Best E-Bike Racks (Hitch, RV, Truck, Car, and more)
Aug 05, 2024
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There is a sneaky downside to e-bike ownership that flies under the radar. The truth is, not just any old bike rack will do when it comes to hauling your electric bike.
With an e-bike comes extra weight – most of them weigh between 40-80 lbs. You don’t want to bank on roof or trunk racks handling that kind of load. It runs the risk of being bad for your back, vehicle, and bike!
Even some hitch racks aren’t a surefire bet. Weight capacity is just the start; there are many other factors that make a good bike rack for e-bikes.
The good news is that there are several great rack options available these days that are purpose-built for e-bike users. The bad news? We’re starting to see too many options, and we all know how annoying the paralysis of choice can be.
Electric Bike Report is one of the oldest dedicated publications in the e-bike space when it comes to testing and reviews. All of that testing of hundreds of different electric bikes couldn’t have happened without trusty racks, and we’ve gone through a lot of them.
Our goal with this list of the best e-bike racks is to help you find the rack that will best fit your needs and your bikes. Each one has been thoroughly tested and proven to be worth recommending. Whether you have a car, truck, or even an RV, where there is a hitch, there is a way!
Oh, and if you haven’t settled on your e-bike yet, we’ve got you covered with the options for the best e-bikes around, too.
PRO TIP: We think these bike racks offer great weight ratings per bike. However, many e-bikes weigh at or above those limits. You can help make your rack/bike safer by removing excess weight that you could fit in the trunk of your car instead. Consider removing batteries, pannier bags, bike locks, etc.
*Electric Bike Report aims to help consumers find the right electric bike for their needs. When you buy a product we recommend, we may earn a commission.
The Best Bike Racks For E-Bikes, 2024
- Best E-Bike Rack For The Money: Hollywood Racks Sport Rider
- Best E-Bike Rack For Trucks: Yakima StageTwo
- Best E-Bike Rack For Cars: Hollywood Racks Destination E
- Best E-Bike Rack For SUVs: Kuat Piston Pro X
- Best E-Bike Rack For Rvs / Fifth wheels / Travel Trailers: Hollywood Racks RV Rider
- Best E-Bike Rack With Electric Lift: Saris Door County
- Best E-Bike Rack Tesla Model Y: Thule EasyFold XT 2
- Best E-Bike Rack With Ramp: Yakima OnRamp LX
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Hollywood Racks Sport Rider
Best E-Bike Rack For The Money
| Hitch Size(s) | 2″ |
| Max Bike Weight Per Tray | 80 lbs |
| Total Max Weight Capacity | 160 lbs. |
| Max Wheel Base Length | 60″ |
| Rack Weight | 58 lbs. |
| Vehicle Type | Cars, Trucks, SUVs |
| Max Tire Width | 5″ |
| Works With _____ Frames | High step, Stup-thru (adapter arm might be needed), Trike |
| Key Features | No-wobble hitch expander, universal wheel holders, (optional) Trike adapter kit, keyed-alike locking hitch pin, 8’ security cable, and locking frame hooks |
The Hollywood Racks Sport Rider is arguably the most versatile e-bike rack on the market, and it happens to be the most affordable one we recommend. Win-win!
The Sport Rider’s 80 lbs. per tray limit is one of the best you’ll find, while its sliding wheel cradles allow for bikes with a wheelbase up to 60”. It’s one of the few racks that could comfortably fit two different cargo bikes.
The versatility extends to the three-wheeled trike crowd. Hollywood Racks sells an optional adapter kit for handling electric trikes, too.
It includes nice features like a keyed-alike lock for your hitch pin and frame hooks and a tool-free system for getting it on and off your vehicle.
It might require a few extra accessories like an adapter arm if you are taking two step-thru bikes or the small wheel adapter for smaller, 20” diameter wheels. But even grabbing both of those accessories would still cost less than almost any other bike rack, making the value extremely appealing.
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Pro’s- It fits the vast majority of e-bikes thanks to a high weight rating and long wheelbase allowance.
- Optional accessory allows you to carry one e-bike and one e-trike.
- One of the most affordable racks from a company with a reputable track record
Con’s- No ramp for help lifting heavier bikes, although a one-wheel-at-a-time technique makes it manageable.
Yakima StageTwo
Best E-Bike Rack For Trucks
| Hitch Size(s) | 1.25”, 2” |
| Max Bike Weight Per Tray(1.25″) | 60 lbs. (off-road use 36 lbs.) |
| Max Bike Weight Per Tray(2″) | 70 lbs. (RV rating 60 lbs, off-road use 42 lbs.) |
| Total Max Weight Capacity(1.25″) | 120 lbs |
| Total Max Weight Capacity(2″) | 140 lbs |
| Max Wheel Base Length | 52″ |
| Rack Weight | 66 lbs. |
| Vehicle Type | Cars, Trucks, SUVs, RVs (2” hitch model only) |
| Max Tire Width | 3.25” (5” with purchase of fat bike kit) |
| Works With _____ Frames | Carbon Fiber, High step, Stup-thru |
| Key Features | Integrated cable lock into arm hooks, loop for optional bike lock, tolt forward, tool-free locking frame knob, expandable up to four trays |
We love the tiered design of Yakima’s StageTwo bike rack. It increases ground clearance below the rack and makes it easier to mount bikes without that pesky interference between the handlebar and saddle.
It’s a stout design that can carry e-bikes up to 70 lbs. in weight (though if mounted on an RV, that limit drops to just 60 lbs.), enough to cover most e-bikes on the market. We also appreciate the convenience of being able to carry bikes with 20-in. wheels without needing a special adapter, just remember that it might not be the most friendly if you have a front fender on.
Yakima has several worthwhile accessories like ramps and swingarms that’ll make every part of bike rack usage easier, too.
Yakima makes many great products, but the StageTwo’s ease of use and adaptability make it our favorite and worth recommending to anybody.
Since many people buy trucks for heavy-duty tasks, we like the nearly-all metal construction for withstanding the rigors of truck usage.
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Pro’s- Very simple to use.
- Built-in security features that use a one-key system
- Works with a lot of great accessories like a ramp, swingarm, light kit and more.
- Can be expanded to fit four bikes (although it drops the weight rating to 40 lbs per tray)
Con’s- It’s one of the sturdiest racks we’ve tested, but it’s also one of the heaviest, making it a bit difficult to remove from a vehicle.
Hollywood Racks Destination E
Best E-Bike Rack For Cars.
| Hitch Size(s) | 2” |
| Max Bike Weight Per Tray | 70 lbs |
| Total Max Weight Capacity | 140 lbs |
| Max Wheel Base Length | 50″ |
| Rack Weight | 46 lbs. |
| Vehicle Type | Cars, Trucks, SUVs, Class B RV |
| Max Tire Width | 4.5” |
| Works With _____ Frames | High step, Stup-thru (adapter arm might be needed) |
| Key Features | Keyed-alike locking hitch pin and frame clamps, loading ramp included, no-wobble hitch expander |
When we think of the most important features from the many hitch racks we’ve seen and reviewed, the ones that rank highest are the ability to carry an e-bike weighing up to 70 lbs., a ramp to make loading an e-bike easy, and the ability to secure a bike without marring the finish.
The Hollywood Racks Destination E hitch rack does all of that and adds one more very handy qualification—it can carry e-bikes with a step-thru frame, something many hitch racks can’t do without optional accessories.
Daily ease of use is important in a hitch rack. The Hollywood Racks Destination E can carry bikes of any size, wheel, or frame design (including kids’ bikes) because it secures the bike by the frame or seatpost. It accepts tires up to 4.5″ wide, and because it is designed to carry e-bikes, it features a design that balances the weight on the rack to make tilting the rack easier when loaded.
Speaking of tilting the rack, this one tilts down 90 degrees, which means it’s one of the easiest racks to use for trunk access. That extra space is nice for any vehicle, but it feels practically crucial for car drivers.
Pro’s- The claw arms easily grab the frame or seatpost. Makes securing step-thrus, and bikes with fenders much easier.
- It includes a ramp that stores on the rack. Makes handling heavier e-bikes solo much easier.
- The tilt function goes 90 degrees, meaning it’s one of the easier for accessing a trunk or hach..
- One key system for securing the rack to the vehicle and the bikes to the rack.
Con’s- Only comes in a 2” hitch mount.
Küat Piston Pro X
Best E-Bike Rack For SUVs
| Hitch Size(s) | 1.25”, 2” |
| Max Bike Weight Per Tray(1.25″) | Two trays: 60 lbs. Three trays: 50 lbs. Four trays: 40 lbs. |
| Max Bike Weight Per Tray(2″) | Two trays: 67 lbs. Three trays: 50 lbs. Four trays: 40 lbs. |
| Total Max Weight Capacity(1.25″) | Two trays: 120 lbs. Three trays: 150 lbs. Four trays: 160 lbs. |
| Total Max Weight Capacity(2″) | Two trays: 124 lbs. Three trays: 150 lbs. Four trays: 160 lbs. |
| Max Wheel Base Length | 53″ |
| Rack Weight | 63.5 lbs. |
| Vehicle Type | Cars, Trucks, SUVs |
| Max Tire Width | 5” |
| Works With _____ Frames | Carbon Fiber, High step, Stup-thru |
| Key Features | Keyed alike flexible cable lock and locking tool, kashima coating, integrated taillights, tiger drylac powder coat |
If price is no obstacle in your search for an e-bike rack, the Küat Piston Pro X is the one we recommend.
As long as your bike fits the weight and sizing recommendations, we’ll confidently state that it’s going to be one of the best hitch rack experiences you’ve ever had. This is as close to bike rack perfection as we’ve encountered.
The Küat Piston Pro X will quickly adjust to many different bikes, and it takes mere seconds to secure them. The chock system also means no frame contact is necessary, which keeps frames looking pristine and eliminates the worry over needing top-tube adapters.
The Piston Pro X has desirable and helpful features. The integrated lights are sleek, and the pneumatic pistons are kashima-coated meaning they’ll do better withstanding abrasions, and the gold color is fantastic.
The build quality is also top-notch. Its 99% metal construction and Drylac powder coat feel sturdy and will hold up well over time.
If you want or need the best and can afford it, there is no going wrong with the Piston Pro X.
Pro’s- This rack eliminates nearly every pain point of rack ownership..
- Very versatile and adjusts to different bikes in seconds.
- Packed with great features like integrated lights, an included cable lock, and a security tool built into the rack itself.
- One of the sturdier racks we’ve tested. Minimal bike sway.
Con’s- Its price will make many people wince, but you can look at the Piston Pro, which has only a couple fewer features for several hundred dollars less
Hollywood Racks RV Rider
Best E-Bike Rack For RVs / Fifth wheels
| Hitch Size(s) | 2” |
| Max Bike Weight Per Tray | 80 lbs. |
| Total Max Weight Capacity | 160 lbs. |
| Max Wheel Base Length | 60″ |
| Rack Weight | 63.5 lbs. |
| Vehicle Type | Class A, B, C, RV Motorhome, Front hitches |
| Max Tire Width | 5” |
| Works With _____ Frames | High step, Stup-thru (adapter arm might be needed) |
| Key Features | No-wobble hitch expander, universal wheel holders, keyed-alike locking hitch pin, 8’ security cable, and locking frame grabbers |
Yes, it’s another Hollywood Racks. Low prices and high weight capacities will earn you multiple looks on our list of the best bike racks, but this one takes the cake for best for RVers.
Just to be clear, this rack isn’t compatible with bumper pulls, travel trailers, pop-ups, or bumper-mounted hitch receivers. But it will work with Class A, B, & C motorhomes, flat towing, and 5th wheels.
It’s one of a very small number that claims it can also be used on a front hitch.
Nearly all the good things we had to say about the Sport Rider apply here. It has a high weight capacity, is highly adaptable to different e-bikes, and is pretty affordable. Versatile, affordable, and capable, it’s a good choice for your RV e-bike carrier.
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Pro’s- It has one of the highest weight ratings for any RV hitch rack.
- Compatible with cargo bikes, fat tire bikes, step-thrus, and more..
- Locking frame grabbers built in for security.
Con’s- No compatible ramp. Loading it with two people is advised.
Saris Door County 2 E-Bike Rack
Best E-Bike Rack With Electric Lift
| Hitch Size(s) | 2” |
| Max Bike Weight Per Tray | 60 lbs. |
| Total Max Weight Capacity | 120 lbs. |
| Max Wheel Base Length | 48″ |
| Rack Weight | 63 lbs. |
| Vehicle Type | SUVs, Trucks, Class A, B & C RV Motorhome |
| Max Tire Width | 3” |
| Works With _____ Frames | High step, Stup-thru (adapter arm might be needed) |
| Key Features | Electric lift assist, integrated locks, integrated lights, storage cover, wheels built-in |
Riders frustrated with having to lift their e-bikes onto the hitch rack on their SUV or car will love how the Door County 2 simplifies the process, using its electric motor to do the work. We really liked this rack’s straightforward lifting and lowering process—turn the key, push the button, and viola, it does the rest! It’s a unique option that stands out from the other best hitch racks listed here.
Another great feature is the “lobster claw” style clamp we used for fastening the frames. Not only are they great at securing the bikes to the rack, but they also have rubber linings to prevent scratching the paint on your frame.
Besides having a hitch installed on your vehicle, you’ll also need a 7-pin wiring harness to plug in. The rack uses your car’s DC power for the motor, and it also has tail lights to help warn drivers when you brake, turn, or have your running lights on. This is a great safety feature because bikes on racks often block the vehicle’s lights.
The Door County holds two e-bikes, up to 60 lbs in weight. We had to remove the batteries on some of our heavier bikes to keep them below the weight limit. But overall, this rack delivers on the promise of taking the heavy lifting off your plate.
Pro’s- A really unique electric lift makes dealing with heavy e-bikes very simple..
- Great included features with the locks and integrated lights.
- Class A, B, & C RV ready.
Con’s- Raising and lowering the rack is a fairly slow process.
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Thule EasyFold XT 2 Car Bike Rack
Best E-Bike Rack Tesla Model Y
| Hitch Size(s) | 1.25”, 2” |
| Max Bike Weight Per Tray(1.25″) | 65 lbs. |
| Max Bike Weight Per Tray(2″) | 65 lbs. |
| Total Max Weight Capacity(1.25″) | 130 lbs. |
| Total Max Weight Capacity(2″) | 130 lbs |
| Max Wheel Base Length | 51” (XXL Wheel Strap Kit to fit longer wheelbases) |
| Rack Weight | 45 lbs. |
| Vehicle Type | Cars, Trucks, SUVs |
| Max Tire Width | 3” (Optional XXL Wheel Strap Kit to fit 4.7″ tires) |
| Works With _____ Frames | High step, Stup-thru (adapter arm might be needed), Carbon Fiber WITH optional carbon frame protector |
| Key Features | Bike ramp included locking frame grabbers, wheels built-in, optional carbon frame protector |
Thule is one of the most trusted names in the bike rack biz. As the name of this product suggests, they make carrying an e-bike easy from the hitching process to the securing of your bike.
Its compact design, good weight capacity, tilt function, foldable bike ramp, and optional fat bike wheel straps make it a great option for almost any e-bike.
The Electric Bike Report team has used this rack to tote review bikes to video shoots for several years now, and we appreciate its exceptionally well-designed mechanism for attaching and removing from your vehicle. We also like the small wheels that let you roll it like a suitcase when not installed on a car and the rack’s overall lightweight, which makes lifting it on and off a car very easy. Despite that lightweight, it still has a great 65-lb.-per-bike carrying capacity.
As the resident Tesla Model Y driver in the office, I particularly like this one for my car. The recessed hitch in the bumper can be problematic where space is concerned for bolt-on or pin lock securing features. The tightening and adjustment knob protrudes out of the bumper, making it easier than most to get on and off my hitch.
Pro’s- Unique aero-dynamic folding design.
- Includes a bike ramp that stores into the rack itself.
- Wheels on the bottom make moving the rack around off a vehicle very easy.
Con’s- The folding design might be problematic if you’re tight on garage space since it doesn’t fold towards the vehicle.
Yakima OnRamp LX
Best E-Bike Rack With Ramp
| Hitch Size(s) | 1.25”, 2” |
| Max Bike Weight Per Tray(1.25″) | 70 lbs per tray (70 lbs. RV rating, 42 lbs. Off-road use) |
| Max Bike Weight Per Tray(2″) | 80 lbs per tray (80 lbs. RV rating, 48 lbs. Off-road use) |
| Total Max Weight Capacity(1.25″) | 140 lbs. |
| Total Max Weight Capacity(2″) | 160 lbs |
| Max Wheel Base Length | 54” |
| Rack Weight | 53.5 lbs. |
| Vehicle Type | Cars, Trucks, SUVs, RVs |
| Max Tire Width | 54” |
| Works With _____ Frames | High step, Stup-thru (adapter arm might be needed) |
| Key Features | Integrated ramp, integrated bottle opener, sliding trays that save space when off hitch |
The OnRamp LX from Yakima is what you get when you take a tried-and-true design and make meaningful tweaks to adapt it to e-bikes.
The rack can adjust to most wheelbase sizes with just a few adjustments. You can also offset the bike rack trays to better arrange two bikes next to each other. Yakima even offers a limited lifetime warranty so you know they believe it’ll last for the long haul.
A unique aspect of the design is how much it can shrink down. By sliding the trays all the way in, it can make the footprint small when you go to store it in the corner of the garage.
We are always fans of seeing a ramp be included with the rack, but having the ability to fix it to the rack itself and not take up trunk space is always a plus.As is it’s metal construction for sturdiness.
And while it might not be a selling point, the built-in bottle opener is a fun touch when needing a drink after a long ride. Cheers!
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Pro’s- Higher-than-most weight rating, and wheelbase accommodation.
- The ramp comes included and is fixed to the rack.
- Easier to store
Con’s- The single-pole mast isn’t as adjustable as some designs with arches. This means it’ll take some time to adjust the fit for your bikes, but once you know where to line them up, you’re set.
How We Picked These Bike Racks
There are many bike racks out there. Any attempt to sort and rank each one would be futile, but we have examined the ones that boast features we know e-bike riders will want. We’ve only listed products we would trust with our own much-loved electric bikes.
We closely evaluated these key criteria when choosing the best electric bike racks for cars, mainly:
- Max Weight Per Bike: This is always the first place we start. Several of the e-bikes we have in our offices weigh above 60 lbs, which isn’t uncommon for e-bikes. We want to make sure racks can accommodate that much weight.
- Total Weight Capacity: Just because you see three trays on a rack doesn’t always mean the rack can carry the weight of three e-bikes. Total weight is important to consider as you don’t want to overload the tongue that inserts into the hitch.
- Ease Of Use: Does the rack fold down easily? Do the arms secure the bikes simply? Is it intuitive to use from start to finish?
- Where It Secures The Bike: E-bikes start around $1,000, and prices can climb upwards to $10,000 or more for high-end electric bikes. So, any rack we recommend will protect your investment (and your car).
- Additional Features: A quality rack that reliably transports your bike from A to B is fantastic, but some really go the extra mile. We love to see extras such as:
- Lock Features – E-bikes aren’t cheap, so having a locking mechanism on the rack for extra safety provides great peace of mind.
- Ramps – We’ve repeatedly explained that e-bikes are heavy. So, having a ramp that removes the work of lifting the bike up on the rack is a welcome bonus.
- Fail-Safe Measures – All bike racks should be built to withstand typical road conditions, but having redundancies for securing the bike to the rack, or the rack to the hitch is always a happy sight.
This list is the collective brainchild of the Electric Bike Report’s expert staff who each drive different cars to different types of trails and paths while hauling different styles of e-bikes. Is it perfect and all-encompassing? Probably not. But we took our different backgrounds and consciously considered as many different points of view as possible while compiling a list for you to choose from. We know that this list will be read by younger and older audiences alike, those with cars, SUVs, trucks, and more trying to find an ideal solution for getting their e-bikes around. We think this list should find at least one option that meets your needs.
Some of these bike racks we have first-hand experience with on our own cars, while others we know the manufacturer’s reputation speaks for itself, and the specs & features listed are more than sufficient to meet an e-biker’s needs.
Why are there no e-bike trunk racks or roof racks on this list?
If you haven’t yet caught our drift, weight capacity is going to be the single most important factor you consider when purchasing a car rack for your electric bike.
E-bikes, especially those on the more affordable end of the spectrum, are considerably heavier than the traditional bicycles roof and trunk racks are typically designed to handle. We’ve yet to see or test a roof or trunk-mounted bike rack that can handle the weight of most modern e-bikes (without damaging the vehicle or exceeding the rack’s maximum weight capacity), so we’ve left them off this list. The high weight of e-bike really warrants the extra security of a hitch-mounted bike rack. Plus, it’s the only type of e-bike rack made by most major bicycle rack manufacturers.
Of course, there are exceptions to this rule for extremely light, high-performance e-bikes that often weigh little more than traditional bicycles. But for this list, we’re sticking to the racks built specifically for e-bikes—luckily for us e-bikers, there are now plenty to choose from.
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I’ve had the Saris rack you show here for a number of years and love it for hauling my 65lb Tidalforce S750X. Very sturdy and easy to use. I add a few bungees just to be sure the clamps stay in pace. Flips up when not in use in just seconds.
Hi Deerfencer,
Thank you very much for sharing your experience of the Saris rack. It is always great to get input from people who have used these products for long periods of time.
A very timely article for me, as I am researching bike racks. However, there is one significant “factor” that was not considered. Many of the recent ebike purchasers are seniors who own RVs. After researching bike racks, I found most bike racks are not allowed by the manufacturers warranty to be mounted behind fifth wheel trailers are cars that are towed by motor homes. Purchasers should be advised if the warranty s void if mounted on an RV!
If your car has a towbar fitted, the Westfalia BC 60 Bicycle Carrier is capable of taking 2 Electric Bicycles with a combined payload of 60KG. German engineering and folds down to very compact when not in use.
Can you get the Westfalia in the US?
Hi Miriam, I found this online:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Westfalia-Automotive-350010600001-Bicycle-Carrier/dp/B007KG3M6G
If you live in the US I think you can order from Amazon UK. You should verify this.
You might check with your local VW dealership too.
We’re getting close! That is a transport box for the carrier. But calling a VW dealership is a great idea. Thanks Pete!
Hi Miriam, Great point. I just updated the link to a listing of this on Amazon UK.
Hi Patrick
Im looking for a bike rack here in NZ for 2 BH EVO electric bikes, they are just coming into fashion here, do you know if I could source one here in NZ. thanks Vicky
Hi Vicky, did you find something suitable? I see you can get the Westfalia in the North Is.
Thanks for your help Pete!
I see Saris and Yakima, but no Westfalia on Amzaon UK. Oh well,
I’ll check with the parts dept at my local VW dealership tomorrow. I like the new Thule Euro Power, but it is so expensive! The Westfalia is probably around the same price and more for shipping overseas, so I’ll probably wait until next summer and get the Thule. Hopefully the price will go down a bit.
I found the US Distributer.
eurohitches.com
Owner of the site: Nick Barnes
[email protected]
Nice work Miriam! Thanks for sharing that with us! If you get it, please let us know your thoughts on that bike carrier.
How does that Thule electric bike carrier fit with an Infiniti G35 bumper? year 2003?
Hi Laura,
I recommend that you contact Thule for their advice: https://www.thule.com/
I have a slightly modified Thule 9007XT 3 bike trunk to bumper carrier that fits on my 99 camry and holds my 60+lb fat ebike. I did over 300 miles on my first trip last summer with it and only had to make one adjustment. Even though it’s not rated for a single bike nearly that weight, it did just fine. The car was 100% ok too.
I know this is an old post but if you see this I’d love to know how you modified your rack. I have the same rack and a 55lb e bike.
Thanks a lot.
Hello,
I drive a mini van and I can not put a hitch on it. I have found a bike rack that hooks on to the back door/hatch on the top and bottom. M y question is,”If I buy the rack for 2 bicycles, do you think it will be strong enough for a Pedego Cruiser? Can you recommend any hanging racks?
This rack can hold up to 200 pounds, and can handle any frame style; http://www.uprightdesigns.com
Works great with electric bikes!
This unit might be able to hold 200 pounds, but I’d love to see my wife try to load her ebike onto that. Yet another poor design meant only for buff men and women to lift up.
There’s no way that you’d be able to get my mother-in-law to load her bike onto that.
Hi Lawrence, using a rack that supports 2 traditional bikes for 1 e-bike should work. I would still recommend removing the battery to make the e-bike easier to lift onto the rack.
Here is hanging rack for a minivan that looks very sturdy and gets good reviews. It is made for 4 traditional bikes so you may be able to carry 2 e-bikes with the batteries removed.
That means that extra to the investment in the Electric Bike, The people have to spend at least 400$ (up to 700$) + Freight, in a base to carry the bike. Is no better to Invest in a BIke that you can fold and take it inside the car ? at the end of the day, will be less stuff to carry on and maybe less money spent .
Your list of bike racks for electric bikes was fine, but did not mention any of them that had a ‘swing-away” capability to allow access to hatchback vehicles with bikes still in the rack. I know they exist….
Hi Norm,
This guide is focused on racks that have been specifically recommended as racks that can carry e-bikes. If I find some e-bike racks that can swing out, I will add them to the guide. If you know of some please let us know.
Thanks
Pete
Take a look at RockyMounts Backstage 2; It’s swing away and tilt, holds two 60 pound fat tire bikes. If you have fenders, rear fender ok, may have to cut off front fender in front of fork tubes for hold down bar access over front tire (easy to do). Also suggest using $10 hitch stabilizer to snug up any potential rack movement/sway while underway. Seems to be very robust construction. I only see two cons; the rack itself is very heavy and it does take some strength for one person to lift a heavy e-bike up to the rack cradle. The geometry of this rack works well on my MB Airstream Interstate for rear door access while bikes still in rack. Due to only small clearance between rear windshield and inboard bike handlebar, I rotate the handlebar 90 degrees for safer clearance room. This was the best option I could find given my particular needs.
Just finished 10,000+ mile 3 month road trip with RockyMount Backstage 2 holding two Rad Mini’s on back of my MB Airstream Interstate. Performance was good, no issues. Not sure why Pete does not include evaluation of this rack which has Swingaway feature and is rated for weight of e-bikes.
yes..I have a ROCKYMOUNTS Swingaway also….best ebike rack out.
The Thule 916 has that feature. Good solid rack.
The new Thule Easyfold 931 will carry upto 2 electric bikes with a load capacity of 2 x 30kgs. It attaches to the tow bar and it will fold up so you can store it in your car boot.
Not particularly cheap but none of them seem to be!
got one of these and its great we carry both bike with peace of mind, try other but this is the best.
Hi Pete,
Wehave a Hollywood 2 bike car rack but it takes 2 of us to lft our Pedegos simultaneously.
Sure would be nice to find an electric platform to run off car’s trailer electric socket and take the effort out of lifting 60 pound bikes and spare our rotater cuffs!
Anyone out there found one?
Hi len, I agree. We need an electrict lift of some sort. Have you looked around at all? One person ( unless strong) has difficulty lifting bikes and therefore becomes a hassle to transport. Stay in touch if you find something.
[email protected]
Hi Len,
I agree with you: These racks or ebike transportation devices should be electric by now, but we’re so far behind in that area.
Check out the Ergo-matic from the Netherlands:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJNbI_N0oig
They did a perfect job advertising this thing by showing two elderly people loading and unloading their ebikes!
I’ve tried the Saris, Hollywood Racks, and Yakima. None of these are well thought out. I can kinda load the bike that’s furthest away from the car, but the ebike that’s closest to the car (behind the vertical bar)… Forget it. It requires too much maneuvering of the ebike. I always hurt my already delicate back from trying.
I once asked a sales guy at a store to demonstrate loading an ebike onto the Yakima. He said, “It’s easy. Watch.” Then he proceeded to struggle with it for several minutes. And this guy was at *least* 3 times stronger than me! In the end he admitted it is quite difficult. He then suggested that I make a ramp.
How can a ramp help when I still have to lift the ebike onto the cups of the rack?!
Honestly, until an ebike company comes up with a rack design that even my wife who has a bad back can use, ebikes will never catch on in the US.
I say that an ebike company will need to come up with the design because the bike rack manufacturers that I have written emails to said that they have no interest. They said that the ebike market is a niche market.
Interesting that the E-bike market is considered a niche market by some. I was speaking with a dealer recently who told me that his company’s E-bikes business is exploding, and here is the kicker: 90% of their manufactured E-bikes go to Europe. I think that for the first time E-bikes present a legitimate commuter or touring product that can be used daily.
@Franko: I agree, ebikes present a legitimate commuter or touring product that can be used daily.
Problem is, unless users have strong backs, they will not easily be able to load an ebike with current rack designs. Most users will be limited to their local area and unable to easily transport the bike unless they have other people help them,
I had to modify my Thule just to handle my 70lb. fat ebike.
Yes yes yes! Pity the manufacturers aren’t thinking of people who are short, older or weaker (or all the above!). I’m pleased with my Rockymount (solo bike) but having to think about an interim step system to overcome the challenge of lifting a 58 pound bike 2 ft onto the tray. Any ideas are welcome. The tray’s design makes a ramp impossible.
At Sea Otter this week we saw an electric lift assist lift that looks like a promising design. We’ll have more out about it soon 🙂
I noticed that Saris has the Door County:
https://www.saris.com/product/door-county
I hope the staff at Electric Bike Report will test it out!
A couple of comments.
I have the EasyFold by Thule. It holds both E-Bikes fine but the Ramp does not work. It is cheap and will not stay in place when trying to load the ebikes. Also, it is not long enough ( too steep). The height of the rack makes it difficult to lift the e-bikes onto the rack without a ramp. I would pay more more an electrict lift!
The Yakima Hold Up is fine if you do not have fenders. Most e-bikes now have fenders so the clamp over tire will not work.
Rgds
Does anyone know how to purchase Ergo-Matic electric lift bike
carrier for a e-bike.? If not,, any other e-bike carriers that you
can recommend. The Thule Easy Fold does work for me.
Here is the last known company that carried Ergomatic:
https://www.wecycling.nl/merken/ergomatic/fietsendrager/ergomatic-basic/
Also, in the video that you saw, the Ergomatic utilized cars that had a ball mount. In the U.S. we use square receivers.
I was thinking of modifying a Bruno Chariot by adding 2 Yakima bike mounts, but I don’t know how safe that would be:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNWQOoxF3XE
This setup would place almost no weight onto the back of my car (Toyota Corolla). But the Chariot is quite pricey: Almost $5,000 U.S.
I am designing an E-Bike carrier that can also work with fat tire bikes. I am currently testing a prototype. I would appreciate any Voice of the Customer input on featues E-Bike owners want. I have the following specifications so far.
1. Tilting ramps to make loading easy by 1 person
2. 250 pound capability
3 Can carry 2 E-Bikes or mopeds up to 125 lbs each
4 Can carry Fat Tire bikes with tires up to 5.25 inches wide
5 Option to carry 2 Segways
6 Option to carry mobility scooter
Thanks
Don Gerhardt
[email protected]
Don – Did you ever build the carrier you described?
I wonder if you’ve looked at the 1UP USA bike rack. 1upusa.com . There’s a video on Youtube with the Prodeco Phantom mounted on it so it appears to work with electric bikes with the battery mounted over the rear wheel. Works with a 1 1/4 inch hitch and there’s an option to add a holder for a second bike with that hitch.
Hi,
I saw your comment in an e-mail message.
I understand you are working on a hitch mounted carrier to handle heavy e-bikes.
I have a 2016 Subaru Outback with a 1.25 inch class 1 hitch (standard Subaru hitch not 3rd party). I have not found a hitch that can accommodate two Evelo Aurora’s at 63lbs each without batteries.
If you come up with one let me and Evelo know. I would also let Subaru know. I think there is a nitch for that carrier.
Cheers,
Mel Mashman
[email protected]
I also have 2 Evelo Aurora Limited’s and the fenders and rear rack present a challenge for most racks that clamp over the tires. I tried the Saris Superclamp EX and I had to send it back. I am now using the Saris Freedom 2 which is probably the lightest and simplest rack around and it is designed for 1.25 receivers. It is rated for 60 lb bikes so if your remove the battery and seat, the Aurora Limited is right there. I have to say that loading a bike on the ‘inside’ position is always a pain and you risk scratching your vehicle but I slip a ‘beer can koozie’ over the peddle closest to the car. Both these Saris racks have plastic ‘pockets’ for supporting the tires and this might seem a bit cheezy for a 60 lb bike, but hey, they publish the ratings! I did notice that the Superclamp EX has a more robust ‘plastic pocket’ so I went to their website and ordered a 4 pack ($60) after I confirmed that they will fit the Freedom 2.
I have a Kuat bike carrier that I am quite happy with. It is a breeze to install and remove and especially since I am only 5’1″ the only trouble I have is actually getting the bike on the rack. But I am working on it! I liked the Thule rack for the roll on idea and will try to finagle something 🙂
I love my Kuat rear rack! Since I am 5’7 i don’t have an issue loading my bike. It is secure, protected and light.
Are there any good racks recommend for my Pedego ebike that fits my prius, which cannot have a hitch installed?
Amazing… E-bikes are just now starting to get popular in the US, but after more than a year since I last wrote about this *nothing* has changed. Only buff men and women with strong backs can get their e-bikes onto their bike racks.
Can these go on a fiat ducato Motorhome
Hi Bridget
I have a Yakima HoldUp on our Fiat Ducato Avan Ovation Motorhome
It simply slides into the towing hitch receiver , folds vertically when not in use, its very robust . It has carried 2 Ebikes for over 35000km on rough roads without any signs of ware
It is well designed and very easy to use
Cheers David
Victoria AU
I just got 3 Pedego ebikes and I’m looking for a hitch to carry the 3 ebikes.
I am looking at the Yakima Holdup with one add-on. I called and talked to the Yakima rep and they said it will work fine.
I also contacted etrailer.com and they recommended the Rola Convoy 3 part # 59308-3 which has a capacity of 55 lbs per bike. for $581.94
https://www.etrailer.com/question-317700.html?fb=yes
I saw on etrailer the RockyMounts MonoRail 3 Bike Platform Rack – 2″ Hitches – Tilting – Wheel Mount
Item # RKY10004-10005 + and add-on, which sounds like it will support 3 ebikes, but I am waiting for a response from etrailer on this one.
Does anyone else know of other racks that can carry 3 ebikes?
Thanks,
texas2018
The Fiamma Carry Bike Lift 77 looks interesting
Got one of the thule 916 its very easy to use and practical to store , Very happy all round. and carry’s both e bikes with ease.
I am about to buy a hitch haul bike rack used for hauling dirt bikes
It has a ramp and fits a 2″ receiver- going to try this using tie downs and a few bungees for my Pedego Cruiser. It’s very narrow and I think light weight. A dirt bike rider gave me the idea as I need a ramp and am not going to pay 700.00 for the 40 lb Thule . I don’t need 2 haul 2 bikes Lots of options out there if you have a 2″ or bigger hitch . You think these ebike retailers or manufacturers would consider this an opportunity to make and sell light weight e bike carriers with ramps-
Hello Pete,
Here is my recommendation for a e-bike carrier. I own the Yakima Holdup mounted on a Audi A6 and i’m very please with this carrier. I transport my Karmic Koben-S (46 lbs) and my wife’s Izip E3 Zuma* (53 lbs) with no problems, the rack is very sturdy and holds both bikes securly with a minimum of movement and it will hold up 60 lbs per bike with no problem. If you can lift your bike it takes mere minutes to secure and lock the bikes on the carrier and you are off and running. The rack folds up when not in use, tilts down for easy cargo access and include a keyed alike locking hitch pin and security cable. May be purchased to fit 1 1/4″ hitchs or 2″ hitchs, I have the 1 1/4″ hitch.
*Note: will carry step thru bikes w/o the need of a adapter bar
UK e-Bike specialist Eden-e- Motion
I sell so many e-bikes costing £Thousands to folks who struggle to lift them onto boot racks/roof racks/motor home racks/under-rated racks
Not only is this hard work but it’s also dangerous. If the rack is not certified for the load, your insurance is void and your bike can get wrecked but possibly also your vehicle, someone else’s vehicle or even a personal injury.
Tow bar racks can be very expensive and not always what they claim!
I’ve found a great one at reasonable price so sell them in my shop or online.
https://www.eden-e-motion.co.uk/karrirak/4593816642.
I can arrange while-you-wait tow bar fitting also if necessary.
Just get in touch,
The rack I found works very well, is reliable and will fit almost any bike. Since I have numerous bikes of different sizes I have tested it.
Nashbar Shadow II.
I bought it on sale with the fat tire hoops delivered for about $200.
The slide in works with the smaller sized receiver, but there is an adapter for the larger size.
Easy to load, but you still have the problem of lifting the bike. I dont have a problem with that. but others may. The velcro straps hold the wheels well and could be easily remade if damaged or worn out after years of use. Some smarts have to be used for the crossbar height since they are stacked on the upright. The locking pins are keyed and tethered. I havent had one come out and I dont expect it to ever happen.
With some bikes I may be pushing the weight limit.
There are many other racks. I will be checking some out in my newly opened store.
-Electric Pete
The Thule Easy Fold rack works well BUT the bikes cover the license plate AND the turning/brake lights. We were pulled over and received a warning.
Thule sells an Easy Fold rack in Europe that has both a license plate holder and electrical connection for turning/brake lights. Apparently this is not sold in North America
Can anyone offer a solution?
Buzz Rack make well priced rack very similar to the Thule complete with tail lights. Called the Scorpion. Clamps are lockable. Works fine. Not particularly light and no ramps but works fine for me.
Has anyone recently tried the 1UP USA Heavy Duty Double Bicycle Quik Rack? It claims loads of 75 lbs. per bike and up to 3″ tires.
A Thule T2 works well. A 2” version easily holds >120 lbs. and there are bargains on Craigslist and replacement parts available.
Whispbar make a really good rack available with or without ramp, it’s light, has wheels for moving it around though it only weighs 34lbs anyway, hooks on the towball, solid, piece of kit, will take two bikes up to 133lbs, used to be known as Cykell, made in Belgium but better than their German counterparts (I work in the trade & I ’have tried them), not the cheapest but how much are your bikes worth to you?
This site is mainly aimed at the US so http://www.whispbar.com is your best bet, here is a direct link to the U.K. web page https://www.whispbar.eu/en_eu/product-categories/product-accessories/towball-2-bike-carrier/
They fit straight onto swan neck towbars but if you have a standard (here in the U.K.) two bolt towball you may need to upgrade to the extended neck (designed for the latest ALKO stabilisers) towball from ALKO or Maypole.
If you want to try one and see if it fits (I am in Hereford UK) give me a shout, I’ve got one for my camper van.
Whispbar is an Australian Company, better known for their roof bars, they bought Cykell out a couple of years ago, if you are in the U.K. and want to try on
I have a Kuat rack
It holds both my EVELO Aries and Aurora, both about 45lbs. ea.
It slides into my hitch receiver and also tilts.
Attached is a locking cable and also has a telescoping grip for working on your bike in the field.
Hi there, we are trying to find a bike rack for FOUR e-bikes – can you offer suggestions? We have three haibikes and a trek.
Recently got the Overdrive Hitch Mounted Platform Bike Rack w/ Tilting For Electric & Fat Tire from eBay. Very pleased with the workmanship, quality, and finish of this rack. Compares to racks 2-4 times the price. I alternate this rack from my RV and my Jeep Wrangler depending on need and roads traveled. This is not a well known brand but I am impressed by it. Can also be found on Amazon. A quality rack for under $200 is worth a look. Loading and unloading the 60 lbs e-bike is not a problem for this old Vietnam vet with a bad back.
The Thule easy fold 2 bike carrier works very well carrying an e-bike and a road bike. But when the rack is on the SUV whether carrying bikes or not, you cannot use the backup camera because your car will continually lurch to a halt as though someone or a car was behind you.. So the camera must be turned off when the rack is on the car. And when the bikes are not on the car the rack must be taken off to use the backup camera safely. And when the ramp is used to put the bikes on the rack, you cannot put the ramp back in its holders because the bikes are on top of it. Thule was of no help with my questions. But I want to reiterate that the rack is excellent for transporting bikes minus these annoyances.
The problem I have is being able to lift a heavy e bike onto the rack. I first purchased the Thule Easyfold, but it doesn’t fold up close to the car and sticks out which made it difficult in backing up in a tight parking lot and it is expensive. I then switched to the Thule XT 2. The problem with that is that it partially blocks the back up camera AND I have to struggle to get the bike on the rack. There is a video by Diedre on how to make a simple bike ramp https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byuBFT8Ack4. There are also now more bike racks with ramps. Kuat has one $89 and 1 UP (made in the USA) also makes one, (around $80). Buzzrack makes one for $29, and you can buy a Thule Easy Fold one separately. My husband made one out of wood for me which needs improvement, but sure helps.
I tried the Thule Easy Fold and it was easy to use and get the bike on the rack. BUT he rack does not fold up next to the car and just sticks out behind the car all the time like a rudder. This was a deal breaker for me and returned it and got a different Thule rack. Unfortunately I can’t lift my ebike to get it on the rack and even when I do there is no trough to hold it to slide it up to the tire cage/holder. My husband is trying to make a ramp for me.
I have a 2019 Riese+Muller e-bike (German manufacturer).. Model is a Charger GH vario. 59.1# without built-in lock. Less with both batteries removed for hauling. It has fenders, front and rear.
I’ve looked Saris, Hollywood, Kuat, and Thule brand racks for e-biles and large tire bikes. Have read many reviews. All seem to have pluses and minuses.
Features most important are: (1.) Build Quality (little or no plastic parts – tires straps ok) ; (2.) Hold-Down Stability (without damaging fenders); (3.) Tilt-away feature; (4.) Fits 1 1/4″ hitch; (5.) Can handle two bikes – 2 e-bikes or 1 e-bike and one non-e road bike; (6.) Folds-up against rear of car when not in use; (7.) Rack itself weighs less than 50#; (8.) Costs less than ~ $500.
Recommendations ??? Any of the above features NOT reflected in your recommendation? How long is your experience with your recommendation(s)? Any parts (or complete) failures?
Sincere thanks for a reply!!
I bought an Overdrive electric bike rack through Amazon and am very pleased with it. The current price is $250 and it holds two bikes. My electric bikes weigh 64 lbs each, and this handles them without a problem.
I am purchasing a 63 lb e-bike (no batter) and wonder whether the Overdrive will handle it.
I have a 1.25 hitch and that is the issue.
I noted the Overdrive rack was only rated for 60 lbs, but if you are using it with 2 64lb bikes without an issue, I would definitely consider it. Much cheaper than the Thule.
The rack can handle the weight, but I can’t speak to the hitch issue. The hitch size could be a problem for any rack that is rated for e-bikes.
@Mel Mashman: If the Overdrive rack is made for 60lbs, I wouldn’t risk it if your bike is heavier than that. If you’re on the freeway and the ebike were to fall and cause an accident, the insurance guy will get you!
A 1.25″ receiver is a Class 1 hitch, I wouldn’t risk carrying a heavy ebike(s) on that.
Of course I will carry 1 or perhaps two e-Bikes on my class 1 hitch. I am sure it is frequently done. I will check, but think I can carry several hundred pounds on the tongue. I will likely end up with the expensive Thule that allows 65 lbs per bile.
Oddly, the way most bike carrier companies list their carrier’s capacities is, for instance, 2 bikes at 30lbs each, but do not allow for one bike at 60lbs on that exact same model of carrier. These carriers need to spread the load to be safe.
So, I have a 66LB+ Fat Ebike and an old Toyota Camry sedan. I needed to get the bike about 150miles to my vacation destination from my home. Knowing that Thule has a lot to lose as a premier bike carrier company and seeing that no company I could find or afford makes a trunk/bumper mount carrier that will even hold a single bike at 50lbs legally, I bought a used Thule 9007XT 3-bike trunk/bumper mount carrier for $88 on Feebay and proceeded to make it into a single bike holder by removing the extra bike frame rests and strapping and positioning the two remaining frame rests just far enough away as to not allow the bike to scratch my car’s paint.
Before loading the bike, I removed the battery, front & rear wheels, seat with suspension seatpost, the rack bag and finally the pedal closest to my car thus bringing the bike down to an estimated 40-45lbs. I did some 65mph testing but was still nervous to get on the highway for 4 hours of driving. Happily, the bike made it both ways without any movement or damage to either the bike or car. I have some pics and a movie of it. Looks kinda funky on there (I’m no strapping expert) as I used some zip ties to ensure no movement, but got thumbs up along the way from other bike haulers in cars, and more importantly, I did not end up in jail for causing a giant wreck.
“… on Feebay and…”
LOL. Good one, Dean.
We have a Honda Fit, and wanted a hitch rack that wasn’t too heavy but could handle our e-bikes as well as our dual-suspension mtn bikes. We ended up with the Saris Super Clamp EX 2. Easy for me to attach the rack to the car because of its light weight, but also easy to load the bikes. Love all the locking capabilities and the tilt feature. Highly recommend. (used a Saris roof rack on a previous car, and their bones rack for other bikes and all have stood the test of time.
Bike Rack
I have the Kuat Rack.
It is a heavy duty rack..
It tilts and has locking cables attached if you want to secure/lock your bikes to the rack. Rack also can lock into the receiver hitch.
It holds both of my E-Bikes
I use the rack on my truck and on my camper.
A very good consideration.
I have a KUAT as well
KUAT also sells a “ramp” that attached to the bike tray.
This enables me to “drive” the bike onto the rack.
Remove the ramp and away you go.
Pete, your ebike report is awesome and valuable for people looking to ebike. One comment, can you please update the Thule Easyfold to the latest version which is called the Easyfold XT 2. Thule has continued to refresh this product and it is quite amazing. I can mount my Easyfold rack on the hitch, load 2 eBikes, and be ready to go, in less than 5 minutes. It’s that easy. The pictures and model you show are the old original product which I have, but its old info for your readers. Thanks much
Richard
Thanks Richard, I just updated the Easyfold. Good to hear you like it.
How about a rack for an Anywhere Fat Tire Trike.
I have a Mini Cooper and am having a 1.25 hitch put on it. I want to carry only 1 step through e-bike that weighs 55 pounds. I want to be able to easily remove the bike carrier when it is not in use. I’m looking for a rack that would make loading my bike alone doable (I’m a young 65 year old woman).
Aw, nuts! I was hoping that The Electric Bike Report staff would make a review on the Saris Door County.
*
Most tow-ball mounted bike racks (eBikes or not) are not practical on the standard tow-ball of an RV. This is because the rear wall of an RV is vertical andthe handlebars of the inner most bike hit the back wall of the RV. For a regular bike it can be easy to turn the handlebars 90 degrees to be parallel to the wall, but not so for eBikes where the handle bar mounts are usually quite different and do not allow for quick easy rotation, if at all. An option in these cases is to not use the innermost track on the rack thus reducing by one the number of bikes that can be transported.
It would be great if the maximum tire width is included with each rack summary. Had to return the Yakima rack with ramp because it could not accommodate a 4.5” tire width. With the weight of some of the electric bikes, a larger variety of racks that include a ramp is much needed in the marketplace.