After Thule bought Sportworks, the Bob Ratchet became the Sidearm with a potential to add a lock. I am not sure how secure that system is. Based on my observation, only the front wheel is locked into the rack. If someone opens up the quick release on the front wheel, he can probably take the whole bike frame along with the rear wheel off the rack, in 30 sec., since none of it is locked in. In contrast, Yakima Cobra has a security cable which can be looped around the frame. The Bob Ratchet/Sidearm seems to be a great product. Hopefully, they'll correct this problem.
Rating:
Recommendation:
No I would not recommend it to a friend
Submitted by Anti Hugues - 10/5/2005 10:26:02 AM
Pros:
Excellent product
Cons:
Lot's of hardware to attach.
Time Used:
More than 2 years
Comments:
You can read the details from the other reviews, I just wanted to give the product the highest rating to offset the idiot "Hugues" - what a jerk.
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by JR - 8/22/2005 9:41:18 AM
Pros:
Stable, well built. I can use my trunk now!!
Cons:
Mounts more towards center of roof if you want to mount a Thule Fairing.
Time Used:
Less Than A Month
Comments:
Works nicely with Thule base rack. Was a little nervous at first but the stability of this bike rack is very good. Perfect for an Audi A4. If I were doing High speeds for long periods I would get another tire tie down for the front tire. I did have to purchase a cable lock for it. Good Bike rack!!!!
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by Hugues - 3/22/2005 11:01:34 PM
Pros:
no comments, I never tested this rack, but I am sure it works fine...see my comments below, you will understand my feelings...
Cons:
no comments but same comments as above...I have nothing bad to say about this product but about how strange things are sometimes...
Time Used:
Less Than A Month
Comments:
YES ! SURE ! All these people making great comments on SportWorks racks the same days. Sounds very honest to me...If SportWorks was that good,I would not see Thule racks all over the place...
As honest as marketing can be...
Sorry for the bad rating, but it's just to balance things a little bit...
Rating:
Recommendation:
No I would not recommend it to a friend
Submitted by Joe Peterson - 8/30/2004 6:53:28 AM
Pros:
Ease of use. Great for transporting dirty bikes. This rack combined with the rear rack is an excellent combination.
Cons:
Mounting but this the same with any roof rack system.
Time Used:
3 Months
Comments:
Sport works are the only racks to buy. If you don't you will wish you did.
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by Mike - 8/26/2004 9:58:51 PM
Pros:
Super easy to use! No removing wheels, which is especially nice on 20mm front hubs. Great for xc also.
Cons:
None that come to mind
Time Used:
More than 2 years
Comments:
I'll never use another rack!
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by Tony - 8/26/2004 12:12:48 PM
Pros:
Very easy to use. You don,t have to take off the muddy front wheel and put it in your car. That can really suck when your running a 20mm front hub.
Cons:
Be sure to rest the hook against your fork. Just put tape where it touches and the fork and won't get scratched.
Time Used:
6 Months
Comments:
It's strong. I had a bike in it and forgot as I drove under a low 4" thick tree branch. The branch broke but the bike and rack were fine.
My wife also says that it gives her a more sporty persona when it is on her car.
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by Craigor - 8/25/2004 8:40:52 PM
Pros:
Super-easy to use! Great for any style of bike:Dowhill, XC, road etc.
Cons:
The rack does not come with a locking mechanism. You can use a standard cable, but it isn't very convenient.
Time Used:
1 Year
Comments:
This rack is simply, AWESOME! I used to have a Yakima stand up rack, and the Bob Ratchet blows it out of the wather. For one, it doesn't matter what type of design your frame is. You can just toss it up there and go...
Rating:
Recommendation:
No I would not recommend it to a friend
Submitted by Troy - 3/28/2003 5:34:58 PM
Pros:
The best roof rack out there. I don't have to take the tire off AND it doesn't mount to my frame. By mounting to my tire, it doesn't scratch my baby and it holds all my bikes
Cons:
Because it's not fork mounted, it's tough to mount onto the roof of a tall SUV. I solved this by getting a Sportsworks hitch rack for my SUV and put the roof racks on my wife's car.
Time Used:
1 Year
Comments:
These racks are so easy to use that you will wonder why nobody thought of it sooner. All other racks are a waste of money.
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by Gravity Assist - 10/17/2002 2:39:53 PM
Pros:
Super easy to load and unload my bike. It doesn't get any easier than this unless you have your buddy load it for you.
Cons:
A little pricey, but well worth it. It's just that good!
Time Used:
6 Months
Comments:
I sold my old Thule racks (poor sucker) and now have three of these bad boys on my roof. My grandma can load these things! Can you say 10 stars?
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by T - 7/25/2002 4:36:24 PM
Pros:
I can mount my bike without taking the wheel off and without the rack touching the frame. After a muddy ride traditional upright roof racks don't work because they'll scratch up your bike.
Cons:
The pivot point is a bit sticky, but looseining the bolts seemed to work.
Time Used:
3 Months
Comments:
Simply the best rack out there. I have three other racks on my roof, but now I only use the Bob Ratchet and let my friends deal with the fork mount racks.
