Hitch bike rack

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    • #260478

      I am in the market to buy a hitch bike rack and have a few questions.  I am planning to put the hitch on a 2012 Honda Civic Sedan.  Max # of bikes is 2.    Question #1: Does anyone have experience with this type of setup and if so what are/were the most common issues experienced?  As with most everything in life, I want the best bang for my buck and my price range is $300-450.  Question #2:  Which brands are dependable, good quality, and are easy to use that are in my price range?

    • #260536

      Do you already have a hitch receiver on your Civic? If not, step 1 is to make sure you get one that attaches correctly to the frame of the vehicle. (Some hitch rack kits are more cosmetic than others. Make sure you find one that’s actually rated for towing to ensure that it’s strong enough.) Get a 2″ receiver as it’s the most compatible. You should be able to install the receiver yourself using online instructions.

      Kuat makes good racks. At your price range, you’re looking at the Transfer ($298 for the 2-bike version). The good thing about this one is it’s lightweight, but it’s also not as robust and easy to use as say the Sherpa ($498).

    • #260537

      Kuat are awesome racks. I recently picked up an NV 2.0 from REI. They retail for $700. However, if you plan ahead and are a co-op member, you can use your dividend and a 20% off coupon. I ended up getting one for $350!

    • #260549

      Thanks for the responses fellas!  What is/are the advantage(s) of the 2 in. receiver over a 1-1/4 in. receiver outside of compatibility?

    • #260610

      I’d be surprised if you could put a 2″ receiver on that Civic.

      A 2″ will be much more beefy and solid than a 1.25″.

      Wish I could put a 2″ on my car.

      I like NorthShore racks.  The 2 bike is $440.

      Solid, small, and out of the way when not in use.

    • #260613

      Yeah…no real advantages/disadvantages. It’s really dictated by what car you own. Like Zoso said, your civic will probably require a 1.25″ hitch, but there are plenty of great options for that.

    • #262355

      An update to my initial post about the hitch bike rack.  I ended up going with the 1.25 inch Kuat Sherpa and have used it for going on 2 weeks.  Install was simple and it stays on pretty solid.  It held up well on a 3hr car ride and was pretty stable.  I appreciate the recommendation Mr. Barber.  I did end up paying close to 5 bills but I feel it’s a good investment.  I’ll see how it holds up after about a year’s use.  Have a great day and Ride On!

      • #268625

        @silverstang How’s it now? A buddy of mine is considering a hitch bike rack for his Civic as well. The Kuat rack looks good.

    • #268566

      What I use is Thule and have a Subaru. Thule is a pretty popular brand and it’s just like Yakima. Got that for $300+ and here is where what I have https://www.subarupartspros.com/sku/soa567b041.html.  I think your budget would get you a really quality rack. Been using this for 3 years now and still no signs of damage except with some scatches.

    • #268725

      @trackerJack – it has worked fantastic.  Over a 8 day time frame in late May and early June I drove from San Antonio, Texas to Bentonville, Arkansas then to Sante Fe and Taos, New Mexico then back to San Antonio and it was great.  It’s a very solid bike rack with little to no play to it.  It was very steady and in my opinion is worth the money I spent on it.  I would highly recommend it.

    • #268914

      @trackerJack – it has worked fantastic.  Over a 8 day time frame in late May and early June I drove from San Antonio, Texas to Bentonville, Arkansas then to Sante Fe and Taos, New Mexico then back to San Antonio and it was great.  It’s a very solid bike rack with little to no play to it.  It was very steady and in my opinion is worth the money I spent on it.  I would highly recommend it.

      Sweet, man! That’s a great run.

      Gonna let my buddy check that out.

       

    • #268933

      Another vote for the Kuat Transfer here. Simple, cheap, solid (just not as solid as their more expensive ones). Overall super happy.

    • #269232

      Good move on the Sherpa. I bought one in the spring and absolutely love it.

      I feel like it’s the first bike related purchase I have ever made where I didn’t settle in any way. Solid construction, great looks and they have fantastic customer service.

    • #271769

      For sure you heard about Thule. For my Ram truck have a top carrier mount: Thule makes bike rack for ages now and maybe try spending a little more for it as they are the trusted brand for this.

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