For those who think the Paulchen is overpriced -- or don't like the idea of mounting a rack on their paint job -- there is an alternative. Rigid Hitch in Bloomington MN 612-895-9616 makes a light duty hitch which easily mounts with just two bolts to the tow loops under the rear bumper. The cost is about $60. To that hitch, you can weld a 2-inch receiver mount, also available for about $6 from Rigid Hitch. This set up allows you to utilize any of the fine American-made racks available at your local bike shop or through bike catalogues. The Peterson Backpacker ($159) for example holds two bikes with the front fork clamped into a quick release and the rear wheel strapped to the rack. The bikes are tucked out of the wind, they are low enough so as not to interfere with rearward vision, the rack can be snapped on or off with a single retainer bolt and cotter pin at the receiver hitch and ... it's strong. I use this setup every weekend. My bike racing teammates often use the empty rack as a bench to rest their weary bones. |
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