Swagman, a BC based company, has been producing some very well thought out outdoor products for the past 24 years. The doors first opened in 1987, and among notable milestones, these guys introduced North America's first hitch style mounted bike rack back in 1991. They've quietly been killing it since. Swagman places an emphasis on simple yet utilitarian design, something that was quite evident as we put their flagship bike rack and roof box through their paces this summer.
The G2 is Swagman’s latest hitch mounted platform rack. Compact and super adjustable, the G2 assembles easily and fits both 1 1/4 inch and 2 inch hitch receivers. Suggested retail is $320 CDN.Stand Out Features for the G2 Rack:
• Ratcheting arms for easy bike loading and unloading
• Will carry nearly every bike frame style and size
• Accepts a range from 20" to 29" wheels
• Centre arm folds flat to allow rear of vehicle access
• Locking hitch pin with beefy 7 foot security cable
• Ratcheting wheels straps and independently adjustable wheel trays
• Folds up when not in use
The Pro 1800 roof box has a massive 18 cubic feet of storage and mounts in minutes. Suggested retail is $599.Stand Out Features for the Pro 1800 Roof Box:
• New 'Master Fit' system mounts in minutes
• Dual side opening for easy access from both sides of the vehicle
• Single key locks from both sides of the vehicle
• Carrying capacity of 480 litres (18 cubic feet)
• Matte charcoal grey and tasteful stylingPinkbike's Take: | Just under $1000 bucks nets you an extra 18 cubic feet of removable storage for your vehicle, and a solid 2 bike platform rack. If you don't have a hitch receiver installed, you're looking at another $200. The G2 rack and roof box set up is the ticket if you're not willing to drive a massive vehicle, yet you enjoy a few road trips every year that involve toting a ton of crap - think camping and multi-day epics. Both the rack and the roof box install/remove in minutes - a huge plus in our books. The only downside is you need somewhere to store them when not in use. The Swagman stuff is built to last, and wears well requiring just a spray down to remove most debris. The release levers on the G2 rack can occasionally be tight and/or slow to engage if they're caked with mud or you haven't lubed them in a month - a maintenance issue more than a design flaw. Another small gripe would be how finicky the roof box locking system can be. If you pack the Pro 1800 chock full, make sure you pack it right. Anything that even remotely interferes with the interior rails of the lock mechanism makes it difficult to close. In all, a sweet set-up that looks good, comes from a local company with a great support and service network, and will pay for itself in the first year of use. - Julian Coffey |
For more info check out the Swagman website. Hit them up on Facebook here.Big thanks to Andrew Drouin from sweetsingletrack.ca, he has a very nice (read the dopest) GPS mapping setup for local trails. Look for a major new Okanagan trail announcement in September from that guy.*Check out
this article on roof racks/boxes vs fuel consumption.
I said screw it and will never buy a swagman again...STAY WITH SPORTRACK OR THULE OR EVEN BETTER TUFF-RACK!!!!!!
Buy a North shore rack. NO moving parts or knobs or plastic shit to wear out. Cheaper than a tough rack and doesn't mar the shit out of your top tube.
A.
As for the box, The Swagman is great for the price, But Yakima offers the Skybox 16 at about $625CAN and I can say from personal experience that you can literally skate and ride your bike on it without it even cracking.
Swagman G2 $320.00 - carries 2 bikes (road, track, tt, cross, mountain race, trail, freeride, DH, 4cross, commuter, cruiser, fixed, bmx......), aluminum wheel trays with ratchet straps fitting both road and mountain wheels, soft rubber hooks for stabilizing bike in the wheel trays. Comes with a cable and locking hitch pin so both rack and bikes are locked to the car. Fits both 1x1/4 and 2 inch receivers. The rack is light weight and folds up tight into the car, and I can open the hatch with the bikes on. Also doesn't bottom out on the BC ferry's driving on. I'd say a pretty decent rack.