Front Bike Rack

rhagfo wrote:

Dusty R wrote:

stevenal wrote:

6door74 wrote:

This is why I abandoned the idea. Headlight reflection off the rims messed up my night vision.

The headlight reflection does not bother me on express ways, but does on back roads.

Well you may think it doesn't bother you, but I am sure that your night vision down the road where counts is reduced by the bright light near you.

We have an F350 which sits fairly high and our bikes come with black rims. Can't remember when we had shiny ones. Maybe thats why the headlights never bothered us.

Dave

Dusty R wrote:

stevenal wrote:

6door74 wrote:

This is why I abandoned the idea. Headlight reflection off the rims messed up my night vision.

The headlight reflection does not bother me on express ways, but does on back roads.

Well you may think it doesn't bother you, but I am sure that your night vision down the road where counts is reduced by the bright light near you.

stevenal wrote:

6door74 wrote:

This is why I abandoned the idea. Headlight reflection off the rims messed up my night vision.

The headlight reflection does not bother me on express ways, but does on back roads.

ajriding wrote:
If you want a real bike rack, something an experienced cyclist would use, then you want one that cradles the wheels and hold them down instead of these that have the bike frame hang on the rack. That Swaggared one is a poor imitation.
Bicycle shops will have the good stuff.
RV stores will have ones you can toss in the trash on the way out after being ripped off.
Walmark will have junk.
But if your bike is junky then no point having a nice rack.

Kuat
Saris
Thulue
and others
It should be heavy because the good ones are.
Sturdy
folding
and expensive.
pay $400 or more.

We used a Swagman that came off of a 4 runner that was situated in the rear and flopped down to open rear door. I adapted it to work in the front receiver when we had our TC's for over 8 years. Was made for 4 bikes but generally we just had 2 but sometimes there were 4. Our touring bikes hung by the top tube and since our MTB have a crazy angled top tube, we just picked up 2 Thule top tube adapters that could fit any bike and hung the MTB so they stayed level. Before this system, we had a custom welded front rack that carried 2 MTB, a road bike and 2 small kids bikes.(early 1980's) Bolted to the frame, no receiver. When not hauling bikes, put my 30HP Mariner on the rack for my Zodiac that was on top of the Bigfoot.

Just make sure that no matter what rack you choose, the bikes do not move around if on rough roads.

An experienced rider? Would 18,000 KM touring in Europe with all your gear over the high passes qualify. How about last 8 years MTB in the some of North Americas finest riding areas. How about touring in Mexico, Cuba, Northern BC, Hawaii?

There is not one rack that fits all. We happened to use a very strong rack that we had and adapted it to the situation.(Swagman) We also have a newer rack for our Rav that is a Thule which cradles the wheels. Also a good unit.

Dave

If you want a real bike rack, something an experienced cyclist would use, then you want one that cradles the wheels and hold them down instead of these that have the bike frame hang on the rack. That Swaggared one is a poor imitation.
Bicycle shops will have the good stuff.
RV stores will have ones you can toss in the trash on the way out after being ripped off.
Walmark will have junk.
But if your bike is junky then no point having a nice rack.

Kuat
Saris
Thulue
and others
It should be heavy because the good ones are.
Sturdy
folding
and expensive.
pay $400 or more.

It might be the angle of the dash cam but the glare isn't bad. I do realize that people's glare tolerance can vary but the pic is exaggerated.

Well the best of the best rack on the market is a 1UP USA rack. Google Bicycle Magazine and Mountain Bike Magazine reviews. They are not cheap, but they are the best. I got mine from Craigslist.

The headlight glare off the front bikes would drive me nuts!

6door74, thanks for posting those photos -- very helpful!

And I have a solution for the glare off the rims -- just allow the rims to get dirty! No more reflection. ;)

6door74 wrote:

This is why I abandoned the idea. Headlight reflection off the rims messed up my night vision.