Any thoughts to share about these systems?

LFaR.

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

There is only one http://www.isi-carriers.com

[alternative Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close alternative]

Irrelevant info.

[LiveFreeAndRoam Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LiveFreeAndRoam]

Hmmm. Is that a swing-away carrier? It looks like a fold down? This thread is for experience with swing-aways.

LFaR.

[slatts Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close slatts]

mate im sold on the yakima it has the built in stubby opener lol...

[LiveFreeAndRoam Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LiveFreeAndRoam]

Haha. The stubby opener will at least keep Yakima in the race... for now .

LFaR.

[JeffH Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close JeffH]

Interesting to note that in the instructions for the Thule racks it notes that they are not to be used offroad or on dirt tracks. With the Yakima it's just not recommended.

Does any know if any of these (or other) swing-away racks would be suitable for a carbon fibre road bike with a flat-rectangular profile top-tube?

[alternative Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close alternative]

Hmmm. Is that a swing-away carrier? It looks like a fold down? This thread is for experience with swing-aways.

LFaR.

You clearly asked for a carrier that "swings the bikes away, clear of the rear door", if you want to pull me up on providing the wrong info, you should have asked specifically for a sideways swinging rack. I simply posted one that swung down clear of the rear door.

[Brains Find all posts View Profile Close Brains]

I've been in search of a rear bike mounting system that swings the bikes away, clear of the rear door. This allows full access to the rear without having to reach over any bikes. I also like the versatility to carry up to 4 bikes.

I've found just three products from two companies, Yakima and Thule.

• Yakima Swing Daddy ($750)
• Thule 9027 Apex Swing 4 Bike ($650).
• Thule 9031 Vertex Swing 4 Bike ($500)

I'm leaning toward the Thule 9027 based on price alone. These Thule designs are also their next generation design and incorporate a few clever features not seen before: curved arms, slots for cables, integrated hitch pin in the 9027. [As an aside, these new Thule's supersede the Thule 964 Revolver design ($750 last year).] I'm guessing Yakima will need to rev their design real soon or lose.

Any thoughts to share about these systems?

LFaR.

There is only one http://www.isi-carriers.com

I agree with D4D the ISI Carriers sure look the goods. LFar if you are carrying bikes with all straight horizontal bars then the hanging rack is okay (bikes swing around unless strapped), if you want to carry any newer mountain bikes or other hybrid bikes then the ISI do the job really well. I'm looking at the 4x4x4 from ISI Carriers.

I've had a hanging one and lots of mucking around to get the bikes on, more effort than the actual riding!

Paul

[Richoson Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Richoson]

I like the way the ISI has the bikes supported down low by the wheels as opposed to hanging, and yes Matt I am looking to get a mountain bike maybe some suggestions for something reasonable but not too expensive I wont be doing any of the trips of the magnitude that you do.

Richo.

[LiveFreeAndRoam Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LiveFreeAndRoam]

Interesting to note that in the instructions for the Thule racks it notes that they are not to be used offroad or on dirt tracks. With the Yakima it's just not recommended.

I think that is a bit of CYA by the manufacturers. I wouldn't be taking these offroad-offroad (if you know what I mean ). Rather, I'd use it to get to the head of a MTB trail via unsealed roads or some distant location with the road-bikes. I'm not concerned by their warning for my intended use. If I were taking bikes properly offroad, then I'd carry them in the cargo area.

Does any know if any of these (or other) swing-away racks would be suitable for a carbon fibre road bike with a flat-rectangular profile top-tube?

The Thule and Yakima mounting brackets are probably the most advanced and versatile in the market. I've seen all manner of of high-end bikes carried with these systems, including the low profile flat-rectangular tube.

You clearly asked for a carrier that "swings the bikes away, clear of the rear door", if you want to pull me up on providing the wrong info, you should have asked specifically for a sideways swinging rack. I simply posted one that swung down clear of the rear door.

Fair enough, I understand there is room for interpretation. The ISI is a fold-down rack, leaving the bikes at the rear of the car. The swing-away moves the bikes completely away from the rear of the car. I've read all the threads on the ISI (and every other mounting system) but none do the job like a swing-away. BTW, the rear-door mounting systems are a clever version of the swing-away, in that they use the door hinges to swing the bikes out of the way. However, they are limited to carrying two bikes, not to mention other pros/cons.

I like the way the ISI has the bikes supported down low by the wheels as opposed to hanging

Yes, having a platform is a consideration and arguably easier on the bikes. When I hang my MTB from a rack, I use a crossbar adapter. I also protect the paint work where the straps hold the bike in place, but I'd do that whether it was a platform or hanger. It would be nice to have the best of both worlds with a swing-away platform, but I haven't found any on those market.

I am looking to get a mountain bike maybe some suggestions for something reasonable but not too expensive I wont be doing any of the trips of the magnitude that you do.

Bloody hell, I'm impressed! We'll soon be doing PP trips to the MTB trail heads; it doesn't have to be big magnitude to be big fun - I'm up for anything . Advice on buying a MTB: spend as much money as you can! Runout sales of last year's stock will save you heaps. Keep an eye on http://www.bikeexchange.com.au/.

Richo, there are still about 80 places remaining for the Ironman in May 2013 and don't forget Tough Mudder in Aug 2013. I sense you're building some momentum and would hate for you to miss out .

LFaR.