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Posted on 07/22/2009 by Vincent R. - 2003 Ford Taurus (Petoskey,MI)
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful.
"So far, I really like this rack. I have it on a Ford Taurus wagon. One thing that seems different from the picture, is that the pin is actually just a bolt that requires a wrench to screw it on. The picture seems to show something else. If you don't want to deal with keeping a wrench in your glove compartment, then you may be able to use a regular pin (although I guess you'd lose the quiet-ride technology, or whatever they call that bolt--it's just a bolt). The pin on my hitch is too fat for the threaded hole, but I imagine you could fine one slightly thinner. The lowering mechanism works great, and gives a lot of clearance. The rack is stable and feels very well built. Looking around at other racks since I bought this, I'm glad I chose this one. I'm really surprised that other racks require you to remove the bikes to swing the rack out of the way. It's a simple engineering design. Great rack."
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About Vincent R.
Vehicle
2003 Ford Taurus
Posted on 07/19/2009 by Jason C. - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan (Menomonie,WI)
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful.
"This seems to be a great rack. Used on a 300 mile round trip this weekend. I was a little leery on the rubber straps holding the full trip. So I used a couple of staps also. Figure better safe than sorry since bikes don't just grow on trees. Seems to be sturdy even on the bumps. Had a little issue with how I was going to mount my 6yr olds bike on. Ended up just using one side of the mount. It is great how it folds down and can still open the back of the van to get things out. Would I buy another one. Sure would."
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About Jason C.
Vehicle
2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
I use my vehicle for
commuting, Family Activities
Don't buy the locking hitch pin they advertise with it.
Posted on 05/26/2009 by Michele L. (Duluth,GA)
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful.
"The rack is great. Easy to use. However, the hitch lock that AutoAnything advertises with it does not work with the hitch. Soft ride has asked AutoAnything to stop advertising it with their product. Now I am suppose to pay for return shipping of an item that does not work as advertised.
Soft ride makes their own lock that fits the rack."
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About Michele L.
I use my vehicle for
travel
Softride Element Bike Rack Rating
Posted on 05/06/2009 by Edward C. - 2003 Chevy Trailblazer (Canton,CT)
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful.
"This is the first bike rack I have purchased. The Softride is excellent for my need. I love the feature where I can pull the rack and open my trunk for my dog and get something. This feature is easy and a must have. I recommend it to eveyone."
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About Edward C.
Vehicle
2003 Chevy Trailblazer
I use my vehicle for
Everything
Posted on 04/30/2009 by Jermy H. - 2007 Chevy Suburban (Ovid,NY)
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful.
"I really like this rack. Bikes are very secure even on bumpy roads or highway speeds.
The way the rack tilts back is great. I can open the glass with bikes on the rack and with it up and the full hatch open with it tilted down. The only thing to remember is to loosen the Velcro strap holding the first bike to the rack before tipping the rack down.
It also holds my wife's ladies bike fine without any additional parts."
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About Jermy H.
Vehicle
2007 Chevy Suburban
Posted on 12/17/2008 by John N. - 1997 Toyota 4-Runner (Baton Rouge,LA)
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful.
"My wife and I ride almost every weekend and use the bike rack constantly. Drove 750 miles to St Petersburg FL with 4 bikes in tow. No problems, the bike rack is very sturdy.
John N."
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About John N.
Vehicle
1997 Toyota 4-Runner
I use my vehicle for
Family
Softride Access Element should be renamed
Posted on 09/22/2008 by Douglas M. - 2008 GMC Acadia (Richmond,VA)
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful.
"This rack should be called the Softride Easy Access Rack. I carried four bikes 300 miles with no problems and could easily drop down bikes to get to rear space and just push rack back in place. For someone who has lower back surgery, this was a real "back saver.""
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About Douglas M.
Vehicle
2008 GMC Acadia
I use my vehicle for
everything
Posted on 08/19/2008 by Wendell T. (Ann Arbor,MI)
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful.
"This is a well designed product. It's sturdy and securely holds 4 bikes with very little sway. I quickly developed confidence in it even while driving over rough terrain and around corners. The few complaints that I would have are:
1. The rubber pads started to show permanent damage after one trip. They're molded plastic with a molded rubber-like material in contact with the bike frames, but obviously not a true vulcanized rubber.
2. The anti-rattle hitch bolt works well, but it doesn't come with the advertised locking device.
3. The vertical beam just misses the bumper on my Dodge Magnum by less than 1mm. Maybe the hitch receiver is partly to blame, but I'd appreciate more clearance."
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