You Can’t Just Go And Choose A Regular Bike Rack For Your Precious Electric Bike. Some people will simply tell you that Kuat NV 2.0 is one of the best bike rack for electric bikes; yes, that is true to some extent, but there are things that you have to know and consider before investing in one.
We both know that quality bike racks don’t come cheap and I don’t want you to feel bad by investing in the wrong one. Long ago, I’ve been there, done that.
So, let me help you out using my experience. Me and my team have been working with bike racks for a long time and we have tested hundreds of them in the process, and from those, I made a list of the 10 best bike racks for electric bikes.
I’ll be providing detailed reviews on them along with their spec and everything else you need to know in order to feel confident about your purchase.
Besides, you will get a buying guide, tips, and tons of useful info throughout the whole article.
What are the best e bike racks? (Top 11 list)
- Kuat Sherpa 2.0 Bike Rack– Best Security Electric Bike rack
- Thule T2 Pro XT Bike Rack – Best Hitch mounted electric bike rack for SUV
- HYPERAX 2 E Bike Rack Review – Best fat tire e bike rack
- KAC Overdrive Sports Hitch Rack – Best bike rack for e bikes with fenders
- Leader Accessories Hitch Bike Rack – Best budget bike rack for electric bikes
- Kuat NV 2.0 – Best Premium Electric Bike Rack
- Saris Freedom Bike Rack – Best lightweight electric bike rack
- Saris Superclamp EX 4-Bike Hitch Rack – Best bike rack for 4 electric bikes
- RockyMounts Monorail 2-Bike Rack – Best Easy to use Hitch Electric Bike Rack
- Swagman CURRENT Bike Rack – Best overall electric bike rack
- Hollywood Sport Rider Rack – Best Bike rack for Heavy e bike
What type of car rack is suitable for an electric bike?
There are a few different types of car bike racks, six of them to be exact. But, not all of them are suitable for electric bikes.
Electric bikes are comparatively heavier and they need more security in general.
That is why hitch bike racks are the most suitable for e bikes. Not just any hitch bike would do the job; specifically, a platform hitch bike would be the absolute best option.
The high price tag of platform bike racks can be a concerning factor, but you wouldn’t want to use cheap alternatives and break both your car and expensive e bike in the process.
Trunk racks, such as Saris bones, is an amazing bike rack for a decent price. It’s lightweight and good looking. But, trunk racks don’t have enough load capacity to comfortably carry an average e bike.
The highest a trunk bike rack carry is around 35 lbs, and an average electric bike weighs around 40lbs.
I know what you (the smart ones) are thinking. Yes, you could take off the battery to reduce the weight and then carry the bike easily. Despite that, you have high chance of ruining the bike in many other ways.
Also, when it comes to roof bike racks, it’s very inconvenient to use them because an e bike is way too heavy to put up there.
Platform or tray style hitch bike rack provides the most convenient, safe, and secure transportation for your loving e bike.
Note: there are actually 6 different types of car bike racks
Best Bike Racks for Electric Bikes Reviews with Pros and Cons
1- Kuat Sherpa 2.0 Review : Best Security Electric Bike Rack
Product Specifications
- Integrated Lock: Yes
- Material: Aluminum
- Load Capacity: 80 lbs.
- Weight: 32 lbs.
- Bike Capacity: 2 bikes
- Receiver Size: 1.25/2 inches
- Available styles: Passenger Car, SUV, Truck, Sedan
Product Rating:
Security for electric bikes is our foremost priority when talking about bike racks. Unfortunately, many rack manufacturers ignore the security aspects of their products.
However, that’s not the case with Kuat – which is a name that you can trust and rely on. The Kuat Sherpa 2.0 has made itself famous by providing uncompromising quality and security.
Kuat Sherpa 2.0 has 360 security like integrated locks, durable straps, ratcheting arms, and hitch pin.
Top features:
Security: Kuat Sherpa 2.0 offers all around security for the mounted bikes. The hitch pin locks the rack with the vehicle. Durable cable lock and straps lock the bikes with the rack frame. And, the same key system (SKS) makes the locking system easy and convenient.
Versatile hitch size: The rack has two versatile and compatible hitch variants – 1.25” and 2”. A knob is set in the middle that tightens the hitch receiver to eliminate any wobbling.
Perfect for 2 Bikes: You can comfortably fit and carry two e-bikes on this rack. The rack fits wheelbases up to 47” and tires up to 3” width. There’s enough space between each bike so that bikes don’t scratch each other.
Tilting Feature: The smart tilting feature allows you to access the trunk. You can easily tilt away the rack frame using the lever and access the trunk.
Review And Analysis:
Hands down, this is one of the best and most premium e bike racks we have tested till now. The lightweight complete aluminum body offers premium service. The high-end glamourous features fully justify the expensive price tag of this e bike rack.
Other than the price being hefty, neither I nor the team could put up any complaint about this beautiful Kuat Sherpa 2.0.
Compared to the NV, this is just like a brother with a slightly less price tag, for all the right reasons. Kuat Sherpa 2.0 is perfect for those who want full security for their e-bikes and are willing to spend good money on it.
Why We Like It
- Lightweight aluminum built body
- Versatile hitch size
- Looks aesthetically pleasing and expensive
- Impressive security and protection for the bikes
- Easy to install and convenient to use
Keep Note
- Nothing but its expensive price tag.
2 – Thule T2 Pro XT Review – Best Hitch Mounted E-Bike Rack For SUV
Product Specifications
- Integrated
- Lock: Yes
- Material: Alloy
- Load Capacity: 120 lbs.
- Weight: 52 lbs.
- Bike Capacity: 2 bikes
- Receiver Size: 1.25/2 inches
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car, SUV, Truck, Sedan
Product Rating:
This premium electric bike rack is undoubtedly the best fit for an SUV. You can mount two bikes on this rack and it can carry up to 120 lbs. Weight.
The 52 lbs alloy body looks premium and high-quality. Thule is a renowned brand in the world of bike racks. The quality they provide is unparalleled to other brands.
Top features:
Multi-Purpose Ratchet Arm: A multi-purpose ratchet arm holds the bike steadily by locking the front tire onto the rack frame. You can fold down the ratchet arms to shrink down the rack size.
Impressive Security: A 24” primary cable lock with the Same key system ensures security for your E-bike. The rear tires are fixed with the rack using durable Nylon straps. The cable might not perfectly fit with the fat tire bike. In that case, you’ll need to get an additional lock for the rack.
Tilting Platform: You can tilt down the rack to access the trunk. Tilting it down is straightforward. You just have to push the lever and slide down the platform.
Versatile Hitch: The 1.25” and 2’ hitch is perfectly suitable for any SUV. Attaching the hitch to the receiver is fairly easy and straightforward.
Review And Analysis:
Although the price is on the higher side, it’ll be a worthwhile investment if you can afford it. We have ridden a thousand miles with this thing and are completely satisfied with the service.
If you have bikes, you can get the Thule T2 Pro XT 2 Bike Add-on to carry 4 bikes at a time.
One minor downside of the rack is that although it can carry fat tire bikes, the cable lock is not sufficient to fit the wide tires. However, you can rectify it by getting an additional lock.
You can watch this video to learn how to assemble and mount your electric bikes on the Thule T2 Pro XT.
Why We Like It
- Straightforward installation
- The foldability makes it compact
- Ratcheting arms sturdily lock down the front and tight straps secure the rear tire
- The rack tilts downwards and offers ample room for the trunk to open
- It can safely carry 2 bikes with enough space in between.
- Option for 4 cycles is available as well.
- Inbuilt 24” cable lock secures the bike with the ratchet arm.
Keep Note
- The cable lock length may not be sufficient for fat tires
- High price
3 – HYPERAX 2 E Bike Rack Review – Best fat tire electric bike rack
Product Specifications
- Integrated Lock: Yes
- Material: Alloy Steel
- Load Capacity: 140 lbs.
- Weight: 33.5 lbs
- Bike Capacity: 2 bikes
- Receiver Size: 2 inches
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car, SUV, Truck, Sedan
Product Rating:
For fat tire heavy e bikes users, we would recommend this fantastic bike rack from Hyperax. This carrier can load two fat e bikes up to 140 lbs. The platform supports 5 inch fat tires with a 58-inch wheelbase.
Top features:
Security and protection: Hyperax 2 bike rack has impressive security. A dual lock system secures the fat bikes with the rack. Once you clamp down the hooks, you can lock it in place using a key and ensure bike security. The rear tires are secured to the rack frame using reflective velcro straps that glow in the dark.
Accessible Trunk: The trunk is easily accessible with this electric bike rack – even when the bikes are mounted on the rack. You just need to remove the safety pin to let the platform tilt down automatically.
Anti-Wobble hitch: The versatile 2 inch hitch has an additional lockset and anti-wobble pin to sturdily attach the rack on the vehicle.
Wheel-Holder: The adjustable wheel holder was impressive as well– it allowed me to set different sized tires on the rack platform. The handlebar on top of the rack helps to comfortably move the rack.
Review And Analysis:
The rack is easy and simple to use. We were pleased to find the small attention to detail such as the rubberized hook that connects with the bike surface. The rubber material is more preferable as steel hooks are prone to damaging the bike frame.
The rack can carry the heavy fat tire e bikes with proper security and protection. The hook, lock and wheelbase add to the security of the mounted bikes. If you have a fat electric bike, this Hyperax rack is the best option for you.
The instruction manual on this thing is not precise. You can watch this video from Hyperax to learn how to assemble this rack.
Why We Like It
- It can load the highest weighted electric bikes
- Supports fat tire electric bikes
- Adjustable wheelbase fits a different types of bikes
- Ample security and protection
Keep Note
- The assembly instruction manual is not clear
4 – KAC Overdrive Sports Hitch Rack Review– Best Bike Rack for E Bikes with Fenders
Product Specifications
- Integrated Lock: Yes
- Material: Alloy Steel
- Load Capacity: 120 lbs.
- Weight: 43.2 lbs
- Bike Capacity: 2 bikes
- Receiver Size: 2 inches
- Vehicle Type: Car, SUV, Truck
Product Rating:
If your electric bike has fenders, the Kuat Sherpa 2.0 and Thule T2 Pro XT won’t fit with your bike as these racks lock the bike using ratcheting arms. In that case, you will need different types of rack fits with an electric bike with fenders.
And, the best bike rack for e bikes with a fender is the KAC Overdrive. The rack secures the bike frame using a durable powder-coated steel tube. The clamps of the tube have foam padding that gently holds onto the bike.
Top features:
Patented Anti-Wobble System: The rack has a patented anti-wobble system that joints the rack on the vehicle. It ensures a solid fit for the hitch and eliminates any chance of wobbling.
Security: The rack is made from durable Alloy steel and it’s strengthened with powder-coated finish – which makes the rack more robust. You lock the bikes with the coated tube using padded hook clamp and the rear tires are tied down with durable straps. The rack also has a hitch pin that secures the rack with the vehicle.
Perfect for electric bikes with fender As we have just stated, unlike other bike racks with ratcheting arms, the KAC Overdrive locks the bikes using the mid tube. It means the fender (mudguard) does not affect the mounting system of the rack.
Fits Fat Bikes: The adjustable platform supports up to 5-inch width and 54-inch wheelbase tires. This suits perfectly with large fat tire electric bikes. The rack can load two electric bikes up to 60 lbs weight.
Pro Tip: it’s best if you remove the bike battery to reduce the bike weight.
Review And Analysis:
KAC Overdrive is the best rack for an electric bike with fenders. Although it has the same locking system as the Hyperax 2 bike rack, however, we have found that the Overdrive fits better with regular e-bikes with fenders.
It offers you all the premium features at a regular price. Reliable security, trunk access, ease of use, and anti-wobble system – all are included in this rack.
You can watch this video from this bald dude to learn how to use the KAC Overdrive.
We failed to find a downside of this rack during our testing.
Why We Like It
- Easy to install and access
- It fits with an electric bike with fenders
- Patented anti-wobble system secures the rack with the vehicle
- Compact folding design saves space
- Durable powder-coated steel materials
Keep Note
- None
5 – Leader Accessories Hitch Bike Rack Review – Best Budget Electric Bike
Product Specifications
- Integrated Lock: Yes
- Material: Heavy Metal
- Load Capacity: 120
- Weight: 52 lbs
- Bike Capacity: 2 bikes
- Receiver Size: 1.25 and 2 inches
- Vehicle Type: Minivan, SUV, Truck
Product Rating:
Electric bike racks are quite expensive. We understand that everyone wouldn’t have the budget to get a premium bike rack.
This hitch bike rack from Leader Accessories is a fine and pocket-friendly choice for most riders. It’s one of the most inexpensive yet high quality electric bike racks available in the market.
Top features:
Premium Features: Even though It’s inexpensive, this rack offers the premium features of a high-end bike rack. For example – smart tilting design, anti-wobble system, folding ability- all are available with this rack.
High Weight Capacity: It can carry two electric bikes and what impressed me the most was its weight capacity. This budget-friendly electric bike rack could carry two of our 70 lbs electric bikes.
Durable Construction: Again, considering its inexpensive price tag, the build quality felt highly durable to me. It’s assisted with abrasion-resistant technology toner coating that protects the rack from scratches and wears.
Security and Protection: The rack has a 2” hitch and an adjustable hitch pin secures the rack with the vehicle. The wheel hoops are also adjustable and they keep the bike steady on the rack.
Unfortunately, the safety is not the best on this rack. There is no integrated lock and It only uses straps to secure the mounted bikes. However, you can get an additional cable lock to fully secure your bike.
Review And Analysis:
It seemed to us as if the manufacturer wanted to fit in all premium features in their rack and keep a lower price tag at the same time. We believe they have mostly succeeded at it.
This would have been a perfect rack if they added an integrated lock to the rack. Nonetheless, we cannot complain about it if we look at the price of this thing.
If you have a lower budget for your bike rack, you can get this one and buy a separate lock – and you will be good to go.
Why We Like It
- The rack is inexpensive
- It has the high-end features of an expensive rack
- Strong and durable construction
- It can load up to 70 lbs bike each
- Adjustable hitch pin and wheel hoops strongly secure the bike
Keep Note
- The rack lacks an integrated lock
6 – Kuat NV 2.0 Review– Best Premium Electric Bike Rack
Product Specifications
- Integrated Lock: Yes
- Material: Heavy Metal
- Load Capacity: 120
- Weight: 52 lbs
- Bike Capacity: 2 bikes
- Receiver Size: 1.25 and 2 inches
- Vehicle Type: Minivan, SUV, Truck
Product Rating:
Kuat NV 2.0 is the best premium electric rack on our list. Kuat went all-in to make this the best bike rack ever. This rack looks and feels like a premium electric bike rack – and that’s what it is. This is an expensive, high-quality and advanced bike rack.
The rack will fit all kinds of bikes that a regular person may have. From skinny tires to fat 5″ tires, you can load it all on the Kuat NV 2.0
Top features:
High Security: The rack has separate long cable locks for the two bikes. And, the tires are locked with durable cradles and straps. Your electric bikes will have ample security and protection when mounted on this Kuat hitch bike rack.
Adjustable Ratcheting Arms: The ratcheting arms tightly cling to the tires and keep them in place. However, with the fat tires, the ratcheting arm may not fit properly. In that case, you’ll have to get an additional Phat Tire Bike kit from Kuat for an easy fix.
Versatile Hitch: The NV 2.0 supports both 1.25″ And 2″ Hitch receivers. The mounting process is easy and straightforward. You just have to lift the rack, attach it to the hitch receiver and lock the hitch pin.
Accessibility: You can easily tilt down the rack with the Foot-assisted pivot system and access the trunk. The lever felt like it could take a beating for a lifetime and still stand strong.
Note: If you want to load more than two bikes, you can get the add-on which will allow you to carry 2 more bikes.
Review And Analysis:
The NV 2.0 is undoubtedly a premium rack for electric bikes. Most importantly, we were highly impressed with the security aspect of this bike rack.
Keep in mind, you’ll need some strength in your arms to attach or detach this 52 lbs rack. You may need to take assistance from someone else to assemble the rack.
The rack can carry two electric bikes with 60 lbs of 20″ – 29″ wheelbase. If you have smaller sized bikes, you can get their 20-24″ Wheel Adapter.
You can watch this video for a assembly demonstration for Kuat NV 2.0
Why We Like It
- Premium quality
- Offers all necessary features
- Ample security
- Highly versatile
- Accessible trunk
Keep Note
- The rack is heavy and expensive
Why We Like It
- Premium quality
- Offers all necessary features
- Ample security
- Highly versatile
- Accessible trunk
Keep Note
- The rack is heavy and expensive
8 – Saris Superclamp EX Bike Rack Review– Best bike rack for 4 electric bikes
Product Specifications
- Integrated Lock: Yes
- Load Capacity: 190 lbs.
- Weight: 63 lbs.
- Bike Capacity: 4 bikes
- Receiver Size: 1.25/2 inches
- Vehicle Type: Car, SUV, Truck
Product Rating:
Saris has earned its name and fame in the cyclist community with its high quality products such as the Saris Superclamp EX.
Made in the USA, the Saris Superclamp EX bike rack is an absolute value for the money. It has a robust construction and is designed to carry up to 4 bikes.
Top features:
Load Capacity: This rack is designed to fit up to 50” wheelbase, 4” wide tires. The trays closest to the vehicle can carry two 60 lbs heavy electric bikes and the second tray can lift two bikes up to 35 lbs weight.
Pro Tip: If you have a fat tire bike, you can get a fat tire wheel holder for this rack.
Bike Security: Integrated cable locks secure your bikes on the rack and the hitch pin locks the rack with the vehicle. Along with the cable lock, the rack has shepherd hooks to lock the tires from above – which is super easy to use. And, durable wheel straps secure them with the rack platform.
Pro Tip: Always keep the cable lock key with yourself. Otherwise, you won’t be able to lock the cable.
Trunk Access: You can tilt down the rack and access the trunk using the plastic lever in the middle. The mounted bikes stay safe and secure even when you tilt down the rack frame. You can fold up the rack against the rack to shrink its size while attached to your vehicle.
Universal Hitch: The Saris Superclamp rack has a universal 1.25” and 2” hitch. The locking hitch pin secures the rack with the vehicle.
Review And Analysis:
SuperClamp EX is the best electric bike rack from Saris. The universal hitch, trunk accessibility and heavy load capacity – these are the features that would make me feel my investment worthwhile.
If you need a bike rack to carry 4 bikes, the Saris Superclamp EX would be the finest choice for you. We couldn’t find any major downside for this rack – it works like a charm!
However, if you load 4 bikes at the same time, you must be cautious about the weight load capacity. Loading too much weight on the rack may cause it to break or bend down.
Why We Like It
- Compact Classy design
- Tilting frame offers access to the trunk
- Fits most electric bikes
- Easy to assemble
Keep Note
- None
9 – RockyMounts Monorail 2-Bike Platform bike rack Review – Best Easy to use Hitch Electric Bike Rack
Product Specifications
- Integrated Lock: Yes
- Load Capacity: 120 lbs.
- Weight: 38 lbs.
- Bike Capacity: 2 bikes
- Receiver Size: 1.25 and 2 inches
- Vehicle Type: Car, SUV, Truck, Van
Product Rating:
Rockymounts are offering one of the best electric bike racks nowadays. Their Monorail 2-bike platform rack is a champ!
This platform hitch mounted rack is the easiest to use. It has premium ratcheting arms (adjustable) and large cradles to securely transport different types of e bikes.
Top features:
Bike Fit: Monorail bike rack is designed in a way so that it will fit a variety of electric bikes regardless of the bike shape or size.
Ratcheting arms and deep wheel cradles fit perfectly with upto 5” tires. And, they can be moved 3” side-to-side. This is a big help when you are placing two bikes on the rack.
Security: The rack is fixed with the vehicle using a locking hitch pin with a key lock. The attached anti-wobble mechanism eliminates any movement from the rack. It has extra-long straps that tightly secure the tires with the rack. And, together they provide ample protection for most sizes of bikes.
Tilt away Body: An easy-release lever is set on the middle of the rack to effortlessly tilt away from the rack and access the trunk.
Storage: A foldable compact frame requires only a little storage space. It’s made out of steel and aluminum with rust-resistant black powder finishing.
If you need to add more than 2 bikes, you can get an add-on for this rack from here.
Review And Analysis:
This RockyMountain bike rack illuminates a modern and premium vibe. The build quality of this rack checked all the boxes in our testing. It’s one of the best bike racks from Rockymountain.
In addition to the look and durable construction, it also has cool features. The folding ability to save storage space is very impressive. The rack is super convenient to assemble and the mounting process is easy as well.
Although the rack has standard security measures, I was not satisfied with the thin cable lock.
Why We Like It
- Supports fat tire heavy bikes
- Very sturdy and durable
- Value for money
- Adjustable bike wheel trays
- Easy access to the trunk
Keep Note
- The cable locks are not thief-proof
10 – Swagman CURRENT Bike Rack Review– Best overall electric bike rack
Product Specifications
- Integrated Lock: Yes
- Load Capacity: 120 lbs.
- Weight: 58 lbs.
- Bike Capacity: 2 bikes
- Receiver Size: 1.25 and 2 inches
- Vehicle Type: Car, SUV, Truck, Van
Product Rating:
Swagman Current is another fantastic and versatile hitch-mount rack for electric bikes. It can fit any type of bike – be it an electric fat tire bike or mountain bike – the Current can carry it all.
Top features:
Versatility: For Bike racks, versatility starts with the hitch. The Current has both 1.25″ And 2″ Hitch that allows you to attach the rack to most vehicles.
Bike Fit: Most electric bikes including the fat tire bikes have a maximum of 5″ wide tires. And, the Swagman Current can fit 5″ Wide tires without any difficulty. Electric bikes tend to be heavier than regular bikes. Swagman Current can easily carry two bikes (any type) of 60lbs weight.
Trunk Access: You can access the trunk by tilting away from the rack (even when the bikes are mounted on it). The compact design lets you fold the rack to save storage space.
Security: A 360 security is confirmed with the Swagman Current rack. The bikes are mounted to the rack using ratcheting arms, neon straps, and cable locks. The rack is secured on the vehicle using a hitch pin.
Weight: The only downside with this rack is that it’s quite heavy. Mounting this 58 lbs body might not be a convenient experience for many users.
Review And Analysis:
The versatility of this rack makes it one of the best Swagman bike racks. It can fit different types of bikes such as fat tire electric bikes, mountain electric bikes, road e bikes, etc.
Moreover, the rack has impressive security for the mounted bikes. It lets you access the trunk and fits fat e bikes as well. You can even fold up the rack against your vehicle to reduce storage space.
The heavyweight (58 lbs) is the only downside for the Swagman Current. Nonetheless, it’s a great fit for most riders.
You can see a little demonstration of the rack with this video from Saris.
Why We Like It
- Versatile hitch
- It can carry two heavy electric bikes
- Fits perfectly with fat tire bikes
- Accessible trunk
- Ample security
Keep Note
- The rack is heavy
11 – Hollywood Sport Rider Rack Review: Best bike rack for heavy e bikes
Product Specifications
- Integrated Lock: yes
- Material: Steel and High-quality plastic
- Load Capacity: 160 (80 lbs each)
- Weight: 58 lbs
- Bike Capacity: 2 bikes
- Receiver Size: 2”
- Tire cradle: 5”
Product Rating:
Let’s introduce you to the big boy of the e bike rack league. This one is a monster when it comes to the power and capacity.
Yes, I’ve tested it and I know that it ain’t the most perfect bike rack, I’ll get to that in a bit. But when it comes to loading capacity, nothing beats it.
The Sport rider is one the best Hollywood bike rack for e bike; it’s powerful, made for big bikes, and comes with tons of features as well.
Top features:
Anti-vibration lever: A lot of bike racks come with anti-wobbling features, but none of them is as easy to adjust as the Hollywood sport rider. After you put the pin, you don’t have force yourself under the car to tighten a screw so that the wobbliness goes away. All you gotta do is turn a lever, make it tight, and the wobble or any free play goes away. It’s super easy to tighten the rack.
High Weight Capacity: If you are worried about your heavy e bike, then this bike rack is good news for you. This is one rock solid rack that can carry 160 lbs. That means 80 lbs for each bike (I wouldn’t suggest pushing it to maximum). This is the best bike rack heavy e bikes.
Built in locking system: You can lock both your bikes and the rack itself. So, when it comes to security, you can feel assured.
The locking system is a great feature that is actually functional and adds to a positive experience. It felt alright to me when I used it, nothing fancy and it works fine.
Huge tire cradle: I already talked about how this rack falls into the big boy category. Hence, you can easily put up your fat tire e bikes or regular bikes easily since it supports up to 5” tire width.
So, mounting fat tire bikes has never been easier.
Pro tip: when you have a smaller tire cradle, you can simply deflate your tire to fit the rack. Just a small hack when you have to make do with what you have.
Tilting mast: Just like other good bike racks, the Hollywood sport rider also has a tilting mast feature. That means you can easily tilt the bike rack and access your trunk whenever you need. This is a really handy feature that I personally have to use often.
Review And Analysis:
You have to keep in mind that this bike rack is quite heavy; 58lbs is a lot.
Overall, this is a powerful rack and it is a value for money rack despite being on the expensive side. If you compare it to Kuat NV or other ones, it comes quite cheap.
Although you might need an adapter to mount bikes with step thru frame, I was able to get by without using any. But, to be on the safe side, do use one.
The last thing about Hollywood sport riders is the setup and bike mounting. It’s kind of a pain in the ass sometimes since there are so many things when I tried putting on a bike with a different frame.
Other than that, nothing to complain.
Why We Like It
- Ideal for Heavy e bikes
- Value for money
- Inbuilt Locking
- Tiltable mast
- Great anti wobble system
Keep Note
- Bike mounting can be a hassle sometimes
- Quite heavy
How to Choose the Best Bike Rack for Electric Bikes? (Buying Guide)
You probably have chosen a bike rack for your e-bike. Now, how do you confirm if it will suit your bike and more importantly, your vehicle?
Here are 7 things to keep in mind while buying an electric bike rack:
The fit of the rack.
The first and foremost aspect you need to check is the fit. Confirm these two things – 1. If the rack fits with your vehicle. 2. If your bikes fit on the rack.
Most manufacturing company has a list on their website that mentions the compatibility of the rack. If the rack suits both of these criteria, you can move onto the second most important aspect.
Safety of bike and car.
Security is a crucial aspect of a bike rack. Unfortunately, many bike racks don’t have ample security and protection.
Bikes getting stolen from the rack is not uncommon nowadays. That’s why a general cable lock is a must for any bike rack.
The cable lock makes sure that the thieves don’t even think of snatching your bike. Straps and ratcheting arms firmly hold the bike frame so that it won’t fall off when you accelerate the vehicle.
Weight of the rack.
A rack is an extra weight for your vehicle – especially when the bikes are mounted on the rack. Moreover, heavier racks are also difficult to assemble.
Therefore, it’s best if the rack frame is lightweight. A hitch rack for e bikes should weigh around 20 – 40 lbs.
You don’t have to worry about the weight if you have an SUV, RV or Jeep. However, with regular cars, you have to be careful about the weight that you put on the hitch.
Installation of the bike rack.
The purpose of an E bike rack is to make your life more convenient. A rack should be easily assembled and quickly accessible.
Out of all the different types of bike rack, the hitch bike rack is the easiest to use. You just have to connect the rack with the hitch receiver to assemble the rack. It’s quick, effortless and convenient.
Rack Durability.
The best bike racks for electric bikes– especially the hitch bike racks are quite expensive. Your investment in a rack would only be worthy if the rack provides satisfying service in the long run.
And, the longevity of a rack depends on how it’s built. Aluminum is the top-end material for any bike rack. Not only does it make a rack lightweight but also much more durable.
Steel and Alloy materials are also used by many rack manufacturers. The problem with these materials is that they make the rack body heavier. A heavyweight rack is a No-No!
Budget for bike rack.
Like any other sane person, you want to get the best quality product for the least amount of money. We get it.
However, we would highly suggest you invest at least $500 on an e-bike rack. Cheap racks can be dangerous.
There are multiple faults with a cheap rack. For example – mounted bikes on a cheap rack may clash with each other and scratch the frame.
Another common problem is that the rack can’t hold the bikes firmly. This results in the bikes falling off while you are accelerating your vehicle.
Even worse – the rack may even scratch your vehicle. Your vehicle and E-bike are both expensive products. So, why not get a good quality rack to keep them safe and protected?
Bike Rack Ramp for Easier Mounting Process
Some electric bikes are heavier than others. It might be hard to lift and set a heavy e bike on your rack.
If you want to make the mounting process more smooth, you can get a ramp that will allow you to push and slide up the bike on the rack.
An inexpensive ramp like the Pit Posse PP290 can make your bike mounting process much easier for you.
How to Mount Electric Bikes on Bike Racks?
Compared to other types of racks, loading an electric bike on a hitch rack is quite easier and straightforward.
Follow the below 3 steps to easily load your electric bikes on your bike rack:
- Once you have assembled the rack on your vehicle and locked the hitch pin (if there’s any) you will lift the bike and place it on the platform for the rack. As we have suggested above, you can use a ramp to easily slide up the bike on the rack platform.
- Once up on the platform, you may need to slightly adjust the bike to fix it perfectly with the wheelbase. When the bike is fitted on the platform, you will need to secure it by locking the bike frame with the ratcheting arms or mid tube.
- After that, you will tie down the straps on the rear tires to secure them down. If your rack has a cable lock, you will need to take the cable around the bike to lock it with the rack.
That’s it. You’re done loading your e bike on your rack.
In this part, we have suggested a bike loading demonstration video with each rack. Check out those videos mentioned above with each bike rack review to have a visual understanding of the loading process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can traditional bike racks support e-bikes?
Yes, but not always. E-bikes in general weigh a lot more than traditional bikes. So, it might not be a good choice to carry e-bikes on your normal racks without checking first.
What is the best type of bike racks for e-bikes?
Hitch bike racks are what I consider to be the best type for electric bikes. Because they are a lot safer when it comes to carrying heavy bikes. Our best choice for an electric bike rack is the Thule bike rack that works wonders.
What to look for in e-bike racks?
The first thing to look for is the fit. After you know that your e-bikes fit on the rack, you should check out whether your bikes are secure or not. Weight is another thing you should look into as e-bikes already add much weight to the vehicle. Try going for a rack that is not very bulky.
How heavy are e-bikes?
E-bikes are usually on the heftier side. Depending on the battery size, type, and motor size, they can weigh from 30lbs. to even 78lbs.
How do you transport two e-bikes?
A 2-inch trailer is sufficient enough to let you carry two electric bikes at once. It is going to give your bikes proper safety and a fixed position so your bikes don’t wobble around.
You can’t be unhappy when you are riding a bike, and that’s why some of us take the trouble of carrying our bikes so that we can ride them and enjoy a great place.
Not everyone will understand this feeling.
Conclusion
When you’re buying an electric bike rack, think of it as a long-term investment. I would always suggest getting the best bike rack for an electric bike for your need. Don’t hold back.
Not only will it serve you a long time but also keep your expensive electric bike safe and secure.
As I have mentioned before, the Thule bike rack provides the best return on investment out of any bike rack out there.
In case you have an SUV, you can check out our best 20 bike racks for an SUV article.
Let us know if you have a question and we will respond ASAP.
Do you have recommendations for E bike racks for 5th wheels?