A hitch can be added to your vehicle’s back to increase its utility. My vehicles have hitch racks that allow me to store full-sized grills and even serve as hammock stands. Hitches are especially useful for carrying bikes and if you have to transport more than one whip. The hitch bike rack, out of all the types of racks, is the most efficient and convenient way to transport your bikes.
Not all hitch racks work equally well and all cyclists require a different type of hitch rack. It is important to take into account everything about your cycling and lifestyle. This includes the weight and type of bikes you plan to transport, as well as the material of the bikes. Avoid racks that attach to carbon bikes, as they could cause damage to the frame. Some racks are good for road bikes, but not for fat bikes or full-suspension bikes. Even more important is thinking about the future. Will your child soon join you on your rides? ).
How to Buy a Bike Hitch Rack
Style of Hitch Rack
Two types of hitch bike racks are available: platform racks that allow the bike to rest on a tray with an arm that clamps down on the tire/frame, or hanging racks that hang from the arm by the frame/fork.
Although platform racks are heavier and more costly, they’re usually easier to use and can accommodate more types of bikes. Most racks come with wheels that can be secured by arms. It is easy and secure to load your bike. Platform racks have higher weight limits for bikes. This is especially important if you are transporting cruisers, heavy mountain bikes, or e-bikes that can weigh up to 60 pounds. A few platform racks have loading ramps that allow you to wheel your bike in place without lifting it. Some racks can be equipped with trays that allow you to convert your existing two-bike rack into a rack that can carry four bikes.
Hanging racks are cheaper and take up less space in your car’s back. However, there are some drawbacks. Many will not fit mountain bikes, or bikes with anything other than a straight top tube, without an adapter. To prevent the rear tire from spinning, you will need to attach it with a separate rope or cord.
The Hitch Rack’s Weight
It is important to consider the weight of the rack, especially if it is not going on your car’s back. It is difficult to lift a 70-pound rack. The Thule T2 Pro XTR, on the other hand, has an integrated wheel that makes it easy to transport. Hanging-style hitch racks are lighter so it is easier to remove them.
Compatibility with your Hitch
The rack’s connection point to the hitch is important. Car hitches can be equipped with either a 2-inch receiver or a 1.25-inch receiver. Although most racks can fit receivers up to 2 inches, a few on this list will work with smaller receivers. Many rack manufacturers sell adapters that will fit into smaller receivers to make it possible for a 2-inch rack to fit inside a 2-inch receiver.
How we chose the bike racks
Here’s a list of the top hitch bike racks that you can purchase right now. These racks are a favorite of mine as I am an avid cyclist and often transport my bike to East Coast rides. I also included recommendations from Rack experts I interviewed as well as several of our colleagues at Bicycling who have extensive experience testing hitchracks. Finally, I reviewed consumer reviews on websites such as Amazon, REI, and Competitive Cyclist. When making these recommendations, I considered style and budget when selecting racks. However, I also considered compatibility with various bikes.
Thule T2 Pro XTR Hitch Rack
Thule’s T2 Pro XTR may be the best hitch rack, due to its sturdy build and ease of use. This 52-pound rack can hold bikes up to 60 pounds. It also features an intuitive trigger handle that makes it easy to raise or lower the rack using one hand. You can also use the arm clamps to secure bikes to the rack with one hand. The integrated wheel at the bottom of the rack is our favorite feature. It makes it simple to move the rack from your garage to your car. These trays can be used to transport fat bikes up to 5 inches in width, and 20-inch wheels. You can also add two additional trays ($450), to allow you to transport four bikes if you bring the whole team.
Yakima FullSwing Mount Bike Rack
A bike rack attached to your car can make it difficult to access the trunk. Yakima solved this problem by creating a swing-away bike rack that can be moved 180 degrees away from your car. This is the type of feature that you won’t even realize you need until you try it. It can hold a wide range of bikes, including skinny road bikes and fat bikes with 5-inch tires. When not in use, it folds down against your vehicle. Although it is more difficult to assemble and requires a few levers to swing it away, it is a reliable and solid option that can do what no other racks can.
Thule EasyFold 2 Hitch Bike Rack
Although the EasyFold XT may not be cheap, it is packed with features that make it easy to use. It’s also ideal for cyclists who have to transport heavy bikes. The clamping mechanism attaches to your bike’s wheels and not on top. They can be used with fenders. This is particularly important for commuter bikes or modern e-bikes, which often come with them. You can easily get in your car trunk with the bikes loaded by tilting the rack with a simple foot pedal. It can fit both 1.25-inch and 2-inch receivers. The rack also has integrated bike locks. The best thing about the rack is its ability to fold into itself like a suitcase and have wheels. It can be moved easily and takes up very little space when not in use.
Kuat NV2.0 Hitch RackKuat makes some of the most stunning racks available, but the NV 2 rack is more than a pretty accessory. It’s a sturdy rack that can handle heavy bikes. Although the Kuat NV was not designed for e-bikes it is strong enough to handle them. When not in use, the rack can fold up against your car and tilts down to provide rear access. We like the integrated cable locks and integrated bike stand that allow you to work on your bike while parking in the lot. There are many accessories that you can add to the NV 2, including a swingarm pivot system for accessing your trunk, and a ramp that allows you to roll your heavy e-bike onto the rack. The NV 2 can be expanded to meet your changing needs. You can add two additional bike trays.
Yakima RidgeBack Hitch-Bike Rack with Tilt-Away
The RidgeBack offers many advantages, including the low cost and simple design. Two arms can hold four bikes, while the top tubes of the bikes can be held by the top tubes. This is a safe and reliable way to transport bikes as long as they have straight top tubes. Dual-arm systems are not suitable for mountain bikes that have full suspension and swooped top tubes. The dual-arm system is not suitable for bikes that are wider than standards, such as fat or e-bikes. There isn’t enough space between the bikes on the arms. The RidgeBack may be the right rack for you if you are transporting road bikes or fitness bikes with straight tubing. The RidgeBack is lightweight and attaches to your hitch receiver with the SpeedKnob. This makes it easy to take off your car.
1Up Equip D Double Hitch Rack
Equip-D Double is a great rack for cyclists with varying size bikes. The large wheel trays and high clamping arms allow for wheels of all sizes. It’s the only rack that can hold bikes up to 16 inches in diameter. It folds up quickly when not in use and the tiered tray allows you to store your bikes close together, decreasing the overall system size. 1Up makes Equip-D versions that can fit 1.25-inch and 2-inch hitch receivers. To carry four bikes, you can add two additional trays to the Equip-D system.
