#!markdown
I also tried this rack on a 2013 Ford Escape, and found about a 25% decrease
in fuel economy. Also had a couple of XC Race bikes with tall seats, adjusting
them regularly would not be much of an option and as such the seats stuck out
significantly.
There was some movement on the highway although the bikes remained steady and
solidly mounted, but off road was pretty loose. The rack had been used for a
couple of months already so it was probably in need of a couple of
adjustments.
The Shimano guys had one at BC Bike Race and it did miles on the back roads
without much issue. Maybe a combination of the Escape receiver hitch flexing
compared to the full size pickups made the rack stay more solid?
This being a first generation model I can see it getting a few tweaks before
it's a good competitor to the North Shore rack.
For the price I'm going to go for a 2+2 system such as the Yakima Holdup or
Thule T2 Tray mounting.
Aug. 21, 2013, 1:44 p.m. - skifreak
#!markdown I also tried this rack on a 2013 Ford Escape, and found about a 25% decrease in fuel economy. Also had a couple of XC Race bikes with tall seats, adjusting them regularly would not be much of an option and as such the seats stuck out significantly. There was some movement on the highway although the bikes remained steady and solidly mounted, but off road was pretty loose. The rack had been used for a couple of months already so it was probably in need of a couple of adjustments. The Shimano guys had one at BC Bike Race and it did miles on the back roads without much issue. Maybe a combination of the Escape receiver hitch flexing compared to the full size pickups made the rack stay more solid? This being a first generation model I can see it getting a few tweaks before it's a good competitor to the North Shore rack. For the price I'm going to go for a 2+2 system such as the Yakima Holdup or Thule T2 Tray mounting.