A well-built, feature-rich wheel-mount bike rack for the price of a frame-mount rack? We couldn't believe it either. And one of our favorite features is how quickly and easily it converts into a 2-bike rack. No tools required!
Features:
Specs:
Only need to carry 2 bikes? Cool. Think you'll have trouble lifting a 100-pound rack to install or remove it from your vehicle? You don't have to. Struggle to load 4 bikes on a 4-bike rack? Benton's got you covered there too. It's so easy to convert the 4-bike Shifts&Grins to a 2-bike rack that you won't think twice about removing the front end, it just slides right off. And the best part is, unlike most other racks, you won't need any tools to get the job done.
Most platform racks grip your bikes by either the front wheel or the frame. A wheel-mount rack usually doesn't accommodate bikes with fenders, and a frame mount rack might scratch your valuable carbon bike. Benton took notice and built the Shifts&Grins with hooks that grab your bikes by either the front wheel or the frame. Now you don't have to be concerned about what type of bike you're loading. Just set your bike on the rack, rotate the hook over your front wheel or frame, and push it down until snug.
The rack tilts down with your bikes loaded. So whether you're at the trail, in a parking lot, or pulled over on the side of the road while on a road trip, you won't have to remove your bikes to access your cargo area. It also folds up when you aren't carrying bikes, so you can keep the rack on your vehicle to park in your garage, or remove it and set it in your garage for storage.
The Shifts&Grins is easier to tilt than many standard bike racks. Simply press the front-mounted button with one hand and grab the built-in handle with your other hand to tilt it down and lift it back up. Since the rack is pretty heavy, and it's even heavier with your bikes loaded, the handle gives you more leverage so you won't get hurt handling all that weight.
Sure, other bike racks fold for storage, but the shank sticks out and you have to be careful that you don't trip over it while the rack is leaning against the wall in your garage. Benton built the Shifts&Grins to be more compact than those other racks. Just pull the release knob and fold the shank up against the rack. And in this configuration, the rack will stand upright on its own so it takes up even less space.
Alternate Instructions
Average Customer Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars (7 Customer Reviews)
A well-built, feature-rich wheel-mount bike rack for the price of a frame-mount rack? We couldn't believe it either. And one of our favorite features is how quickly and easily it converts into a 2-bike rack. No tools required!Heavy duty rack! Assembly instructions were good and easy to follow and assembly was pretty straightforward. All the parts seem like high quality and everything fit together. I got all my bikes on it and drove around a bit and I think it will work well for us. I put on a medium 26" bike, a medium 29er, a small 29er and a small 26" all at the same time and everything fit. Rack sits pretty high so I can get out of the driveway with a few inches to spare so that is nice. I used an Allen socket with ratchet wrench to make assembly easier instead of provided Allen wrench and recommend that.
I found placing the bar hook on the bike frame holds the bike steady better than just pushing it down on the wheel if your going to drive much distance I would do that. We will see how it performs but at least out of the box it seems good.
Came well packaged in perfect condition which I was a little worried about with shipping something so heavy across the country, but even though the box was a little beat up every thing inside was fine.
Every year my family picks a place for all of us to road trip for an adventure. This year was mountain biking in Bentonville Arkansas!
I have been biking for 30 years now and because I work at etrailer have used all the racks. For 4 bikes, or as a 2 bike this one is the one. Let’s be real, getting a family of 5 and extended family of 23 on a road trip is a shift show. The loading, unloading, pee breaks getting in and out is work.
This rack made a difference. The 2 bike extension attachment is far and away the easiest and simplest I have used. I was so surprised how easy it was I had my son try, and stopped a neighbor to try. Same result it took them about 20 seconds to get from 2 to 4 bike attachment.
Loading the bikes was easy not too much interference between seats and handlebars. Had to slide one set of cradles. Pretty easy stuff.
Then the tilting, fully loaded. The button and handle was easy. I’m not a spring chicken and didn’t have any trouble getting it tilted and back up.
For storage. It’s so easy to remove the extension I got to carry it in 2 pieces. So light enough to handle it. Normally carrying a 4 bike rack, that is 100+ pounds and an awkward shape to the garage is very challenging. 2 pieces of this rack was easy.
And it folds flat, game changer for the garage. Finally my rack doesn’t have to stick out for the whole family to trip over.
I am an etrailer employee that tested out the rack. This is a solid rack for the price. I did have a small issue with the hitch aligner working with my OEM ford explorer hitch but I was able to loosen the screws and move the hitch aligner to make it work.
Excellent design and quite strong. Should last years.
Received yesterday, pretty simple to assemble. Like how compact it folds up for storage, like the flexibility to place the arms on the wheel or frame to secure the bike. It is heavy, but I was able to lift and attach it by myself. I was initially excited that it cleared my 2015 Jeep Wrangler JK's stock spare tire when folded up. But, my bike's pedal hits the spare tire (XL-sized MTB with 29" tires) so I had to use my hitch extension (already owned). No horizontal sway, but has some vertical sway at the hitch (with and without the extender) - but test drove it (bumps and hard braking) with no issues - but this is just my day 1 test. Thanks etrailer for all of the detailed videos on your bike racks - really helped me with the decision!
Everything about this product feels rock solid. So far, my assessment is that this is great value for price!
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