YACT: 2" hitch or 1.25" hitch for bikes?

[Eug]

For a 2004 Prius: 2" hitch or 1.25" hitch for bikes? I can get a bolt-on hitch for it for $149. No welding involved. Perfect for a leased car.

(And no I don't plan on hauling anything around with that car.)

 

[flot]

If there is no cost difference, and you don't mind how it looks - go ahead and get the 2" receiver. There are many more choices out there when you go to plug something into it.

 

[notfred]

Just put a bike rack on the roof. (you're talking about bicycles, not motorcycles, right?)

 

[WinkOsmosis]

You leased a Prius?

 

[Eug]

You leased a Prius?

Yes. I have a 2001 right now, and will get a new 2004 soon.

Just put a bike rack on the roof. (you're talking about bicycles, not motorcycles, right?)

Can't. I don't have a driveway, just a garage.

If there is no cost difference, and you don't mind how it looks - go ahead and get the 2" receiver. There are many more choices out there when you go to plug something into it.

Hadn't thought about looks. How bad does a 2" look? If I can get a good 1.25" that would be fine. Which 1.25" vs. 2" racks to look into?

 

[dartworth]

2" is an overkill.

 

[flot]

To be honest, I don't remember seeing very many 1.25" bike racks... I still say go for the 2.

As for how it looks... ??? I don't think there's much difference, either way you have a tow hitch on the car and either way it is mostly hidden.

You'd think there would be lots of interchangability between the two, but there isn't. I had a 1.25 on my car and a 2" on my jeep and I was always finding things that would fit the 2" - I don't think I ever found anything (other than a standard ball mount) that would fit the 1.25. I'm guessing it just doesn't have the stability of the 2" square when it comes to mounting things to it.

 

[dartworth]

I would look at which rack you are going to buy then pick a hitch.

The rack will determine the size you need or want.

 

[HyTekJosh]

I had a 1.25" bike rack on a Jeep and the thing wobbled like no tomorrow (keep in mind the hitch was 2" and an adapter was used). Replaced the rack with a 2" and the thing is rock solid. No complaints.

Also, keep in mind a 2" was sort of a no brainer for a mount that holds 4 bikes (think about how many bikes you plan to transport).

 

[wedi42]

if you want to haul more than 2 bikes you'll need a 2" hitch

 

[Eug]

Originally posted by: johngute
if you want to haul more than 2 bikes you'll need a 2" hitch

Hmmm.... I was just checking out the Thule website and they make 4-bike 1.25" racks. I won't be carrying more than 3 bikes though, and usually 2.

Yakima doesn't seem to make too many 1.25" racks though.

Remember also that the hitch will be a bolt-on (4-bolts), not welded to the frame. So if I get the 2" it will be purely for compatibility, not strength. I WON'T be hauling anything.

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Why would you need a 2" hitch for more than 2 bikes? Bikes aren't heavy.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: WinkOsmosis
Why would you need a 2" hitch for more than 2 bikes? Bikes aren't heavy.

Stability. The smaller receiver will have less resistance to torquing and there will be a lot of wind hitting those bikes.

ZV

 

[Zenmervolt]

Just realised that you have a 2001 Prius, why the heck do you need a new car already? Wouldn't it be much less expensive in the long run to just keep your current car for the next 10-15 years? I mean, even considering the amount of money you've lost by leasing instead of buying you'd still come out ahead.

ZV

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Just realised that you have a 2001 Prius, why the heck do you need a new car already? Wouldn't it be much less expensive in the long run to just keep your current car for the next 10-15 years? I mean, even considering the amount of money you've lost by leasing instead of buying you'd still come out ahead.

ZV

but the 04 Pruis is a BIG jump compared to the 01 Pruis. Its not like going from a 2001 Accord to a 2004 model...

 

[Eug]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Just realised that you have a 2001 Prius, why the heck do you need a new car already? Wouldn't it be much less expensive in the long run to just keep your current car for the next 10-15 years? I mean, even considering the amount of money you've lost by leasing instead of buying you'd still come out ahead.

ZV

Because I want a new car. 🙂 And yes, the 2004 Prius is a big jump over the 2001 model.

Actually, leasing is cheaper for me than taking out a car loan, because I can write off part of my lease thru work (but for various reasons I can't write off part of a car loan).

And I don't plan on keeping any car for 10 years. In fact, when I got the 2001 Prius, I didn't really have any desire to keep it longer than 4 years.

 

[d33pt]

i have a 1.25" 3 bike rack for sale.. it is made by Bauer. It is lockable and I have the keys. If you are in socal you can have it for $50..

 

[Eug]

Originally posted by: d33pt
i have a 1.25" 3 bike rack for sale.. it is made by Bauer. It is lockable and I have the keys. If you are in socal you can have it for $50..

Thx, but I'm in Toronto. 😛

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: mAdD INDIAN

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Just realised that you have a 2001 Prius, why the heck do you need a new car already? Wouldn't it be much less expensive in the long run to just keep your current car for the next 10-15 years? I mean, even considering the amount of money you've lost by leasing instead of buying you'd still come out ahead.

ZV

but the 04 Pruis is a BIG jump compared to the 01 Pruis. Its not like going from a 2001 Accord to a 2004 model...

I've got a 1976 914. Makes about 95 hp, heater sucks, no A/C, etc, etc. My Lincoln (1995 Mark VIII, 280 HP, power everything) is a huge leap forward. Even gets slightly better mileage. All else being equal (if the 914 wasn't old to the point of being un-reliable as a daily driver) there is not enough of a jump in technology between those two cars to make me replace the 914 if it were my daily driver. If there's twice as much difference between the 2004 Prius and the 2001 Prius as there is between my 1976 914 and my 1995 Lincoln then I can see there being enough of a jump to want to switch, otherwise I can't claim to understand it. I don't condemn it, but I don't get it either.

ZV