Gear Review: North Shore NSR-6 Bike Rack

MSRP: $749.99

How it performs: Five stars here!  The rack’s design puts the bikes at the proper angle so that they fit easily and don’t damage one another in transport (unlike the mess that can happen with other hitch-mounted racks).

Why we like it: I am 5’3″ on a tall day, and I love this rack.  I can load and unload it easily by myself, which is not true of rooftop racks.  It can also be tilted away from the vehicle, even when it’s fully loaded.  It’s made in Canada of North American steel, and the quality is top-notch.  We bought it used and have put it through the wringer in the last four or so years that we’ve owned it, and while it has scuffs and scratches it is functionally in great shape, including the foam on the top fork-looking pieces.

What we would change:  We replaced the little cords (that hold the back wheels) with 1 ft. cam straps simply because they’re easier to use.  The rack is HEAVY– It weighs 69 pounds! I can put it on our car by myself if I have to, but I’d much rather have a second set of hands.  Lastly, it only holds mountain bikes, and while we’ve figured out a workaround to put our road bikes on it, the setup is not ideal for your smooth-wheeled ride.

Where to buy: We searched for months before we found one on Craigslist (which we took to be a good sign!).  If your needs are more urgent, purchase directly from North Shore at https://northshoreracks.com/racks/.  Doing so also gives you a 2-year warranty.