Date:         Wed, 13 May 1998 17:00:00 EST
Reply-To:     HARRIST <HARRIST@ABC.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         HARRIST <HARRIST@ABC.COM>
Subject:      bike rack
Comments: To: vanagon@VANAGON.com

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.