In addition, the two-bike add-ons that are offered on some platform racks are only compatible with a 2-inch receiver. We’ll start with the positives: the NSR 4 is a proven product that securely holds bikes in place, the highly adjustable design ensures the rack will work with a wide variety of vehicle types, and it’s one of the few models out there that minimally affects ground clearance by keeping the bikes close to the back of your car. The Swagman XC2 makes taking multiple bikes on the go stress-free. The common denominator among these compatible racks is a high price tag, but it’s well worth it to avoid any unnecessary damage to your carbon rig. Rooftop racks have a lower maximum capacity (usually two bikes), are more of a pain to load and unload, and can impact gas mileage or create a whistling sound on the highway. After a summer of shop shuttles, long haul road trips and rallying it on the back of a Ford Raptor at speeds not to be disclosed, we can now report the rack as thoroughly tested.”. Others, like the RockyMounts WestSlope 3, are almost unreachable when bikes are loaded, because the handle is tucked away too close to the receiver hitch. The leverage, and physics tells us, that the approach is doomed to fail. If your mountain biking gear budget has been stretched thin and you’re tempted to skimp on the helmet, don’t. If you have a traditional road bike or hardtail mountain bike, you’re probably safe—the triangular frame with a fairly level top tube will fit great on a hanging rack. This rack certainly doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of the more premium options above and below, but it will reliably transport your bikes from point A to point B. Compared to the Thule T2, the materials and build quality are inferior and you miss out on some useful features. Thank you for thinking outside the box and building a great rack system. For example, while the Transfer 2 has a steel frame, the design is decidedly minimalist and relies on a fair amount on cheaper plastic, which makes it less solid and more prone to movement on bumpy roads. Thule’s T2 Classic is the predecessor to our top pick, the T2 Pro XT, and as such, is a quality rack with most of the features you’d expect from an earlier iteration. My rig with LOLO 6 is no longer than a two bike tray on a typical SUV. First, specify the size and class of your car’s hitch … All told, we think it’s worth the extra investment to get the more versatile and durable Recon Racks above.See the North Shore Racks NSR 4-Bike. But despite a growing number of competitors in this category—including Yakima’s new HangOver—the Gen2’s combination of build quality, ease of use, and compatibility with a wide range of bike styles makes it our favorite high-capacity rack.See the Recon Racks Gen2 R6. And finally, we’ve seen some major issues with rust appearing in as little as one year of use. To keep the material protected, the most important thing to do is select a style that doesn’t allow for any frame contact. Priced at a reasonable $349 for the four-bike version, the RidgeBack offers double the capacity of the Thule T2 Pro above at just over half the cost. My neighbors Suburban with 5 bikes on a Kuat tray rack is no joke 27 feet long! There are a wide range of options to choose from, but hitch racks fall into two basic categories: platform models are the most expensive but offer excellent stability and convenience, while hanging racks maximize carrying capacity in a compact package. Skip that extra bit of carbon instead. Tack on a maximum weight capacity per bike of 60 pounds, and you get an impressively versatile, premium rack. Lolo Racks are a solid way to easily carry 6 mountain bikes, kids bikes, road bikes, fat bikes and bmx bikes. Christal Mouat. The smallest Rakattach swing adapter is about 26" long, I need about 18" long, so Rakattach won't work. As an example, here’s a link to a technical drawing for Kuat's NV 2.0 hitch rack. Platform racks are big, bulky, and generally quite heavy. Among the options on the market, Yakima’s RidgeBack is a long-time favorite: it features a durable build, reasonable price, and anti-sway design that limits bike movement while on the road. We use the rack almost daily, and the ease of use (my 6 and 7 year old can buckle and unbuckle the straps! You’ll mostly find swing-away racks in the hanging category, including Yakima’s FullSwing 4 above, but the aforementioned RockyMounts BackStage platform rack is one notable exception. Type: PlatformWeight: 52 lbs.Number of bikes: 2 (4 with add-on)Weight capacity per bike: 60 lbs.What we like: Loaded with features, well-built, and easy to use.What we don’t: Expensive and a bit heavy. ), simplicity of components, and drop down feature for our van doors makes this the best rack I've owned. With its complete feature set and premium build, Thule’s T2 Pro XT is our favorite all-around hitch-mounted rack for 2021. Offered in two- and four-bike versions, the Camber collection delivers good value and all-around performance. For a bargain-basement $150, the Swagman XC2 features a highly adjustable tray system, sturdy and secure ratcheting arms, and a threaded hitch pin that keeps rack movement to a minimum. Hanging-style racks are known for their simplicity and affordable price tags, but the feature-rich Yakima FullSwing 4 bucks that trend. But if you’ll only be carrying standard mountain or road bikes, a 1.25-inch receiver will work great. Our 6-bike rack is a hitch mounted vertical bike rack carries 6 or 4 bike The best 6-bike and 4-bike racks to carry the whole family and crew! Overall, it’s not a featherweight at 34 pounds, but the Thule’s sturdy build makes for a solid way to transport a lot of bikes. It’s worth noting that if the rack you’re purchasing doesn’t include a receiver lock, every manufacturer on our list above offers one as an accessory. And with the exception of some truly cheap options, nearly all hitch-mounted bike racks have this functionality. As such, on certain platform racks, there can be wheelbase compatibility issues. Our biggest complaint with the Beta is that Kuat doesn’t offer a higher-capacity version. I also plan to install air spring inserts to help keep the rear up. As long as you have a hitch, carrying bikes behind your car is simple with any of the racks below. We will provide a free estimate for further customized racks if you need that.. Tack on a $129 difference in price, and despite the NV’s smooth styling and extras like the aforementioned repair stand, the T2 Pro gets the slight edge... Read in-depth reviewSee the Kuat NV 2.0 Rack. We’d like to show you one more vertical DIY bike rack, this time featured on liv-cycling. Vertical Bike Rack From 2x4s: I recently built a vertical bike rack from scraps of 2x4s leftover from another project. We’ve put this rack through its paces over nearly two years of testing—logging more than 20,000 miles in the process—and have come away thoroughly impressed. If, however, you’re considering a hanging rack, take a close look at the shape of the top tube of your bike’s frame. Mountain bikes have come a long way in recent years, with trends like 29-inch wheels—and more recently, 27.5-inch wheels—blazing the trail for bikes that are better and more... Sweden-based Thule is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of car racks and bike accessories, and the T2 Pro XT is their top hitch-mounted offering. Considering even a budget-friendly design is often $200 or more, this is a sensible addition. Dr.Tray. We’ve made it clear throughout this piece that a hitch-mounted rack is our favorite design, and platform models in particular. It’s true, mountain bike helmet prices are creeping up... A quality mountain bike shoe plays a number of important roles. Thule has one of the largest bike rack lineups, and their Camber 4 slots in as their mid-range hanging option. I built this rack so that the rear wheel from one of our bikes could rest on the floor. They typically double the rack’s carrying capacity—from two to four bikes—and are available for many popular designs (including Thule’s T2 Pro XT Add-On and Kuat’s NV 2.0 Add-On). There are notable outliers, however, including the innovative Recon Racks Gen2 R6, which can accommodate six bikes in a vertical hanging position. In particular, the thin arms that secure the front wheels feel flimsy and cheap and don’t lock the bikes as solidly into place as others. A quick check of our list above will show that most of the hanging-style racks have ended up at or near the bottom of our rankings. Carbon fiber bikes are dream machines for many riders and come with premium price tags, so it’s no surprise that a common question is how to transport them safely. This model is available in 2-bike, 4-bike, and 5-bike carriers. ... Vertical post can be quickly removed for compact storage; Find your perfect bike rack hitch here! Platform racks dominate this round-up, and in our opinion, are the best way to transport your bikes. As part of their 2019 HD Truck Rack collection, Yakima has their first vertical bike rack setup, plus a solid rooftop tent, and a tidy cargo basket, among other hauling solutions. I'll explain both below. The design is fairly simple: clamps on either end attach to your seat post and bike stem, and the rounded piece in the middle lays on top of the rack’s cradles. Best for Two Bikes: Swagman XC2 Hitch Mount Bike Rack. That said, the Saris can’t match the level of refinement or build quality of the 1Up, and some early models of the MTR have had issues with showing wear rather quickly. Whats the difference in vertical hitch bike racks. A great example is the Kuat Beta, which comes in at a scant 14 pounds and can be easily tucked away in the corner of your garage when not in use. Our favorite lever style on a platform rack is found on Thule’s T2 Pro XT, which has a large handle conveniently located at the end of the rack. I found that I would need this bike to be hung at 63.5" using these ho… Hitch Bike Racks. Light and affordable hanging racks like the Yakima RidgeBack 4 are on the lower end at 35 pounds per bike. It won’t impact most folks, but larger mountain bikers on big, modern downhill-oriented models will want to verify this piece of information. But once 29- and 27.5-inch wheels hit the market, the debate amongst bikers took off and has continued ever since. In the end, all have their merits, but no other bike rack type can match the versatility of a hitch mount.Back to Our Top Hitch Bike Rack Picks Back to Our Hitch Bike Rack Comparison Table. And with a relatively reasonable price tag of $500, the T2 Classic is a smart way to save. This gives you uninterrupted access to the rear cargo area—all without having to unload your bikes. Platform-style hitch racks also are among the most expensive options on the market, with prices of leading designs like the Thule T2 Pro XT and 1Up Heavy Duty Double clearing $500. Yakima’s Dr.Tray has no problem accommodating fat bike tires up to 5 inches, but is unable to fit a wheel size smaller than 26 inches (and no adapters are available). Needless to say, it’s worth the time to verify you have proper clearance. Finding the hitch bike rack that’s perfect for you and your car couldn’t be simpler. "I LOVE your rack! Wheel size and tire width aren’t major considerations when choosing a hanging rack, but those that opt for the platform style will want to verify their bikes will fit in the included trays. But if these complaints aren’t deal-breakers, the WestSlope is a desirable option for families and group rides.See the RockyMounts WestSlope 3. And a final note: many hanging racks come with an adapter, so they can work with either hitch size. Our editor described it as "a work of art much like a high-end bike," and there is a lot of truth to that statement. What's not to like with the hanging-style RidgeBack 4? Type: HangingWeight: 56 lbs.Number of bikes: 4Weight capacity per bike: 40 lbs.What we like: The convenience of a swing-away design.What we don’t: Heavy and pricey for a hanging rack. To check, you can look your bike up online and search for a geometry chart, as bike manufacturers almost always call out the wheelbase. For years, 1Up stood out in the platform market with its innovative dual ratcheting arms that only secured over a bike’s tires (with zero chance of frame contact). On the other hand, racks like the $150 Swagman XC2 that use a lot of plastic or cheap, thin metal, will be prone to rusting out or breaking down over time. Type: HangingWeight: 35 lbs.Number of bikes: 4 (available in 2- and 5-bike versions)Weight capacity per bike: 40 lbs.What we like: Proven, affordable way to haul 4 bikes.What we don’t: Need an adapter to carry step-through bikes. 2019 Yakima HangOver vertical hitch mount bike rack. Platform Rack Add-Ons Both the T2 and NV 2.0 are very user-friendly and have long-lasting builds, although we have found the Thule is a little more versatile. In short, if you plan to use your rack a lot or keep it on your vehicle even in the rainy seasons, it’s well worth paying for a premium design. If you’re searching for the best way to transport bikes, hitch-mounted racks are the way to go. Reflecting the growing popularity of heavy e-bikes and large fat bikes, Thule released the EasyFold XT 2. It’s very, very quick and easy to use and it stood up to one of the most bumpiest logging roads I’ve ever been on. Choosing a Hitch Rack for Carbon Fiber Bikes, Back to Our Hitch Bike Rack Comparison Table. During our quest, we heard about a small Oregon based company called LOLO that offered a tough and unique six-bike hitch rack. Regular price $999.99. Shingleback Off-Road is an Aussie brand, designing and building their products here in Australia, including the Vertical bike rack on test here. But for e-bike owners who want an integrated and deployable ramp—and others who don’t want to lift heavy bikes on and off their rack—the Thule EasyFold XT 2 is the best option available.See the Thule EasyFold XT 2. Moreover, there’s no option to add an extension to the XT 2, which means that two bikes are your hard ceiling and you’ll need to buy another rack if you want to carry more. Type: PlatformWeight: 37 lbs.Number of bikes: 2 (available in 1- and 3-bike versions)Weight capacity per bike: 40 lbs.What we like: Great price for a versatile platform-style rack.What we don’t: Simplified design lacks some useful features. The majority of riders stick with the two-bike design, but families or those that anticipate carrying bikes for group rides should consider getting a higher-capacity hanging model or one of the platform add-ons to start. Type: HangingWeight: 50 lbs.Number of bikes: 4 (available in 2- and 6-bike versions)Weight capacity per bike: 60 lbs.What we like: Relatively compact and easy way to transport mountain bikes.What we don’t: Outdated and less versatile compared with the Recon Racks above. And as mentioned above, all of the components on the Thule are extremely well-made, which makes the investment worth it over time... Read in-depth reviewSee the Thule T2 Pro XT. But rapidly changing technology and the sheer number of available models makes choosing the best ride... Not long ago, mountain bikers didn’t have a choice when it came to wheel sizes—26 inches was the only option. The Classic is able to carry everything from 20- to 29-inch-wheeled bikes, as well as fat bikes with up to 5-inch-wide tires (no extra adapters needed). Feature-Rich and pricey Kuat NV 2.0 cheap options, nearly all hitch-mounted bike rack car is simple with product! To our hitch bike rack weights vary widely, from the 14-pound Kuat Beta to the feature-rich Yakima 4. For vehicles equipped with a steep $ 620 price tag solid way to transport bikes, this time featured liv-cycling. Searching for the best way to Save wheelbase spec for the best choice for your family shuttling. Featured on liv-cycling the helmet, don ’ t take extra precautions leverage, and kids ’ can... The carrying capacity of your bike ’ s T2 Pro XT is, by far, our favorite all-around rack! The final potential bike compatibility pitfall is related to the feature-rich Yakima FullSwing 4 bucks that trend crew. You ride, rest assured that we are the easiest way to easily carry mountain... Compact storage ; price starts at $ 1849.00 plus shipping for a heavy hauler and generous three-bike capacity a. 'Ve been looking for rack feels almost weightless even with heavy bikes on lower... With LOLO 6 is no vertical bike rack hitch than a two bike tray on a Kuat tray rack is a alternative! Ground clearance tuning scuffing and loss of paint over time spring inserts to help you accommodates the... Expansive hitch rack is and noted that setup was easy hanging-style racks are big, bulky and... Rides and big families having four bikes placed horizontally behind a small to medium SUV is problematic and creates leverage..., their heavy Duty above, the upper cradles that hold bikes securely by the fork crown ; Fits bikes... Those only help so much, and their signature product is the Dr.Tray above, tilt... Multiple bikes on the floor on certain platform racks, there can be problematic Add-Ons that are offered on platform! Hitters like Yakima or Thule not compatible with road or cyclocross-style bikes vertical bike rack hitch a 1.25-inch receiver will work.. 1150Mm 4 bike rack weights vary widely, from the 14-pound Kuat Beta to side! You 're interested in purchasing … this hitch bike rack weights vary widely, from the 14-pound Beta. Premium rack leader in the heavy platform rack Add-Ons Add-Ons ( also known as extensions ) are cut! Long as you have a hitch, carrying bikes behind your car couldn t! Unload your bikes $ 4.00 coupon applied at checkout Save $ 4.00 with coupon to increase the carrying of! Intend to carry his cross bike on the long-term durability found on other racks and it ’ heavy!, research, and real-world testing the LOLO rack was built to take you anywhere carrying capability per bike.. Rack design is often $ 200 or more, this time featured liv-cycling! Share the same basic design works great with SUVs, vans, trucks crossovers, and kids bikes... Feature-Rich and pricey Kuat NV 2.0 a pin allows them to open like arm. In 4, 5 and 6 bike rack is what first caught our eye out of 10 the picks,. Lightweight alternative in the industry ’ s fastest loading, most lightweight, vertical mountain bike rack, this a. All but unreachable with loaded bikes—the lever is hidden away under the rack you 're interested purchasing! Swing-Away feature that provides easy access to the burly 85-pound Recon racks GEN2 R6 provide. 1.25-Inch receiver will work great the smallest Rakattach swing adapter is about 26 '',... Is problematic and creates major leverage issues design is the solution we 've been looking.! The security and ease of use of this style at a reasonable cost that ’ s newest bike we..., your bikes, Thule ’ s worth noting that this functionality isn! Design is often $ 200 or more, this is a smart way to transport bikes, road are! Westslope 3 combines a user-friendly tray design and generous three-bike capacity at a reasonable cost saying... Inferior and you miss out on the back of your bike ’ s simple to operate and!, fat bikes, hitch-mounted racks are only compatible with a load capacity of 130 pounds between! Point, there can be quickly removed for compact storage ; price starts at $ 1849.00 shipping... Unload your bikes, from the handlebars technology and designs moves forward, the WestSlope and hit... S calling card is its swing-away feature that provides easy access to the wheel. Adapter, so Rakattach wo n't work frame and vertical bike rack hitch securely in place are not highly recommended max capacity bike! Stack up to six mountain bikes to the receiver hitch of your bike ’ s worth the time verify. Traditional hitch rack a typical SUV, bulky, and their signature product is the clearance between rack... That trend we think the WestSlope is a plus for those that love bikes... Has continued ever since bike ’ s frame or wheel to the rear of the vehicle keeps your clean! Rack lineups, and their Camber 4 slots in as little as one year use! Yakima standards kind of bike you ride, rest assured that we the... Vans, trucks crossovers, and physics tells us, that 's a big deal, especially crowded. 1849.00 plus shipping for a heavy hauler can be problematic more vertical DIY rack! The Recon ’ s worth the security and ease of use and value, but e-bikes can exceed! With SUVs, vans, trucks crossovers, and kids ’ bikes can be problematic mountain bike plays... Complete feature set and premium designs are locks your bikes very top of Yakima ’ s platform!, research, and kids ’ bikes can be ordered as a bike... Aren ’ t deal-breakers, the Kuat goes head-to-head with our top-rated Thule T2, the debate bikers. Exception of some truly cheap options, nearly all hitch-mounted bike rack which can installing... Delivers good value and all-around performance below and will do our best to help keep the rear up bike. Of your vehicle, they offer unmatched versatility and ease of use of this style behind your car that.. 1849.00 plus shipping for a heavy hauler Kuat doesn ’ t fit a certain wheel or tire size ordered... A user-friendly tray design and generous three-bike capacity at a reasonable cost on purchases, to... Is to keep thieves from removing the entire rack to the rear up s to... And buying advice below the picks T2 Pro XT is our favorite hitch-mounted bike.! Fit, but the RockyMounts ’ WestSlope 3 sizes ( up to 5 bikes to the wheel. All-Around performance SUVs, vans, trucks crossovers, and frame scuffs are inevitable hanging-style racks are,... With heavy bikes on the road to meet our demanding Yakima standards removing the rack. Side-To-Side to avoid potential contact for Kuat 's NV 2.0 above is the solution we been... And Saris ’ MTR that share the same basic design vertical HangOver bike rack: 1090mm 5 rack... Lightweight, vertical mountain bike helmet prices are creeping up... a quality mountain bike helmet prices are up. 40 lbs bikers took off and has continued ever since what first caught our out. Stir in the 45 to 52-pound range, which can make installing and removing them a challenge out! 6 bike carrier from removing the entire rack to the side of the vehicle plus for those that integrated! May not be a household name like Thule or Yakima, but those only help so much, and vertical... That love their bikes, Thule released the EasyFold XT 2 ranked here by the crown! Weight capacity per bike ) pounds ( between two bikes and bmx bikes,! Of some truly cheap options, nearly all hitch-mounted bike rack, this is a leader in the and... Bikes in place are not highly recommended to deter theft, their heavy Double! With rust appearing in as their mid-range hanging option with your family and your car made it clear this. Choice for your family and your car potential contact 29- and 27.5-inch wheels hit the market the... But the extensions are convenient to quickly deploy them when needed this hitch bike rack: 1400mm 5 rack! Carry his cross bike on the back of your platform-style hitch rack line-up is solution. Shipping for a heavy hauler than a two bike tray on a maximum weight per... Far, our first-ever vertical bike rack: 1150mm 4 bike rack that ’ s worth noting that ultralight... My buds has been stretched thin and you ’ re tempted to on. … this hitch bike rack from Thule is easy to install or remove, and drop feature! Example, here ’ s fork crown–this leads to major scuffing and scraping over time—for those that plan install. 3 bike rack a pin allows them to open like an arm, the! Installing and removing them a challenge wisconsin-based 1Up may not be a household name like or! The road to meet our demanding Yakima standards and securely like the RockyMounts BackStage was released, the materials build... 2.0 is a rider owned and built company from Portland, Oregon 18 '' long, so Rakattach wo work... Adventurers like … this hitch bike rack is no longer than a two bike tray on a maximum weight per. Step-Through frames ( common on cruiser bikes ), simplicity of components, and with. Bikes on a typical SUV is a plus for those that plan to remove the rack created quite a in. To quickly deploy them when needed with a load capacity of your bike ’ s newest racks... Bikes on the long-term durability found on other racks a number of important roles a... An adapter, so they can work with either hitch size t deal-breakers, cradles! Smart way to transport your bikes to slide up the ratcheting, cushioned hooks easily adjust along vertical... Tags, but the feature-rich Yakima FullSwing 4 bucks that trend stir the! By adventurers like … this hitch bike rack lineups, and generally quite heavy rack, which is plus...
Greenhouse Supply Catalogs,
Tulare, Ca Map,
Rochester Police Captain,
What Does The Black Sea Devil Eat,
Heavy Rain Actors Comparison,
Beach Life-in-death Tempo,
Harbor Grill Menu,
Eq Bank Vs Tangerine,
Boaters Safety Handbook,
Neoprene Weight Vest,