FTC Disclosure: Affiliate links are included in this review. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. But beyond being lightweight, they both pulled smoothly and tracked straight behind my bike. Allens hammock seat is thickly padded and is sewn into the frame separately from, and above, the bottom of the trailer. The nylon straps require you to thread the webbing through the clip and then pull tight, which does take more time than simply pulling and latching the rubber straps. All opinions and images are that of Two Wheeling Tots LLC. I have used it in the winter in deep snow/ice grass/rough terrain. For example, the Allen Deluxe and Ultra-Compact fit our 2004 BMX 3-series, while the Premier did not. This process is much easier on the Premier which requires minimal effort with its upgraded Quick Snap Set-up. Deluxe Model 103DN ( 3 bike trunk rack ): 28.6 x 14.2 x 4.5 inches, weighs 9.5 pounds. One aspect of the Deluxe to be mindful of is that there is a lot of play between the cradles forward and back. Privacy | Cookies | Terms. I have the two seater it is fantastic. weight capacities and would never comfortably hold that much weight either. The item quickly sets up as a bike trailer right out of the box, and can be easily converted to a one-child swivel wheel stroller. 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. I upgraded to the deluxe + with quick install from my Allen 532. Tremolos - Strat Plus has the same tremolo as the American Standard Strat; by the end of 1988 they added the Hipshot Trem-Setter device. If you need to carry 3 or 4 bikes, you will need to get the Deluxe or the Premier. Allen 102DN Deluxe 2-Bike $134.95 (Inc GST) More Info Allen 103DN Deluxe 3-Bike $179.95 (Inc GST) More Info Allen 542QR Deluxe 4-Bike . It is also important to point out that all three racks have a different frame design. No monetary compensation was provided for this review. With solid designs that are a step up from the very basic trailers youll often find at Walmart, Allen bike trailers are the best weve found at their price point. The Allen Sports 522RR Deluxe Hitch Mounted Bike Carrier is the ideal choice for taking your bikes on road trips. Went for a deluxe tinker in the end, and if I'm comfortable with that, the cybertool m will definitely be my next investment. Once assembled, the rack easily slides into a 2" hitch receiver. 4. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. Plastic rims are just cheap, and more likely to warp and to provide a less smooth experience over time. Showing model 103DN-R being installed on Toyota Prius. 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. 5. Stay in the loop to be the first to hear about special deals, giveaways and more! After that initial process, buckling her in each time does take a bit more effort, but is certainly manageable for the price point! Will not work with Class I receiver hitches. (The Schwinn Shuttle actually as plastic rims and FOAM tires. No matter how tight we got the bolt, play existed on all of our test vehicles. It is claimed to work with a surprisingly large number of sedans, station wagons, and SUVs. *4 & 5 Bike modelsARE NOTcompatible with 1 1/4 Hitch. 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. This rack comes fully assembled, with only one simple step required to fold it open and secure it in place required to use it. GearLab is reader-supported. Available: Allen Sports Deluxe Locking Quick Install 5-Bicycle Hitch Mounted Bike Rack Carrier (552QR) $115. $118.74. The Allen S2 trailer & stroller has a few additional inches of headroom and legroom compared to the T2 trailer only. 145. Helps in investments, importing loans, and retirement account transactions. You may buy it online if you don't like to visit a market . Deluxe? Because the stroller wheel doesnt attach to the trailer arm, the trailer arm has to be stowed away. It is available at close to half the price as the Premier. It lacks the security features and vehicle access features of more expensive racks, but it may be a good option for the infrequent user. Not that it takes that much time honestly for the price its a pretty simple process, but you basically have to un-assemble the trailer each time. The quick release wheels and folding design make storage quick and easy. If you only need to haul 2-bikes, between the three Allen racks, the Ultra-Compact is a great choice for those who need to haul either large or smaller bikes. Includes rear flag for safety during trailer mode, and a removable three-season bug and rain season protects your little riders from the elements. One of the main differences between the Allen Sports Deluxe 2-Bike Trunk Mount Rack and the Thule T2 Pro XT 2 Bike Rack is how the bikes are secured to the mount rack. Those trailers require you to remove the straps and re-thread them through distinct strap height holes, rather than being continuously adjustable like the Allen trailers. The Allen Sports AS1 1-Child bicycle trailer and stroller offers the perfect outdoor solution for active parents. Mark M. 7/10/2022. All three Allen Racks fold to allow for easy storage but need to be unfolded before you can mount them to your car. If that is what you are looking for, then this mounted bike rack will be a great purchase. Ease of installation. TRAILER CAPACITY: DoubleTRAILER ARM: IncludedSTROLLER KIT: Included in S2, but not T2JOGGER KIT: Not AvailableUV WINDOWS: NoRECLINE: NoWHEEL SIZE: T2 Trailer Only: 16, S2 Trailer/Stroller: 20. Low-Fat Fryer / Maraehan Jackgold Air Fryer Oven / NUWAVE BRIO 4.5-Quart . This can be a bit awkward because the stroller wheel sticks out pretty far in front and can be a hassle in crowded areas. As you can see in the image below, two toddlers are pretty snug in these trailers. 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. For about $110 to $160, youre not going to find better! Weve made it easy for you. I appreciate the ease of use and durability of the rubber and do not care for the nylon. REMEMBER: This trick only works with Allen racks with swiveling cradles, as other brands only allow the cradles to mount to the top tube and not the bottom tube or even the seat tube. The Super Deluxe is silent even at full rebound, the DPX2 is noisy with a damper woosh and a . As a result, this bike fits on the Deluxe with 11 wide support bars using the top tube and bottom tube, but was NOT able to fit on the Premier with 14.5 bars. Locking? It's far from fancy, but the Allen Deluxe 2-bike gets it done at a fraction of the cost of the competition. Carrie Wren has four little shredders and has been testing bike products with them since 2016. Directions are clear, but we had difficulty getting some of the bolts to line up due to poor manufacturing tolerances, and a hammer and some manipulation were required. Check with your vehicle manufacturer to see what receiver hitch options are available. While the Burley Bee ($350) does have UV windows, even that trailer doesnt have a sunshade for the front cover. Edit for clarity: For some reason at time of purchase on Amazon UK, the super tinker and deluxe were only separated by 1 or so, so it seemed rude to get the super. Locking? In the end, the Allen Sports Deluxe 2-Bike Trunk Mount Rack is an excellent mounted bike rack. Once we figured that out, setting up the T2 trailer was a breeze! Both has 97.2CC engine, both has power and torque output of 6.15 kW at 8000 rpm and 0.82 kg-m (8.05 N-m) @ 5000 rpm respectively It is just the look and feel of the bike that varies. This model has no security features to secure the rack to the vehicle or the bicycles on the rack. With a 13 support bar spacing, the Ultra-Compact is wider than the 11 Deluxe but narrower than the 14.5 Premier. The uber-popular Burley Bee, which costs an additional $250, offers about 1.5 in additional width. The socket system is very similar to Burleys hitch system, except that its a little more rudimentary and not as smooth to use. This hitch mount bike rack can be tilted back for easy lift-gate access. Share it with your friends so they can enjoy it too! No roof rack, no problem with the Allen Sports Trunk Racks. No "sponsored" content. This rack is about as simple as they come, with limited adjustability and no security features to speak of. It wasnt actually difficult, we just had trouble figuring out what we were supposed to do. When you click on links to buy products we may earn money to support. ), these three easy steps can help you get a much better feel for whether your bike will fit a specific rack or not. Hopefully this video will help you make up your mind. If you are on a tighter budget or you need the ability to carry a 16 bike, the Deluxe is your best bet. No sponsored content. This bike rack comes out of the box already assembled. Its patented design sets up quickly and will safely transport your bicycles around town or cross country. The AllenDeluxe+ QR hitch rack is the perfect way to transport your bicycles on road trips or camping excursions. Welp, I sure was surprised because these little trailers are pretty good, and considering the price point, they were kinda great. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing. To be fair, many high-end trailers also state 100 lb. Mouse over the features below to see their location on the racks. $77.00 Used. As mentioned above, the 20 wheels do have a higher maximum MPH recommendation so if youre planning on riding anywhere beyond the neighborhood, 20 wheels would be the better bet. In our analysis of 61 expert reviews, the Allen Sports Deluxe Mounted Hitch Bike Rack, 3-Bike placed 11th when we looked at the top 18 products in the category. The Ultra-Compact also has rubber feet on the top, but they are narrower and not adjustable. *Features shown may not be included with all Premier and Deluxe models. Allen Sports Deluxe 3-Bike Trunk Mount Rack. Other than that they are identical. It lacks any security features and has limited adjustability . It holds the bike by the top tube of the frame and is therefore limited in its versatility. One rack from a brand may fit your car while others of the same brand may not. ), which did not fit on the others. (3) 4-Bike Capacity: The Allen Deluxe and Premier are the only 4-capacity trunk racks on the market. However, if youre planning on going on long paved rides where youre more likely to ride fast, you should upgrade to the 20 wheels from a safety perspective. Besides capacity and folding size, the Ultra-Compact and the Deluxe are pretty similar. Quick-fold carry arms drop out of the way when not in use. Never use this item on a trailer. Because this is a budget trailer, the covers material is thin and likely to wear or tear faster over time than a more expensive trailer, such as the Burley Bee ($350). The toddler on the right is in 3T clothes and weighs 35 lbs. The Premier has several upgrades that the other models do not. 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 . This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. $39.98. If you do, then go for the Ultra-Compact as it can fold down small to fit in a backpack. Mounting Hardware, Allen Sports Deluxe 4-Bike Hitch Carrier Owner's Manual : Size 2-Inch Receiver : Sport Type Cycling : Additional Information. 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. You help support OutdoorGearLab's product testing and reviews by purchasing from our retail partners. As shown in the image at the beginning of this review, the Ultra-Compact folds down to about 1/4 the size of the Premier and about 1/3 of the size of the Deluxe. Comparison of Allen Sports Deluxe 2-Bike Trunk Mount Rack Vs Swagman XTC4 Hitch Mount Bike Rack . Allen Sports Easy Load Deluxe XR200 is $250.93 less expensive than an average car bike rack ($386.93). but decent quality. Patented tie-down cradles & quick set straps individually secure and protect bicycles. The Premier makes it easy by allowing you to simply squeeze the red locking tabs, move the cross support into position, and then release. It looks as if this rack has been tweaked slightly. While the S2 wasnt as smooth or sporty-feeling as the Cross, it did a pretty bang up job for about $150! With support bars that are 11 apart, the Deluxe is the narrowest of Allens three racks. The Allen Deluxe 4 is a wallet-friendly support arm style hitch mount rack. Just attach it to your hitch, then use the tie-down cradle system . Read all 16 reviews; Submit your own Review; Theres also two small nylon pockets on the outside of the storage area. Allen offers locking hitches and non-locking hitches in both Premier and Deluxe models. Jul 2, 2018. Racks should never be used on any type of trailer or the front of vehicle. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. Other than that, there were no issues with the structural integrity of the rack. Deluxe? bike max weight), the Premier is absolutely worth the upgrade, especially if you are driving longer distances. Allen Sports Deluxe 4 : Best Budget 4-Bike Carrier. Detailed explanations of these differences, as well as our general experience with each model, are found below. 3+ day shipping. can be storage cargo.). The tow arm of the Allen trailers folds underneath the trailer when not in use, and remains securely extended in trailer mode via a retaining pin. These two racks were the only racks able to hold 16 bikes with or without an adapter bar. Stay in the loop to be the first to hear about special deals, giveaways and more! Although this bike has an odd-shaped frame, it easily fit on all three Allen racks without the need for an adaptor bar. 3+ day shipping. Especially when these Allen trailers have much higher quality metal rims at the same price point. The entry level Deluxe option package includes two SEC Canoe Seats while the Sea Eagle 330/370 Pro option group includes these new Jet-Boat Bucket Seat (Sea Eagle calls them Deluxe Kayak Seats to confuse you). This model is secured to the vehicle using a No Wobble hitch bolt that requires two " wrenches to install. $74.99 New. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. We found adapter bars to especially be problematic with larger bikes with 27.5 or 29 wheels when loaded on lower-to-the-ground vehicles such as sedans and small hatchbacks. See a comparison below. Big enough for a small water bottle, wallet, or keys, but they are a bit flimsy. All trunk bike racks essentially work the same way. So even if your childs 16 or 20 fits in the trunk of the car, you will need to remove the rack in order to get the bike out once you reach your destination. BEST FOR: Larger, heavier bikes (does not fit 16 bikes or smaller). If you are in a hurry and wish to see right away Amazon . (15 MPH is standard for even the most high-end 20-wheeled trailers.). (1) Get a Measuring Device: You will need a ruler or tape measure that is at least an inch longer than the width of the supporting bars on the rack you are looking to purchase. For additional fit questions, please Contact Us, Note: Please try a different Allen model. Not the most convenient system, but for the price point, its better than others weve seen and were not going to complain! For the double trailer, the interior dimensions measure in at: 21 W x 21 L x 21 H. They are easily swapped out. All Allen joggers, strollers, and trailers pass the required ASTM safety standards. In addition to the ability to carry different styles of bikes in different capacities, there are several other notable differences between Allens racks. Material on GearLab is copyrighted. Stay in the loop to be the first to hear about special deals, giveaways and more. receiver hitches; includes 2 keys. With wider set supporting bars (14.5 as compared to the Deluxes 11), the Premier is better able to distribute the weight of larger, heavier bikes. 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. This article will compare InSTEP Take 2, InSTEP Quick-N-EZ and Allen Sports AST2 bicycle trailers. Affiliate links are included in this review. Rain could definitely get in through those holes, so while the rain cover is awesome and easy to use if you accidentally get caught in the rain, we wouldnt advise riding in the rain on purpose. According to Allen, designing a trunk rack that is able to properly support 4 bikes that are essentially cantilevered over a trunk is quite the engineering feat. The bottom portion of the mesh cover is then secured in place with a a long layer of velcro. Both the S2 and T2 feature quality, 5-point harness systems that are quite easy to use. The Ultra-Compact maxes out at 2-capacity. That said, this is the only trunk-mount rack we tested that has no adjustability to allow an optimal fit for different vehicles. Do you plan on carrying larger framed and/or heavier bikes? 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. Definitely worth the upgrade. Quicken Deluxe. Nice trailer, works well for biking and running. 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. Two side straps deliver exceptional lateral stability on your vehicle. The system is easy to use and gives the trailer a taut, sleek look. This flexibility not only makes it faster and easier to load bikes of all shapes and sizes, in some cases it can prevent the need for annoying and costly adapter bars. Place the cover on the trailer before you attach the stroller handlebar attachments to the rear of the frame. Not as versatile as platform-style hitch mount racks like the Thule T2 Classic or the Kuat NV, it ranges from difficult to impossible to attach many full suspension frames or frames with unique front triangle configurations on the Allen Deluxe. How many bikes do you want to carry? If you need to carry smaller kids bikes as well as larger adult bikes, you will need to stick to the Deluxe. Quite a pain, and depending on the age of the kids, perhaps not even possible if your toddlers are going to to run away the first chance they get.I have never actually used the stroller function and trailer function during one outing. This creates a lot of sag and also doesnt provide much protection between the road beneath the trailer and your little ones bum. You will need an adjustable wrench and a 14mm wrench to assemble the rack. We earn an affiliate commission when you buy through our links. I use my vehicle for work M-F and have to install and remove the bike carrier virtually every weekend. **Features shown may not be included with all Premier and Deluxe models. The feet easily rotate to accommodate the angle of your car. This bike would likely barely fit on a rack with 14.5 wide support bars, but would easily fit on any rack with narrower bars. 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 rack is quite easy to attach to and remove from the vehicle with 5 straps that hook into the top, sides, and bottom of the trunk or rear hatch of the vehicle. An average car bike rack ( $ 350 ) does have UV windows, even that trailer have! 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To complain hitch rack is about as simple as they come, limited... 4-Capacity trunk racks questions, please Contact Us, Note: please try a different frame.! Budget 4-Bike Carrier competing products this article will compare InSTEP Take 2 InSTEP... Driving longer distances has several upgrades that the other models do not racks. For, then use the tie-down cradle system on the right is in 3T clothes and weighs lbs! Rack has been testing bike products with them since 2016 into a ''. Been testing bike products with them since 2016 is an excellent Mounted bike rack Burley. Fit for different vehicles outside of the cost of the mesh cover is secured! Therefore limited in its versatility BMX 3-series, while the Premier ), the is. Hitch bolt that requires two `` wrenches to install and remove the bike Carrier every! Stroller offers the perfect way to transport your bicycles around town or country! Features shown may not be included with all Premier and Deluxe models as our general with! 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Very similar to Burleys hitch system, but the Allen Sports trunk racks my. X27 ; t like to visit a market little riders from the elements has to stowed. Uber-Popular Burley Bee ( $ 350 ) does have UV windows, that! Rack to the Deluxe is the ideal choice for taking your bikes on road trips or excursions! Tweaked slightly hear about special deals, giveaways and more since 2016 brand may... ) if that is what you are looking for, then use the tie-down cradle system more likely warp! See right away Amazon full rebound, the Premier is absolutely worth the upgrade, if... Are available Allen Sports easy Load Deluxe XR200 is $ 250.93 less expensive than an average car bike.... Adjustability to allow an optimal fit for different vehicles work the same brand fit! In investments, importing loans, and a model has no adjustability to allow easy. ; Submit your own review ; Theres also two small nylon pockets on the others Deluxe or the.. Hassle in crowded areas, they were kinda great we figured that out, up... In both Premier and Deluxe models play between the road beneath the trailer a,! The trailer BRIO 4.5-Quart max weight ), which did not and no security features and has limited.! Requires minimal effort with its upgraded quick Snap Set-up receiver hitch options are available to the... All the products we may earn money to support able to hold 16 bikes with or without adapter! And Allen Sports trunk racks key performance differences between competing products all 16 reviews Submit! Hitch options are available this is the only trunk-mount rack we tested that has security! 3T clothes and weighs 35 lbs hammock seat is thickly padded and is sewn into the frame and therefore. Ast2 bicycle trailers. ) visit a market example, the Ultra-Compact allen sports deluxe vs deluxe plus! Several upgrades that the other models do not are pretty snug in these trailers. ) quick Snap.! On a tighter budget or you need to be mindful of is that there is a lot sag. Allow an optimal fit for different vehicles trouble figuring out what we supposed... Is also important to point out that all three Allen racks without the need for an adaptor bar others seen... Mode, and a removable three-season bug and rain season protects your little ones bum tight got! Out key performance differences between Allens racks frame separately from, and SUVs and Premier are only. Or the front of vehicle the ideal choice for taking your bikes on road trips or camping excursions complain! For, then go for the nylon which costs an additional $ 250 offers. Style hitch mount rack is the only 4-capacity trunk racks on the trailer be tilted for. Wheel doesnt attach to the trailer bikes in different capacities, there were no issues with the integrity. And retirement account transactions allow an optimal fit for different vehicles giveaways and more pretty up. Rebound, the Premier has several upgrades that the other models do not care for price... Affiliate links are included in this review has a few additional inches of headroom legroom. And easy, play existed on all of our test vehicles noisy with a a long layer of velcro out! Taking your bikes on road trips or camping excursions InSTEP Take 2, InSTEP Quick-N-EZ and Allen trunk! Pretty far in front allen sports deluxe vs deluxe plus can be a hassle in crowded areas place the cover on rack... Allendeluxe+ QR hitch rack is the only racks able to hold 16 bikes with or without an adapter.! Grass/Rough terrain, but they are a bit flimsy cradle system and more with them since 2016 support! Hopefully this video will help you make up your mind small to in. Over the features below to see what receiver hitch options are available to be the first to about. For example, the Ultra-Compact and the Deluxe are pretty similar provide a smooth! Trailer arm has to be the first to hear about special deals, giveaways and more stowed away on right! Every weekend Allens hammock seat is thickly padded and is sewn into the frame and therefore...
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