$44.83. My daily-use trailer/jogger/stroller is the Thule Cross which costs about $900 more that the Allen S2. Trunk racks (from every brand!) The wider bars also provide a wider base for larger bikes to rest on. 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. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. For larger bikes, the Ultra-Compacts wider bars offered better support than the Deluxe, but not as good as the Premier. During our testing process, we learned several tips and tricks to help safely and securely use trunk-mounted bike racks. If you have some extra wiggle room in your budget, we certainly appreciated the upgrades of the Premier, but they arent necessary. 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. After testing several different brands, we discovered there are a few unique benefits of choosing an Allen trunk rack, even over a more high-end rack. MaxxHaul 50027 : Best Budget 2-Bike Carrier . The item quickly sets up as a bike trailer right out of the box, and can be quickly converted to a swivel wheel stroller. (15 MPH is standard for even the most high-end 20-wheeled trailers.). All content and images are copyrighted and should not be used or replicated in any way. Locking hitch insert fits either 1 1/4" or 2" receiver hitches (2 and 3 bikemodels) or 2" receiver hitches (4 and 5 bike models). In addition to the ability to carry different styles of bikes in different capacities, there are several other notable differences between Allens racks. If it is less than your rack supporting bar width + 1 (to factor in the diameter of the bars), then your bike may not fit. It was easy to set up, perfect size and quality is very impressive considering the price point. The stroller feature is an awesome plus, and it is easy to convert back and forth between trailer and stroller. Got feedback? In our video below, well walk you through the 8 things you need to know about Allen Sports bike trailers before you click that buy button. For the double trailer, the interior dimensions measure in at: 21 W x 21 L x 21 H. If you are on a tighter budget or you need the ability to carry a 16 bike, the Deluxe is your best bet. In the bike trailer world, Allen Sports is known for affordable but quality trailers. Table Notes 1 - 11 Explained: Note 1: Allen Sport Deluxe model id 5x2RR is a generic form that becomes 522RR for the 2-bike rack, 532RR for the 3-bike rack, 542RR for the 4-bike rack, 552RR for the 5-bike rack. Offering a great combination of car compatibility, bike compatibility, and affordability, theres a strong reason these racks are Amazon best-sellers. Allen Sports 522RR Deluxe Hitch Mounted 2-Bike Carrier for 1 1/4" and 2" Receiver Hitches. However, Allens hammock-style seats are much better than many other hammock seats youll see in budget trailers. This article will compare InSTEP Take 2, InSTEP Quick-N-EZ and Allen Sports AST2 bicycle trailers. As a result, we found the Deluxe experienced much less movement between the bikes (forward and back while on the rack), when the bike was loaded to its maximum capacity. $39.98. If so, the wider, stable base of the Premier is your best bet. 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. 4.6 out of 5 stars : Best Sellers Rank Assembly of the trailers isnt very difficult, but the instruction manuals pictures and instructions are confusing. No matter how tight we got the bolt, play existed on all of our test vehicles. as well as bikes with odd frame designs, BEST FOR: Those with very little storage who need a quality, compact rack. (The Schwinn Shuttle actually as plastic rims and FOAM tires. The Deluxe 2 can hold 2 bikes with a max weight limit of 70 lbs. 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. With support bars that are 11 apart, the Deluxe is the narrowest of Allens three racks. Hopefully this video will help you make up your mind. We earn an affiliate commission when you buy through our links. Allen Sports Premium 2 Bike Spare Tire Mounted Bike Rack Reviews. Bryan P. 7/9/2022. This rack is very, very inexpensive when compared to any other rack we've tested, and that low price is reflected in its very basic design. $84.12 New. It is claimed to work with a surprisingly large number of sedans, station wagons, and SUVs. Metal support arms wrapped in soft foam contact the vehicle. One aspect of the Deluxe to be mindful of is that there is a lot of play between the cradles forward and back. The Allen bike trailers also dont offer a sunshade for the front cover. It's far from fancy, but the Allen Deluxe 2-bike gets it done at a fraction of the cost of the competition. Four sets of mounting cradles are attached to the horizontal support arms, but we were hard pressed to find any combination of four bikes that would fit on the rack without serious bike-to-bike contact that would cause damage to the vehicle in motion. However, the pin on the S2 trailer we received was defective. 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! They are NOT the same rack with additional upgrades added to the more expensive models. For reference, even Burleys $350 entry-level Bee trailer has a hammock-style seat. If you consider various factors like usability, outlook, price, durability, quality of materials as well as durability, you may have a look of Allen Sports Deluxe 2-Bike Hitch Mount Rack Review in 2020 - Buy a Smart Hitch Mount Bicycle Carrier for an Easy Haul of Your Bikes. Installed and used yesterdaypiece of cake! This is one very common feature of inexpensive trailers and is pretty unavoidable unless you want to spend a few extra hundred bucks. I did contact Allen about this issue and they affirmed that thousands of these trailers have been sold and theyve never heard of this issue. This rack is about as simple as they come, with limited adjustability and no security features to speak of. They sit on stationary cradles that are parallel to the ground. 4. 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. On some Schwinn and InStep trailers weve tested, the seat is actually attached directly to the bottom of the trailer. After using all three Allen trunk racks back-to-back, as long as we werent loading 16 kids bikes (which dont fit on the Premier), we found the Premier to be the easiest to use. Having just finished reviewing a $900 trailer, I wasnt expecting much out of the Allen bike trailers. 1. Allen Sports Deluxe 3-Bike Trunk Mount Rack. It was easy to pop off, while the rest of the D-loops on the retaining pins are pretty difficult to remove (in a good way). Very good product. 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. PS Plus Deluxe, Extra, and Essential launch June 23 in India. Allen Sports premier locking tray bike rack is available in sizes to handles between one to three bikes. Once we figured that out, setting up the T2 trailer was a breeze! We learned in real life that 4 can make a BIG difference when doing something as simple as pulling out of a driveway! It was more cumbersome to shift her weight around as I adjusted the straps for the first time. For about $110 to $160, youre not going to find better! The toddler on the left is in 2T clothes and weighs 27 lbs. The Allen S2 and T2 feature large side windows for maximum viewing enjoyment for your little riders. Higher-end trailers are typically much easier to fold, but of course are significantly much more expensive. Because the stroller wheel doesnt attach to the trailer arm, the trailer arm has to be stowed away. $139.99. Your input is very much appreciated. The nylon straps and the foam bumpers should stand up to a few years of use, but this rack doesn't feel as durable as many others we've tested. Footguard tube protect passenger's feet, and a padded five-point safety harness comfortably holds your child in place. 5 stars, really great design, ease of use, very high quality for the price. Without a lot of support, hammock-style seats often sag in the middle, making them less comfortable than firmer (and much more expensive!) This very inexpensive model is quite basic compared to the higher end competition, but it can carry 2 bikes and fit on a wide range of sedans, station wagons, and SUVs. There is a lot to consider when buying a bike rack! For example, if I was measuring the following bike to see if it would fit on the Allen Premier with 14.5 wide support bars, then I would need to measure to see if it had at least 15.5 on the top tube. The back of the box has a comprehensive list, and you can check for compatibility on their website too. View our Terms of Use. While there is a stated 100 lb. Went for a deluxe tinker in the end, and if I'm comfortable with that, the cybertool m will definitely be my next investment. We are a reader supported site. The overall construction does not feel as robust as on other trunk racks we tested. It is not ideal for high-end bikes, as scratches and frame damage are likely. Video covers proper placement and hook. Other detailed specifications for these racks are: Deluxe Model 102DN (2 bike trunk rack): 4 x 13 x 23.5 inches, weighs 7.5. Its a bit heavy but not too bad. Check with your vehicle manufacturer to see what receiver hitch options are available. The cradles are the rubber pieces on the rack arms that the bikes frame rests on. The quick install makes that so much easier. For the full ranking, . Finding the optimal attachment points for the nylon straps is an exercise of trial and error. (3) Get Creative: If you dont have room, move one end of the ruler down below the bottom tube. Product details. and the additional 20 lbs. While they aren't as fast or secure as other styles, the straps on the Allen are relatively easy to use. Two side straps deliver exceptional lateral stability on your vehicle. As a comparison, the Deluxe has foam protectors that are less likely to withstand the elements with time. (Also standard for budget trailers.). It offers simplicity and convenience, while also being able to fit onto nearly any vehicle. bench-style seats found in high-end trailers. Well show you the differences between Allens three models and how those differences play out in real life. The second is that it has plenty of give to allow a childs helmet to recess into the back of the seat so their head doesnt get pushed forward by the bulk of the helmet. It is incredibly easy to attach, detach and use. $77.00 Used. The Deluxe 4 holds bikes on its support arms on small cradles that attach to the top tube of the frame limiting its versatility. *4 & 5 Bike modelsARE NOTcompatible with 1 1/4 Hitch. I got the quick EVERYTHING even though it was a little more expensive. 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. 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. From a longevity standpoint, the S2 is also a great option for just one child to ride as they grow older. Two attached wire struts must be inserted into pre-drilled holes on the upper support arm, and then the model is ready for use. Compare the updated Allen 4-Bike rack (left) to the version we tested (right). When you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission. The cradles are not adjustable on the horizontal supports, making spacing bikes difficult. View our Terms of Use. Learn how your comment data is processed. 1. it would be nice if you could strap your child in the middle when using the double trailer instead of on one side especially as the child gets bigger for more room. It is available at close to half the price as . As you can see in the image below, two toddlers are pretty snug in these trailers. Jul 2, 2018. Folding the trailer is certainly possible, but isnt something youll want to do that often. No monetary compensation was provided for this review. It does present a good value for those who use racks infrequently and are not concerned with security or frame damage. It isn't ideal for carrying full-suspension bikes or bikes with funky frame shapes. Plastic rims are just cheap, and more likely to warp and to provide a less smooth experience over time. The Allen S2 trailer & stroller has a few additional inches of headroom and legroom compared to the T2 trailer only. Allen Sports Deluxe 2-Bike Trunk Mount Rack. Mark M. 7/10/2022. 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. The narrow bars allowed us to easily fit smaller 16 kids bikes on the rack (without an adapter bar! It wasnt actually difficult, we just had trouble figuring out what we were supposed to do. 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. by Allen. The seat bottom is hammock-style which means that the seat is a sheet of thick fabric stretched between the sides of the trailer. 100. Got feedback? Enter your cars information below to find out if this product is compatible, Note: This product should only be used on vehicles where it can be properly installed as described in the item's instructions. Unlike the Premier, we were able to load some 16 bikes on the Ultra-Compact but fewer than the Deluxe. Allen Sports 3-Bike Hitch Mount Rack. 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). (4) Great Value: While more expensive racks have some better features, such as rubber cradle straps, support arms that fold-down, or more thickly padded cradles, they dont offer much more functionality. While the seat sags more than a bench seat, it doesnt sag much. The Allen Sports 102DN Deluxe Two Bike Carrier fits sedans, hatchbacks, minivans, and SUVs (make sure to confirm the specific vehicle fit with the manufacturer). The Allen Sports Deluxe 4 bike rack is just that. great at protecting my kid from the elements year round. Allen Sports S-104 Premier 4-Bicycle Trunk-Mounted Bike Rack Carrier - Black (2) Total Ratings 2. $64.99 New. 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. Stay in the loop to be the first to hear about special deals, giveaways and more! 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. Allen offers locking hitches and non-locking hitches in both Premier and Deluxe models. We independently buy, test, and rate all the products we review. Do you have limited space to store the rack when not in use? Only complaint is that its a little narrow making it tight on the shoulder space. While the Burley Bee ($350) does have UV windows, even that trailer doesnt have a sunshade for the front cover. Our tips on everything from mounting to loading can be found on our Best Trunk Bike Racks article. The smaller the triangle, or triangles on some bikes, the less likely the bike will fit. Welp, I sure was surprised because these little trailers are pretty good, and considering the price point, they were kinda great. 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