Customer Reviews

Allen Deluxe 3-Bike Hitch Mount Rack (1.25 or 2-Inch Receiver)

5 star:		(89)
4 star:		(49)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I love this bike rack. The price is very reasonable and its build-quality I consider top-notch with all holes and welds being quite precise. The design has clever features that were new to me, such as being able to fold down the bike support arm when not in use so one doesn't accidentally run into it and also the ability to fold down the whole rack allowing quick and easy access through the rear door. The strap cinching system seemed cheap and goofy at first but after using it a few times I've now become quite adept at strapping and unstrapping the bikes to where it only takes a few seconds for me to do so. I now feel its quite clever in that this strapping system will accommodate any size bike tube (unlike some other bike racks I've had in the past). Its important to note that the spacing between the supports is quite wide at 14" and that might limit its use for smaller bikes, as our adult bikes just barely fit (with <2" to spare). I did run into an issue that I've noted that some other Amazon reviewers (reviewing other similar model Allen bike racks) had alluded to. All hitch mounted bike racks will wobble to some extent and that's why most have some sort of anti-wobble system that basically draws the bike rack tight to one side of the receiver to prevent it wobbling. Well, the anti-wobble bolt that is supplied with the bike rack works well for a 2" receiver hitch, however if you have a 1-1/4" receiver it won't fit unless you drill out the hole on one side of your receiver... it will need to be slightly larger than 1/2". If you don't want to do that then you'll need to buy an 'after-market' anti-wobble bolt. That's when I ran into the problem that anti-wobble bolts don't seem to exist for 1-1/4" receivers... oh, there are a huge variety of choices for 2" receivers but not the 1-1/4"... I don't know why. There are brand specific anti-rattle pins for 1-1/4" but none of them will work with these Allen bike racks. Finally, after much searching, I finally found one (the only one on the internet I've got to believe), however it was also a locking pin, which was okay with me. I got it from a site called [ etrailer ]... do this search on [ Anti-Rattle with Lock for 1-1/4" Trailer Hitches ] It's code#63147 and basically costs $25 and with shipping totals out at a hefty $30 but was well worth it for me. It works perfectly and is very high quality. I've read reviews here on Amazon by others with 1-1/4" receivers who couldn't seem to find a 1-1/4" locking pin (evidently even Allen's own won't work!!!)... well this one is both an anti-wobble as well as a locking pin and works on Allen bike racks. So I hope this bit of info helps those with 1-1/4" receivers like myself. And if I've managed to help you please check the YES under helpful checkbox below.

Okay I've got to add this edit... I just got through another search of that website 'etrailer' and did find Curt makes an anti-rattle pin (no lock) for a 1-1/4" receiver code#F-315 that appears will work with the Allen bike rack, its $11 less than the locking style. As far as I could find, after extensive web searching, these are the only two anti-rattle (anti-wobble) 1-1/4" hitch receiver pins I could locate anywhere that will work with Allen bike racks. So if anyone who reads this knows of another please add it in a comment as I believe others might find it helpful to have choices.

Final edit due to the many helpful comments attached to this review... Allen is definitely supplying both pin sizes with these bike racks now so no additional pins are required, however I still stand by my review in that this is a quality and cleverly thought-out bike rack system and represents an excellent price/value bargain.

This is the least expensive hitch mounted rack I could find anywhere.

The item arrived whole and the instructions are very clearly written, but not well illustrated.

Assembly was fast, but in putting the two larger parts together, I found it easy to tighten the bolts too much, thereby chipping the paint. The metal gave slightly, and the paint around the bolts came right off, but the pieces are definitely securely fastened.

The two included cotter pins are good, but the fasteners on the ends are a little flimsy.

Attaching to the hitch is straightforward. There's a two piece sleeve that goes over the 1.25" pipe to make it a proper 2" male end. Attaching the 'no wobble' bolt required two wrenches and upon tightening it to the maximum I was unpleasantly surprised that there was so much vertical movement of the rack in the hitch. It definitely does not wobble side to side, and the torsion is minimal to non-existent, but it is a little alarming that the rack travels up and down almost 1 to 1.5 inches, pivoting on the 'no-wobble' bolt.

The bikes went on quickly and easily and I was surprised that fully loaded, that they needed no more than the included straps to affix to the rack with no movement.

In taking the assembled and loaded contraption for a test ride I was disappointed and upset that a bumpy road definitely made the whole thing shake. I'm using shims on the top of the receiver to keep it all from bouncing too much, but I really felt I got exactly what I paid for - the cheapest 3 bike rack out there.

----

Warning - Amazon tags a Master brand locking hitch pin (with a blue anodized end) to sell with this item THAT DOES NOT FIT this rack.

Great bike rack all around. Easy to assemble, just make sure you have the tools to do so. The locking washers are a pain without the proper wrenches. The "anti-wobble" bolt to make sure the rack doesn't sway from side to side is a little difficult to install, and it took me a few tries to get it right, but now it is rock solid and won't move anywhere. The fold down mechanism works like a charm, you just have to make sure you don't tighten the two bolts at the top too much or it will be really difficult to move.

Positives:
+ Easy to assemble
+ Very sturdy
+ Holds the bikes very well

Negatives:
- Wal-Mart has the same rack for $23 cheaper at the time of this review (which I found out AFTER the fact, come on Amazon!) Edit: 11/19/2010 - Wal-Mart has since removed the 3-bike version of this rack on their website.
- Instructions could be a bit more clear, but they have a great instructional video on the company website.

Works as advertised! We took a 300 mile trip to the beach with this rack and our two bikes were rock solid as we went down the road. Easy installation, folds down easily, and nice tilt feature for trunk access.

Purchased this bike hitch on a budget, it hit the mark and did what I intended it to do. After driving 2000 miles however, the clasp broke holding the bike. Glad I noticed it early and was able to reseat my road bike on a separate set of clasps. I contacted Allen and informed them of the failure. They shipped me out a replacement clasp, no questions asked and free of charge. So, mediocre build quality, but not entirely unexpected at this price point. Good customer service to resolve.

I bought this bike carrier through Amazon and it works wonderfully. I was nervous about carrying bikes at first as I have a small car with a 1.25" hitch; but now feel confident about the whole process. Follow the straight-forward instructions and take your time to do it right. The bikes ride very well; it is quick and easy to secure them properly. I am very pleased with the whole set-up.

The Allen Bike Rack is a great light duty rack. I like the folding feature so it can be left on my SUV without worry of someone walking into it. The only thing that I have noticed is that the rack is a little wobbly, but not that big of a deal and that several holes need to be drilled just a little larger, the rack can still be used. Over all, a good Bike Rack for the price.

I just got back from family vacation, and was very pleased with my new bike rack. The bikes went on very easily, and were very secure the whole trip. I did make two modifications to the rack. Since I wanted to use my locking 5/8 inch hitch pin, I drilled out the small hole in the rack to fit the pin. I also wrapped a few pieces of electrical tape around the insert on either side of the hitch pin hole to reduce the wobble a little. Overall am very satisfied with the product.

This product is made from a high quality material, versatile on holding the bikes, good looking and the price is even better but in my opinion needs to be improved to became a five star one; it doesn't fit properly in the std receiver and keeps moving too much on the road.
I would sugest the designers put some device that helps to fit better in between the std receivers and the mount rack to avoid excesive movement.

Ruben from DR.

This is a reliable and secure rack. I think it might get a little crowded with three bikes but it works great with two bikes. I use it with a 2 inch reveiver and I haven't been able to solve the small wobble problem. I think the problem is more visual than actual. I have helped it by adding a couple of large washers. It wouldn't be an issue at all if I used the bolt that is included but I like the added security of a locking pin when leaving it on the car for a few days. The straps work well and are easy to fasten. The rack swings down easily for access into the rear door of my Subaru Forester. I would recommend this to a friend.