Customer Reviews

Swagman XC Cross-Country 2-Bike Hitch Mount Rack (1/1/4 and 2-Inch Receiver)

5 star:		(181)
4 star:		(62)
3 star:		(14)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This rack is advertized as easy to put together out of the box, and easy to use once you are ready to to ride. Both of these statements are completely true. We have one man's and one woman's comfort bikes and the different length center main clamps of the rack are perfectly suited to these differences in bike design. The rack is very easy to insert and lock into our trailer hitch and the bikes are extremely easy to load requiring only a minimal lift and support to set and lock them into the rack. Definitely truth in advertising!

After shopping around everywhere on-line, including the classified and auction sites, this was the best deal in a reliable bike rack I could find. Combined with free shipping, it ended up being less than half of the price of the alternatives! This rack is really solid and very quick to take the bikes on and off. It is especially nice that the vertical bar can be rotated flat. This allows quick and painless access into the back of hatchback vehicles without having to remove the rack. A lot of good engineering thought went into this device.

There are two minor points that prevent this item from having five stars. First, beware of the ratcheting top clamps, as they can be a real finger pincher if you are not careful. Second, even though the rack goes together painlessly and quickly, it would be better if the documentation discussed the more subtle but nice features and the best ways of loading and using the rack. For example it is important that the chain side of the two bikes face away from the center post, otherwise there is a clearance problem getting both bikes to fit. Another is the best way to load the first bike (remove both top clamps and rotate the vertical bar down to the back tire position). And yet another is the best approach for optimum positioning of the tire rings (keep all four loose until everything fits, no rubbing points exist and the bikes are centered behind the vehicle).

All in all a great and solid product that will certainly outlast the bicycles it will be hauling around!

-Christopher Erickson

Bought on Amazon. Best price anywhere by far. Goes together in a snap and what I really like is how it folds up for easy storage. I can take it off the hitch and stow it in the vehicle when I am off riding. I like the way it supports the bike from below as opposed to having bikes hanging by their frames. Well thought out design, and even the locking (clevis pins) are attached by a small cable to keep from loosing them. Swagman sells an extension to add two more bikes if you need it. I only carry one bike, and have room to carry a second if someone wants to join me on a ride. I highly recommend this carrier.

This is a great bike rack for SUVs with rear door mounted spare tires. I've got a Toyota FJ Cruiser with a 32"x11" mud tire mounted on the rear and this rack will easily clear this large tire.

Here's why I highly recommend this bike rack. First, it's CHEAP, well made and easy to put together and install. Second, there's a 19" hitch extender that's probably long enough to clear up to 35" spare tires mounted to a rear door. Third, the hitch extender is attached to your 2" hitch with a threaded hitch pin bolt that firmly secures the extender to the hitch, so that the extender doesn't move around. Fourth, there are also 2 large pinch bolts that securely attaches to the bottom of the rack at the other end of extender, so that the rack doesn't move around either; this setup is as "solid" as these things get. Fifth, you can choose to use the rack for one or 2 bikes, depending on your needs; ie., you don't have to install the extra hoops and locking mechanism for a 2nd bike if you only carry one bike like I do. Sixth, your bike(s) is (are) firmly attached to the rack and released with a simple padded ratchet mechanism; no need for tie downs for the wheels and/or handles. All you have to do is place the bike in the tire hoops (which are easily adjusted side to side with a tension nut) and then lower the ratchet mechanism on to the bike's cross bar until the bike is firmly secured and it doesn't matter if you have a straight or slanted cross bar, so no special crossbar attachments to the bike are required either. Seventh, you can get into the back of your SUV by removing the bikes and removing the pin in the center vertical locking bar which allows you to lower it to one side or the other. This isn't as convenient as the more expensive tilting or side arm set ups, but it's not as expensive as them either. Eighth, you don't have to lift and load the bikes up high on the car. The tire hoops are at the level of the hitch and aren't perched precariously high up on the roof or on the tire, which makes loading an unloading a breeze. Ninth, if you need to carry more than 2 bikes, there's an accessory that will allow you to carry 4. It doesn't get much better than this!

BTW, I couldn't find a spare tire bike rack that would fit my 32x11" spare tire, so if you have a spare tire that large or larger don't even bother looking for a spare tire bike rack. There aren't any that will work for tires that large. They are for designed for regular passenger sized tires only.

The design of this bike rack is so much better than the typical design that holds the bikes by the frame. We initially purchased a well made Allen bike rack but we didn't like the way the bikes were mounted so we researched and decided to try this one, we are very happy with this purchase. This rack holds the bikes secure and accommodates any size frame or bike. Loading and unloading the bikes is a breeze and the rack itself is very easy to install on the vehicle. The rack feels very solid and well made. We did purchase the Swagman hitch stabilizer which does a super job at making the rack a rock solid fit.
As a few other reviewers have mentioned, just watch out for the ratcheting top clamps, they can pinch your fingers if you aren't careful ... I consider this a very minor problem.

Fairly easy to mount and remove bicycles. I like the bikes' weight riding on the tires rather than on the center frame. The plastic adaptor for a 2" receiver did not provide adequate support for me, so I bought a metal adaptor. The included screw-in pin is difficult to quickly install and remove, would rather have a larger opening for a standard hitch lock.

Mounting any bike is easy since the rack holds the WHEELS instead of the frame. Will hold big bikes, small bikes, ladies bikes and even holds my Giant Revive with no top frame tube at all. Smart product.

Even if you only need to carry one bike, this is the rack to have. I have had 3 other big name racks of varying style and this is by far the best for the money. Not only is it simple to use, but it is simple to assemble. Right out of the box it is 90% assembled. Another big plus is the length of the hitch receiver bar. This rack clears my bumper perfectly with my Hidden Hitch, which was a concern of mine while shopping racks. No hitch extension needed! This is also the best, and in my opinion the only way to rack a bike. The wheels are kept stable and the frame grip arms keep your bike nice and snug without causing any scuff to your bikes paint. The company recently changed the hitch pin to a screw in bolt, which some claim is not as easy due to the need for a wrench to get it on and off, but it does keep the rack much more sturdy and rattle free and also would make theft of the rack much more complicated to a would be thief. Just keep a 23mm socket in your vehicle and you'll be fine. I would recommend adding a large washer to the hitch bolt to get a better grip and keep the bolt from scratching your hitch.

I spent some time searching for a bike carrier for my SUV trailer hitch. I selected the Swagman based upon the reviews posted here on Amazon. I have been very pleased with this unit. It is very easy to put on and take off. The bike loads easily. It probably takes me 30 seconds to get the carrier on the car and 15 seconds to load the bike. No hassel at all!

I needed a bike rack that would work for my road bike and my wife's Schwinn cruiser that doesn't have a top bar. There are products that that attach to the bike to simulate a top bar so I can hang it but this Swagman bike rack takes care of the problem without the extra equipment. The rack takes some assembly but very easy in my opinion. The rack is not that heavy and attached right to my Yukon. When you set the bracket widths to your bike and snug the padded hook down, the bikes are nice and secure. The Schwinn was secure even with the low point of contact for the hook. I was very impressed with the functionality and ease of use. Would recommend for any bike but especially when you need to carry bikes without the top bar.