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Rhino-Rack Hybrid Review Review
November 8, 2017The Good
- Easy to install
- Universal – fits most roof racks
- Easy bike loading
The Bad
- No cushion between mount & crossbar on back plate
- Wheel strap components require extra adjustment
- Difficult arm switch-out
Setup
Setup was fairly simple for the Rhino-Rack Hybrid taking about 15 minutes with a Phillips screwdriver and the included 5 mm hex wrench. It was more involved than the Yakima HighSpeed rack considering the need to add on the wheel tray, wheel tie downs, end caps and arm cover. While other carriers might leave cramped space to tighten screws, the Hybrid left plenty of surrounding space to secure the carrier.
Stability
The stability of the Rhino-Rack Hybrid Bike Carrier is solid once all components are in place and tightened. The already installed wheel chock is sturdy and doesn’t wiggle around once it’s put up. The ratchet arm may need to be loosened just a bit as moving it up and down isn’t extremely smooth and felt like it had to be forced into position, but it also gives the feeling of sturdiness once it’s ratcheted it into place on the front tire. The bike had minimal movement at freeway speeds when secured on the carrier. Driving over rocky terrain didn’t affect stability in any way either.
Ease of Use
Loading a bike onto the Hybrid rack was pretty easy. Just make sure the wheel chock is up before loading. This caught us off guard a few times while testing but will certainly be easy for a regular user to remember. When swinging the ratchet arm over the front tire, keep in mind that the arm needs to rest up against the front fork of the bike and then press the arm hard onto the wheel to secure. The only qualm about the wheel straps are that the strap and latching system are two separate pieces so it requires moving both pieces and aligning on each side in order to get the strap secure in the right place.
Versatility
The Hybrid has the option of switching out the arm to the opposite side if needed. It does take a bit of disassembling and reassembling certain parts in order for it to work properly. The instructions have pictures and clear direction on how to do switch the arm position. The carrier holds bikes from 20 inches to 29 inches. A fat bike adapter is sold separately.
Features
The Rhino-Rack Hybrid is loaded with features designed to ensure that the bike is secure. It has three methods of security in place with the ergonomic handle on the ratchet arm, along with the release trigger and locking system, providing a nice piece of mind. The Hybrid uses premium aluminum in addition to a tough non-corrosive plastic construction to resist inclement weather. It is also MasterKey compatible meaning you can match the keys with your other Rhino-Rack products.
Erica Jessop
- FacultyErica provides news and reviews for Gear Institute, with an Industry Insider's eye on the business of climbing.
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