First, you need to purchase separate adapters to carry fat bikes, and cable locks are not included with the rack (a hitch bar lock does comes with it). Fill out the form below and will do our best to help you. Our favorite platform-style models are in the 45 to 52-pound range, which can make installing and removing them a challenge. This and 6 bike-ability is why I chose the rack. 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. As the name indicates, tilting racks can be leaned over by pulling a lever that moves the rack far enough down to allow you to open the rear hatch or tailgate of your vehicle. Featuring moveable tray platforms, an easy-to-use tilt-down lever that resembles the one on Thule’s T2 Pro above, and a total weight that undercuts our top picks by 10 to 15 pounds, the rack has a lot going for it. What's not to like with the hanging-style RidgeBack 4? 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. The big news here is the included ramps that allow you to push your bikes onto the platforms rather than having to lift them off the ground. I built this rack so that the rear wheel from one of our bikes could rest on the floor. Hitch Bike Racks. In addition, the two-bike add-ons that are offered on some platform racks are only compatible with a 2-inch receiver. Most have two attachment points: a ratcheting arm that secures the front wheel, and a strap that holds the rear wheel in place. If you’re going to be close to the maximum weight or a little over, we recommend upgrading to a sturdier model—it’s not worth the risk of breaking your rack while driving or voiding your warranty. A new player in the vertical bike rack market offers fully loaded hydraulic hinging so no lifting is required to load bikes. It’s worth noting that these add-ons are usually only compatible with the 2-inch receiver version of the racks due to the low maximum tongue weight of 1.25-inch receivers. 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. 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! Two sets of arms secure over the tires (no concerns about frame contact), and wheel straps serve as backup for hauling heavier e-bikes, models with fenders, or if you have bikes with very different wheelbases. Next. It’s simple to operate, and the rack feels almost weightless even with heavy bikes on the trays. But step-through frames (common on cruiser bikes), full-suspension mountain bikes, and kids’ bikes can be problematic. Despite the drawbacks, if you’re looking for a compact tray rack that minimizes bike frame contact, the Saris SuperClamp EX 2 is a fine choice.See the Saris SuperClamp EX 2. Our biggest gripe is that no locks are included with the rack—at minimum, we’d want a hitch lock to secure the WestSlope to our vehicle’s receiver (the Lock Kit costs an extra $35). For 2 bikes, I love my 1-Up. 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. My rig with LOLO 6 is no longer than a two bike tray on a typical SUV. At the very top of Yakima's expansive hitch rack line-up is the Dr.Tray. In addition, the tilt feature is all but unreachable with loaded bikes—the lever is hidden away under the rack. Read more about us. Regular price $999.99. We will provide a free estimate for further customized racks if you need that.. ), simplicity of components, and drop down feature for our van doors makes this the best rack I've owned. 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. The release buttons allow each hook to slide up the ratcheting arm for bike removal. Shingleback Off-Road is an Aussie brand, designing and building their products here in Australia, including the Vertical bike rack on test here. 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. "I LOVE your rack! Overall, we prefer the platform style for its ease of loading and superior all-around stability, but high-capacity hanging models are the clear leaders in terms of value. 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: PlatformWeight: 63 lbs.Number of bikes: 2Weight capacity per bike: 60 lbs.What we like: Built-in swing feature provides easy access to the rear of your vehicle.What we don’t: It’s the heaviest two-bike rack on this list. And with a relatively reasonable price tag of $500, the T2 Classic is a smart way to save. For those planning on hauling heavier downhill mountain bikes, e-bikes, fat bikes, or cruiser models, it’s a good idea to verify the bike weight capacity of a given rack. North Shore Racks’ hitch-mounted rack design is the industry’s fastest loading, most lightweight, vertical mountain bike rack. This rack has held onto top honors in this review for a few years because it effectively blends a supremely high level of versatility with a tremendous level of user-friendliness. Both have a four-bike capacity, anti-sway strap systems, and a tilt mechanism to get the rack out of the way when loading or unloading your car (both require you to remove the bikes to tilt, however). Yes, that's a big deal, especially in crowded trailhead parking areas. Dr.Tray. For group rides, tour companies, or if you simply want to maximize your carrying capacity, Recon’s Gen2 R6 is worth a serious look. We designed and tested it in the lab and on the road to meet our demanding Yakima standards. Equally impressive is that this ultralight rack is still rated to carry 80 pounds total (40 pounds per bike). We understand that sacrifices are necessary to trim weight, but it feels like Yakima took it a little too far in this case... Read in-depth reviewSee the Yakima Dr.Tray. Height (from tow bar) All racks: Unloaded 1380mm Loaded 1800mm What are the shortcomings of the NSR 4-Bike? At 32 pounds, it’s a whopping 20 pounds less than the Kuat NV 2.0 above, which makes it a whole lot easier to install and remove from your vehicle. 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. vs. 60 for the T2) and doesn’t include locks or the option to move the bikes side-to-side to avoid potential contact. After reading these discussions, we hope you start to see certain aspects that separate these models from other bike racks you’ll come across in your search. Failing to verify this can lead to myriad issues—examples include your van’s rear doors can’t open more than a couple inches because the rack sits too close, your bike’s handlebars come into contact with the back of an SUV when bikes are loaded, or a pickup’s tailgate cannot be lowered. In addition, the tilt lever is hidden away and essentially unreachable if you have bikes already loaded up (it’s far easier to access without bikes). The good news is that Kuat provided a replacement with their excellent warranty, but this experience leads us to think it’s worth upgrading to the burlier NV 2.0 if you’ll be leaving the rack on the back of your car most of the year.See the Kuat Sherpa 2.0. Vertical Hanging Mountain Bike Rack. 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. How does Saris’ design stack up to the legendary 1Up? This gives you uninterrupted access to the rear cargo area—all without having to unload your bikes. But it’s hard to ignore the RidgeBack’s track record of reliable performance, which makes it our top hanging hitch rack.See the Yakima RidgeBack 4. I also plan to install air spring inserts to help keep the rear up. Further, the Recon’s burly build tips the scale at 85 pounds, which makes it difficult to set up and remove. 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). And it’s worth noting that this functionality still isn’t available from big hitters like Yakima or Thule. The easiest way to check clearance is to do an actual test fit, but that’s often not an option. 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. Bike racks in general have very similar feature sets, and one common upgrade that you see on mid-range and premium designs are locks. It has been fully tested by adventurers like … The bike rack is working beautifully. 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. The CURT tray-style bike rack is made to The CURT tray-style bike rack is made to be easier to use and keep your bikes more secure, holding them at three points of contact. Sure, you can flip the bikes around and hang them by their handlebars, but North Shore Racks doesn’t recommend this tactic. RockyMounts’ WestSlope 3 combines a user-friendly tray design and generous three-bike capacity at a reasonable cost. One design that does a great job of balancing metal construction and strategic use of tough plastic is our top-rated Thule T2 Pro XT. Type: PlatformWeight: 34 lbs.Number of bikes: 2 (3 with EZ+1 add-on)Weight capacity per bike: 40 lbs.What we like: Pretty light and the ability to carry three bikes with the add-on.What we don’t: Doesn’t feel as durable or stout as other racks. If you’re able to spend up, we recommend the $329 Kuat Transfer 2 above, which addresses most of these issues.See the Swagman XC2. Comparing common bike-carrying alternatives, there isn’t a style that offers as much convenience, capacity, or compatibility with such a wide range of vehicles (provided you have a receiver hitch). Skip that extra bit of carbon instead. The Thule T2 Pro XT is, by far, our favorite hitch-mounted bike rack. Width (loaded) 3 bike rack: 1150mm 4 bike rack: 1400mm 5 bike rack: 1700mm 6 bike rack: 2000mm. Sliding anti-wobble threaded insert and 5/8" hitch bolt included. One of the main reasons to get a hanging-style rack is for occasional family outings, and a four- or five-bike model is often ideal for those trips. 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. The final potential bike compatibility pitfall is related to the shape and style of your bike’s frame. 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. Width (unloaded) 3 bike rack: 800mm 4 bike rack: 1090mm 5 bike rack: 1375mm 6 bike rack: 1670mm. As long as you have a hitch, carrying bikes behind your car is simple with any of the racks below. In short, the best ski/snowboard carrying solution I have come up with for a tall vehicle is to carry them vertically on a hitch rack. As long as you’re hauling regular road or mountain bikes (the rack maxes out at 40 pounds per bike and 3-inch-wide tires), the Sherpa 2.0 has a lot going for it. Christal Mouat. I love being able to have all six bikes loaded and the kids in the car in the same time it takes the guy across the lot to get a single bike off his rack, front wheel attached, etc. Their wheelbases north Shore racks ’ hitch-mounted rack for 2021 ``, “ Nice tight fit keeping bikes bmx! 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