Allen Sports 103DB - User Manual

MODEL 103DB INSTRUCTIONS
ENGLISH - PAGE 1
WARNING: Bikes or rack falling in road can cause serious accidents resulting in bodily injury—do not use rack on any
vehicle on which it can not be properly mounted as described in this instruction sheet.
• Top hooks must be completely hooked over solid metal edges at top/ front of trunk lid or rear door—never hook to
rain gutters, roof racks, vertical glass, rubber or plastic moldings.
• Mount rack only with bottom feet on a rigid surface of car (never on glass), and with bottom foot assembly completely
extended. Never use rack on trailers or on the front of vehicles.
• Never carry more than 3 bicycles (MAX CAPACITY: 100 LB) - no tandems, mopeds, or recumbents. Car tail lights
must remain visible. Bikes must be securely tied to rack. Use bike tie-downs, or additional straps if necessary.
• Drive conservatively, especially over bumps. Never use off-road.
• Do not use if any part of the rack is damaged, worn, or missing. Contact R. A. Allen Co., Inc. for replacement parts.
CAUTION: Use Allen 103DB only in accordance with local motor
vehicle and traffic regulations.
• To avoid damage to rear door or trunk, do not open trunk or
rear door when hooks or rack are in place.
• Install rack and load bicycles only at a safe distance away
from moving traffic.
• Only rubber feet and hooks of rack should come into contact with vehicle.
• Make sure that all of rack and bicycles are kept at a safe distance
from road and hot exhaust.
• Remove rack from car when not in use
SETTING UP RACK:
FOLD OUT TOP FOOT/
CARRYARM ASSEMBLY.
1.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
2.
3.
INSERT PINS AT
ENDS OF WIRE
STRUTS INTO
HOLES IN TOP
FOOT ASSEMBLY
COMPLETELY FOLD
OUT BOTTOM FOOT
ASSEMBLY.
A.
TO SAFELY INSERT SET UP PINS:
A.2
BEFORE INSTALLING RACK:
B.
INSTALLING RACK ON VEHICLE:
TOP HOOKS MUST BE COMPLETELY HOOKED OVER METAL EDGES AT TOP
OF TRUNK, REAR DOOR, OR HATCHBACK. NEVER HOOK TO RAIN GUTTERS,
ROOF RACKS, VERTICAL GLASS OR PLASTIC MOLDINGS. OPEN TRUNK/
HATCH SLIGHTLY FOR EASIEST ATTACHMENT OF HOOKS. BE CAREFUL
THAT HOOKS DO NOT BIND WHEN TRUNK/ HATCH IS OPENED. BINDING
HOOKS WILL DAMAGE VEHICLE.
SECURING TOP HOOKS ON VEHICLES WITHOUT ADEQUATE CLEARANCE
AT THE TOP EDGE OF REAR TRUNK/ HATCH: UNTHREAD TOP STRAPS
FROM METAL BUCKLES AND OPEN REAR TRUNK/ HATCH. PLACE TOP
HOOKS INSIDE OF VEHICLE (JUST INSIDE OF TOP EDGE OF REAR TRUNK/
HATCH). CARFEULLY CLOSE REAR TRUNK/ HATCH ON TOP STRAPS,
MAKING CERTAIN HOOKS DO NOT BIND BETWEEN FRAME AND REAR
DOOR. IMPORTANT: WITH REAR DOOR CLOSED, PULL TOP STRAPS TO
BRING HOOKS TIGHT AGAINST INSIDE OF VEHICLE. RE-THREAD TOP
STRAPS AS SHOWN IN SECTION B. MOUNT RACK TO VEHICLE.
SET LENGTH OF TOP STRAPS TO POSITION RACK WITH ITS CARRY
ARMS INCLINED SLIGHTLY UPWARDS, AND HIGH ENOUGH TO KEEP
BIKES AWAY FROM ROAD AND EXHAUST.
ONCE THE LENGTH OF THE TOP STRAPS ARE SET, THE BOTTOM FOOT
ASSEMBLY SHOULD BE HELD AGAINST THE VEHICLE IN ITS COMPLETELY
OPEN POSITION. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE BOTTOM GRAY RUBBER
PADS ARE INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE IN A LOCATION WHERE THERE IS
PROPER SUPPORT. THE BOTTOM FEET SHOULD NEVER BE INSTALLED
ON GLASS.
MAKE SURE THAT THE BOTTOM STRAPS ARE PROPERLY THREADED
THROUGH PLASTIC BUCKLES.
COMPLETELY HOOK BOTTOM HOOKS TO A METAL EDGE BELOW BUMPER,
OR AT THE BOTTOM OF THE TRUNK/ REAR DOOR. IF THERE IS NO METAL
EDGE BELOW BUMPER, SEE ALTERNATE METHOD FOR BOTTOM HOOK
ATTACHMENT ON THE NEXT PAGE.
COMPLETELY TIGHTEN BOTTOM STRAPS BY PULLING ON FREE END OF
STRAPS UNTIL ELASTIC PORTION OF STRAPS ARE COMPLETELY STRETCHED.
C.
1. UNFOLD RACK AND LAY IT ON
ITS SIDE WITH CARRY ARMS
PERPENDICULAR TO
MIDDLE SECTION
2. PULL UP ON SET UP PIN TO
INSTALL INTO HOLE ON CARRY
ARM (NOTE: USE CAUTION NOT
TO PINCH YOUR FINGERS)
3. FLIP RACK OVER AND REPEAT
ON OTHER SIDE.
1. MAKE SURE THAT CONTACT SURFACES BETWEEN CAR AND
RUBBER FEET ARE THOROUGHLY CLEAN AND FREE OF DIRT,
AND THAT ALL RUBBER FEET ARE PROPERLY SPACED.
2. MAKE SURE THAT TOP
BUCKLES ARE THREADED
AS SHOWN ON LEFT, NOT
AS ON RIGHT.
3. INSPECT ALL STRAPS TO MAKE
SURE THAT THEY ARE NOT WORN
OR DAMAGED IN ANY WAY.

Summary

Setting Up Rack

Fold Out Top Foot;Carryarm Assembly

Procedure to extend the top foot and carry arm assembly.

Safely Insert Set Up Pins

Instructions for safely inserting setup pins into the rack.

Before Installing Rack

Clean Contact Surfaces

Ensure contact surfaces between car and rubber feet are clean and spaced.

Thread Top Buckles Correctly

Verify correct threading of top buckles as shown in diagram.

Inspect Straps for Damage

Check all straps for wear or damage before installation.

Installing Rack on Vehicle

Attach Top Hooks to Metal Edges

Properly attach top hooks to metal edges of trunk or rear door.

Set Top Strap Length

Adjust top strap length to angle rack and keep bikes clear.

Position Bottom Foot Assembly

Ensure bottom foot assembly is open and properly positioned.

Thread Bottom Straps Correctly

Confirm bottom straps are correctly threaded through plastic buckles.

Attach Bottom Hooks

Attach bottom hooks to a metal edge below the bumper.

Tighten Bottom Straps

Fully tighten bottom straps by pulling until elastic portion is stretched.

Alternate Methods for Bottom Strap Attachment

Alternate Method #1 for Bottom Strap

Attach hooks to lower edge of trunk/rear hatch when no metal edge is present.

Alternate Method #2 for Bottom Strap

Place hooks inside trunk/hatch and close to secure bottom straps.

Loading Bicycles on Rack

Prepare Bicycles and Rack

Remove items, tighten quick releases, and check rack security.

Load First Bicycle

Load first bike with gears facing away, ensuring no vehicle contact.

Load Subsequent Bicycles

Load bikes alternating directions, heaviest first, with padding if needed.

Special Note: Womens Style Frames

Guidance for mounting women's frames and recommended adaptor bar.

Securing Bikes to Rack

Place Bicycle in Cradle

Position the bicycle correctly within the rack's cradle.

Thread and Tighten Straps

Thread securing straps and pull them tight for stability.

Secure Front Wheel

Use excess strap to secure front wheel, preventing vehicle contact.

Overview

1. Function Description
2. Usage Features
3. Setting Up the Rack
4. Pre-Installation Checks
5. Installing the Rack on the Vehicle
6. Alternate Bottom Strap Attachment Methods
7. Loading Bicycles
8. Securing Bicycles
9. Maintenance Features

The Allen 103DB is a robust and versatile bicycle rack designed for secure transport of up to three bicycles, with a maximum capacity of 100 lbs. This rack is engineered for attachment to the rear of various vehicles, including trunks, rear doors, or hatchbacks, ensuring your bikes travel safely to your destination.

Function Description:

The primary function of the Allen 103DB is to provide a stable and secure platform for transporting bicycles on the exterior of a motor vehicle. It achieves this through a multi-point attachment system that utilizes top hooks, bottom hooks, and rubber feet to firmly grip the vehicle's body. The rack features adjustable carry arms equipped with tie-down cradles and straps to hold bicycles in place, preventing movement and potential damage during transit. Its design prioritizes ease of installation and removal, as well as the safety of both the bicycles and the vehicle.

Usage Features:

Setting Up the Rack:

Before installation, the rack requires a simple setup process. First, the top foot/carry arm assembly needs to be folded out. Pins at the ends of the wire struts are then inserted into corresponding holes in the top foot assembly. Finally, the bottom foot assembly is completely folded out. For safe pin insertion, the rack should be unfolded and laid on its side with the carry arms perpendicular to the middle section. The setup pin is then pulled up and installed into the hole on the carry arm, taking care to avoid pinching fingers. This process is repeated for the other side.

Pre-Installation Checks:

Prior to mounting the rack on the vehicle, several important checks must be performed. Ensure that all contact surfaces between the car and the rack's rubber feet are thoroughly clean and free of dirt, and that the rubber feet are properly spaced. It's crucial to verify that the top buckles are correctly threaded as illustrated in the manual. Additionally, all straps should be inspected for any signs of wear or damage.

Installing the Rack on the Vehicle:

The installation process begins by hooking the top hooks completely over the solid metal edges at the top of the trunk, rear door, or hatchback. It is critical to never hook to rain gutters, roof racks, vertical glass, or plastic moldings. Slightly opening the trunk or hatch can facilitate easier attachment of the hooks, but care must be taken to ensure the hooks do not bind when the trunk/hatch is opened, as this can damage the vehicle.

For vehicles without adequate clearance at the top edge of the rear trunk/hatch, an alternate method involves unthreading the top straps from the metal buckles, opening the rear trunk/hatch, and placing the top hooks inside the vehicle (just inside the top edge). The trunk/hatch is then carefully closed over the top straps, ensuring the hooks do not bind between the frame and rear door. Once the rear door is closed, the top straps are pulled to bring the hooks tight against the inside of the vehicle, and the top straps are re-threaded as shown in the manual.

Next, the length of the top straps is adjusted to position the rack with its carry arms slightly inclined upwards and high enough to keep bikes away from the road and exhaust. The bottom foot assembly should rest against the vehicle in its completely open position, with the bottom gray rubber pads installed on a location that provides proper support, never on glass. The bottom straps must be properly threaded through their plastic buckles.

The bottom hooks are then completely hooked to a metal edge below the bumper or at the bottom of the trunk/rear door. If no metal edge is available below the bumper, alternate attachment methods are provided. Finally, the bottom straps are completely tightened by pulling on their free ends until the elastic portion of the straps is fully stretched.

Alternate Bottom Strap Attachment Methods:

If there is no metal edge below the bumper for hook attachment, two alternate methods are available. Method 1: Remove the bottom straps from the bottom horizontal cross-bar and loop them around the carry-arms near the top metal buckles. The hooks are then attached to the lower edge of the trunk/rear hatch, and the bottom straps are tightened. Method 2: Before installing the rack, remove the bottom straps, open the trunk slightly, and place the bottom hooks just inside the trunk/hatch. The trunk is then carefully closed over the bottom strap, and the straps are pulled to bring the hooks against the inside of the trunk. The rack is then mounted onto the car as described in the main installation section, and the bottom straps are re-threaded and tightened.

Loading Bicycles:

Before loading, remove all loose items from bicycles (pumps, bags, etc.) and check that all quick-release hubs are tight. The first bicycle should be loaded into the tie-down position closest to the vehicle, with its chain and gears facing away from the rack, ensuring no contact with the vehicle. Subsequent bicycles are loaded in alternating directions. For optimal weight distribution, heavier bicycles should be loaded first, with lighter ones on the outside. Padding can be added between bicycle contact points if necessary. After loading, verify that the entire rack is secure and firmly in place. Be aware that vision out of the rear window may be restricted, and side mirrors should be used accordingly when backing up.

Securing Bicycles:

All bikes must be securely tied to the rack using individual tie-down straps or additional straps. The process involves placing the bicycle in the cradle, threading the straps, and then pulling the straps tight. An important note for women's style frames: place one carry arm under the front top tube, and with the other carry arm, rotate the tie-down cradle and place the carry in the space behind the seat tube and below the rear down-stay. The Allen 900B Adaptor Bar is also recommended for this application. The front wheel of the inside bicycle should be secured with excess bottom strap or additional straps to prevent it from coming into contact with the vehicle.

Maintenance Features:

The manual emphasizes the importance of inspecting all straps to ensure they are not worn or damaged in any way, which is a key maintenance feature. Regular checks of the contact surfaces between the car and rubber feet for cleanliness and proper spacing also contribute to the longevity and safe operation of the rack. The Allen 103DB comes with a lifetime warranty, covering defects in workmanship or material for the original purchaser. Allen will repair or replace the rack free of charge, though the warranty does not cover damage or wear resulting from day-to-day use or general wear and tear. This warranty underscores the manufacturer's commitment to quality and provides a long-term maintenance assurance for the product.

Allen Sports 103DB Specifications