Shingleback Off Road
Andrew
"Super fast to load and unload bikes from the carrier but..."
It couldn't be any quicker or easier to load and unload mountain bikes from the carrier so that is a massive tick. It is saving me probably an hour each time I go riding with my 2 boys (so 3 bikes). Bikes are held in position well and if you load the big bikes first from the left down to the small bikes on the right, there is enough clearance so that the bikes don't rub and hence damage each other in transit. Some other well document hacks about clamping brake levers down with bands would likely also help the rub issue, if it is an issue.
The quality of the materials is pretty good and the black powder coating looks the business but I wonder if the coating is also for rust protection and hence when it scratches, which it will, will I have a rust issue? Speaking of rust, there is already surface rust developing on the inside of the main arm that slots into the hitch. Hope this doesn't get worse.... maybe I should try and spray the inside of the frame?
Assembly wasn't overly difficult.... except that the quoted parts on the instructions didn't match the actual parts 100% (quoted were some hex head bolts, but I got traditional ones). No big deal though. It still went together fine in about 45 mins.
It would have been a nice touch if they added a metal loop somewhere on the carrier so that you can lock the bikes to the carrier, giving you a little more peace of mind when you leave the bikes on the rack when you're getting a drink or meal after the ride.
Yes this thing is a bit heavy, but for good reason. It's made from steal! I got the 4x carrier as it was just a little lighter and cheaper than the common 5x carrier as I only generally carry 3 bikes at a time anyway. I can carry and mount it in the hitch myself, but it's a bit of a workout....particularly the carrying part as it's an awkward shape. My son helps me carry it to make it easier. Due to house issues, I can't get the trolley carrier to wheel it around. It's not a big deal and shouldn't prevent you from buying it.
There are however 2 related things that buyers should be aware of.
1) Mounting in the hitch is its biggest issue. Once inserted (which isn't the difficult part) it is a bit of a pain to sit down on your butt and tighten up the nuts on the U-bolt that holds a plate across the hitch "snuggly" in place to minimise movement during travel. It's both time consuming, a PITA, and it doesn't seem that effective anyway. There is still movement of the hitch arm inside the hitch which is amplified up the carrier to the top of the bikes when in transit. This is a real concern when driving when you look in the rear mirror at the bikes bounce around whilst going over even moderate bumps. Even a moderate bump could send a bike flying.
2) Related to 1), the bouncing around has got to be putting stress on something in the structure and a bouncing bike could stretch and unlock (or snap) the bungee cord holding the wheel in place, with the potential for the bike to go flying. To be fair, it hasn't happened to me (yet) but I could see it as a possibility. To combat this, on longer trips where the terrain is uncertain, I would a) use a snap-strap to bind the top of the carrier to a tied down point somewhere at the back of your car to reduce bouncing, and b) either use velcro or cable ties to really lock the front wheel in the carrier so that is can't bounce out.
I think if Shingleback worked out a better solution to the first issue, it would help, but possibly not fully mitigate the second issues..... A bump is a bump and being right at the end of a big lever, the bikes are going to fly at some point...
Should this stop anyone from buying these carriers? NO! They are pretty good value for money, and if you consider to total cost of 4 half decent dual suspension MTB's these days will run between $10k-$20k, to cost of the carrier seems worth it.
James Brown
"This is the car rack for bicycles I…"
This is the car rack for bicycles I have been looking for for years. Quick to attach, easy to load and unload bicycles and great position on the car to carry bicycles.
Nigel Downes
"Ordered on the weekend and it arrived…"
Ordered on the weekend and it arrived during the following week...very surprised to get it so quickly!
Steve Tambovsoff
"Excellent product and a great crew of…"
Excellent product and a great crew of people to deal with. The delivery in the Shingleback tank to my house was a nice touch! Cheers guys!
DJ
"Great product"
Great product. Fast delivery and solid on communication when I had enquiries. Solid Aussie firm. Cheers.
Brian
"2B90 Awesome rack"
Awesome rack. I brought the 2B90 Rack well made easy to install. Comes with the anti wobble bracket and removable pin to allow the rack to pivot away from the back of vehicle to gain access with out having to remove the bike rack completely. So easy and convenient for my son and I to hit the trails.
Thank you Shingleback 👍
Rob White
"The rack is great"
The rack is great, there was an very long delay waiting for delivery, Covid related, which I understand. I thought that you could have been a bit more helpful trying to resolve this with the transport company.
Paul Robb
"Great bike rack"
Great bike rack, so easy to use!
customer
"Well made and makes moving our bikes…"
Well made and makes moving our bikes around much easier!!
M Crilley
"Great easy to follow instructions"
Great easy to follow instructions.
Some areas required manipulation as there were some slight imperfections in width.
Once assembled, very easy to put onto car and take off.
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