Even if you’re lucky enough to live somewhere with direct access to cycling paths and trails, there are likely going to be times when you want to take your bike further afield.
Being able to transport your e-bike safely and securely can be a challenge. Even if you have a spacious vehicle, fitting it in the trunk isn’t always practical or possible – especially if you’re trying to transport more than one bike. And if you try lifting a heavy electric bike onto a roof rack – your back, your car and your bike could end up getting broken in the process! Roof racks aren’t as fuel-efficient, and they can cause issues with clearance heights too.
Opting for a rear rack is usually the most practical option.
But…most normal racks aren’t designed to carry the extra weight that comes with electric bikes (even if you go to the trouble of removing the battery first).
It’s important to make sure whichever one you select has an appropriate weight capacity, which is why we cover reviews of the best heavy-duty hitch racks below.
Expensive e-bikes are also more tempting to thieves, so a rack that has additional locking mechanisms will also be important.
Not sure where to start?
We’ve done the hard work for you and reviewed four of the best electric hitch rack options on the market.
Best eBike Hitch Rack Quick-Find Table
Image | Product | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
EDITOR'S CHOICE | EDITOR'S CHOICE |
|
| VIEW LATEST PRICE |
|
| VIEW LATEST PRICE | ||
|
| VIEW LATEST PRICE | ||
|
| VIEW LATEST PRICE |
Reviews of the Best heavy-duty electric bike racks
- No. of Bikes: 2
- Rack weight: 45lbs
- Max load capacity: 130lbs
What We Loved
Thule have a reputation for producing some of the most functional and well-built bike racks around. They take on board customer feedback, and the Easy Fold XT is their most recent version of this rack, and it has bucket loads of helpful features.
For starters, mounting the rack is a breeze. It can be done without the use of tools, and it clamps on securely and without any hassle.
The Easy Fold XT sets itself apart from many competitors because users can roll their bike up onto the foldable and removable ramp. Not having to do any lifting is a huge advantage when it comes to heavy and cumbersome e-bikes. It also has a tilting function that can make positioning the bikes even easier.
Considering its weight (just 45lbs), it’s one of the most robust racks on the market and designed to last for years. It has a generous 130lb capacity, so it’ll be rare that it won’t be able to hold two e-bikes easily.
Because the rack itself isn’t too heavy, it makes things a lot easier if you have to store it when not in use. Plus it has handy wheels, so you can minimize any lifting even further.
The Easy Fold XT has a patented system for securing the bikes to the rack. It has a specialized locking door-knob clamps that will hold your bike in place firmly without causing any damage to the frame or paintwork.
This rack has lots of little handy extra features too. Although these won’t be deal-breakers, they make the higher price point more justifiable. It has a license plate holder, reflectors, brake light plug-ins and a protector for use on more delicate carbon fiber frames.
If you have an expensive e-bike and want to keep it secure and safe, then investing in the Easyfold XT could be a worthwhile investment. You also get a lifetime warranty and Thule are renowned for their customer service.
Why it Might Not Work For You
For longer wheelbase bikes or those with particularly fat tires, the platform base can be slightly limiting. These bikes won’t sit as securely, sometimes it can be a struggle to secure both wheel straps, and it can prevent you from being able to have two bikes on the rack at once.
Make sure you look at the measurements carefully before purchase. You could also consider purchasing the XXL wheel strap kit as this helps accommodate longer bikes and those with tires up to 4.7 inches wide.
Considering the fantastic construction of the main rack, it’s a shame the ramp section isn’t as sturdy.
Although the rack itself is super simple to assemble and attach to the vehicle, it can take a bit of practice when securing the bikes themselves. It isn’t as intuitive as some of the other racks in this regard.
Overall Verdict
The Thule Easyfold XT is secure, easy to use, can carry two heavy bikes, and the ramp saves you having to lift the bikes up much. It’s a hefty investment, however, and it won’t be suitable for many long wheelbase bikes.
>> Tap Here to Read More Reviews and See Today’s Price on Amazon.com <<
- No. of Bikes: 2
- Rack weight: 56lbs
- Max load capacity: 120lbs
What We Loved
This is a well-designed and versatile rack. Unlike the Thule electric bike rack, the NV 2.0 will fit long wheelbase bikes and those with even the widest of fat tires with ease.
The platform also ensures an incredibly secure fit. You’re not going to have any rattling or shaking while in transit with this model.
The locking cable gives you peace of mind when you have to leave the bikes on the car unattended for short periods.
Just this year, Kuat have integrated an onboarding ramp into the design so, like the Thule rack, you won’t have to worry about injuring your back trying to haul a heavy e-bike up onto the platform. This solved the previous issues that some users had with it being tricky to load up – especially for shorter riders.
Just slightly less than the Thule XT, this rack has a maximum capacity of 120lbs – which is more than enough to allow transport of two average e-bikes. There’s actually a four bike version too, but it weighs considerably more, and the maximum weight capacity per bike is 40lbs instead of 60lbs.
If you need access to your trunk, the rack can be tilted, although it can be tricky to maneuver the pivot lever without the help of a second person.
The adjustable cradles on the rack mean you won’t have an issue with potentially damaging bike-on-bike contact – it fits two bikes comfortably and with a decent amount of space between them.
It’s also super handy that this model comes with a work stand that can be attached to the rack. If you tinker with your bike while on the road, it saves you also having to carry an additional bulky and heavy repair stand.
Why it Might Not Work For You
There’s not much to gripe about with the NV 2.0. The biggest stumbling block is that it’s another one with a big price tag – but you do get what you pay for, and this rack is built to last.
Heavier than the Thule XT, the NV 2.0 doesn’t have any wheels to make it easier to move it around. If you have to remove it and store it frequently, you’ll have to be prepared for a bit of muscle work.
Although this rack is another one with a no-tool installation process, the instructions are relatively complicated, and for non-tech riders, it could take a bit of effort to get the initial install done.
Overall Verdict
Versatile, well-made and providing a secure fit for most bike types, the Kuat NV 2.0 ticks a lot of boxes, while not being quite as pricey as the Thule Easy Fold XT.
>> Tap Here to Read More Reviews and See Today’s Price on Amazon.com <<
- No. of Bikes: 2
- Rack weight: 55lbs
- Max load capacity: 160lbs
What We Loved
If you don’t want to splurge on the likes of the Thule or the Kuat models, then the considerably cheaper Hollywood Sport Rider SE 2 is well worth considering.
For riders of heavy off-road electric trail or mountain bikes, this rack has the most generous capacity of all those reviewed. It can hold two bikes weighing up to 80lbs each with ease. It’s also another model that can accommodate wide fat tires and long wheelbase frames.
If you want to be able to access the trunk of your vehicle, this is still possible when the rack is loaded because of the tilt system it utilizes, although mastering the technique to release the tilt function pin can be tricky.
Hollywood use a ‘no-wobble’ design that ensures the rack has a secure fit on your vehicle and won’t jiggle around or vibrate when in motion.
They also have an effective cable lock system for securing the bike wheels and frames to the rack if you need to leave it unsupervised for a short period.
Why it Might Not Work For You
This is a sturdy rack, but some of the fixtures and fittings aren’t as sophisticated as those on the Thule and Kuat models. Whether the rack will have the same longevity is debatable.
If your e-bike has a low step-thru frame, you’ll need to buy their separate adaptor as the frame clamp doesn’t reach low enough otherwise.
It can be tricky to get the adjustment right when it comes to the wheel holder on this rack, and some riders could find this frustrating. It requires a pretty precise technique, and it isn’t as intuitive as the Thule and Kuat models. The manufacturers even suggest that removing the battery will make this easier, but having to do this seems like a lot of extra faff and not all batteries are designed to be easily removed.
The manufacturer states explicitly that this rack isn’t suitable for use on a trailer because the movement created can cause fatigue in the steel, and it could result in a crack appearing and the rack dropping off.
Overall Verdict
A versatile rack that might not have the extra features and sophistication of some of the more pricey models, but, for a much more affordable price point, it does the job well.
>> Tap Here to Read More Reviews and See Today’s Price on Amazon.com <<
- No. of Bikes: 2
- Rack weight: 20lbs
- Max load capacity: 120lbs
What We Loved
The big selling points for the Saris Freedom are its weight and its price point. Weighing in at just 20lbs, it’s way lighter and more portable than all the other racks we have reviewed. If you frequently have to remove it and store it, this is a big plus.
It’s also very competitively priced and is less than half the price of the Thule model we reviewed.
The underframe clamps used on this hitch mean you aren’t likely to cause damage to your fenders.
The frame design also offers easier access to the back position when loading the bike than some of the other models do. Plus when there aren’t any bikes on the rack, it’s easy to access your trunk.
It’s also a bonus that, despite the competitive price point, you still get a lifetime warranty with the Saris Hitch.
Why it Might Not Work For You
As you would expect for a rack at this price point, there are a few compromises. There aren’t any cable or hitch locks for extra security if you have to leave your car unattended. There’s no tilt mechanism, and this bike won’t accommodate fat tires or long wheelbase frames. Plus, it isn’t quite as robust as the other racks reviewed.
It can also be tricky to position two bikes successfully at the same time on the rack and can take a bit of configuring.
There’s a Saris Freedom EX 2 model that offers more of the features mentioned above, and it’s still considerably cheaper than the other racks we’ve reviewed. It’s also possible to buy wheel holders to accommodate fat tires on this model.
Overall Verdict
Great value for money, but this rack does have some limitations that could prove frustrating, especially if you plan to have two bikes in the rack often.
>> Tap Here to Read More Reviews and See Today’s Price on Amazon.com <<
Last updated on: