Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
28 of 28 people found the following review helpful.
By D. Ryker
I did lots of research on what stand to buy. I was looking for a 4 bike rack that would allow me to have access to the back of our SUV. Then my neighbor bought the Thule Revolver. That was my other choice if I wasn't going to get this rack. So I was able to actually lift and use the Revolver. I bought this rack (the Softride). And both my neighbor and I agreed that the softride is better. He actually wished that he had NOT bought the Revolver. This rack is way less expensive and works more easily than the revolver. The Revolver is great, but it's really heavy to put on the car and requires 3 steps to swing the bikes away. The SoftRide moves down out of the way with just one pin pull. And it's the only rack that folds down (rather than swings away) that allows you to move it down WITH THE BIKES ON THE RACK. The Thule racks (like the Ridgeline) are not intended for you to swing the rack down while the bikes are mounted. Also, when you are not using the rack, you can remove the arms very easily. This is preferable to just folding them down (like most other racks do) because then the mounting accessories are not hanging on the back of your car where they could be stolen off the rack. So ... I highly recommend this rack. It's a sleek and functional design that does not put un-needed bulk on the back of your vehicle. Go ahead and buy it. You'll be happy.
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful.
By Young
Originally bought some other product that advertised 2" and 1.25" Hitch compatibility but returned it due to "sway" problem stemming from the 1.25" to 2" adapter (included)...
Having used and returned one, I got wise enough to heed the review feedback much better, and spring for this (versus my old purchase at ~$100).
Good
1. Tilt down mechanism is best of its kind. Even with four bikes loaded, I was able to tilt down and lift up. The spring loaded latch clicked on as I lift up, so I could do this alone every time. I was careful to tilt down with bikes loaded. Did not want to stress the mechanisms by just allowing it to drop (although there is no warnings in the manual to avoid this, but just wanted to be careful).
2. Rack is extended far enough out so that the rear window of the SUV could open and handle bar of the nearest bike did not interfere.
3. Built solid.
4. Screw-type hitch mount bar that eliminates any movement of the rack to hitch -- extremely quiet and no sway of any time.
5. Screw-type hitch mount with a lock.
6. Bike mounting mechanism is well-designed, and the anti-sway extension on each bike worked well.
7. The two horizontal bars are fairly close to each other, and this worked well w/ children's (girls to boot) bikes. Did not have any balancing issues w/ adult men's bikes.
Bad
1. The above #4 & #5 Screw-type hitch mount and lock combination is both good and bad. Bad part is that everytime I need to unmount the rack, I need a tool (hex wrench) and the included lock, although not flimsy, perhaps could be broken with some effort. User preference I guess. I would have equally been happy w/ normal 5/8" hitch bar (lockable) for quick disconnect/connect and live with some play.
2. Really nothing else. Even price is great relative to other bike racks that allows rear door access.
Helpful Hints/Comments.
1. Only way to stop casual thieves is to use the integrated cable lock -- otherwise the bikes could be stolen just by pulling out the spring loaded horizontal bars. Even if you use the cable bike lock through the two vertical bars and to your bikes, undoing the four [heavy duty] screws near the horizontal bar mounts would allow someone to take all the bikes (that may be locked together). So using the integrated cable lock is the only way to stop casual thieves who may have some handtools.
2. Refer to the included instruction on how to use the anti-sway mounts for the bike -- not very obvious just looking at it.
3. Carry a spare hex wrench in the car, if you want to remove the rack (for car wash, or off-roading, for instance).
4. On my SUV (GM Escalade ESV) the Hitch is fairly low to the ground, with this rack tilted down with adult 26" mountain bike loaded, there is about 1" ground clearance from the bottom of the bike tire to the ground. Bigger bike may not have much clearance. The rack tilted up (normal position), there is no clearance issue. The bottom of the bike tire is above the SUV bumper.
This is a great rack, and would recommend it to anyone.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful.
By A. Weller
I recently bought this rack for my trailer hitch. I took my bikes from TN to Walt Disney World without a problem. The design is excellent. The rack is very solid. I did have a small part broken during shipping. Softride customer service immediately shipped the new part. This rack cost more than most, but you get what you pay for.
