rayuelo

With my new ML, I'm making the move from roof-rack mounted bicycle carriers to a hitch mount. This is mostly due to the fact that as I grow older, I no longer want to or are always able to lift bikes up on to the roof.

I'm looking at the obvious Thule and Yakima candidates, but wanted to get your opinion ...

1. What do you use, and pros and cons?
2. Top tube mount or tray style? (I have FS mountain bikes with non-standard frame shapes so I'm thinking the latter)

Also, any pics of your setup, if you have them would be greatly appreciated.

Merci.

dgiturbo

I am actually about to buy this one by Thule.
Like the fact it can work for both my ML and her GLK.

xxGenericSNxx

I use the Thule 916XTR T2 tray mount on my ML:
I HIGHLY recommend it. It's so easy to load the bikes and it holds the bikes with a lot of stability. I do not recommend the top tube type because the bike sways around and it can scratch your car and other bikes if you put more than one on there. You also don't have to worry about your brake lines pinching (especially if you have hydraulic brakes). Another advantage to the T2 is that you don't have to worry about your frame shapes. Especially if you have a weird shape such as a Klein or some full suspension bikes have large mounting points that block the opening to put a top tube through. Just get a tray mount and be done with it!

What bikes are you using?

NickTH

We got a Yakima 4 bike tube mount on sale for $200.
Works great!
Very well constructed & rock steady in transport of up to 3 bikes so far.

2012MLBlue

I have a Yakima tube type and I don't like how the front wheels can move and touch the vehicle so I have to use a rope to tie them off to the bike frames.

Other than that it works well.

rayuelo

Thanks for all the advice folks!

I've considered all of the ones you guys mention, but especially after checking some of them out last night, I'm leaning towards the 916XTR T2 with the 918XTR T2 add-on.

I've been using couple of 594XT Sidearm for the roof for four years, and the T2's have the same front securing mechanism which I love.

The only downside is that the setup is going to be the most expensive at over $1100 CAD.

@xxGenericSNxx - I'll use the setup for family trips which will include couple of 24" wheelers for the kids, and drives to the trailheads. My mountain bike is a Cannondale Scalpel, and my regular riding buddies have Santa Cruz, Specialized, Orange, so the minimal adjustments on the rack to get them all loaded up will be a plus. How do you find the locking mechanism on the T2; is it secure enough or do you "augment" with additional cables or U-locks?

xxGenericSNxx

To be honest, I don't trust the locking mechanism on the T2. It locks the same way your 594XT does by having a barrel lock at the arm holding the front wheel in place. I heard that one can steal your bike by letting the air out of your front tire and wiggling it out of place. Mine also has a small cable lock that comes out of the side arm that you can wrap around your fork but the reason I don't trust the system in general is because if the thief took their time, they can actually unscrew the bike with the bottom "rack" piece that holds the bike in. I know it's far fetched, but I'm of the mindset that I don't leave the bike alone.

All I do is load the bike at my house, drive to the trailhead, bike around, load back on my car and go home. But that's not to fault the rack, I just don't trust leaving my bike exposed on any rack- even if I left it in the car I'd fear someone would break into my car to steal it.

I'm just paranoid. If you're comfortable with the way the 594XT locks right now, then you'll be happy with the 916XTR with the addition of the cable lock (which your 594 may or may not have).

Why is the rack so expensive there? It's around $350-400 here. Maybe make a roadtrip down to the US to pick one up?

**correction** I have the 916XTR. Mixed up the sizes for a moment.

rayuelo

Thanks ... I was mostly wondering about the built in cable lock.

I'm also not crazy about leaving bikes on racks unattended, but sometimes it's gotta be done (roadside food/bio breaks).

What do you ride?

rayuelo

Also the price ... will checkout US pricing, as I'll be driving down a couple times this summer.

The 916XTR T2 is $600 CAD and the 918XTR T2 add-on is $430 CAD. With our tax it comes out to $1184.