Performance TransIt Bike Rack Long Term Review

After 3 years of using this rack here are my thoughts on its durability and value.

[@StephenFullerton]

I've had a version of this rack for 9 years and it is on my truck now. Great product. On the wheel hoops not sliding easy, you simply need to pull the clamps off every year or two, disassemble, clean, lube the threads, and reassemble. Easy Peasy. Great video!

[@Albanker1948]

Love this rack Owned over 12 years travelled from Illinois to west coast on one trip and East Coast on another long trip. Have always felt very secure. The exhaust has not been a problem for me on my Toyota Highlander as have a factory hitch….easy to put on and off the car

[@seanfarmer7371]

FYI Changing the angle of the exhaust to point 45degrees down would have been much cheaper option. Spot welding piece or even cut, heat, bend pipe. Thanks for vid

[@bullseye0112]

great review, I never even thought to pull the pin out so I can get into the hatchback

[@fanzfanzilla]

If tail pipe is at the same level, maybe you can install a shield on the rack where the bike wheels sit or get a tail pipe adapter to direct the exhaust down or to the right.

[@DanielTojcic]

I have the same rack and it has served me well for the price

[@tillman40]

One issue that doesn't get addressed IMHO with rear racks is the blocking of the rear tail lights by the multiple bikes. I added a 3rd break light at the rear of the rack to my Thule. Living in Florida, the drivers are bad enough the way it is. Great video as always. PS as a work around take a Styrofoam cup , cut it in half and let the rim sit on it. Will protect the rim from the heat . Or as I mentioned below you can relocate the direction of the exhaust tip

[@ClintGibbs]

+Jamessr23 I made a note to look at the brake and tail lights when I do my review on the Yakima to timer. Thanks for bringing that up.

[@RonRonRoamer]

Clint, or another cheaper solution is to have a tip down muffler tip welded on your vehicle so that the exhaust fumes are aimed down instead.. Good luck anyway

[@gnobmio8172]

Another option is you could buy an angled muffler end directing the exhaust down. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000LG3DBG/ref=pd_sbs_263_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=PSR6TE0KWA6N9JDCG3FQ

[@davidadamus177]

Can't believe the exhaust melted your wheel! Thanks for mentioning it though, I have been leaning towards this rack, but now I will look somewhere else.

[@davidadamus177]

Decided to purchase this rack. The exhaust in my car points downward, no issue whatsoever. It's a very nice rack for the money!

[@Albanker1948]

Clint I have a Toyota Highlander and have the factory hitch so I think it MAY ride higher than yours and my exhaust is not close so no danger. A lower after market hitch could cause a problem but the position of the exhaust could also be a problem.

[@bfvader]

I recently upgraded from the Swagman G10 to the Swagman Semi 2.0 because the bracket that clamps down on the frame (very similar to your rack) was scratching up our frames. Our dirt driveway makes it impossible to keep the foam brackets clean, so they turn into sandpaper on the frame if we forget to use a cloth. The Semi 2.0 rack clamps down on the front tire and seems far more secure to me.

[@ClintGibbs]

+Dave Nunez a piece of frame protector tape should solve that

[@chanceyknows4445]

Just get a hitch riser. I had that problem with my Sorento and a igloo cooler. Melted my cooler. Got a hitch riser. Never had a problem since

[@Yorenzo27]

Have you checked out the Thule T2 Pro, by far the best rack imo, super easy to load and secure bikes. Literally in seconds.

[@markp.7165]

Great review! Walmart is selling a very close version of this rack with a couple minor differences for $65 (Hyper Tough). I would bet it is made by the same manufacture. Just installed one and for the money how are you going to beat the price? Now would I haul a two or three thousand dollar bike on it? Not sure about that but for us I think it will be just fine.

[@whatfreedom7]

Even though it's much cheaper the trays for the tires are actually metal and not plastic that can break on the more expensive models. Every pricey rack I've looked at seems to have a flaw in the design where they use plastic on some of the most critical areas. The other racks also had one tray and a partial tray or not any kind of second tray at all for the second tire.

[@jdvumbc]

My long term review is that its meant to hold light bikes and not used offroad. The rack was always loose at the hitch area and the bolt eventually stripped making it even worse for long trips. After 1.5 year I returned it and used the money for a Kuat Transfer with 15% coupon from JensonUSA. I was happy with the Transit maybe for a year after that I knew I needed something stronger and stable.

[@LiveInTheNow247]

It melted your wheel? What the hell ! Never heard that before

[@bullseye0112]

sorry you lost a rim...I wouldn't have ever thought of the exhaust

[@axxxxman]

If you haven't already bought the new rack, I would like to offer one for consideration I had this transition rack a while, it worked ok, but ended up selling and getting a Kuat, Sherpa 2.0 it was a little expensive, but it is aluminum and the finish is the best I have seen on any rack. I looked real hard at the Yakima racks, I have had several over the years, but the Kuat really impressed me. it is stable under way, very easy to use, 32lbs makes it much more manageable to carry in and out of a townhouse front door. the use of plastic is minimal, and it looks good leaving on my car, it even matches my paint. Note, it is important to look at the 2.0 model, not the original. the original had some problems with stability in the hitch and did not have the tilt ability. the 2.0 fixed that. they also make a model called the NV which has a built in bike stand and has more adjustability, both models have the ability to buy an add on rack that ups capacity to 4 bikes. sorry if this sounds like an add for kuat, I just spent a few months looking at several different racks from Thule, Yakima and Kuat, and this is where I ended up.

[@ClintGibbs]

+axxxxman thanks. I did get the Yakima two-timer a few weeks ago, and I'm about to post the review. But yes, Kuat makes great racks. Thanks for posting.

[@texanc]

I have an after-market 2" hitch on an older model crv (2002). Mine looks to be even with the exhaust pipe. I'm toting older inexpensive Huffy bikes (not mountain bikes, not racing bikes). Do you know if they are of a material that the exhaust would not melt? We only tote our bikes a few times a year, but they are 3-4 hour drives. Also, did you find the adapter for the 2" hitch held firm? Many I have tried are wobbly. They hold, but it's a little worrisome looking in the rear view mirror at the bikes bouncing and rocking - especially if you go over a speed bump!

[@50nollieman]

I think it might be related to your hitch receiver. I have a 2007 crv with a Curt Class 3 hitch and mine does not look as low as your hitch

[@funlvr4life]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Have you consider the Kuat NV2 version. I've the NV and in my opinion is a better build than Yakima.

[@ClintGibbs]

+funlvr4life I had a Yakima roof rack system on college that I really liked, so I guess I'm somewhat brand-loyal after I find a company I like.

[@funlvr4life]

That's good. Love your videos....

[@RideAlongside]

Could you have shifted the rack trays away from the exhaust enough to avoid the wheel heating?

[@ClintGibbs]

+Ride Alongside I couldn't get the tire far enough away for my comfort. I tried!

[@AdamConstantine]

Use wd40 in the key hole and put key in and out to clean it and free up the lock cylinder! 👍🏻

[@davidadamus177]

Or graphite

[@seminolerick6845]

umm...there are no exhaust pipe tips that can be added on to deflect sideways or down ?

[@jimnewnam3812]

Clint, Is the Transit 4 Bike rack able to be used as a separate 1 1/4" - 2 Bike hitch rack?

[@ClintGibbs]

+Jim Newnam not really

[@ImFenris]

Would anyone be so kind as to provide the weight carrying limitation of this rack? I just picked one up used and would like to carry one and maybe two e bikes. Thanks in advance for your time.

[@eristicfreethinker2098]

Does the rack, particularly when loaded, wiggle and sway noticeably on your vehicles? I have mine in a 2" hitch and, while very securely attached via the bolts, the entire rack and the bikes really dance when going over bumps, in an out of driveways, etc. It looks very scary with thousands of dollars worth of bikes attached?

[@ClintGibbs]

Most hits racks do move around a bit. This one I would say is on par maybe moving a little bit less than others I have used.

[@eristicfreethinker2098]

Clint Gibbs Thanks

[@chaveznury]

can you out a women cruiser on this rack?

[@edwinkluvers8906]

You don’t need lights and an extra numberplate? In Europe that would-be be a probleem.

[@ClintGibbs]

Not here

[@larryc7777]

Here's a simple, inexpensive fix...install a turndown exhaust tip. Probably around $25.

[@Joshybass25]

That’s not the racks fault that your tire or wheel melted buddy! I have a 2016 CRV and I don’t have that problem.

[@G3A3]

might be cheaper to take it to a engineer and get it cut and welded to new angle or even just bent

[@tillman40]

for about 15 bucks and a hack saw you can change the exhaust tip to one that points out sideways

[@rolagzz20]

Can the 4 bike rack be used sometimes in a 2 bike configuration?

[@ClintGibbs]

+rolagzz20 are you asking if the outside section can be removed so it's only a 2 bike rack?

[@rolagzz20]

exactly.... !

[@ClintGibbs]

Not sure. I'll check when I get home tonight.

[@rolagzz20]

Thanks Clint! I appreciate your kindness..

[@ClintGibbs]

+rolagzz20 I had to run home for lunch and looked at the rack. You can remove the section for the back 2 bikes but you still have a bar sticking out so it's really not a rack that's convertible from 4 to 2.

[@Quitale-los-cocos]

Can a fat bike fit there like a rad rover

[@ClintGibbs]

No, a fat bike would not work on this rack. For that I think the Yakima Two-Timer would be your best option.

[@Quitale-los-cocos]

Clint Gibbs thank you