Best Rails To Trails Bike Rides (2024 Update)

I actually bought this for the hiking guide but foremost to use as a research guide with regard to Ancestry. It gives me a much clearer view to the area I wish to investigate and with this I hope to get a better handle on when we go there to do the active surey research of the gorge.rlrabineau

We were a bit apprehensive at first, not necessarily with the bike trailer, but more or less with the 1.25 hitch that we had to opt for as the dealership misinformed us on the size of hitch compatible with outback.I am happy to report we have had no problems with the sturdiness of this bike trailer as we were afraid the 1.25 would result in a wobbly outcome. As other reviews mentioned the trailer itself was a bit difficult to assemble. However once assembled and loaded it was exactly what we needed. We are comfortably and securely able to load our 2 Trek bikes and have no problem with the arms or straps. The only complaint is the thickness of the pin used to lock the trailer to the hitch. Could use a better pin something a bit thicker and sturdier for it to feel very secure.JAAM

First off, I'll mention that assembly was a bit harder than I thought it would be. The long bolts connecting the two pieces of frame together took a bit of finesse (and a rubber mallet) to get them to slide in and line up properly. It helps if you take the part of the frame where they screw in (on the outer rail) off first and line that up separately. Once I figured that out, the rest was a breeze. I really like the ease of use with this thing – bikes go on and off in just minutes. Way easier than it used to be trying to squeeze them into my car. I also enjoy how light it is, and how quickly it comes on and off the hitch. Although the price is a bit high, it is well-made and worth it. Highly recommend.Nate

There are things I like about this rack, but I think it's quite overpriced for what it is. I found it easy to attach to the hitch and I like the overall design – the arms feel secure, I like being able to fold the rack easily, and it does hold my bike well. I was also able to use the farthest rack position as a makeshift bike stand while I did some work on the chain, which was handy since I don't have my own stand. However, for this price point, I expect more than to have to use my own cheap Velcro strap to secure a mountain bike with average/slightly wide tires. I'm not using some kind of niche fat or cargo bike here – why doesn't the Kuat come with an integrated, high-quality strap for this purpose or better yet, a design that doesn't require that extra step at all? I also find the ratchet strap for securing the rear tire to be poorly placed. You can't get the bike on the rack without crunching the strap down and having to yank it out from under the tire manually, which is definitely increasing wear and tear already. Finally, the lock that comes with the rack for securing the rack to the hitch felt very cheap and online reviews suggest it can be broken very easily (a problem when you live in a high-theft area, which is not Kuat's fault), but it did lead to an extra cost to buy a more secure lock. Long story short, I'm glad I have the rack and it gets the job done, but it's premium pricing for an average/good product. I can't give a 4 or 5 star review when the value is skewed like that. Highly recommend waiting until this goes on major sale.liz4500

I bought this for the clean look and Aeroblade technology. I installed a 7501 and 7502 for my 2013 TDI Sportswagen w/pano sunroof and they looked great. Made very little noise (compared to my old square bars) and I had about 1.5 mpg difference on highway. I did position them differently from the recommended location from Thule to utilize my sunroof. It was very close but I was able to open and close no problem. I also have a Thule Atlantis Box which I used. Had no problems with it fitting snugly after numerous road trips. Suffered about 4 mpg difference. Overall these are pretty slick and very easy to take on and off. Since it has a spring built in, you just need a little elbow grease (I had mine on for a year) and the springs allow you to shrink the length of the bar. Compared to the older roof rack and feet this was a cinch to take on and off. And I don't have to deal with out so many random parts. I would definitely recommend making sure you have even pressure on both sides of the rack when you tighten them due to the springs. You can easily over tighten one side.dyun

I had these on my Jeep Renegade for 2 weeks but took them off. They are very nice looking and super easy to install but one of them whistles loudly. I’ve isolated it to the one bar and no matter where I place it I get a very loud whistle around 40mph. Also, they pulled my factory roof rails inward so now I have gaps between the rails and the roof of my car. This is a known issue with these bars and the Cherokee but apparently the Renegade too. I’ll probably return them which is disappointing because I really liked the look of them on the Renegade. They are so easy to install or remove that I could get past the whistling by using them only when I needed them but I’m nervous about the rails separating from the roof.seahills

The bars are great (as they should be – not a novel product here), but the rubber encased steel straps started to deteriorate quickly. The replacement costs are nearly as much as a pair of new racks (being flip here – cost is about 50% of one rack or 25% of a set), which is seriously disappointing. Either make a product that can survive the elements for more than a year or price the replacements. As judging by other reviews, this is common product flaw. I would investigate other options if I were outfitting a new rack system.DJ likes snow and sun

This bike was super easy to assemble. I just followed the instructions and was able to do it without getting confused. I have ridden it to work and back. I also took it out to Yosemite and I have to say that it is amazing to visit the valley on this lovely bike!!! It has smooth gear changing and the seat support is so good that you don't feel any bumps on the trail. I'm no expert biker, so this is a wonderful beginner bike as well. I'm sure expert mountain bikers would also be served very well on this beauty. Overall, I'm thinking of getting a second one for my wife! That's how much I love it!Mike3214

The bicycle does not arrive assembled. However, it is relatively simple to put together and do minor adjustments to the brakes. You will need some special tools that are not included for assembly. The bicycle itself is a good size and comfortable to ride. The Shimano grips make a big difference in comfort and switching gears easily. The overall style of the bicycle is functional and is a nice color combination without being too girly. I expect this bicycle to last for a long time whether riding on city streets or riding through rougher terrain. It is rugged, yet comfortable and is willing to go just about anywhere.geochic77

I have had this bike for 2 weeks and just from riding it on the streets around my neighborhood and over a few small rocks, which any mountain bike should be able to handle, has bent the front tire pretty bad. Also, when I bought this bike, the brakes were pretty much useless. If you want a reliable bike, don't choose thisGlong215

As someone who enjoys our nations rail trails it is great to find this information in a publication like this. While not super detailed due to limited size there are good descriptions of the trails and surrounding area.shorncranium

These are good for bikes that don't have pannier fittings (like my cannondale bad boy). This is my second one. The first one failed at the weld between the seat post connector and the beam, which resulted in the pannier falling into my back wheel and me coming to a sudden unplanned stop. I do load up my bags, but only with clothes and food so it wouldn't have exceeded its weight limit. They also have a tendency to rotate on the seat post unless your have them done up very tight. Despite their flaws, when rack mounts are not available on your bike frame, these are pretty good and the topeak bags that slide into them are excellent.Tom N.

This item was purchased in good faith based on an image and based on advice from a Pushy’s store that did not have stock. The item was completely unsuitable for the Giant bike I had previously purchased from the same store. The easy returns claim is misleading. I could not return the item physically to the Canberra store and was told I’d have to freight it to Brisbane. The cost to do so was approaching 50% of the purchase price. So I can’t return the brand new packaged item. My fault in all this was accepting Pushy’s staff advice on product selection. Why I couldn’t surrender this item physically I don’t know. The cost penalty for returning an item to Pushy’s is just ridiculous. I just cannot recommend Pushy’s online ordering and won’t be using Pushy’s online ordering ever again. The product itself is great. It just won’t work on my softail Giant frame I was told it would. This is a good example of why online ordering is too risky – $100 + thrown away.Stephen S.

I recently bought a new carbon framed hybrid bike to commute to work. Being carbon framed it lacks the usual pannier rack mount points of the alloy framed bikes, however I needed some way to carry lunch and cloths to and from work (I did not like the idea of a ruck sack on my back as I sweat a lot when cycling). My previous bike had a seat post mounted pannier rack which doubled up as a D loop bike lock, so I was on the hunt for something similar. I failed to find such a lock-come-pannier rack so went into Evans to see what they had as finding a usable solution was the final go-no-go for the carbon bike purchase. While there I was pointed towards the Topeak Quick Release Beam Rack (E type for medium frames). The rack looked sturdy and well made and had a neat quick release for a Topeak bag. As it happens I did not buy the Topeak bag as it was very expensive and in my opinion not as good as the FWE Top Rack Pack I bought instead. Fitting the rack on my bike was simple. All you need to do is see which combination of rubber packers to use for your seat post diameter. It is worth noting that although my frame is carbon the seat post is alloy and so there is no issue clamping this rack to the post. I would not personally recommend using this with a carbon post as the clamping method is inevitably going to squeeze the tube with most force applied to the front and back, which may cause it to crush in the long run. In use the rack is excellent. It seems light but strong, easily supporting the FWE Top Rack Pack bag I bought. The FWE bag does not feature the quick release slider which the rack uses, but this is not a problem as the Velcro straps it does have fit easily around the Topeak rack which is wide enough to secure the bag without wobbling. The rack also has a luggage strap but I have not tried that yet. The rack features a reflector at the back which can be removed and replaced for a bike light clip, which is what I have done for my Smart Lunar R2 rear light. This is much more secure than the loops which most bags tend to have. If I had to find any cons, and this is being a little picky and probably not really the racks fault, but I do notice that when my bag is loaded up and so relatively heavy, you can feel a little resonance through the bike when going over rough roads, presumably as the rack and bag vibrate up and down, their momentum being enough to affect the otherwise light frame of the bike. This only occurs on one short stretch of road and for the vast majority of my journey I would not even know the rack and bag was there. Definitely recommended for frames without pannier mounts, though I would not necessarily recommend buying the matching Topeak bag.MikeTheTv

The nomad offers an abundance of space for the biker looking to do some back country camping. Its size easily accommodates a five gallon bucket to keep belongings and/or food dry while acting as a sealed container to hang food at night. The accessory rack is great for tying down objects or drying wet clothing while riding. I took this on a week long trip from Washington D.C. to Pittsburg. Cons: The rear corners of the frame aren't smooth and wear holes in the floor. There needs some extra padding on the inside. (I'm going to try bicycle inner tubes). The front of the the floor gets a bit pinched by the mounts that hold the tow bar. This has caused the stitching to stretch from riding around with a full cart. Currently, I have mounted an old seat post rack on the inside to alleviate some of the pressure on the floor of the forward compartment. Water has a tendency to collect in the front compartment also (Only what was in my 5-gallon bucket stayed dry). I was thinking of sewing in some type of drain plug. Pros: The sides are lined with mesh compartments, great for quick access items and the little things. The width and length of the cart is perfect to fit a crazy creek style camp chair (never leave home without it). Once you figure out the best weight balance the cart glides along behind the bike though hills will remind you that it is there. Having the weight off your bike adds to stability while riding and mounting/dismounting, in my opinion. The stock tires are nice also. I have rode the cart over 600 miles and have not had a flat (knock on wood). You can fit everything you need for a week long camping trip in the cart (If you pack as though you are going on a backpacking trip). As stated before, the five gallon bucket is great for storing food and any electronics. Conclusion: I really like the Nomad cart. It is a great alternative to panniers and bags. It cruised behind me on the C&O Towpath and the Great Allegheny Passage with little extra effort. It allows you to carry larger items than could fit into bags (camp chair). Next I'm thinking of using it to ride around Ohio, following the Buckeye trail when possible.Qynius

I bought my first Burley Nomad in 2001 and used it hard. I took it on a 3-month journey along the TransAm Trail; on a ton of shorter self-supported trips; on airplanes, trains, and busses; to the grocery store countless times; to the dump; etc. I (sadly!) gave it away when I had kids and switched to a child trailer, but now that the kids are older, I've just switched back. And the Nomad is better than ever! The new steel hitch system is so much simpler and more secure than the old system of hitching directly onto the frame. The cover now easily closes with D-rings (the old cover had to be snapped in place, which was sometimes a struggle). And I like that the partition inside the trailer can easily be folded down so that you have one giant interior space. I've always been a trailer person–I love panniers for quick trips around town, but I'll always prefer the ease of loading and unloading the trailer, as well as the superior balance–and the Nomad is the best. It's incredibly stable, sturdy, and durable. I still see my old 2001 trailer around the neighborhood, by the way–still going strong!Lucy M.

I bought this trailer about a month ago for my dogs, Rosie ( shorkie) and Captain (mini Pomeranian). This trailer is light weight, the hitch is excellent and was easy to assemble. It’s the perfect size for two or three small dogs or a medium size dog ( like a healer). The different access zippers are in perfect spots for easy access to the dogs, and the zipper screen covers are great. I ride with my dogs to work about 8km. (One way) I’ve clocked my speed at 30km with little wiggle. We have ridden is rain/ hail/ and sunshine. The trailer handle beautifully and kept my dogs dry. I did purchase a dog crate bed for extra cushion and grip. This was a pricey trailer but worth it. Trailer is approved by Rosie and CaptainLaurie

After going through 2 hitch racks thanks to being rear ended 4-5 times (big vehicles apparently can't see low hitch racks when parking, or just people in DC can't drive…), I was giving up on bike racks for my car. I had previously been told due to my Ford Focus' spoiler, a trunk rack was out, but then this model was released! I bought it, and am pleased to say it completely cleared the spoiler, with room to spare. We've also used it on my friend's 2017 BWM X3. It does not completely clear the spoiler due to the MUCH larger trunk size, but it does take pressure off the top straps and per Saris, shouldn't cause damage. A thing to note with 3 bike racks–they are a bit like tetris since the bikes sit so close. If you have 3 bikes, identically sized, all with racks and fenders… they may not fit without racks/fenders coming off and some weird maneuvering. On our last trip, we had 2x 54 cm bikes with racks, and 1 58 cm bike with no rack. The 54s went on the outside and inside, with the larger 58 cm bike in the middle. Handlebars crisscrossed over each other, around tires, and the racks. Rags and bungee cords were deployed to keep bar tape safe from rubbing on tires. So it WILL work. It might just take some time to get it right.Emm85

NOTE: You will need bungee cords or straps (not included) to keep your bikes' front wheels from moving around. I bought this after I had to start borrowing a car that did not have a hitch. I wanted a bike rack that was more versatile than my hitch-mount bike rack — something I could use on most cars. The Saris Bones EX fit the bill. I bought one of these and had to return it for another one due to Saris' poor quality control. A Committed To Quality card with a hand-initialed QC Check is included with each rack but the QC checks aren't being properly done. Even though they were brand new, the first one smelled like cigarette smoke and was really dirty. It was also missing one of the two strap management caps. The second one didn't have those problems but the ratchets were installed incorrectly so I had to redo them. The included instructions aren't very detailed so having the ratchets installed incorrectly added to the confusion of mounting this rack for the first time. The Saris rack is fairly sturdy but not as sturdy as my hitch-mount rack. But I guess that's to be expected of just about any trunk-mount rack. Still, I was disappointed to discover my bicycle, a Priority Continuum Onyx, didn't mount completely flush against the rack. The bicycle has a relatively standard frame but the seat tube has about an inch of space between it and where the hold down is attached to the rack. The hold down keeps it somewhat sturdy but there is that inch of space for movement. It seems like Saris could easily redesign the seat tube hold downs to better secure a wider range of bike frame geometries. The bike rack fit a 2018 Honda Fit well and it appears to be able to fit quite a wide variety of vehicle shapes. Overall, despite Saris' quality control problems and my bike not fitting snugly, I still recommend this bike rack due to it's ability to fit a wide range of car shapes.Sammy

The installation was so easy after an installation video. Is very sturdy with no shaking. Won't scratch at all. There was one concern then another arose after my 1-hour drive. First, I was not sure how easy it would be to steal this trunk rack. And, would love for this company to maybe provide a latch locking system because after I press to release the upper and all cords, it comes off easily. Second, the bike small strap furthest to the front crack right off. I thought it was too close to the end with nowhere for the bike to slide if the latch belt buckle strap was to break. So, mine broke and the bike held on by the last to latches. I would definitely buy a cord to secure the last two to prevent from bike falling off. I would want to exchange and extra cables and for it not to break so easily.miriam

Good: Looks stylish (my opinion, subjective) Holds the bike very well if used correctly. Fast bike install ONCE you get used to it. Bad: If you don't have a Thule set of cross bars you need to buy T Bolts for your model unless you use the over clamps. The over clamps can and probably will scratch your cross bars. The T bolts for my car that Thule recommended had to come from a dealer in Europe and could not be shipped to the US. I will keep looking and hope to find them. I am using the over clamps at the moment that are all metal, for a metal on metal fit. I am not sure why the insides are not lined with a non marring material like rubber. It is possible for the two bars to not click together which could lead to a less secure holding of the front wheel. I double checked and found this condition and reinstalled. Very important to listen for the click. If a person is in a hurry or in a loud area its possible to install the bike incorrectly. Best to visually check to assure the pin is in the groove/ Takes a little getting used to. Not intuitive. Easy once you get used to it. Not the easiest to get your bike into but to be fair This is my first roof rack. My SUV is not tall but I need a step ladder. The lock for the bike to the rack needs to be purchased separately. The lock for rack to the cross bar needs to be purchased separately.By Pat

Since, we have Aeroblade/Wingbar Evo bars for our vehicles already, we didn't want to go to a hitch rack. We were originally looking at the drop wheel roof racks, but we ended up choosing this one instead, since we don't have quick release axles on our bikes. It was really easy to install the bike racks onto the bars – they slide onto the bars with the T-nuts and then put back on the end caps. We found them really quick & efficient to load/unload bikes onto the Upride racks & locking them to the rack. We drove almost 2000 kms in sun, rain, and headwind with 2 Upride racks and 2 gravel bikes attached on this trip on a sedan.JoL99

Ive been using the dirtbag for about a month now and I must say this is a great product that does what it says.Takes 5min to mount and once your bike is in it its not going anywhere!Feels and looks very durable though time will tells how it holds up to the weather. overall I have both 15&20mm and love them, for the price you cant go wrong. Oh and there covered for life! If you own a truck and throw your bikes in the back, do yourself a favor and order one of these thing you wont regret it. PROS: Lightweight, Versatile, Cheap Enough, Durable CONS: None yetSB

Don't hesitate, buy! Very sturdy and durable. I thought I would have to put a tie-down over the rear of my bike, but I don't. It holds it firmly and secure even at high speeds and turns. If you're in the market for a fork mount, don't waste your time and money elsewhere. Buy this and be done with it! If you want to buy the hardware before it arrives it uses 3/8" bolts to mount (Don't forget the washers and lock washers). PROS: DurableBoBo

I was looking for a simple way to travel with the mountain bikes in our Toy Hauler ( along with a bunch of surfboards and SUP's) and have them all locked down good. These were the best solution. I can see using these in many other applications also. Inexpensive and made to fit perfect for whatever front fork you have.spleeft

Reasonable quality, but the rail is in 2 halves which don't fit smoothly. One rail is higher than the other when bolted together. Which gouges into the scooter deck..Reviewed by Skatehut.co.uk custo

Brought this for our Grandson for his 8th birthday, who thought it was fantastic, and he is now busy practicing his grinding skillsReviewed by Skatehut.co.uk custo

I just installed these today on a 2017 Highlander. (Haven't put the Thule roof box on yet, so no review on that part.) if you like your instructions by intuitively following drawings (think IKEA…Thule is Swedish, too), you will love this. For those of us who like detailed written AND drawn instructions, good luck. You have to keep going back and forth between the manual for the flush mount kit (B), and the manual for the cross bars (A). Also, pay close attention to ensuring when you put the bars on, they are the same distance on the passenger side as driver side. (There is a measure marker on each end, but since you don't tighten the one bolt (already installed in bar) that tightens the length across, you may miss this subtle point.) Also, as you tighten the four bolts to the flush mount kit (two on each side), make sure you notice that you tighten the opposite bolts 50% of the way, then the other two opposite diagonal bolts 100%, then assuming you tighten the first two 100%. Why the Swedes can't write out detailed instructions is beyond me, but as frustrating as IKEA furniture was the first time, this is equally so. They do look very nice on the car and am hoping we enjoy them. Stay tuned, first trip this week.UNCTHEEL

I usually have troubles installing anything on my car. I am not inept, there’s just something that always goes wrong. These crossbars were very easy to install. But, I would highly suggest getting the metal locks for the top.parent of 2

Pros: They look awesome–as good or better than the OEM racks. They are incredibly solid and stable. Cons: You will need a different collar assembly specific to your vehicle, and REI will help you figure out which, but it's another piece and an added expense. In addition, the installation (at least for the BMW X5 collar) is *not* straightforward. It took a couple of tries to realize that one of the pieces was not seated correctly, which prevented adequate locking. Keep small kids out of the garage while you figure out the proper installation, unless you want to teach them some new vocabulary. In addition, I hate the fact that the locking mechanism is cheap plastic. Spring for the optional metal locking cylinders. They feel much more secure (as well as providing security for this expensive product). Bear in mind, the interior receiver is still plastic, but the entire assembly felt far more secure with the metal cylinders.Rob on the go

I purchased this rack, and after assembling it, I discovered that I can’t insert my locking pin into the receiver. Kuat offset the hole so the rack can fit into either a 1-1/4” or 2” receiver. You have to use the pin that comes with the rack, but you can’t lock the rack into the receiver. They give you a cable lock to lock your bike to the rack, but without a way to lock the rack to the receiver, a thief can just remove the rack, and a bike if it’s on the rack. What an idiotic system. I’m not a big fan of Yakima because their overpriced and the quality has gone downhill, but at least their adapter collar allows their 1-1/4 rack to properly fit into a 2” receiver so you can lock the bike rack into the receiver. You’re better off buying a Yakima.RadBean

I drove 200 miles to pick up my Transfer V2 two bike rack for my Prius, so I needed the 1.25-2" shank. There was one left, being held for me which was good service by REI. Upon returning home and assembling the rack (the instructions are good so it is easy, though takes time) I discovered that the shank, which is the male end that slides into the receiver hitch, was 2" and not what the box said. I called Kuat and explained the problem to Angela in customer service. She's sharp and grasped the problem, saying that somehow the incorrect rack was put in the box and she would have the correct shank sent overnight, not the usual "you should receive the package in two to three weeks" from too many companies, while you do without whatever it is. This was astoundingly great service from Kuat and by Angela. She is obviously a 'people person', as had been other customer service reps at Kuat when I had called for rack advice previously. Not just polite, but happily volunteering information and advice, no doubt reflecting management and owners. I chose the Transfer V2 on the advice of a Kuat rep and am very happy with it. The build quality is good, it is easy to use, and the built-in system to stabilize the rack in the hitch works solidly. I once owned a bike shop and have had numerous racks over the years, so have experience. I highly recommend this rack for a person who doesn't, for some reason, need the features of one of the other Kuat racks, but if they do choose another model I'm sure they will be just as happy.LouisG

Bought this today thinking I would be able to use it this weekend. One of the front tire cradle bolts was cross threaded when trying to tighten the puck. Called support and they were very responsive. A replacement cradle assembly and hardware is on its way. Also noticed rust coming out of the non-locking end on the U arm. Quite disturbing considering I’ve paid for a brand new unit in a sealed box. QC must have missed this one completely and wonder about factory’s storage (outdoors?). Non-locking end cap also broke at the screw hole as I tried to make it fit onto the U arm. Extremely tight fit. Not a pleasant assembly experience, and must say I enjoy putting IKEA products together!SignalCPT

Seemed like the perfect solution to being able to load my bike without assistance, but its design flaw proved too big a hurdle, so I returned it.
First, the ramp is too narrow to accommodate my Townie ebike’s wide wheel base comfortably. Second, you must have the space on either side of your car to insert the ramp, which required shuffling cars around in my own driveway and made me realize it may not be possible once I take it to my final destination to ride.

Once I loaded the bike and it was time to unload it, it was discovered it was impossible to roll it forward, as the instructions stated, because the pedal can’t clear the center stabilizer pole, nor can the pole be folded down with a bike in place, again because of the pedal. That means you have to roll the bike backwards.

Then I decided to see if I could lift the bike and load it without the ramp in the event there wasn’t room for the ramp. I’m an older woman with limited strength, which is precisely why this rack appealed to me. I managed to lift it and even reached the inside base of the rack. But once the bike was in place, it was impossible to raise the stabilizer pole. Okay, take two. Removed it, raised the pole, tried to lift it and place it around the pole. While perhaps not impossible for somebody, it was for me because I didn’t have the strength to maneuver around the pole. It was quite awkward. My wife, who is a bike enthusiast and does have adequate strength, wasn’t able to maneuver the bike around the pole either.

A less important but annoying feature is the way you fold the rack down to gain access to the hatch is by pulling a knob out which is located behind and under the rack. I found the location to be awkward compared to other racks I’ve used.

It was determined that this bike rack was inadequate for my needs, and we returned it to the store the very same night that we bought it. I am extremely disappointed. A few modifications to the design could make this rack not only adequate but so unique it would could be a game changer. Instead, it’s a piece of junk, in my opinion.Jennifer Bonfilio

I have a Yakima On-Ramp, and honestly, I'm extremely disappointed with it. I have 3 bikes…2 ebikes, and a Specialized Stumpjumper Mountain Bike (non Electric), and this OnRamp only fits 1 of my 3 bikes. It really does not fit any tire more than 2 inches, its only designed for smaller ebikes, and the ramp width is not long enough to have both tires resting on the ramp. The straps are a joke, and must order longer straps, which are not even available. Any longer straps available from Yakima are not compatible with this terrible product. This product is okay if you are transporting smaller bikes, but medium to large bikes, they simply will not fit. I don't understand how the engineers at Yakima did not think of mountain bike transport or bikes with larger tires. I'm so disappointed with this product and Yakima in general (This is my first Yakima purchase), that after my trip, I plan to sell this and replace it with a better product. On a scale of 1 to 5 stars, sadly, I have to give it 1 star and would never recommend this to any of my friends. Yes, its well built and sturdy, but kinda useless too, but I should not have to use third party rachet straps to secure bikes to this ramp when paying $650 for it. It is very easy to use though if you have the right size bike.Mikefly562

I chose this tray rack for its ability to carry a bike with a 50" wheelbase. It does that, to the millimeter. Competing racks that were any shorter, or did not state wheelbase in their descriptions, were not in the running. The loading tray is nice for heavier bikes like my wife's ebike. Once you've got the bikes strapped on, they are very secure. Cons: The rack is not particularly easy to use. For the bike closest to the car, the pole is in the way of the handlebars if you roll the bike forward onto the tray. Or the pole is in the way of the pedal if you roll the bike backward. If the rack is in its normal driving position, you can't tilt the bike away from the pole because the bars hit the car. If the rack is tilted down, you can't use the loading tray. So I load the bike with the pole down, but another person is required to raise the pole since releasing the locking pin and raising the pole needs two hands. The clevis pin aka "pull pin" that you insert to secure the rack in the up or down position is problematic. Its spring-loaded retaining ball is difficult to start through the hole in the rack. When putting the pin in, it is difficult to know whether it's stuck because the holes in the two parts of the rack are not lined up perfectly or whether you're fighting the ball and need to whack the pin harder. When pulling the pin out, I have to pull it so hard that it comes out suddenly and I can't help jerking it against the little keeper cable that prevents losing it. In fact the first time I pulled the pin out I broke the ridiculous plastic fastener that attached the cable to the hitch. Fortunately I was able to replace the broken plastic thingy with a stainless bolt and nut. A final complaint is while driving, the pin works out of the hole until stopped by the retaining ball. I do not find this reassuring. When the rack is folded up on a car with a tailgate, you can't open the tailgate without lowering the rack. So you have to go through the struggle with the clevis pin to put the rack down and then to put it back up. If you have bikes on the rack and want to lower the rack to access the car, good luck. As the instructions warn, the loaded rack is very heavy. I can only recommend this rack if you absolutely need to carry a bike with a 50" wheelbase.billthebikecat

This bike is great for new to intermediate riders. It is an XC bike with spot on geometry for various types of riding. The Microshift Advent drivetrain gives you plenty of range. The main thing holding this bike back is the coil spring fork but it is really the same fork you’ll find on any bike in this price range. Plus you can upgrade it over time and this frame is a solid platform to do just that.Brian

Love it. It's well equipped at a great price. Can't beat it. Also can appreciate the aggressive modern hardtail geometry. My only gripe is with the budget spring fork but that can eventually be changed. It has at least 120 mm of travel were most bikes in this category only have 100. Overall the bike is great and plan on upgrading it over time as parts wear.Cameron

This is a really well-equiped bike for the price and a beautiful bike as well. I'm actually converting it to an e-bike so I was looking for good geometry, a stout frame, and good quality components. I liked it so much I bought a second one for my wife! I'm not looking for high downhill speeds so the hardtail is my preference and it will be a hoot to ride with a Bafang motor on it. Nice job bikesonlline!Chris B.