- Joined
- Jun 3, 2019
- Threads
- 18
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- 871
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- Location
- Plymouth Michigan
- Website
- www.brokeninnovation.com
- Vehicle(s)
- 2021 Bronco Badlands non-sas 4 door manual
- Your Bronco Model
- Badlands
- Thread starter
- #1
Attention:
I took delivery of my 4 door Badlands last week! I had actually purchased the Rockymounts bike rack before I had my Bronco, but had an opportunity to test fit it on another Bronco in order to determine the minimum length hitch extension I would need to clear the spare.
Bottom Line: I like it. As far as I know it's the best option, certainly the best value, on the market currently that will allow full access to the rear storage without removal of the bikes and/or rack. Even at ~$795 it is either cheaper or on parity with other standard bike racks coupled with a ~$350 swing out adapter (Saris makes both). I prefer the integrated design but if you plan to have other hitch mounted accessories where a swing out adapter would be handy then perhaps that would make more sense.
What's needed?: You will need a hitch extension to clear the spare. After a test fit I determined I could get away with only a 5 or 6 inch extension. Unfortunately because of the necessary overlap, hitch extensions can only be made so short. 7" is the shortest I can find commonly, though I saw a very expensive 6.5" option (solid steel). The shorter the better (to reduce the force multiplier of the extension) but I opted for the much more economical 7" option.
What's optional?: I opted to buy an anti rattle hitch shim device for the hitch extension. The Rockymounts bike rack has that feature integrated which is awesome but it will go to waste if you do not get one for the hitch extension as well. Rockymounts offers an extension with their same anti rattle feature but it is 12" and fairly expensive. I say go the shorter/cheaper route.
I have only taken this rack out for one drive with bikes loaded. I will need to take it on many more, particularly off-road to fully vouch for everything. So far there is no rattle, the swaying and bouncing is not excessive in my opinion. The Rack is designed in such a way that the cantilevered section does not bear load while in retracted position (driving). This is critical in my mind for ensuring longevity of the cantilevered mechanism and keeping the bouncing in check. Time will tell how well it holds up to static load when unfolded as designed.
Loading/unloading the bikes is simple. There is only one ratchet strap per bike, for each rear tire. For the front tire there is a back stop and a long ratcheting arm that pulls down on the tire/fork.
Ground clearance is maintained. Obviously the departure angle is reduced. There are high clearance bike racks that may retain the full Bronco spec. But in my opinion that is not worth the hassle of loading, or the compromised cargo access. I don't plan to do hardcore wheeling with the bikes on, but will certainly take it done mild/moderate trails. Additionally, with the bikes removed you can easily flip up the rack to gain some departure angle back.
You may be curios about the mountain bikes. Spoiler alert, the model name (of which I am a huge fan) was the inspiration for my username. Pretty cool custom project to convert my old 26ers to modern slack 27.5/29er shredders. (PSA Mongoose used to make sweet bikes, not the kind you find at Walmart)
Photo dump below:
Note: Plenty of clearance between the spare and roofline. They just don't have shorter adapters than this.
Note: Wow, look at that flex! I admit this does not look pretty, I think it will hold up though, just don't drive like this! Keep in mind there is also a hitch extension which introduced a bit more slop to the system.
Note: The gate is sitting at it's 90° rest position but you can open it past 90° before the tire hits the bike pedal.
Note: There is a pivot both for the cantilevered arm, and the bike rack on the arm, so the bikes can swivel independently from the cantilevered arm.
I took delivery of my 4 door Badlands last week! I had actually purchased the Rockymounts bike rack before I had my Bronco, but had an opportunity to test fit it on another Bronco in order to determine the minimum length hitch extension I would need to clear the spare.
Bottom Line: I like it. As far as I know it's the best option, certainly the best value, on the market currently that will allow full access to the rear storage without removal of the bikes and/or rack. Even at ~$795 it is either cheaper or on parity with other standard bike racks coupled with a ~$350 swing out adapter (Saris makes both). I prefer the integrated design but if you plan to have other hitch mounted accessories where a swing out adapter would be handy then perhaps that would make more sense.
What's needed?: You will need a hitch extension to clear the spare. After a test fit I determined I could get away with only a 5 or 6 inch extension. Unfortunately because of the necessary overlap, hitch extensions can only be made so short. 7" is the shortest I can find commonly, though I saw a very expensive 6.5" option (solid steel). The shorter the better (to reduce the force multiplier of the extension) but I opted for the much more economical 7" option.
What's optional?: I opted to buy an anti rattle hitch shim device for the hitch extension. The Rockymounts bike rack has that feature integrated which is awesome but it will go to waste if you do not get one for the hitch extension as well. Rockymounts offers an extension with their same anti rattle feature but it is 12" and fairly expensive. I say go the shorter/cheaper route.
I have only taken this rack out for one drive with bikes loaded. I will need to take it on many more, particularly off-road to fully vouch for everything. So far there is no rattle, the swaying and bouncing is not excessive in my opinion. The Rack is designed in such a way that the cantilevered section does not bear load while in retracted position (driving). This is critical in my mind for ensuring longevity of the cantilevered mechanism and keeping the bouncing in check. Time will tell how well it holds up to static load when unfolded as designed.
Loading/unloading the bikes is simple. There is only one ratchet strap per bike, for each rear tire. For the front tire there is a back stop and a long ratcheting arm that pulls down on the tire/fork.
Ground clearance is maintained. Obviously the departure angle is reduced. There are high clearance bike racks that may retain the full Bronco spec. But in my opinion that is not worth the hassle of loading, or the compromised cargo access. I don't plan to do hardcore wheeling with the bikes on, but will certainly take it done mild/moderate trails. Additionally, with the bikes removed you can easily flip up the rack to gain some departure angle back.
You may be curios about the mountain bikes. Spoiler alert, the model name (of which I am a huge fan) was the inspiration for my username. Pretty cool custom project to convert my old 26ers to modern slack 27.5/29er shredders. (PSA Mongoose used to make sweet bikes, not the kind you find at Walmart)
Photo dump below:
Note: Plenty of clearance between the spare and roofline. They just don't have shorter adapters than this.
Note: Wow, look at that flex! I admit this does not look pretty, I think it will hold up though, just don't drive like this! Keep in mind there is also a hitch extension which introduced a bit more slop to the system.
Note: The gate is sitting at it's 90° rest position but you can open it past 90° before the tire hits the bike pedal.
Note: There is a pivot both for the cantilevered arm, and the bike rack on the arm, so the bikes can swivel independently from the cantilevered arm.
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