BIKE RACKS AND CARRIERS FOR CARS MEGATHREAD - all questions asked and answered here

creaky

XMAS Plumper
Hey mate, this just arrived today. I was looking for these dimensions online also, happy to help.

1. 970 x 640 x 270mm packed down (If your really tight for space I guess you could remove the hitch to rack bar that would bring it down to around 400mm wide)
2. 430mm from the hitch pin hole to the centre of the wheel carriers.
Roughly weights 9kgs

This is my second Yakima rack and the build quality is on par with the other I own (roof mount).
I would happily recommend this rack.
Thanks for the thorough reply !
I’m considering one of these for a driving holiday of a few weeks length when I intend to leave the bike in the evoc for at least a week at either end. May be a bit too big but will have a think about it and check the tailgate clearance also.
 

Switch

huskier headed gent

Anyone used one of the cycling deal 4 bike racks? I know Gripsport/ISI/or Shingleback would be much better but its a cost thing at the moment. Looking at 2 adult bikes and 2 young kids bikes and would be going on a Subaru Liberty sedan. Appreciate the thoughts of the RB brains trust or anyone who has one.
 

rowdyflat

chez le médecin
They are strong but heavy, v adjustable for height and wheelbase and ideal for carbon as not hanging frame or crank and for duallies cos you use the suspension to sort of tension the top hooky thingo .
If you have 4 bikes but put the light ones further back it wont lift the front wheels off the ground.
 

Switch

huskier headed gent
They are strong but heavy, v adjustable for height and wheelbase and ideal for carbon as not hanging frame or crank and for duallies cos you use the suspension to sort of tension the top hooky thingo .
If you have 4 bikes but put the light ones further back it wont lift the front wheels off the ground.
Thanks for the input rowdy, Haaken spoke highly of the 2 bike version and for the money might just give it a go as a better option than the old goose neck style ones which move when driving on windy roads.
 
If you end up getting one could you let me know how it goes please? I’m looking to transport 2 adult and 2 kids bikes same as you and the Gripsports of the world are a bit out of my price range at the moment.
 

dancaseyimages

Mountain bike pornographer
I ended up with one of the Yakima 2 bike racks, but will get the extension to fit another 2 in the future.
They come down to $370ish with the 5% off when you join the 99 bikes membership scheme and price match.

I have a single cab ute (mainly for work) but this was for the family car so we could fit 4 bikes and not need to cart around 2 cars.

The Yakima setup should be just under $800 for the four bike setup.
Highly recommended by my local bike mech who also supports the Thredbo events, carting bikes along the Jindy/Cooma trails and around the mountain on one of the Yakima's. The only trouble he had was in Tassie (the roads) one of the plastic bits on the arms cracked and its a whole process to get them replaced. Just keep in mind, they are not really self serviceable.


I did look at the Gripsport and a few of the others for 4wd's but with the reality of getting a dual cab this year, it wasn't the most feasible price wise. They are an amazing bit of engineering, and I know quite a few who run them on their cars but for me it wasn't the right choice at this point in time.
 

Switch

huskier headed gent
If you end up getting one could you let me know how it goes please? I’m looking to transport 2 adult and 2 kids bikes same as you and the Gripsports of the world are a bit out of my price range at the moment.
No reviews are coming from me anymore as I have a good mate who is a bit of an industrial design wizz and he has agreed to knock up a vertical rack similar to the Shingleback for me instead. Going to be heavy but will double as the bike storage in the shed. Just need to get some dimensions for the wheel supports and construction will begin.
 

Winco

Likes Bikes
I own a ISI 4x4x2 (2 bike) carrier. Yes ISI carriers are premium priced but for a good reason. They are very very well designed, engineered and constructed with some very clever and unique design elements built into them.

Also, because of the modular design of these carriers, you can mix and match components to suit just about every application out there.

They also offer a buy back policy where for a small charge they take back used components and supply new components of the correct configuration. For example, if in the future you purchase a vehicle where your current configuration is not perfect, then swap the relevant parts over. ISI use the old components in their rental fleet and they say they are forever short of stock so appreciate the returns. Do other carrier manufacturers offer this? No.

Finally, ISI is an engineering business, Australian designed and manufactured and the owner, George, is very helpful and offers great customer service. This Aussie product is sold all over the world. Long after the price is forgotten, the quality will remain.
 

northvanguy

Likes Dirt
I own a ISI 4x4x2 (2 bike) carrier. Yes ISI carriers are premium priced but for a good reason. They are very very well designed, engineered and constructed with some very clever and unique design elements built into them.

Also, because of the modular design of these carriers, you can mix and match components to suit just about every application out there.

They also offer a buy back policy where for a small charge they take back used components and supply new components of the correct configuration. For example, if in the future you purchase a vehicle where your current configuration is not perfect, then swap the relevant parts over. ISI use the old components in their rental fleet and they say they are forever short of stock so appreciate the returns. Do other carrier manufacturers offer this? No.

Finally, ISI is an engineering business, Australian designed and manufactured and the owner, George, is very helpful and offers great customer service. This Aussie product is sold all over the world. Long after the price is forgotten, the quality will remain.
I bought an ISI carrier about 8 years ago.. it shows zero sign of wear and I can't actually imagine needing another rack in my life time.
 

ozzybmx

taking a shit with my boobs out
Anyone here had an ISI rack and a Shingleback ?

I have had an ISI for quite a few years now, mine is a 2010 model, its been on every trip attached to the rear of the car or the front of the caravan, Interstate races, local races, local rides, 2 laps of Tassie and twice across the Simpson desert. Probably 100,000km on it on the car or caravan.
Its been awesome and will still be for many years...

So several years back I made up a 3rd bike attachment when my boys needed a slot for theirs, then I made another 3rd & 4th bike attachment so I could take a 4th bike for the missus.
See attached pic of the 3&4 bike attachment slotted in to the 2 bike ISI rack on caravan obviously. We were only using it for 3 bikes at this time so there are no wheel hoops on the 3rd bar as there is a 2 bike Fiamma rack on the rear of the van.

So, these days I'm needing 4 bike spaces regularly... even 5 when we get another trying to scab a shuttle, now the ISI is quite fiddly to keep slotting in 4 bikes as they all have their spot they need to go, then the missus takes the rack and heads out with the boys and 2 of their mates and shifts all my wheel positions, so its becoming a right pain in the ass for shuttling different people.

So I'm looking at the Shingleback 5 bike rack and my only worry is the stability on dirt roads ? The ISI is rock solid with 2 and there's a little bounce when you have 4 on but otherwise 100%.
(Note: My 3rd & 4th bike add-on is home made as there is no factory option to add on to my rack)

Has anyone had both and can compare ?

I will still have good use for the ISI but for 4-5 bikes on the car, there may be a better option. Any others I should look at ?


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Boom King

downloaded a pic of moorey's bruised arse
Seems there are a few more engineering shops making these racks now. I like the swivel design of the SingleTrail 5UP and the wheel holding design of the Pigdog X5, both in galv finish which is nicer than powder.

Both looking like a sturdier construction too.

PigDog X5 $1399
SingleTrail 5UP $1424
Shingleback 5 $1299
I saw a Single Trail 5UP in the flesh on the weekend. Great design and excellent build quality.
 

ozzybmx

taking a shit with my boobs out
I saw a Single Trail 5UP in the flesh on the weekend. Great design and excellent build quality.
Both the ST 5UP and the PigDog look a lot more impressive than the Shingleback.

The ST 5UP tilt is a work of art, loving the pin free drop mechanism and the tube style pivot to reduce movement.

353347
 

Boom King

downloaded a pic of moorey's bruised arse
Both the ST 5UP and the PigDog look a lot more impressive than the Shingleback.

The ST 5UP tilt is a work of art, loving the pin free drop mechanism and the tube style pivot to reduce movement.

View attachment 353347
Indeed, it's the pivot that caught my eye. Gave the top of the rack a good solid shake from side to side and it was very sturdy.
 

SF Trailboy

Likes Bikes and Dirt
I had the isi 4x4. I still have the isi 2 bike version.

I also have had the shingleback 5 for about 6 months.

They are different racks the isi is designed for extreme off road. I don’t think the shingle back or the other racks you linked are. They are more about transportation than extreme adventure. The shingleback is perfect for carrying 5 bikes on state Forrest roads. I wouldn’t go to far from the tracks with it but neither would I with the other 2 options. It’s a good bit of kit that delivers on what it is designed to do.
 

Cardy George

Piercing rural members since 1981
Is there such a beast as a 4 bike swing sideways platform carrier?

I'd grab a ISI 4X4X4 but Mrs George watches the races sitting on the tailgate, and "doesn't want to sit in all the bars laying on the ground" :rolleyes:

Can find plenty of top tube swingers, trying to avoid them with a carbon bike.
 

SF Trailboy

Likes Bikes and Dirt
Is there such a beast as a 4 bike swing sideways platform carrier?

I'd grab a ISI 4X4X4 but Mrs George watches the races sitting on the tailgate, and "doesn't want to sit in all the bars laying on the ground" :rolleyes:

Can find plenty of top tube swingers, trying to avoid them with a carbon bike.
Shingle back do a swing jobie but it’s vertical
 
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