Bike racks

[SeanNelson]

Are we talking about the hitch, or the hitch mounted bike rack?

The original question asked if the hitch was easy to remove - but I assume the answers talk about the hitch-mounted bike racks being removed!

Yes, I'm talking about the bike rack. I'm not sure why one would want to remove the hitch itself...?

[NeilBlanchard]

The SportWing has the bikes sitting below the airflow off the roof, so it might have a bit less of an effect on the range? Though you do need to stabilize the bikes a bit, I guess.

[tk1971]

Here's a 4 second video showing my bike bouncing after hitting a dip in the road.

Hitch: Draw-Tite 24956
Rack: Reese Sportwing (older one, not the current one) with riser shank
Bikes: 2014 Lynskey Pro 29 singlespeed, 2013 Giant XTC carbon 29er

https://youtu.be/vLUNydpYtDw

[tk1971]

Here's a small clip of my Thule T2 bouncing around on the Curt hitch.

https://youtu.be/IENoMQXRf1U

This or any number of bumps like this likely caused this:

Untitled by tk_1971, on Flickr

I was able to bend it back by pulling up on the rack.

Untitled by tk_1971, on Flickr

[tk1971]

Another video.

Draw-Tite hitch with Thelma 3 rack sporting 2 bikes running over some railroad tracks.

https://youtu.be/n_xuBoEMt_Q

[tk1971]

Final video:

This is my final configuration. Draw-Tite hitch with a Saris Freedom Superclamp 2 hitch bike rack. IMO, this rack is the quickest/easiest to use in terms of loading and unloading bikes. Two arms hold down the bike wheels and no straps.

https://youtu.be/IYZTMfdv7m0

[Jmosquera]

I put my 29er mountain bike inside, with the wheels on. Try throwing the front first, with the front wheel occupying the place for the passenger feet and legs. So your bike goes in first class, A/C, almost invisible and dry.

[BrianAnderson]

How about trunk mount? Anybody have experience with these? Here's one I'm looking at: https://www.carid.com/reese/reese-trunk ... 72678.html

Thanks!

[Zoomit]

I think the strap type racks will require it to be attached above the wing at the top of the window. Pulling it tight may damage the wing.

[BrianAnderson]

Noted. Hopefully as solid on the Bolt as our RAV4 and Subaru WRX on which this solution worked well.