Overview:
At Allen, our goal is to design and manufacture the finest bicycle carrying, parking, and storage racks available. Ever since Dick Allen started making rear mounted bicycle carriers in his garage in Lincoln, Massachusetts in 1967, our company has been committed to producing the highest quality, easiest to use racks on the market. Allen Bike Racks are better for three simple reasons:
1. The quality and versatility of our products ensure that Allen will be the last rack that you will ever have to buy.
2. At every price point, Allen offers better quality and value than just about anything else available.
3. All of our products are backed by this no-nonsense lifetime guarantee: “If one of our products fails to function properly due to defect in materials or workmanship over the lifetime of the original purchaser, return the product and we will repair it or replace it free of charge.”
Disclaimer:
As a product reviewer for Commute By Bike, I am providing my unbiased opinion of any products provided to us by any company. I do not posses any type of relationship with the product’s company or parent companies. I am not compensated in any way by companies that send in their goods to be reviewed.
Product Tested:
Allen Racks 144A trunk mount rack that can hold up to 4 bikes or 140lbs.
Similar Products Tested
Hollywood Racks, trunk mount
Specs:
” Fits Sedans, Hatchbacks, Minivans & SUV’s.
” Single configuration design eliminates headaches during set up and installation.
” Patented individual tie-down system secures and protects bicycles.
” 22″ long carry arms easily accommodate up to four bicycles.
” Fully assembled – sets-up and installs in seconds.
First Impressions and Comments:
The rack has enough straps to keep your bikes secure. It also has strong sturdy tiedown straps to keep your bike from flying off while driving down the freeway at 65mph. Place holders for the bike prevent the bikes from smashing into each other. It gives enough space between each bike.
Mounting hooks are very strong, heck they have to be in order for the rack to hold up to 140lbs! The rack was easy to install right out of the box. All I had to do was do a 2 second assembly job and I was good to go. The straps are long enough to fit any car, SUV or hatchback. The rack also keeps the bikes far away enough from hitting your car.
Strengths:
-Great 4 bike capacity
-Easy to mount and remove
-I loved the bike place holders and tie down straps
-Rubberized coating protects bikes and cars
-Straps prevent it from swaying back and forth or up and down
-Heavy duty! It can carry 4 adult mountain bikes. It didn’t have any issues carrying my 35lb+ Giant Warp.
Weaknesses:
-At 4mph you can hear wind noise from the straps
Summary:
The Allen Rack 144A is a very reliable piece of genius. It’s sheer genuis because of the fact that it can carry up to 4 adult sized mountain bikes or up to 140lbs. Though the load that we were able to test was only about 125lbs, the rack never comprimised it’s quality and function.
Priscilla and I took used the rack to transport our bikes to the Mt. Sac Fat Tire Classic and we were on the 57N freeway in S. Cal hitting about 70mph(drive on your own discretion). The rack did a good job of keeping our bikes safe and strapped in.
Would I recommend the Allen Racks 144A 4 bike carrier? Heck Yeah I would! This is probably the best bet when it comes to a trunk mount rack. If you don’t want to spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars on a fancy roof rack, then the Allen Rack 144A is going to be the best thing for the budget and for convenience.
The 144A just makes total sense for those looking to carry enough bikes without breaking the bank. Besides, its alot more affordable than those big bulky roof racks that could throw your back out while your trying to lift your bike over your head, especially if you have a large gas guzzling SUV.
Cost$120.00
For more info, check out Allen Racks.