Allen Trunk Bike Rack Review (Why This Budget Trunk Rack is BETTER than More Expensive Racks!)
We tested and compared all three of Allen’s trunk bike racks offerings – Allen Sports Ultra-Compact, Deluxe, and Premier trunk mounted racks.
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In this review, we’ll walk you through what makes Allen’s trunk racks unique from other brands as well as the differences and similarities between their three different models.
:01 Intro to Allen Trunk Bike Rack
:23 2 quick questions before we start
:26 1) Will an Allen trunk bike rack fit on your car?
:50 2) How does a truck mounted bike rack work?
1:21 Allen trunk racks versus other brands
1:39 5 reasons Allen racks might be better than a more expensive brand
1:46 1) 4-bike capacity
1:55 2) Independently swiveling cradles
2:26 3) Adapter bars and vertical clearance
3:02 4) Great value
3:17 5) Narrow support bars
3:34 Comparing Allen Premier vs. Deluxe vs. Ultra Compact
3:43 1) Quality level
3:58 2) Bike capacity
4:14 3) Base and rack arm width
4:50 4) Strap style
5:09 5) Ease of set up
5:36 6) Car contact points
6:00 Which Allen trunk bike rack is best for you?
6:11 1) How many bikes do you want to carry?
6:22 2) Do you have limited space to store the rack when not in use?
6:31 3) Do you plan to carry small kids bike or bikes with odd frame design?
6:51 4) Do you plan on carrying larger framed and/or heavier bikes?
7:06 The bottom line on Allen trunk bike racks
Allen Trunk Bike Racks Review
Allen Trunk Racks vs Other Brands
There are a few unique benefits of choosing an Allen trunk rack, even over a more high-end rack.
(1) 4-Bike Capacity: The Allen Deluxe and Premier are the only 4-capacity trunk racks on the market. All other brands max out at 3 bikes.
(2) Independently Swiveling Cradles: Allen racks are the only trunk racks (that we know of), that allow the individual cradles to swivel.
(3) Adapter Bars and Vertical Clearance: The flexibility provided by Allen’s swivel cradles greatly reduces, or even prevents, the need for costly and finicky adaptor bars.
(4) Great Value: While more expensive racks have some better features, they don’t offer much more functionality.
(5) Narrow Support Bars: The Allen Deluxe and Ultra-Compact models have narrow-set support bars that allow smaller bikes to fit without adapter bars.
Allen Premier vs. Deluxe vs. Ultra Compact
So what are the primary differences between Allen’s three trunk bike racks?
Quality Level
The Allen Premiere Trunk Bike Rack is Allen’s most expensive trunk rack and boasts the most upgraded features.
The Deluxe and Ultra Compact are less expensive and more basic, and are pretty equivalent with each other.
Bike Capacity
The Premier and Deluxe have 2, 3, and 4 bike options.
The Ultra Compact has 1 bike and 2 bike options.
Base and rack arm width
The Premiere trunk rack has the widest base.
The Deluxe is the most narrow.
The Ultra Compact’s base width is right in the middle.
Strap Style
The Premier has rubber strap tie downs that make securing the bikes in the cradles a very quick process.
The Deluxe and Ultra Compact have nylon straps that work well, but take a bit longer to thread through and tighten.
Ease of Set-Up
All three Allen Racks fold to allow for easy storage but need to be unfolded before you can mount them to your car.
The Premier makes it easy as it snaps into place by simply lifting up on the support arms.
When unfolding the Ultra-Compact also pops into place via spring clips.
The Deluxe has cross supports that take some muscle to snap into the correct position.
Car Contact Points
The Premier features thick rubber vehicle pads to help prevent the trunk and or/bumper of the car from scratches or damage.
The Deluxe has foam protectors that are less likely to withstand the elements with time.
The Ultra-Compact also has rubber feet on the top, but they are narrower and not adjustable.
So Which Allen Trunk Bike Rack is best for you?
Although Allen’s three models share many features, which one is best for you (assuming they all fit your car) really depends on four things:
1. How many bikes do you want to carry?
2. Do you have limited space to store the rack when not in use?
3. Do you plan on carrying kids’ bikes with 20″ or 16″ wheels OR do you have a bike with an odd frame design (aka not the standard triangle tubing)?
4. Do you plan on carrying larger framed and/or heavier bikes?
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OTHER GREAT REVIEWS:
Saris Bones Trunk Rack Review: http://y2u.be/DTp0feImHms
Thule Apex XT 4 Review: http://y2u.be/tRsrO139LaM
Velocirax vs. Altaracks Bike Rack Review: http://y2u.be/Pr46x4nuvBw
#allenbikeracks #allensports #trunkbikerack
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Anyone ever try to fold the rack after it is out of box?
Thank you. I want a roof rack since i now have a cool little coupe lol. But i need to ride right now so a good cheap way is always preferred. Trails are weel within town so i dont fear failure much ..
Ty
What size bike can fit the ultra compact rack? I just bought a adult 26’ Huffy female bike from Walmart. Walmart assembles the bike and I’m afraid the bike is too large to fit into my car. So I bought the only bike rack on the shelf. Now I’m watching videos to put it together.
Thanks for the details. Very helpful
This obstructs the number plate? Cops are gonna have a field day.
Hi can I use this on a mitsubishi lancer with spoiler?
Do you have any bike recommendations for a 10 year old beginner? The proportions of my daughter’s current bike (20") are horrible and make her knee come up to almost her chest even though she’s on her tip toes when standing up.
I intend on getting a spoiler installed on my car later in the year. Will this rack still fit if I have a spoiler?
Hi, thanks for your video! We have a Huyndai Kona and I’m thinking of getting the Deluxe or Premier for our 2 bikes. Do you think that their rack will be okay to drive on highways at 140km/hour speed? That’s my main question.
WOOH! Thanks!
Can i put 1 fat bike 75lbs and a mountain bike ? On a deluxe?
How can you take the ultra compact off the trunk without undoing the straps?
It’s a stable rack, but the 2-bike rack made a massive long dent on the trunk of my 2013 Honda Accord
I have the deluxe. But I alway have issues with the first bike’s pedal potentially hitting my tailgate. What can I do to adjust the rack set up to avoid this?
Super helpful. I was hoping to see you mention the ability to open the trunk with the rack installed.
Helpful video. Thank you.
This review was amazing, thank you so much!
Straight to the point, well-written, informative, fact-driven. Thanks for looking out for us. Great video.
Hi, are those highway legal?
Ease of assembly
I’m new to da’ whole ebike world. This is hands down the best trunk bike reack review on YouTube. Def leaning towards the Allen Premier but wanted to know if it will hold weight of 1 75lb ebike. Thanks and keep up the good work!🔥🔥🔥
If you’re going to put more than 2 bikes on a car you might as well just invest in a truck at that point 😄.
Would the tire touch my car paint
Thank you for this! Im getting into cycling with my 1 yr old and your videos are helping so much. 😊
These racks are garbage. Just wait till you try and take it out of the hitch and it gets stuck with NO WAY to get it out. Customer Service gives you the run around versus solving the problem. Felt compelled to post every where I can about the poor quality of this rack.
How do you secure the bikes to prevent theft?
Don’t buy. Just collapsed on me while driving. Cost me 1500 dollars
What did you do with all the leftover strap hanging
very useful. thanks
Now I know what to buy!
I just bought the 2-bike compact. The old Bell carrier i had had rubber on the hooks. This one does not. Has it damaged anyone’s paint?
Do you find in your experience that the hook of the nylon straps damages the car (or at least scratch the paint)? And would you recommend putting cushioning to prevent that, if so what would work?
Do you recommend removing the rack and putting it in your trunk while you’re out and about cycling? I’m just worried that it will get stolen!
Would this work with an E-Bike maybe?
Just got one for 2 beach cruisers I’m really scared to take it on the freeway but it did do absolutely fine driving through busy traffic in the city. Something about it is absolutely nerve wracking to me. Even went to a bike shop and the guy said it was a great product and we had it on there fine.