Hitch mounted bike racks can be a pain. They’re heavy, awkward to move, and usually require tools to install and remove the rack from your vehicle. But they’re also one of the easiest and most secure ways to transport your bike without having to risk damaging your vehicle with a bunch of hooks and straps. That’s where Dovetail comes in. Their new rack is super light, and incredibly simple to install.
Named after the dovetail joint, the Dovetail rack consists of two pieces – the receiver which can be permanently mounted in your trailer hitch, and the rack itself. The two pieces are connected with a Dovetail joint which is tapered so that the pieces actually ‘lock’ together when installed. That taper fit means that the rack shouldn’t come apart when driving on bumpy roads.
But it also means that a pry bar is needed to get the rack apart to remove it. Each rack includes a pry bar with a handle, which quickly pops the two pieces apart. Then you can easily carry the rack into your garage, shed, apartment, or anywhere else since it’s so light. The receiver can stay in your trailer hitch as long as you don’t need it for towing, and makes re-installing the rack a snap.
As an added bonus and increased security, the hole for prying the two pieces apart doubles as a potential locking point.
To be available in single and double bike racks, there are two tray versions – one for up to 2.6″ MTB tires, and the other for up to 2″ MTB tires.
And what about the weight? A single bike rack is as light as 7 lbs!! Step up to the double bike rack for road to 2″ tires and it’s 12lbs, and 14lbs for the 2.6″ tire version. That means the racks are lighter than most bikes.
The front tire is held in place by a simple velcro strap that wraps around the tray and the tire.
While the rear is suspended thanks to the crank being captured in the support stand. Up top there is a plastic bumper to protect the crank/BB/frame, and the pedal channel is also lined to prevent scratching your crank or pedal. A clamp threads in from the back securing the crank inside the support for additional security.
Dovetail racks are made in Morgan Hill, CA, and will sell for $265 for a single or $325 for a double. Note that the website listed below isn’t active yet, but it may be soon. In the mean time, you could try emailing mario@dovetailferst.com.
dovetailferst.com
