Happy Memorial Day! I need opinions, feedback, comments, etc. from folks who have used both of these differing hitch mount bicycle racks. Unfortunately, none of our cars have hitches so I can't quite test these racks out yet to determine which is the best. One rack is a Bell rack and the other is a Coleman.
From handling these bike racks, I have determined the following:
Similarities:
1) Both racks are suitable for both 2.0" and 1.25" hitch receivers.
2) Both racks have a hinge so that they can be tilted down.
3) Both racks have the capability to accommodate transporting 4 bikes.
Differences:
1) Bell rack has two arms to support bike frame in two spots. Possibly more supportive?
2) Bell rack uses Velcro straps to secure bikes to rack. Possibly less secure? Although this can be remedied by ratchet straps, etc. Not talking about anti-theft security here, but rather, stability on a road or highway.
3) Coleman rack supports bikes only in one spot, in the center. Possibly less supportive, more wobbly?
4) Coleman rack uses a threaded rod to "clamp" the bike frames to the rack. Although this seems potentially more secure overall, I am curious what happens if you have bikes with different frame thicknesses. Each threaded clamp secures two bikes, so I would assume that it would be best to mount two bikes together that have a similar frame thickness.
5) The Coleman rack does seem beefier overall, with a larger gusset on the bottom near the hinge. I haven't weighed them to determine weight difference, and perhaps it is visually confusing since the Coleman rack's tubing is bigger, but it also feels a little bit heavier as well. Not confirmed.....
So, who here has used both styles of these racks? What are your comments, what did you like and dislike about each style? Which one did you feel was the best all-around bike rack, if I was ultimately going to keep only one of the two racks?
Thank you!
From handling these bike racks, I have determined the following:
Similarities:
1) Both racks are suitable for both 2.0" and 1.25" hitch receivers.
2) Both racks have a hinge so that they can be tilted down.
3) Both racks have the capability to accommodate transporting 4 bikes.
Differences:
1) Bell rack has two arms to support bike frame in two spots. Possibly more supportive?
2) Bell rack uses Velcro straps to secure bikes to rack. Possibly less secure? Although this can be remedied by ratchet straps, etc. Not talking about anti-theft security here, but rather, stability on a road or highway.
3) Coleman rack supports bikes only in one spot, in the center. Possibly less supportive, more wobbly?
4) Coleman rack uses a threaded rod to "clamp" the bike frames to the rack. Although this seems potentially more secure overall, I am curious what happens if you have bikes with different frame thicknesses. Each threaded clamp secures two bikes, so I would assume that it would be best to mount two bikes together that have a similar frame thickness.
5) The Coleman rack does seem beefier overall, with a larger gusset on the bottom near the hinge. I haven't weighed them to determine weight difference, and perhaps it is visually confusing since the Coleman rack's tubing is bigger, but it also feels a little bit heavier as well. Not confirmed.....
So, who here has used both styles of these racks? What are your comments, what did you like and dislike about each style? Which one did you feel was the best all-around bike rack, if I was ultimately going to keep only one of the two racks?
Thank you!