To increase your vehicle’s utility, you can add a hitch to the back of your vehicle. I have hitch racks in my vehicles that can hold full-sized grills or serve as hammock stands. If you need to transport multiple whips, hitches are a great option. Of all the racks available, the hitch bike rack is the most convenient and efficient.
Different hitch racks are not created equal and each cyclist will require a different hitch rack. It is important that you consider everything about your cycling and life. It is important to consider the type and weight of the bikes that you intend to transport as well as their material. Racks that attach to carbon bikes should be avoided as they can cause damage to the frame. Some racks can be used for road bikes but not fat bikes or full suspension bikes. It is even more important to think about the future. Will your child soon join you on your rides?
How to buy a bike hitch rack
Style of Hitch Rack
There are two types of hitch bike rack available: platform racks which allow the bike to rest on a tray that clamps down on its frame/tire/tire, and hanging racks that hang from an arm by the fork/frame.
Platform racks can be heavier and more expensive, but they are easier to use and can hold more bikes. Many racks have wheels that can be attached to arms. It’s easy and secure to load your bicycle. Bike platforms have higher weight limits. This is particularly important for heavy mountain bikes, cruisers, and e-bikes up to 60 pounds. Some platform racks come with loading ramps, which allow you to transport your bike without lifting it. You can convert an existing rack with two bikes into a rack that can hold four.
Hanging racks cost less and take up less space on your car’s back. There are however some disadvantages. Without an adapter, many will not fit mountain bikes or any other type of bike with a straight top tube. Attach the rear tire with a separate cord or rope to prevent it from spinning.
The Hitch Rack’s Weight
It is important that you consider the weight of the rack. It’s difficult to lift 70-pound racks. Thule T2Pro XTR has an integrated wheel which makes it easier to transport. Hanging hitch racks are lighter and easier to take down.
Compatibility with your Hitch
It is crucial that the rack connects to the hitch. You can choose to equip your car hitch with a 2.25-inch receiver or a 1.25-inch receiver. Most racks will fit receivers larger than 2 inches. However, some racks on this list can be used with smaller receivers. Many rack manufacturers offer adapters that can fit into smaller receivers, making it possible to have a 2-inch rack fit inside a 2-inch receiver.
We chose bike racks
Here is a list of the best hitch bike racks you can buy right now. These racks are my favorite because I’m an avid cyclist who often takes my bike on East Coast rides. I included recommendations from Rack experts that I interviewed, as well as a few of our colleagues from Bicycling who have extensive experience with hitchrack testing. I also reviewed customer reviews from websites like Amazon, o.bike and Competitive Cyclist. When selecting racks, I took into account style and budget. But I also considered compatibility with different bikes.
Thule T2 Pro XTR Hitch Rack
Thule’s T2 Pro XTR hitch rack may be the most popular. It is sturdy and easy to use. The 52-pound rack can carry bikes up to 60lbs. The rack also has an intuitive trigger handle, which makes it simple to raise and lower the rack with one hand. The arm clamps can be used to attach bikes to the rack using one hand. We love the integrated wheel at bottom of the rack. This makes it easy to transport the rack from your garage into your car. These trays can transport fat bikes up to 5 inches wide and 20-inch wheels. If you have a team, you can add two more trays ($450), which will allow you to transport four bikes.
Yakima FullSwing Mount Bike rack
It can be difficult to reach the trunk if a bike rack is attached to your car. Yakima created a swing-away bike rack that can be moved 180° away from your car. This is the kind of feature you’ll never even notice you need until it’s used. It can store a variety of bikes, including fat bikes with 5-inch tires and skinny road bikes. It folds up against your car when not in use. It is more complicated to assemble and requires some levers to lift it away. However, it is reliable and sturdy and can do everything that no other racks can.
Thule EasyFold 2 Hitch Bike Rack
The EasyFold XT is not cheap but it has many features that make it simple to use. This is a great option for cyclists who need to transport large bikes. The clamping mechanism attaches directly to the wheels of your bike and not on the top.
This is especially important for commuter bikes and modern e-bikes that often come with them. With the bikes loaded, you can simply tilt the rack by using a foot pedal to get into your car. The rack can accommodate both 1.25-inch receivers and 2-inch receivers.
Kuat NV2.0 Hitch RackKuat makes some stunning racks, but the NV2 rack is much more than just a pretty accessory. This rack is strong enough to handle heavy bikes. The Kuat NV is strong enough for e-bikes, even though it was not made specifically for them. The rack folds up against your car to make it portable and tilts down for rear access. The integrated cable locks and integrated stand allow you to use your bike while parking in the lot.
Yakima RidgeBack Hitchbike Rack with Tilt-Away
The RidgeBack has many benefits, including its low-cost and simple design. Two arms can hold four bikes. The top tubes can be secured by the top tubes. It is safe and reliable for bikes to be transported this way, provided they have straight top tubes. Good mountain bikes with full suspension and swooped top tubes are not compatible with dual-arm systems. Dual-arm systems are not recommended for bikes with a width greater than standards, such as fat and e-bikes. The bikes are too close together on the arms. If you’re transporting straight-tubing bikes, the RidgeBack might be the rack you need. The RidgeBack weighs only a few pounds and attaches to your SpeedKnob hitch receiver. This makes it simple to remove your car.
You can also read: 5 Best Mountain Bike For Under 300 Dollar
