Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Whether you specifically buy the Swagman or not, my strongest recommendation is to get a bike carrier that attaches via a hitch and has the bikes sit on their wheels rather than hang from a bar by a strap. You just feel more confident that your bikes are secure. You feel more secure while you are driving and you feel more secure when you have to leave your car unattended (assuming you use a locking hitch pin and lock for the bicycle hook arms). If you are going to need a bike carrier more than once, buy one of this type. It's also the best option for women's bikes, which don't have the top bar. (I never trusted aftermarket bars that attached to the seat post and handlebars.) Things to know (in general): > Don't go to your car dealership for a hitch. It's the most expensive option. You can get a hitch online for $150 or less and installation should be approximately $50 at any mechanic or auto body shop. The hitch can also be purchased at your local auto parts store, but will be slightly more. > You want ratcheting bike hook arms (like the swagman). It is so much simpler and faster. > You might need a can of Rust-Oleum to cover any places where the "protective powder coating" has been scratched off. A can is less than five bucks at any hardware store and you don't want to allow exposed bare metal, which can rust. Things to know (about the Swagman specifically) PROS > holds bikes quite tight and you do not worry at all that they will fall off. > The anti-wobble hitch pin works. > Would be difficult (but not impossible) to steal if you use both locking hitch pin and barrel lock for the bike arms. > Accommodates any size bike, even very small or women's bikes. > Folds up into very tiny space when not in use. Does not obstruct view out back window. > Easy to remove and re-attach with say... teenage boy strength required. > I can open the trunk on my Mazda 3 with it installed (so long as there is no bike on it). > Very nicely priced as compared to the models from Tule and Yakima. CONS > Sometimes the bike arm for one bike will be in the way of you installing a lock on the other bike arm. This would leave one bike unprotected. (This is my one star reduction) > The little rubber covers for the bike arm hook release lever like to slide off. This is a minor annoyance and does not warrant any reduction in the rating. OTHER > If your bikes' top bars are of similar height, you can likely get by with only one lock for the bike arms. If the bikes are the same height, the top bike arm will likely sit so close to the bottom that the bottom one could not be lifted high enough to remove the bike anyway. However, if the two bikes are of dissimilar size, you might need two locks. > Buy the locking anti-wobble hitch pin (sold separately). It's worth the piece of mind. Also buy a RATCHETING 7/8in crescent wrench to tighten it. > The Hollywood Racks Sport Rider seems almost identical to this product. Check out both before purchasing. -RM