Review on Swagman XTC2 Hitch Bike Rack by Keith Morris

This article has been tested several times and most of the content is correct. 1.) It is well made and sold at a reasonable price, especially when compared to bike brands. I've tested all other similarly priced racks and this one has the best combination of features: straps to hold bike wheels, anti-roll pin, vertical ratcheting arms. As others have pointed out, raised wheel arches improve ground clearance. However, there are a few reviews that I think are wrong. Some have complained of excessive wobble, and I'm pretty sure the included allen head screws and lock washers aren't fully tightened. You cannot tighten them tightly with the included hex wrench. It's too short to really tighten. I have found that tightening firmly (with a tube or whatever to get more leverage) and using the anti-vibration pin that came with the post works very well. The second complaint is that the rail does not have a locking mechanism. I have used bike racks for 35 years and have never had one with a locking mechanism. These items are designed to CARRY bikes, not to prevent them from being stolen. Solution? Get a cable lock and attach the bike frames to the hitch. If you are a motorcyclist, you probably already have a padlock. If not, you can pick one up for around $13. Overall I am very happy I have this shelf and am very happy with the price.