ALLEN Tension Bar Bicycle Cross-Bar Adaptor, Black, One size

Great product; after reading other reviews, I went to the hardware store's plumbing aisle and bought some clear vinyl tubing to cover the metal pin and protect my bike frame from scratching. I also got some duct tape to cover the wire and keep it from scratching. Take a look at my photos; I strongly advise everyone to do so.

Quentin Marshall

| Sep 21, 2021

solid, powerful, and well-designed built. . However, there is no internal bungee, the locking arms swing upward, which is inconvenient, and the nut is exposed, which can catch on bike rack straps. br>Swagman is a term used to describe a person who is confident in his own abilities. The locking arms swing out (rather than up), which makes it easier to attach to your bike, and it does the job well. However, it has a very thin internal bungee that provides very little resistance, so I'm not sure how useful it is. br>Saris is a word that has a lot of different meanings depending on who you ask Because there are no swinging arms on this one, it's probably my favorite. The locking mechanism on the bar slides open and closed, which takes some getting used to, but it's not difficult. It's just as solid and sturdy as the Yakima, and while it doesn't have an internal bungee like the Yakima, it does have an internal "stop" that prevents the tube from being pulled apart. br>br>Now for the Allen. I believe that this bar is the best value of all of the above adapters because it is the cheapest. All you have to do is understand what you're getting. br>br>For starters, it appears to have a large internal metal spring that provides a lot of resistance, making it the only bar I tested that didn't move when attached to the bike, making it extremely stable. br>br>As for the problems mentioned by some reviewers, the metal lock pin on one end of the bar will almost certainly scratch the paint on your bike at some point. If your bike's handlebar post or seat post aren't painted, this won't be an issue. Some people who have painted their bike parts have devised ways to hide the pin (electrical tape, heat shrink wrap, rubber tube, and so on). I used a heavy-duty rubber cable wrap with a split on one side that I cut to size and wrapped around the metal pin to protect the paint on my bike. br>br>According to what I've read, the metal clip that holds the pin in place can loosen and fall off, allowing the pin to fall out and the bike to fall. As far as I can tell, this is not a problem for the vast majority of people. I can see how pulling the clip across the end of the bar to hook in on could loosen it over time, but I believe if you're aware of it, a quick squeeze of the clip will keep it tight. A simple nylon wrap or short bungee cord could also be used to dispel any doubts. br>br>The other thing about this adapter bar is that the locking process (lining up and passing a pin through two holes, then pulling the clip over to the other side to lock the pin) is a little more involved than the others, which simply swing or slide to lock. With the addition of a rubber wrap around the pin and possibly a bungee cord around the locking clip, putting on and taking off this adapter will take a little longer. br>br>Despite these minor flaws, I believe the Allen adapter bar is a great product, and the lower price compensates for the slightly less convenient application.

Joelle Delaney

| Jul 31, 2021

Despite the fact that my bike is quite large, the bar fit it perfectly. And, while I was initially concerned that it would not fit and was considering returning it, I soon discovered that it did fit when fully extended and properly installed on the bike. However, it was clearly stretched to its maximum length, and the point where the inner bar, which is attached to the outer bar with a strong spring, met the outer bar, it was clearly buckling slightly when placed atop the rack. However, I lifted the bike at that joint several times with my hands, and it appeared to be stable. That was the case on the way up. On the other hand, on the way back, things were a little different. Take a look at the images. Despite the fact that the bike was perfectly balanced and the weight on the rack was evenly distributed, the two pieces of the rack broke apart and the bike slipped. Fortunately, I had secured the bike with multiple cables and bungees, but if it had, the product's failure could have resulted in a fatality. To be fair, I can't speak to the product's durability unless it's used to its full potential. However, regardless of the length it is pulled to, it should be able to handle what it was designed for, and to be clear, I did not modify it in any way; I simply had it extended to the maximum length allowed. Because of these factors, I strongly advise anyone reading this to look elsewhere if they require a tension bar for their bike in order to use it on a rack. As I previously stated, I am not exaggerating when I say that this product has the potential to kill someone. AVOID avoiding avoiding avoiding avoiding avoiding avoiding avoiding avoiding avoiding avoiding avoiding avoiding.

Maria Lynch

| Jun 29, 2021

year- I was enjoying my neighborhood bike rides when I decided it was time to take things more seriously and begin riding some of Southwestern Illinois' beautiful trails. I thought I was ready once I had a tow hitch and a bike rack installed. br>br>I installed this bar on the bike yesterday, going very slowly to ensure I did everything correctly. I wasn't happy with how the front piece (handle) looked. My bike's metal was scratched up by the bar part, but I chalked it up to the cost of transportation. After double-checking everything, I hoisted the bike onto the rack and gave it a good yank before heading out. br>br>As I approached my house, I noticed the bike was about to come off the rack in the rear view mirror. The tension bar had failed, so I came to a halt in the middle of the road. It was the handlebar piece that had popped out of the bike, and the front clasp had popped open. In the process of attempting to remove the bike in order to re-mount it, When I was trying to attach the tension bar, my fingers got smushed, which was quite painful. br>br>I checked the clasp for damage and found none, so I reattached the tension bar and triple-checked it again, standing in the middle of the road. I double-checked it for accuracy. br>br>After less than a mile, I came to a halt in a small park and discovered that the clasp had popped off once more. I gave up and went back home at that point. br>br>To put it bluntly, this device is a waste of time. If you apply any pressure to the front clasp, it will simply break. These many positive reviews are puzzling because I would have lost the bike if I had been on the interstate, and it's an $800 Trek. That isn't even taking into account the possibility of causing damage to someone else's vehicle. or worse. This item should be avoided. br>br> It's a waste of time.

Aidan Clarke

| Apr 17, 2021

I haven't put it to use yet. Using 3/8 inch inner diameter tubing and no heat gun, I devised a cushion to protect the surface from scratches. As seen in the illustration. We'll post an update once we've had a chance to try it out.

Amelie Frey

| Aug 12, 2021