Softride Access Element Bike Rack

Reviewed by Bob B (WORCESTER, MA) Reviewed for a 2013 Jeep Wrangler — Apr 13, 2013 5:06 PM

I have this attached to the back of my Jeep Wrangler which has a large spare tire on the back... works great. They are right about the quiet ride. The rack is attached firmly to the hitch(screwed in tightly) otherwise it would be giggling back and forth and noisy on every bump. It would be "easier" with a cotter pin type connector, but this way bette for noise reduction. It only take a minute to screw it in. i just keep the wrench in the car. We don't worry about the bikes this way.

Reviewed by Noel C (Poway, CA) Reviewed for a 2000 Dodge Durango — Mar 10, 2012 9:03 PM

I highly recommended this product. I have used it and mounted 4 bikes and no problem. Very stable and excellent product.

Reviewed by ROBERT F (Chiefland, FL) — Aug 21, 2011 3:24 PM

MY FIRST HITCH TYPE BIKE CARRIER AND I AM VERY PLEASED WITH IT.

Reviewed by Tommy T (Brooklyn, NY) — Mar 30, 2011 8:32 AM

great for the price and quality. easy to assemble but you will need to purchase 2" hitch lock depending on your hitch size for the bike rack. with this bike rack you are able to get access to your SUV trunk without removing the bike hitch.

Reviewed by Jeffrey B. C (Elizabethtown, NC) Reviewed for a 2009 Chevy Traverse — Oct 03, 2010 4:53 AM

This bike rack is a very sturdy and solid rack and is reasonably priced compared to others I looked at. Putting it together was easy as well with simple directions. Two complaints though...1) It is a fairly heavy rack to manipulate on and off the vehicle and 2) I don't like the fact that it bolts onto the trailer hitch-a slide through pin would be easier. I'm 60 years old so getting down on the ground to bolt the rack on and off the vehicle and then carrying it to storage is getting more difficult each year! Other than thes two issues I'm very pleased with the rack and look forward to many years of use!

Reviewed by Wataru I (Providence, RI) Reviewed for a 2005 Toyota Highlander — Jun 26, 2010 4:56 AM

This bike rack is exactly what I was looking for, and the tilting feature is very nice, but lifting can be a little heavy with bikes on, but it does not bother me too much. I also like the fact that the two arms that supporting the bikes can be easily removed and stored inside the car when they are not used. Overall, I am pleased with the purchase.

Reviewed by Ira J (Glenwood Springs, CO) Reviewed for a 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser — Jan 13, 2010 10:44 AM

This is asuperbly engineered piece of equipment, Very easy to assemble. Sturdyly built. Allows easy access to rear of car while protecting bikes. Soft restraints are secure and do not damage carbon fiber tubes. Dr. J.

Reviewed by vincent r (Petoskey, MI) Reviewed for a 2003 Ford Taurus — Jul 22, 2009 9:16 PM

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.

Reviewed by Jason C (Menomonie, WI) Reviewed for a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan — Jul 19, 2009 4:09 PM

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.

Reviewed by Michele L (Duluth, GA) — May 26, 2009 2:02 PM

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.