SportRack knows its customer base as well as any manufacturer, and they create a line of racks to fit every need. The 4EZ is their 4 bike, hitch-mounted unit that offers the greatest convenience and versatility. Their designers pulled out all the stops to create a rack that just about installs and loads itself! You’ll have to do some of the work, but setting it in the hitch receiver is a snap, and loading bikes could not be easier.
The cradle platforms adjust to fit any wheel dimension and accept all widths. The rubberized top clamps do the same for any bike height, and lock securely in place without risk of damage from rubbing. Keeping this unit on your vehicle will pose little hassle. The center post pivots down to allow easy access to storage. And when off the vehicle the 4EZ folds up into a compact bundle.
Who Needs the SportRack 4 EZ Bike Rack
The Nomad 4EZ was made for families, or for the rider who likes to gather a few buddies together for a weekend excursion. Families will appreciate the ease of installation – kids can load their own bikes with no problem. The excursionist will like the 4-bike capacity, but better not mind getting stuck doing the hauling. Of course, they'll never have to pay for the post-ride beverage that way!
Carries up to 4 bikes, max. 180 lbs (80 kg), (A30902 = 72 lbs/33 kg,- (2" receiver)
Rubberized hooks to protect bike finish
Hooks and wheel trays adjust to fit all bike frames and sizes
Center post folds down for rear of vehicle access
Fits 11/4" and 2" receivers
Extremely secure platform
Review Date: April 7, 2008
Reviewer: Royce D. Myers, Michigan
Pros: this rack carries 4 bikes without any of them touching, and they are supported exactly the way they are designed to be supported. The carrier appears indestructible. If you have a lift back, the hatch can be opened when the carrier is mounted (but not when the bikes are on the rack). Any size or shape bike can be carried. When driving, the bikes are secure and silent.
Cons: weight -- the disadvantage to indestructibility is that a lot of steel was used to build the rack, and that makes it heavy (about 60 lbs without bikes). This weight only comes into play when putting the carrier on your car, or taking it off. loading -- If you have a lift-back, you need to get into it before the bikes are loaded. The upright bars can be tilted away from the back of the car far enough to open the back. length -- you have to remember that this carrier is sticking out a few feet behind your car. Storage -- even folded up it takes a lot of room in your garage.
We need to carry several bikes at a time: road, hybrid and "step-through" (ladies) -- and sometimes a mountain bike.
The wheels fit in lower channels, which may be adjusted for wheel length and to avoid interfering with the next bike's pedals. Then the "hold down" hook keeps the bike firmly in the channels, and the hooks are well padded. You can leave your frame pump on the bike if you want (although a rough road may vibrate it off if it's not secured). Finally, Velcro straps across the tires ... well, I'm not sure what these are for, but we use them. Once on, the bikes don't sway or bounce relative to the car, and any shocks are delivered through the tires -- where the bikes are meant to receive shocks.
A 2 inch receiver will allow for 350lbs -- or more -- of tongue weight. A 60 lb rack and 4 40 lb bikes will only be 220 lbs, well within the limits of the receiver. If you've got the hitch, you can handle the weight.
The assembly is not straightforward: it took me about an hour, and I had leftover pieces. After it was assembled I realized that I mounted the "hold-down" bars in reverse (the long one has to be in before the short one). Assembly is a one-time event, and, while difficult, should not dissuade you from getting the rack.
Tilting the upright bars, or shrinking the carrier from four to two bikes is done by moving cotter pins. The receiver has a screw-in bolt to keep it mounted to the car. Adjusting the wheel wells or hold-down hooks is done using handles that screw in or out.
Once the rack is adjusted for your bike, getting the bikes on and off is quick and simple.
For us, this is exactly the rack we need to carry 3 or four bikes at a time for any distance.
Hitch Mount Bicycle Rack
Review Date: October 11, 2007
Reviewer: D. Bryant, Birmingham, AL
This bike rack is everything it is advertised to be. With this rack you don't have to worry about potholes in the road because the bicycles are supported by their tires. The bicycle absorbs shock where it was designed to, not in frame members that weren't. This rack also accommodates any type of bicycle; road, mountain, etc. Even my wife's Giant Revive can be secured with no problem. The only concern is weight. The 2" version for four bikes is a little heavy so make sure your vehicle can handle it.
Great for family bikes
Review Date: November 11, 2008
Reviewer: lapackco, East Bay of San Francisco
We bought this rack since our family is at the stage where we each ride a different style and size of bike: my adult men's bike, my wife's adult women's bike, my son medium sized, and my daughter's small bike. All fit and are held firmly in the rack. Yes, it is heavy, but solid. Yes, the instructions are less than complete, but you can figure it out. Note that it is highly recommended that you buy the locks, items A32020 and A32022, to lock the rack to the car and the bikes to the frame. If you don't, you may return to your car to find your bikes and rack missing.
Excellent rack for the price
Review Date: January 19, 2010
Reviewer: Sanjay, CA, USA
I was looking for a platform style rack for a while and the I saw this on amazon on sale. So far I am extremely happy with the rack. It functions as advertised.
Pros: 1) Well Built
2) Able to put two adult mountain bikes, One 20", and one 16" bike. For 16" I had to play with the location of top C-clamps. Put smaller one below the larger one...even though instruction say otherwise.
3) Very sturdy
Cons: Not many but it is heavy..but comes with the sturdy/well built
2) I would have loved if it can be converted to two rack (by removing last two platforms)
Overall very happy and would recommend it.
Careful when assembling
Review Date: September 11, 2008
Reviewer: G. Hylton,
I bought this because of price, free shipping, and reviews. I agree that it is a well made (heavy) carrier. But beware when assembling that the hardened bolts are threaded into soft square nuts that are held in place with plastic inserts. The directions leave a lot to be desired but they say to install hand tight and not use mechanical devices. I got out my combination wrench and proceeded to tighten the bolts after I had assembled and snugged up everything. I am an above normal size guy and with the bolts being hardened metric bolts I thought they would stand tightened as tight as I could get them with a wrench. The first bolt I tightened, I stripped the soft square nut in the insert. I need the carrier for this weekend so sending back was not a good option. I ended up grinding off this hardened bolt which took about two hours and then drilled through the framework with a 7/16 hole on my drillpress to install hardened bolts and nuts through the framework and not use the inserts. When I had to do one I went ahead and did all 6 connections. I would have worried that the thing would fall apart while driving down the road. I installed on vehicle and my son and I put our bikes on carrier and drove to the store for a short trial. With these modifications I am pleased with the rack and I think it will be very functional. In the for what its worth catagory, the carrier is made in Tiawan. I like to know where things are made.
Extremely secure platform
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