Crawford FBR34 EZ UP Self Raising Indoor Bike Storage Rack Review

I did not buy this model by Crawford, but bought Canadian Tire's version (called Mastercraft). I believe they are the EXACT same design, just a different label for this hydraulic bike lift.They look the same and I haven't seen anything else on the market that looks like it.

Canadian Tire's version: http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/3/HouseHome/StorageOrganization/GarageOrganization/PRD~0468204P/Mastercraft%2BBicycle%2BLift.jsp

PROS:
Store a bike high on your wall with the ability to lower it down without having to manually lift its entire weight off the wall from above your head like other bike mounts.
Store a bike underneath bike on the lift arm with the included optional Flip Up Bike Hanger (which can also be mounted separately in a different location and not with the bike lift)

CONS:
Extremely stiff lift arm when you do try to pull the bike down (this is nothing like pushing the back trunk door of a CRV or caravan with hydraulic lift arm...you can push those down with 2 fingers, this one you have to grip tightly with your hand(s) to pull down the bike)...I have to press one hand into the wall bracket for leverage as I pull the lift arm toward me to get it to start lowering.It is a stiff pull the whole way down too.
Gas Cylinder in lift arm is weak and prone to easy bending, thus potentially rendering your bicycle lift inoperable.

COMMENTS:

Lift arm must be pulled down SLOWLY and ALWAYS MONITORED that the gas cylinder is going into the lift arm STRAIGHT AND TRUE, it can EASILY BEND BEYOND REPAIR, thus rendering your bicycle lift inoperable. Each and every time you pull the lift arm down, you will always need to watch that the gas cylinder is going into the lift arm tube straight and evenly.I would suggest NEVER pull down the bike with the lower lift arm tube (the gas cylinder goes inside this part), ALWAYS pull down the bike with the lift arm's upper longer tube.

After installing, I suggest you practice pulling the lift arm upper tube down and up at least a dozen times to lessen the stiffness of the lift arm.

As well, the Hinge Pins that mount the Hinge Plate to the Wall Bracket are a tad too thick to insert in the hing pin holes in the wall bracket.You will need something like a rotary tool to widen the holes in the wall bracket just slightly.I tried to hammer the pins in and they bounced out no matter how hard I pounded.

Perhaps the difficulty is because I am a 38yr old female with not the upper arm strength of a guy (I do however weight lift and am average to above average in strength for a 5'5" tall woman)...so yes I think this would be easier for a guy...however it is still very stiff and sudden brute strength would bend your product, so you still have to be careful.

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