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Old 03-27-2023, 04:22 PM   #1
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Default New bike rack: RockyMounts "AfterParty"

I just wanted to mention a relatively new bike rack in case anyone might be in the market.

The model is "AfterParty" and the brand is RockyMounts. The main feature that attracted me to this model was that it has an integrated swing arm. I know there are several great add-on arms, but they add 10" or more of extension that might not be needed.

The bikes are held by the two tires, a technique I think invented by 1Up racks. This seems really secure, and is very quick in operation. Bike heights are staggered a little to minimize handlebar interference. A seriously overkill lock is attached, and is very easy to use.

A few photos are attached. Note that the handlebars are nicely distant from the van, so no chance of a broken window!

Note: You can open the back doors with the bikes attached, but I can't quite open the passenger door far enough to engage the detent that holds it open because the handlebar just barely interferes. I can easily hold the door while I access the storage, or remove the bikes first.









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Old 04-02-2023, 09:26 PM   #2
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looks like a nice rack. thanks for posting. if you would like to have the bikes completely out of the way, perhaps there is a front hitch receiver that could be attached to your vehicle allowing the bikes and rack to be in the front. this has always been my preference and it allows the rear hitch to be used for other things.
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Old 04-02-2023, 09:47 PM   #3
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Looks very similar to the backstage that we have from Rocky Mount. Only difference seems to be the stagger. We also have it mounted on a Ford transit HD 350. Very pleased with the quality of the build, and the ease of how it swings out of the way to open the rear door.
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Old 10-07-2023, 04:05 PM   #4
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Unfortunately both our bikes have full rear fenders so this rack won't work. I'll probably go with a Kuat Pivot combined with a Kuat NV 2.0. It works out to about the same price. Plus the Pivot puts the bike out far enough that the doors will fully open and we can buy it with a driver's side swing since we mostly access the back through the passenger door.
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Old 02-20-2024, 11:24 AM   #5
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Hi Jon, Did you have to use the 8" extension with the afterparty or was there enough clearance for the handlebars? Thanks, Don
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Old 02-20-2024, 10:20 PM   #6
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Hi Jon, Did you have to use the 8" extension with the afterparty or was there enough clearance for the handlebars? Thanks, Don
Greetings from Minnesota! I did not need to use the extension. I have approximately 9-10 inches between the handlebar and the window. Just back from Florida, and the rack worked great. Even after hitting some huge divots in the freeway at 75 MPH! A little bounce but not much. They have a unique wedge design on hitch insert that really stiffens the mount.

Just a couple comments--the rack will probably not work with bikes with fenders. It might work with a back cargo rack if the distance between rack supports is wide enough (it worked with my bike cargo rack).

The nice thing is it only holds the bike by the tires, so no rubbing on the frame.
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Old 02-20-2024, 10:55 PM   #7
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Greetings from Minnesota! I did not need to use the extension. I have approximately 9-10 inches between the handlebar and the window. Just back from Florida, and the rack worked great. Even after hitting some huge divots in the freeway at 75 MPH! A little bounce but not much. They have a unique wedge design on hitch insert that really stiffens the mount.

Just a couple comments--the rack will probably not work with bikes with fenders. It might work with a back cargo rack if the distance between rack supports is wide enough (it worked with my bike cargo rack).

The nice thing is it only holds the bike by the tires, so no rubbing on the frame.

I am a 50+ year serious cyclist so have pretty much seen many of the various mounting methods over the years, some OK, so not so OK I would say.


The wheel clamps on the rim are not new at all and go back to at least the 1970s when I was a very serious rider and occasional racer of road bikes.


Back then, none of the serious riders had much money and what they had they spent on their bikes (unless of course they came from money, but there were only a couple of them around then).


Because of the the lack of funds, small cars with roof racks of various types was the norm, and wheel clamps were part of that group. I was an exception because I bought a beat up Saab 96 (jellybean) that had a hatch and fold down seat so the bikes would fit inside it.



Single clamps at the bottom of each wheel weren't adequate so we started to see multiple clamps, usually two, at each wheel maybe 30* apart. They held much better without much tilting or buffeting, but created their own issues. They were pulling on relatively fragile aluminum rims that had no support, just air, under them and would tend to pull the wheels out of round. Curse of death for a high end road bike.



Designs then migrated to roof racks that clamped the front fork with a quick release clamp like used to hold the wheel in during riding. Front wheels either went on another similar clamped spot or were put inside. It was hugely better and could get by with a single rear wheel clamp at the bottom, but still moved around some.


The best back then gravitated to a front fork clamp and a single vertical tube with a clamp for the seat tube. Making it high enough to be in an area where the seat post engaged made a really solid clamping surface and the bikes held rock solid. The seat post clamp did not scuff up the frame because it was solid enough not to move around.


If I were to make a rack now, I would use the fork clamp for sure and probably the seat tube clamp setup unless the tube was an odd size or shape like many are now. Carbon fiber is easily damaged so you have to careful if you have one of those very pricey frames, they can even be damaged by some bike stands. Mountain and cross frames can be pretty much any shape. A rear wheel single clamp at the bottom would do the trick, particularly with rack on the rear without the full wind on it like on the roof. This type can also be done vertically pretty easily, I think.


I used to take a folding, full size mountain bike that was converted to mostly road components with me on camping trips but I found very few of the places we go to were very bike friendly. It fit easily under the bed in our Roadtrek 190 even though it was a full size frame 26" fully geared bike. To much traffic, particularly campers, narrow roads, few easily accessible bike trails ect. I don't carry it anymore unless we are going to a known bike friendly place like Perrot State Park in Wisconsin which is right next to several major bike trails. I am very hesitant to ride two lane roads without wide paved shoulders these days because of the huge problem of distracted drivers around now. Cyclists are getting hit regularly these days, and I don't really want to be one of them.


For many campers the bikes are more for short trips around the campground or maybe to a nearby town, so don't need to be picky on area as much, but if you like to ride 30+ miles at a time or more safe areas in places you are unfamiliar with can be hard to find.
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Old 02-21-2024, 09:00 AM   #8
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Thanks Jon, I have probably over analyzed all of the different swing away racks/combinations out there and had arrived at the afterparty. I am happy to know it will work for me. Hope you are enjoying your van I just ordered a Coachmen Beyond 22C last week and am looking forward to many adventures.
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Old 02-21-2024, 01:01 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by Dona View Post
Thanks Jon, I have probably over analyzed all of the different swing away racks/combinations out there and had arrived at the afterparty. I am happy to know it will work for me. Hope you are enjoying your van I just ordered a Coachmen Beyond 22C last week and am looking forward to many adventures.
We have liked our Coachmen. As with any new ClassB, you might notice some rattles--I spent some time tracking them down and it's really quiet now. All are easy fixes, with a little foam or a little felt tape.

By the way, the AfterParty comes with a HUGE chain for locking the bikes. While very impressive, I thought it was a bit of an overkill. If you want a slick, inexpensive alternative, try this one from Amazon. The little loops fit the lock receiver perfectly. LINK
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Old 02-21-2024, 06:22 PM   #10
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Great to hear! Thanks for the link.
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