The Greatest Hitch Bike Racks of 2023

There are numerous methods to move bikes along with your automobile, however hitch bike racks are arguably the very best. With so many fashions and kinds to select from, nevertheless, discovering the proper hitch rack in your wants and funds generally is a problem. At Bikerumor, we’ve examined dozens of the very best hitch racks available on the market to search out the very best methods to conveniently and safely transport your treasured bikes wherever you go.

Whether or not you’re doing mountain bike shuttles with an enormous crew, heading out on an off-the-cuff experience or to a race, or loading up the household for a weekend trip, we’ve discovered the very best choices obtainable in 2023. Our staff assessed every mannequin’s ease of use, weight limits, versatility, safety features, and meeting, to give you the main points you have to make a extra knowledgeable buy choice. 

Right here you’ll discover our high suggestions adopted by the very best of the remaining that are all additionally nice merchandise worthy of consideration. If you happen to’d like to match product specs make sure to try our comparability chart and check with our complete purchaser’s information and FAQ to assist reply any questions.

Editor’s Word: This evaluate was up to date on Nov. 17, 2023, with the addition of the Thule Epos and 1Up Recon Rack to our product choice, make some adjustments to our award winners, and to make sure the accuracy of the knowledge offered.

The Greatest Hitch Bike Racks of 2023

---

Better of the Relaxation

Hitch Bike Racks Comparability Chart

Hitch Bike Rack	MSRP	Variety of Bikes	Rack Weight	Per Bike Weight Capability	Hitch Measurement Choices	Safety Options
Thule T2 Professional XTR	$800	2 (as much as 4 with add-ons)	52 lbs	60 lbs	1.25″ and a pair of″	Locking hitch knob and built-in cable locks
Rocky Mounts MonoRail	$500	2 (as much as 3 with add-ons)	45 lbs	60 lbs	1.25″ and a pair of″	Hitch pin lock and cable lock
Kuat Piston Professional X	$1,389	2 (as much as 4 with add-ons)	63 lbs	67 lbs	1.25″ and a pair of″	Hitch pin lock and 12mm metal cable lock
1Up USA 2″ Heavy Obligation Double	$650	2 (as much as 4 with add-ons)	46 lbs	50 lbs	2″	Hitch pin lock
Rocky Mounts BackStage	$770	2	62.4 lbs	60 lbs	2″	Hitch pin lock and cable lock
Thule Epos	$1,000-$1,249	2	38 lbs	75 lbs (140 lbs max)	1.25″ and a pair of″	Locking hitch knob and locking straps
1Up Recon 5	$1,200	5 (additionally is available in 6-bike)	92 lbs	45 lbs	2″	Hitch pin lock and welded metal lock loop
VelociRAX	$885 (5-bike)	5 (additionally 3, 4, 6, and seven bikes)	89 lbs	55 lbs (230 lbs max)	2″	Hitch pin lock
Yakima FullSwing	$699	4	56 lbs	40 lbs (150 lbs max)	2″	Locking SpeedKnob and built-in cable lock
Kuat Switch V2	$449	2 (as much as 4 with add-ons)	37 lbs	60 lbs	1.25″ and a pair of″	Tamper-resistant hitch tightener and cable lock
Yakima StageTwo	$749	2 (as much as 4 with add-ons)	66 lbs	70 lbs	1.25″ and a pair of″	Locking SpeedKnob and built-in cable locks
Rocky Mounts GuideRail	$850	2 (as much as 3 with add-ons)	49 lbs	60 lbs	1.25″ and a pair of″	Hitch pin lock and 10mm sq. hyperlink chain
Kuat NV 2.0	$849	2 (as much as 4 with add-ons)	56 lbs	60 lbs	1.25″ and a pair of″	Hitch pin lock and built-in cable locks
Yakima OnRamp	$799	2	43 lbs	66 lbs	1.25″ and a pair of″	Cable lock
North Shore Racks	$900 (6-bike)	6 (additionally 2 and 4 bikes)	72 lbs	60 lbs (300 lbs max – 6-bike)	2″	None
Kuat Sherpa 2.0	$629	2	32 lbs	40 lbs	1.25″ and a pair of″	Hitch pin lock and cable lock
Yakima HangOver	$999 (6-bike)	6 (additionally 4-bike model)	73 lbs	37.5 lbs	2″	Hitch pin lock

Why Ought to You Belief Bikerumor?

The staff at Bikerumor is obsessive about all issues biking. We experience for work, enjoyable, health, coaching, racing, and commuting. We don’t simply write about bikes, they’re a driving power in our on a regular basis lives. Such as you, we frequently use our autos to move ourselves and our treasured bicycles, and hitch-mounted bike racks are our most well-liked manner to take action. 

For over a decade, we’ve been testing the newest bikes, applied sciences, elements, and equipment, together with bike racks. In that point, we’ve gotten our arms on nearly each bike rack available on the market whether or not for testing and evaluate or private use. We’re all the time looking for the very best, most secure, and most safe method to transport our bikes to the trailhead, for a weekend getaway, or to the subsequent race. In step with holding bikes protected and safe, we’ve additionally totally examined and reviewed the very best bike locks. We additionally worth our private security, which is why we’ve examined the greatest mountain bike helmets and the greatest highway bike helmets too.

Our editors have been testing biking gear for years and have developed a eager sense of what makes an amazing product. Every rack featured right here has been totally used and examined by one, or a number of members, of our employees to tease out the usually delicate efficiency variations that separate the great from the very best. The truth is, many of those fashions are our private racks which have seen a number of years of heavy use and abuse. Relaxation assured, we have now our fingers on the heartbeat, and as new fashions hit the market, we’ll take a look at these too, and preserve this evaluate as up-to-date as potential. We’re dedicated to serving to you discover the proper rack to fulfill your wants and funds.

Shopping for Recommendation: The right way to Select a Hitch Bike Rack

There are numerous kinds of motorbike racks available on the market, however we really feel that hitch-mount racks are one of the simplest ways to move your bikes. Hitch racks are available a number of kinds, nevertheless, so that you’ll want to find out which is the most suitable choice for the bikes you personal and the automobile you’ll apply it to. Right here we break down the principle variations between tray racks, vertical carry racks, and high tube hanging racks, in addition to different essential issues to think about when buying a hitch rack. 

Sorts of Hitch Mount Bike Racks

There are benefits and downsides to every kind of rack. Right here we’ll clarify the variations together with the professionals and cons related to every type.

Tray or Platform Hitch Bike Racks

Most of the time, we select the tray or platform type rack over the others because of their ease of use and bike attachment strategies. The bike’s tires relaxation on a tray or platform with arms that sometimes clamp down on the entrance wheel whereas the rear wheel is strapped into place. Some fashions use arms to seize each the entrance and rear wheels. Tray racks are probably the most secure and safe. Some fashions enable for left-right changes so you’ll be able to keep away from handlebar-to-seat interference between bikes. Severe cyclists sometimes select tray racks as a result of most designs maintain the bike with none body contact, serving to to maintain your experience in pristine situation.

PROS: Good tray racks sometimes maintain bikes with no body contact in order that they gained’t scratch or rub on the paint. In addition they are likely to have more room between bikes, making it simpler to load larger bikes and fatter tires. They’re very versatile and most can maintain a variety of wheel sizes, tire widths, and kinds of bikes. Some have excessive weight limits making them appropriate for transporting heavy e-bikes. Low loading heights imply you don’t should raise your bikes that prime to get them on the rack.

CONS: Most tray racks can solely match 2 bikes (some can max out at 4 with add-ons). They’re typically fairly costly, and including a 2-bike extension to a 2-bike rack will increase the associated fee much more. Tray racks are sometimes massive and heavy, making storage tougher for those who don’t simply go away them in your automobile.

Vertical Carry Hitch Bike Racks

What was as soon as a really area of interest type of rack is changing into extra widespread as extra manufacturers have began making racks that grasp the bikes vertically. Historically, vertical carry hitch racks had been generally used for shuttling mountain bikes. Earlier fashions held bikes by the crown of a suspension fork. Extra not too long ago, this type of rack has turn out to be extra versatile. Some new fashions function angled wheel baskets/trays that seize the entrance wheel whereas others help them by the handlebar. Vertical carry racks will be a number of the best to load, though it should be achieved in a selected order. Most fashions are supplied in a number of variations with carrying capacities sometimes various between 4 to six bikes. 

PROS: Able to carrying plenty of bikes. Comparatively fast and straightforward to load bikes. Sometimes no body contact. 

CONS: Cumbersome and really heavy. Tough to maneuver round and retailer when not in use. Bikes have to be loaded and unloaded so as. Some designs are solely able to carrying mountain bikes with suspension forks. Most solely are available a 2” receiver dimension.

Prime Tube Hanging Hitch Bike Racks

Prime tube hanging bike racks sometimes maintain your bike’s body by hanging the highest tube throughout two arms that stretch out from its help beam. You merely slide your bike over these arms, relaxation it on them, then strap it into place. Higher fashions have cradles and rubber or ratcheting ladder straps in addition to some technique of stopping your bikes from swaying backwards and forwards. These racks are available varied sizes with carrying capacities ranging between 2 and 5 bikes. At Bikerumor, we personal and experience bikes that we care about, so that is our least favourite method to transport bikes because of the inherent downsides of the highest tube grasp design.

PROS: Cheaper, simpler to retailer (particularly if the arms fold down), lighter weight.

CONS: Helps the bikes by the body and might injury the paint. Bikes typically make contact with one another. Non-traditional body shapes (like step-through frames), actually small (child’s) bikes, or full suspension mountain bikes will be exhausting to suit, correctly safe, or require an adapter. Hanging racks are nowhere close to as secure or safe as tray racks. Decrease weight limits.

Product Issues

Tray vs. Vertical Carry vs. Prime Tube Grasp: Which is the very best?

Choosing the proper type of rack will rely upon a number of elements together with what number of and what kind of bikes you have to carry, how typically you plan to make use of it, and the way a lot you’re keen to spend. Most of the time, we go for tray racks or vertical hanging racks as they’re the simplest to load, most secure and safe, and are much less prone to injury the paint in your body. These are usually the costliest choices, nevertheless, so they could not make monetary sense for these on a funds or much less frequent rack customers. Prime tube hanging racks could be a greater possibility for individuals who solely use a motorbike rack often or are much less involved with the looks of their bike’s body. 

How Many Bikes Do You Want To Carry?

It could appear apparent, however the variety of bikes you plan to hold when purchasing for a motorbike rack. Many racks will be bought in various sizes/carrying capacities or extensions will be added on to deal with extra bikes. 

Most tray racks include house for 2 bikes, though some are supplied in single or three-bike configurations. Many producers supply add-ons for tray racks (relying on the mannequin) that may increase capability by one or two bikes. Tray rack add-ons can add considerably to the price of your rack system.

Vertical hanging racks are sometimes supplied in a number of sizes, normally between 4 and 6 bikes. Whereas the upfront price of vertical hanging racks is substantial, it finally ends up being one of the crucial cost-effective methods to move 4 to six bikes (some manufacturers go as much as 7) apart from a tailgate pad. 

Prime tube hanging racks are supplied in varied sizes ranging between 2 and 5 bikes. 

How A lot Do Your Bikes Weigh?

The arrival of and proliferation of electrical bikes has made weight capability a standard concern for these wanting into a brand new bike rack buy. Not all racks are created equal on this regard, so weight limits ought to be thought of primarily based on the bikes you plan to hold. With many e-MTBs and electrical bikes weighing within the neighborhood of fifty to 60 lbs, and generally extra, rack producers have been designing racks to deal with this new breed of bicycles. In case you are planning to move heavy e-bikes, it is very important get a rack that meets or exceeds the load of your bikes for security. The Thule Epos has the best weight per bike capability of all of the fashions we examined at 75 lbs, adopted intently by the Yakima StageTwo at 70 lbs. It ought to be famous that some racks are rated for RV and off-road use, though the load limits sometimes drop down barely in these functions.

Loading Heavy Bikes

Heavyweight electrical bikes are tougher to load, so some producers have responded with rack designs and equipment to assist make it simpler. Lifting a 60 lb bike up and into place on a tray rack is awkward and will even be unattainable for these with restricted energy or mobility. Many manufacturers now supply loading ramps that may be bought to permit customers to roll bikes up onto the trays of sure racks. A choose few racks even include this accent included, just like the Yakima OnRamp. Different racks, just like the Thule Epos, Yakima StageTwo, and the Kuat Piston Professional X, are appropriate with aftermarket ramps, and the racks themselves have excessive weight limits to deal with these heavyweight rigs.

Bike Attachment Issues

Relying on the kind of bikes you might have and the way a lot you care about your body’s end, the best way a rack secures the bike could also be an essential consideration. Fashionable carbon fiber and aluminum bikes will be very costly, so the very last thing most individuals need to do is injury the paint or body materials whereas transporting their treasured rides. For that reason, high tube hanging racks ought to usually be averted by these with costly carbon bikes since they carry bikes by the body. Restricted house between bikes additionally makes bike-on-bike contact troublesome to keep away from.

Tray Racks

Most tray racks, however not all, keep away from body contact by securing the bike with both a entrance wheel clamp and rear wheel ladder strap, or with twin clamp arms that sandwich the bike from each ends. Entrance wheel clamping fashions such because the Thule T2 Professional XTR, Rocky Mounts MonoRail, Kuat NV 2.0, and Yakima StageTwo have hook-shaped ratcheting arms that lock the entrance wheel down and a strap that holds the rear wheel tight in opposition to the tray. These fashions keep away from body contact, however it ought to be famous that the entrance wheel hook can doubtlessly make contact with the fork and go away abrasion marks over time, and the rear wheel strap can go away some minor scuffing in your rear rim. Twin clamp fashions just like the 1Up-USA Heavy Obligation Double, Kuat Piston Professional X, and Rocky Mounts GuideRail, maintain bikes by the tires, making it straightforward to keep away from any undesirable body, fork, and even rim contact.

Vertical Carry Racks

Vertical carry racks range in the best way they maintain bikes, with choices that help bikes by the fork’s crown, entrance wheel, or handlebar. Fashions with entrance wheel baskets/cradles, just like the VelociRAX and the 1Up Recon, make the least quantity of contact with the bike as they typically solely contact the entrance tire and have straps that maintain the rear wheels in place. Racks that carry bikes by the fork crown, just like the North Shore Racks and Yakima HangOver, have padded cradles that make direct contact with each the crown of your suspension fork and the underside of the pinnacle tube and have the potential to trigger abrasion marks in these areas. Vertical racks that help bikes by the handlebar are somewhat extra versatile than the fork-carry fashions, however additionally they have the potential to trigger minor abrasion injury to your handlebar’s end.

What Form of Bikes Do You Have?

Together with the quantity and weight of the bikes you have to transport is the kinds of bikes you might have. Whereas hitch racks are extremely versatile by way of bike match, not all will work with each bike. Some racks are designed to work with nearly any bike on the market and might help an enormous vary of wheel sizes, tire widths, and wheelbase lengths, whereas others are extra restricted. It is very important contemplate these elements when looking for the rack that most accurately fits your wants and the bikes you’ll be transporting.

The character of tray rack designs means they’re among the many most versatile by way of bike match. Most work with various wheel sizes and tires starting from skinny highway bikes to mountain bike treads. Many fashions can match as much as 5-inch vast fatties, though some require fats bike kits. A limiting issue for some tray racks is wheelbase size, so select correctly when you’ve got a brilliant lengthy downhill or enduro bikes.

Vertical carry racks range of their versatility relying on how they help the bike. Some fashions maintain the bike by the crown of the fork and solely work with mountain bikes with suspension forks. Fashions that use entrance wheel baskets or grasp the bike by the handlebars work with a better number of bikes, together with these with inflexible forks or drop handlebars.

Prime tube hanging racks are the least versatile because of the manner wherein they help the bikes. Grownup-size frames with straight high tubes work the very best. Curved tubes, small frames, or full suspension bikes could also be troublesome or unattainable to place correctly over the help arms. Most manufacturers make adapters to hold non-compatible frames.

What Measurement Is Your Hitch Receiver?

When ordering a motorbike rack, it’s crucial to get one which matches the scale of the receiver in your automobile. Many autos, however actually not all, include hitch receivers put in, so make sure to double-check the scale. It is going to be both the bigger 2” or the smaller 1.25”. Can’t inform simply by wanting? Merely measure the width of the receiver opening to search out the scale. If you happen to don’t have already got one, it’s potential to get one put in on most autos. Native auto retailers or U-haul areas can sometimes deal with it for you. In lots of instances, it is usually potential to do it your self, and trailer hitch kits can sometimes be discovered on-line to suit your 12 months, make, and mannequin of auto.

If getting a trailer hitch put in, the two” dimension is our advice as it’s usually stronger and might help extra weight. This makes it higher for transporting tray racks with add-ons, racks with swing-away attachments, or vertical hanging racks. The 1.25” dimension additionally works properly sufficient, however the weight score is mostly somewhat decrease and a few racks are solely supplied within the 2” dimension. Adapters can be found to go between the 2 sizes, and a few racks even include adjustable receiver ends that may be switched between them.

Swing Away and Tilt Options

Most high quality tray racks have a tilt operate so you’ll be able to fold it up when not in use, flat for transporting bikes, and tilt it down and away to entry the rear of the automobile. Some racks have handy tilt-release handles or foot pedals and will be tilted down even with bikes on the rack. Others have much less user-friendly launch mechanisms that require you to succeed in beneath or round loaded bikes to tilt the rack. Most vertical and high tube hanging racks even have tilt options for simpler entry to the rear of the automobile.

Individuals who have camper vans, cabover campers, or just need vast open entry to the again of the automobile ought to contemplate racks that swing away or including a swing away/pivoting attachment to the rack of your alternative. This enables the complete rack to pivot out and to the facet, making it simpler to open massive doorways or just take pleasure in unrestricted entry to your trunk (boot), truck mattress, or camper. A choose few racks include this function constructed into the design, just like the Rocky Mounts Backstage, however most main producers additionally make swing-away attachments. These attachments are sometimes solely obtainable within the 2” receiver dimension for racks that even have 2” receiver ends.

Automobile Clearance

The clearance between the rack, bikes, and your automobile is worthy of consideration. No person needs to have their rear window damaged by their handlebar whereas in transit or must loosen and switch their handlebar each time they load a motorbike on the within tray. Some trailer hitches are mounted additional beneath the automobile, making the rack itself sit nearer to the rear bumper. Further elements just like the type of auto and the design of the bumper and rear door additionally play a job. Some racks play good with nearly any automobile whereas others can have a tighter match that may trigger contact between handlebars and rear home windows or doorways. That is commonest with tray racks and autos with vertical rear doorways like campervans that may be extra problematic on this regard in comparison with these with sloping rear ends like station wagons and hatchbacks.

Most rack producers present technical specs or match guides on their web sites for reference. This hyperlink to Kuat’s Piston Professional X Match Information is an effective instance that offers you all of the measurements you want for that particular rack. Evaluating your measurements to the rack’s specs ought to offer you an concept of whether or not or not a rack will match. Nonetheless, that doesn’t all the time remedy the handlebar clearance difficulty, though that’s usually most prevalent with vertical rear doorways. In some instances, it might be essential to get a hitch extension to attain the correct clearance in your automobile. Luckily, most manufacturers supply hitch extensions as an aftermarket accent, a few of which additionally elevate and decrease the peak of the rack. Vertical hanging racks normally have fewer clearance points as they sometimes have an angle adjustment to place it correctly to keep away from any interference with the rear of the automobile.

Safety

Bikes will be very costly, so holding them protected is a precedence for many customers. The very last thing anybody needs is to cease for a fast errand and discover their bike(s) stolen once they return. Many racks, however not all, include included safety features like cable locks built-in or semi-integrated into their design. Whereas these options are undoubtedly a lot better than nothing, they’re sometimes little greater than a theft deterrent. We all the time suggest including a beefy aftermarket lock to your rack for an added layer of safety and peace of thoughts. You’ll be able to be taught extra in our evaluate of the very best bike locks.

Racks are additionally pretty costly, so holding them protected and safe can be essential. Luckily, most hitch racks include hitch pin locks or locking knobs to safe them to the automobile. Some require using particular safety allen keys to tighten or loosen them on the hitch. Hitch pin locks are pretty cheap, and an amazing addition to any rack that doesn’t already include one.

Meeting

If you buy a hitch bike rack from a brick-and-mortar retailer, they may sometimes assemble the rack for you and doubtlessly even assist you set up it in your automobile. If you buy a rack on-line, it normally arrives at your own home in a big field with some meeting required to organize it to be used. The meeting course of varies between fashions and a few are extra concerned than others, however usually, it isn’t too troublesome. Most fashions include detailed directions and the instruments wanted to finish the steps within the course of. Typically you’ll find an tutorial meeting video (or scan a QR code) for those who choose to see it achieved. We suggest following the directions precisely for the simplest and most streamlined meeting.

Storage

Whereas many individuals will select to depart their hitch rack on their autos always, most individuals will take it off seasonally or once they aren’t planning to make use of it for an prolonged interval. You’ll want someplace to maintain it, and most hitch racks are pretty cumbersome and take up a good quantity of house in your storage, shed, or storage location. That is very true of most vertical hanging and tray fashions, though a couple of collapse to a smaller dimension to make storing them extra handy. Some corporations make wall-mountable hitch docks that may maintain your rack up off the bottom to maintain issues tidier. Prime tube hanging racks are usually the simplest to retailer given their narrower collapsed dimensions.

Worth

There’s no denying that hitch bike racks are costly. Costs have been steadily rising and the highest-end fashions now high $1,000. Except you’re rolling in disposable revenue, that’s a troublesome capsule to swallow for most individuals. Certain, costlier racks sometimes have fancy options and high-end finishes, however most individuals don’t want to spend that a lot to get a rack that will get the job achieved.

Realistically, the least costly fashions we examined work practically in addition to the high-priced choices. All of them work higher than no rack in any respect. After all, the value of some racks goes manner up when you have to add capability. Tray racks get rather more costly whenever you issue add-ons into the equation. These needing to hold many bikes without delay can be smart to take a look at the vertical hanging choices. Whereas the upfront price is pretty excessive, they price lower than some racks with add-ons for carrying 4 or extra bikes at a time.

Ceaselessly Requested Questions About Hitch Bike Racks

Associated Content material