More Information
 On: 2005-10-17
This product works as advertised but you should ignore the advice in the installation instructions that says "no drilling is necessary." While technically its possible to install this while just creating enough tension in the extension bar to hold it into place, I think you would have to create a ton of pressure to hold it firmly in place -- enough to damage most common ceiling materials, Id estimate.
I learned this the hard way. I installed this in my garage, after carefully backing my car out of the way in case something fell during installation. I got it installed pretty firmly (I thought)without permanently attaching it to the ceiling because I wasnt sure that I wanted to make the locatoin permanent. After checking it again I put my car back in the garage...only to discover a few hours later that the whole rack and both attached bikes had collapsed onto my car, shattering my cars windshield (ouch, not cheap) and denting the fender (estimate to come).
After looking at it again, I dont know what I was thinking, nor why they would state that a permanent installation isnt necssary. If you just look at the way the weight is distributed on this thing once the bikes are on it, theres a pretty big load leaning forwards and unless you have the top plate screwed into the celing I dont know how this would ever hold over the long term. Even if it held for a while, jostling the bikes off and on the rack are going to make it fall at some point or another.
So, if you want this, plan on needing to screw it into the ceiling where its installed.
As for the unit itself, it works as advertised. Its a bit awkward putting together because some of the instructions are unclear, but if you can work on your bike you can install this.
Also, the materials seem to be of decent quality -- nice finishes, good heft to the materials. It doesnt seem cheap or flimsy at all. And it does the job -- in the space of one bike, it gets two bikes store and secured, out of the way.
Just install it the right way...
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