For about $110 to $160, youre not going to find better! This bike rack is an economical support arm style hitch mount rack that uses the frame as a primary attachment point. If you want really great sun protection, you have to spend quite a bit of money (for Burley, that would be the $800 DLite X trailer!). 22 reviews SEE REVIEWS. Choosing the Right Bike Rack for Your Car, the world's most carefully tested and objective gear reviews, A versatile hitch-mount rack that provides a high price to performance ratio, A favorite for sedans and other vehicles with low roof heights, This is an awesome fork mount roof rack that can hold almost any type of axle, 30-40 lbs (varies based on crossbar spread), Yes, 1.25" reciever, single bike add-on sold separately, Fits Yakima round, square, factory or aerodynamic crossbars. No monetary compensation was provided for this review, however, the reviewed product was supplied by the manufacturer or distributor to help facilitate this review. Most hanging racks support the bike with the arms of the rack under the bikes top tube. The rain cover of the Allen trailers is a permanent fixture on the trailer. I have the two seater it is fantastic. Do you plan on carrying larger framed and/or heavier bikes? Deluxe? Henry W. 7/8/2022. The item quickly sets up as a bike trailer right out of the box, and can be quickly converted to a swivel wheel stroller. In this review, well cover two models, the Allen T2 child bike trailer and the S2, which also converts to a stroller. The small and mighty Ultra-Compact is also the only rack available in a 1 bike capacity but it does max out at a 2-bike capacity. Regards. (5) Narrow Support Bars: The Allen Deluxe and Ultra-Compact models have narrow-set support bars that allow smaller bikes, and some bikes with odd-shaped frames to fit without adapter bars. Allen Sports Easy Load Deluxe XR200 is $250.93 less expensive than an average car bike rack ($386.93). Tremolos - Strat Plus has the same tremolo as the American Standard Strat; by the end of 1988 they added the Hipshot Trem-Setter device. The Allen Sports Child bicycle trailer and stroller offers the perfect outdoor solution for active parents. While not challenging or time-consuming, it does take some muscle and if not careful, you could accidentally pinch a finger while doing so. The item quickly sets up as a bike trailer right out of the box, and can be quickly converted to a swivel wheel stroller. The cradles of the Ultra-Compact are essentially the same as the Deluxe with a nylon strap on a rotating cradle. All opinions and images are that of Two Wheeling Tots LLC. Tire mount vs my roof mount system. While the Allen Sports Trunk Mount Rack does this by attaching the different straps and the arm to the bike's frame, the Thule T2 Pro uses a cable lock to grasp the bike's . We won't accept manufacturer's freebies. 5. When she's not testing bikes, Carrie's actually still testing bikes. Allen Sports Bicycle Carrying Bike Rack Adaptor Bar, 900B. While I cant say definitively what would happen if you used a pin like this, I was not comfortable carrying my baby in the trailer this way and requested that a new pin be sent. Access to the rear vehicle compartment is not possible when the rack is mounted to the vehicle, but this is the case with all of the trunk-mount racks we tested. As a sneak peek, tips include purchasing and using Velcro straps as car protectors, removing saddles to ease in loading, and when and how to use adapter bars. We buy all the products ourselves. PS Plus Deluxe, Extra, and Essential launch June 23 in India. Visual learner? The straps are padded for comfort, but the pads come off easily and can be a bit of a nuisance. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. The S2 is mostly featured in the images below and is the yellow trailer. Swiveling cradles allow you to position the racks contact points so that you can mount the bike via the top tube, bottom tube, or even the vertical seat tube of the bike! Theres also two small nylon pockets on the outside of the storage area. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing. When you pull the trailer cover taut on assembly, stitching in some places begins to pull. In order to fold or unfold the Deluxe, you must manually insert or remove the racks cross supports into place. Quicken Premier. These three bicycle trailers were not just the most popular among Amazon customers at the time this article was written, but they had also received excellent reviews from most Amazon buyers (an average of 4.5 stars each out of 5 stars!). This process is much easier on the Premier which requires minimal effort with its upgraded Quick Snap Set-up. How can we improve GearLab? In the end, the Allen Sports Deluxe 2-Bike Trunk Mount Rack is an excellent mounted bike rack. Safely and comfortably transports one or two . After testing out over 30 different bike trailer models, we can confidently say that Allen Sports child bike trailers are our favorite budget trailers. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. Thank you, Allen! The socket system is very similar to Burleys hitch system, except that its a little more rudimentary and not as smooth to use. That said, this is the only trunk-mount rack we tested that has no adjustability to allow an optimal fit for different vehicles. Easy-to-use 5-point harness system with continuously adjustable height settings, Hammock-style seat is thick and padded, sagging less than other trailers, Single stroller wheel in front tucks in closer to the trailer than other brands, Swapping between trailer and stroller functions requires you to remove kids from trailer, Less durable over time than higher-end trailers. It holds the bike by the top tube of the frame and is therefore limited in its versatility. BEST FOR: Larger, heavier bikes (does not fit 16 bikes or smaller). Allen updated their trailer line in 2019 and we were able to test out their newest (and very similar) double trailers models the Allen S2 (S for added stroller functionality and 2 for capacity) and the Allen T2 (T for only trailer functionality and 2 for capacity). In this review, well walk you through what makes Allens trunk racks unique from other brands as well as the differences and similarities between their three different models. Although Allens three models share many features, which one is best for you (assuming they all fit your car) really depends on four things: 1. 145. Affiliate links are included in this review. Quick install locking hitch insert fits 2 in. If muscling things is not your forte, the Premier might be worth the upgrade. The front wheel is alittlenoisy and the single-height handlebar is a bit too skinny and not as comfortable, but this stroller still got the job done for me in the mornings pushing these nuggets.Most trailers that convert to strollers have the stroller wheel attach to the trailer arm. As someone who hates assembling anything, this would be a pain point for me. In addition to being better for your car (more weight over a wider footprint is less likely to dent or put a crease in the cars body), the Premiers wider bars offer more support for larger framed bikes. In some cases, the Ultra-Compact may work as well, but there is no way to know for sure without testing your bike on a specific rack. You will need an adjustable wrench and a 14mm wrench to assemble the rack. For about $110 to $160 . Also suitable for those willing to pay more for ease-of-use upgrades. All three Allen Racks fold to allow for easy storage but need to be unfolded before you can mount them to your car. Detailed explanations of these differences, as well as our general experience with each model, are found below. If youre interested in checking out Allens hitch mounted bike racks, we have a review for that too! It could easily be removed by loosening the straps. As a result, be sure to check Allen Sports Rack Finder to see which of their racks will fit on your car. The Premier has several upgrades that the other models do not. The front cover of the Allen S2 and T2 consists of a mesh door with canvas sides that stay in place via velcro. Mouse over the features below to see their location on the racks. Without a lot of support, hammock-style seats often sag in the middle, making them less comfortable than firmer (and much more expensive!) And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. The narrow bars allowed us to easily fit smaller 16 kids bikes on the rack (without an adapter bar! After trying to convince everyone she knew about how amazing balance bikes are, she began Two Wheeling Tots. Hitch, Model 522QR , Black. Privacy | Cookies | Terms. All content and images are copyrighted and should not be used or replicated in any way. The toddler on the right is in 3T clothes and weighs 35 lbs. Bryan P. 7/9/2022. ASIN : B00TRTSW46 : Customer Reviews: 4.6 out of 5 stars 17,766 ratings. Having spent years working on a solution, Allen is confident in their design. When you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission. When we assembled the S2 trailer and stroller, it took us about an hour. With a narrower profile (the entire rack is the same width as the support bars), the Deluxe cant distribute the weight of the bike as well as the Premier which is 3.5 wider than the Deluxe. Bikes are placed on the plastic cradles and secured using nylon straps with plastic buckles. Oddly shaped bikes may not fit, and if your car has a spoiler that may be a challenge as well. On the flip side, however, wider bars (found on the Allen Premier as well as other brands) are better at distributing the weight of larger and heavier bikes. Allen Sports makes a variety of affordable bike racks, and the Deluxe 2 is a no-frills trunk mount model with a 2-bike capacity. Unlike the Premier, we were able to load some 16 bikes on the Ultra-Compact but fewer than the Deluxe. As you load bikes onto the Deluxe, the weight of the bikes puts pressure on the cradles and minimizes the play. It has a couple of popular alternatives in the same price range, such as Allen Sports Premier QR545 or Allen Sports Premier QR525 . You can see in the image below how compared to the T2s properly functioning pin, the end of the S2s retaining pin is barely covered by the D-loop. All content and images are copyrighted and should not be used or replicated in any way. The Allen Sports 522RR Deluxe Hitch Mounted Bike Carrier is the ideal choice for taking your bikes on road trips. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()), document.getElementById("ak_js_2").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()). as well as bikes with odd frame designs, BEST FOR: Those with very little storage who need a quality, compact rack. I have owned your product for over a year now and it is a fantastic product is left assembled year round. How many bikes do you want to carry? Allen Sports 3-Bike Hitch Mount Rack. The extra width helps, but still isnt going to make for a comfy ride for kids maxing out the 100 lb. It is also easy to load the bikes on to the rack. Both trailers are really lightweight because theyre basic and have no bells and whistles. 24 views, 4 likes, 0 loves, 2 comments, 0 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Allen Global: Which Allen hitch rack is right for you? Two side straps deliver exceptional lateral stability on your vehicle. It does present a good value for those who use racks infrequently and are not concerned with security or frame damage. Loading bicycles on this competitor is relatively easy, and the loading height is low. Its funny how a small thing like a mesh cup holder can be soooo hard for some trailer companies to figure out! Two attached wire struts must be inserted into pre-drilled holes on the upper support arm, and then the model is ready for use. 1. 3+ day shipping. FTC Disclosure: Affiliate links are included in this review. 4. There is no way to secure this rack to lock this rack to the vehicle. View our Terms of Use. An easy to use, rugged rack to safely transport your bikes. it slides instead and does not turn. It wasnt actually difficult, we just had trouble figuring out what we were supposed to do. Your input is very much appreciated. You do need to unhook the two silver support stays to fold it into its smallest size which we measured at 22.5" L x 13.5 W x 4". However, Allens hammock-style seats are much better than many other hammock seats youll see in budget trailers. Its patented design sets up in seconds and will safely transport your bicycles around town or cross country. bench-style seats found in high-end trailers. Hopefully this video will help you make up your mind. The SEC Canoes Seats found in the Deluxe Option package provide . After using it a few times this is what I like: well built and sturdy, assembles easily and bolts directly to your cars hitch, two hinge areas are easy to use and it holds 4 bikes well. This model has a low loading height and does not require removal of wheels. No tools needed to install rack to the vehicle. If that is what you are looking for, then this mounted bike rack will be a great purchase. Check out the products below to see how the deluxe and premium models compare. Minor assembly required. Racks are then secured on the car by six nylon straps two on top of the trunk, two on the sides, and two (or sometimes one) along the bottom edge of the trunk or the bottom of the car. High-rated Car Bike Racks in a similar price range. - Do Best Products No ads. Despite the lack of versatility, the Allen Deluxe 2 is a good value, so long as the buyer is aware of its shortcomings. For additional fit questions, please Contact Us, Note: Please try a different Allen model. Strat Plus Deluxe had the American Standard trem for about the first year. No sponsored content. The seat bottom is hammock-style which means that the seat is a sheet of thick fabric stretched between the sides of the trailer. If you can find the space, it will likely fit! Locking Hitch Racks. There is a parking brake located in front of each wheel of the S2 Trailer & Stroller, but not on the T2 Trailer. A padded base rests on the top of the trunk while the second base rests either on top of the rear bumper or on the edge of the trunk near the license plate. From a longevity standpoint, the S2 is also a great option for just one child to ride as they grow older. It was more cumbersome to shift her weight around as I adjusted the straps for the first time. We learned in real life that 4 can make a BIG difference when doing something as simple as pulling out of a driveway! The wider bars also provide a wider base for larger bikes to rest on. The T2s hitch was actually easier to insert the pin than that S2s, but they are technically the same so it must have been due to slight imprecision in manufacturing. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. weight capacities and would never comfortably hold that much weight either. While there is a stated 100 lb. Carry up to three bicycles on road trips or camping excursions with the Allen three-bike carrier hitch. So if you plan on purchasing a 4-capacity rack just in case, but really only plan on carrying 2 bikes most of the time, the Premier (which does not have any play between the cradles), would be a better choice. This simple, sturdy bike carrying system fits most sedans, hatchbacks, minivans, and SUVs via a single configuration design that eliminates setup hassles and headaches during installation. You help support OutdoorGearLab's product testing and reviews by purchasing from our retail partners. They made a little bit of noise compared to my high-end trailer, but these arent $900 trailers. radutr Creatista Plus | VertuoPlus DeLuxe | CitiZ&Milk . Allens hammock seat is thickly padded and is sewn into the frame separately from, and above, the bottom of the trailer. No roof rack, no problem with the Allen Sports Trunk Racks. Hands-On Review of the Dexlue 4-Bike Hitch Carrier, Choosing the Right Bike Rack for Your Car, the world's most carefully tested and objective gear reviews. The Allen T2 is also known as the Allen Sports Deluxe Child Bike Trailer while the T2 is also known as the Deluxe Child Bike Trailer & Stroller. receiver hitches; includes 2 keys. The delivery and assembly and workmanship is great. All opinions and images are that of Two Wheeling Tots LLC. The Allen S2 and T2 feature large side windows for maximum viewing enjoyment for your little riders. It is incredibly easy to attach, detach and use. Check Latest Price. Locking? The Deluxe 4 holds bikes on its support arms on small cradles that attach to the top tube of the frame limiting its versatility. No monetary compensation was provided for this review. Hopefully this video will help you make up your mind. The commonality between them is sine wave tremolo and spring reverb. The Allen Deluxe+ QR hitch rack is the perfect way to transport your bicycles on road trips or camping excursions. As you can see in the image below, two toddlers are pretty snug in these trailers. . 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