When it comes to bike transport, most of us put up with solutions that are… fine. Old blankets, bits of foam pipe lagging, a web of straps, and a quiet prayer that nothing rubs or topples over on the drive. But once you’ve invested serious money (and emotion) into your bikes, “fine” stops being good enough.
That’s exactly where Bikestow comes in.
Who’s the reviewer?
Ian looks after marketing and ecommerce here at Cycle 360, but more importantly, he’s someone who actually lives with the products we sell. He’s been running the Bikestow Original 2 Bike Rack in his Nissan “race” van for almost a year now, using it for everything from after-work rides with the shop team to full-on MTB race weekends.
In Ian’s words, it’s been one of his best purchases – second only to his new Epic 8 MTB.
High praise.
Life before Bikestow
For a long time, Ian’s van setup was pretty typical:
- Bikes leaned against the side of the van
- Strapped together and strapped to the walls
- Old cushions and pipe insulation doing their best
- Too much time spent loading and unloading
And despite all that effort, the bikes could still move around in transit. When it’s your pride and joy on the line, that’s not a great feeling.
Living with the Original 2 Bike Rack
Once fitted, the difference was immediate.
Quick loading, zero stress
Whether it’s a spontaneous post-work ride or an early-morning race start, loading and unloading is now quick and painless. The bikes slot in securely without faffing about with straps, cushions, or improvised padding.
Easy to assemble and fit
The rack itself was straightforward to assemble and install in the van. No complicated instructions, no head-scratching moments – just a solid, well-thought-out design that does exactly what it should.
Practical, not permanent
One of Ian’s favourite features is that the rack folds away neatly. If the van needs to be used for something other than bikes, it’s not a problem. Fold it down, free up space, job done.
Tried, tested, and recommended
Ian didn’t buy blind. He’d already heard plenty of good things about Bikestow racks from colleagues, with versions in use in the Cycle 360 shop van and in Craig’s setup too. Seeing them hold up to real-world use made it an easy decision.
Is the 2 bike version enough?
For Ian, absolutely.
He rarely carries more than two bikes at a time, so the Original 2 Bike Rack is the perfect balance of capacity and space efficiency. It keeps things simple, secure, and uncluttered.
Final verdict
If you’re transporting bikes in a van and still relying on straps, padding, and hope, the Bikestow Original 2 Bike Rack is a genuine upgrade.
It’s:
- Secure
- Fast to use
- Easy to install
- Designed by a British company that clearly understands cyclists
After nearly a year of use, Ian has zero regrets – and that probably tells you everything you need to know.
