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The Definitive Guide to Buying the Best Hitch Bike Rack 2021
- Authors
- Name
- Alex Walker
If you plan to make a long trip and don't intend to leave your bike(s) behind, you must be looking for the best hitch bike rack to hook up to your car. The best bike rack needs to be secure, durable, and user-friendly.
This definitive guide will cover the five best hitch bike racksfor the money and discuss the features you need to consider when buying this gear. We do hope by the end of this guide, you will have spotted the right hitch bike rack for your car.
Let’s start by looking at the reason for using this gear.
Table of Content
- Benefits of having a hitch bike rack
- Best 3 Hitch Bike Rack
- Buying Guide-Factors to Consider When Buying the Best Hitch Bike Rack
- Frequently Asked Questions about Hitch Bike Racks
- Conclusion
Benefits of having a hitch bike rack
If this is your first time buying a rack, it can feel overwhelming, considering that there are different configurations to consider. This can make you look for other ways of securing your bike to your car.
However, hitch racks are safer as they attach to the back of your car. This means they don’t interfere with your view. Not to mention they are reasonably priced.
In addition to these benefits, here are more reasons to invest in this gear instead of roof-type mount racks and boot racks;
It allows you to carry multiple bikes
It is pretty hard to find a roof rack that can accommodate four bikes. Not only is carrying multiple bikes on the roof of your car dangerous, but it can also add to your fuel consumption. The hitch bike rack offers the best and most convenient way of carrying multiple bikes. Their locking and strapping mechanisms safely secure up to four bikes, even in those bumpy rides.
It’s safe and doesn’t add to your fuel consumption
While you may not see it as a big deal carrying bikes on your car's rooftop, it can be dangerous, especially if you are not used to driving with bikes atop the car. This is because you have to consider them when braking, maneuvering and turning. Not to mention that roof racks add air resistance, and this increases your fuel consumption. With a hitch rack, you avoid all these downsides as they keep vehicle height the same
Easy to install and use
Hitch racks are very easy to install. It should take you a few minutes to install a hitch rack as opposed to a roof rack.
Also, loading and unloading bikes on a hitch rack is easier than loading to a roof rack. You have to lift the bike to the platform or clamps and let it rest there, then type up and strap it to secure it to your car.
And now that you are convinced hitch racks are the way to go, we now review the top 5 best hitch bike racks 2021;
Best 5 Hitch Bike Rack
Thule T2 Pro XT/XTR Bike Rack
Thule T2 hitch mount is a tray-style bike rack that's ultra-secure for almost any bike size or tire. The arm locks in yourbikes without touching the frames, which is handy for carbon fiber bikes. It's suitable for tires between 20 to 29 inches with a 2-foot cable that secures the bike firmly to the rack, meaning it can accommodate fat tire bikes as well.
Installing Thule T2 Pro is easy because you require no tools, thanks to the AutoAttach knob that takes care of that. The rack gets attached to the hitch with a spring-loaded arm holding it in place. Simply use the locking knob to tighten it down to prevent the rack from swaying. When not in use, the carrier folds away so that it doesn’t restrict access to the back of your vehicle.
The rack weighs 51 pounds, which is heavier than some modes, but it gets the job done. The holding capacity is up to 60 pounds, making it ideal for gear-laden bikes or e-bikes. Best of all, the system provides ample space between locked cycles to ensure bikes don’t bang against each other even when you hit a bumpy gravel road.
Are you bringing some friends along? You can get an extra attachment for an additional price that lets you throw in another two more bikes to carry four bikes. The integrated cable lock is sturdy to keep them safe from thieves when you stop to pick a snack on the way.
Pros
- It’s built to last
- It offers generous spacing of 12” between bike mounts
- Can accommodate 20” – 29” bikes without any adapters
- It provides a tool-free installation
- With an add-on kit, you can switch from 2 to 4 capacity as needed
Cons
- It’s more expensive than other models
- It’s heavy
Yakima HoldUp 1-1/4 Hitch Mount
Yakima HoldUp is one of the bestselling hitch racks, and it’s easy to see why. It’s easy to use, and one can load and unload bikes fast. It can be used on vehicles with a 1.25” or 2” receiver. The 1-1/4 hitch mount carries two bikes, but you can an optional HoldUp extension to carry up to 4 bikes with the 2”.
There’s some assembly needed with the HoldUp, but it should be easy to fix. All you need is to mount the base into the hitch using one big bolt and then mount the trays to the base using eight small bolts. The company even added wrenches in case you don't have some. The installation process should take less than 15 minutes. Removing the rack is easy because you unthread the big hitch bolt and slide the entire rack out.
The whole thing weighs 50 pounds which is not light but easily manageable by one person. Each tray accommodates up to 60 pounds, which much less than the weight of a mountain bike. The Yakima HoldUp is designed with an adjustable arm that holds the front wheel tight. It’s designed to fit bikes with wheel sizes from 20” to 29”. For the rear wheel, the model offers a ratcheting strap. Moreover, your bikes won’t get into contact with the rack, which prevents scratches.
The package also includes cable locks with lock cores for extra security. However, these locks wouldn’t stop a determined thief, so you still need to carry a U-lock if you’re going to leave the bikes unattended. Otherwise, the Yakima HoldUp is solidly built and feels like it can last for years to come.
Pros
- It offers a secure hold
- The design ensures no frame contact
- Each tray can support 60 pounds
- It comes with security locks and a bottle opener
Cons
- A little assembly is required
Thule Camber Hitch Bike Rack
The Thule Camber bike hitch rack is famous for its affordable price tag, especially for occasional users. It can be used on both 1-1/4" and 2" receivers with arms that can fold down when the rack is not in use. Besides, the rack can be rotated back to allow access to the trunk. The Camber can accommodate different bike sizes, including sizeable fat-tire bikes, with a 7" of space between the bikes to avoid contact.
Most users love the cradle extension for its stability, even when driving on a bumpy road. Bikes are secured by dual horizontal arms that cradle the top tube combined with rubber brackets with straps to keep the bike from sliding back and forth. Although they get the job done, they aren’t as secure as tray racks.
What makes the Thule Camber 2-bike rack stand out is the lightweight at 28 pounds. However, it has a maximum capacity of 37.5 pounds, which makes it unsuitable for transporting e-bikes. Additionally, it’s not ideal for full-suspension mountain bikes and bikes with step-through frames.
The hitch bike rack is easy to install, offering both a permanent fixture and a temporary rack that you can put in when you need it. Unlike similar hitch racks, this one does not come with cable locks.
Pros
- It comes at an affordable price
- The design is compact and lightweight
- Offers very secure arms and straps to keep bikes put
- Can accommodate both 1.25” and 2” receivers
Cons
- Installation requires tools
- Not suitable for heavy bikes
- No locks included
Saris Superclamp Bike Hitch Rack
This bike rack is a fan favorite for a variety of reasons. To begin with, it’s conveniently light, weighing just 35 lbs. Besides, it’s sturdy and will keep your bikes safe and put regardless of the conditions. It’s a relatively compact bike rack that’s extremely easy to load and unload so that you can hit the road at any time.
The Superclamp can carry two bikes of up to 60 pounds, making it ideal for heavy bikes like e-bikes. The trays can cope with wheels between 20” to 29” and wide tires of up to 4”. The rack can fit in 1.25-inch and 2-inch receivers. Fitting the rack is into the receiver is easy because you just put it into position and secure the lock.
The bikes sit on the tray and then attached to the horizontal bar, with the umbrella clamps sliding down the bike wheels to keep it secured. The wheel straps combine with hardened brackets to keep the bikes steady. The model also comes with a locking cable that keeps the bike safe from petty thieves.
The design ensures the bikes stay far apart in a way there’s no frame contact to prevent harm and scratches to the bike. The tilting feature offers quick access to the trunk with or without the bikes loaded. When not in use, you can fold the rack too.
Saris also included a few features for ease of use, such as the adjustability of parts to ensure your bike fits, regardless of size. Loading your bike should take less than 5 minutes.
Pros
- It’s lightweight compared to other racks
- It’s build to last
- can fold up and down for convenience
- easy to use and adjust
Cons
- Bikes are closely spaced together than other models
Allen Sports 5-bike Hitch Racks
Allen Sports is a famous brand whose goal is to create affordable solid products. Based in Portsmouth, the company produces strollers, trailers, and car racks at a fraction of the price. The company offers several popular hitch racks, including the 5-bike Hitch Rack.
This hanging rack is one of their family-friend solutions that can hold up to 5 bikes at an affordable price. Despite the low price, this rack is still one of the best in terms of providing basic security for a long road trip. The 5-bike hitch is lightweight, and anybody can take it on or off the car in 5 minutes and carry arms drop out of the way when the rack isn’t in use.
All of its hitch racks can fit into a 2” hitch receiver. The 2ndand 3rd racks are also compatible with a 1-1/4 receiver, but the package comes with an adapter that can make them compatible with 2-inch receivers. It’s built sturdy, and the bike loading process requires minimal effort, which makes it suitable for bikers with multiple bikes. The racks feature tie-down cradles with straps to secure each bike to the hitch.
On the downside, the space is limited if you want to load bikes on all the trays. The space between the bikes is small, meaning you may not have enough padding for long road trips. It becomes more complicated if your bikes have larger wheels. Most consumers are happy with the product, saying it saves time when prepping for a trip.
Pros
- Installation is easy as most of the assembly is done
- The tie on the strap is easy to use and secure
- The rack can carry up to 5 bikes
- The hitch bike rack works on most vehicles
- It offers excellent value for money
Cons
- Bikes stay close together, which means bike may rub against each other
Buying Guide-Factors to Consider When Buying the Best Hitch Bike Rack
If you are still not decided on which hitch bike rack to choose, even after reading our reviews, we have a helpful buyer’s guide that can help you make a quick purchase decision.
Consider these factors when shopping for a hitch rack for your bikes;
Type of hitch bike racks
Hitch bike racks come in two forms- platform-style rack, which secures the bike tires using a platform, and hanging-style racks, which support the bike from the frame.
Platform racks keep your bike frame free of damages as the bike is usually secured via the tires. These type of bike racks also allows for tray adjustment to create more space between the bikes. This minimizes bike-to-bike contact. The platform-style bike can carry all kinds of bikes regardless of their size, wheel size, and suspension style.
All these benefits make the platform-style racks popular among serious cyclist. Their only downside is that they are pricier than hanging-style racks.
On the other hand, hanging racks suspend bikes by the frame. The advantage of using this rack is that it can hold more bikes without investing in more hardware. However, the main disadvantage is that more bike-to-bike contact can result in abrasion or damage. If you have a bike with a carbon fiber frame, hanging-style racks are a no-go zone.
Another benefit of hanging racks is that they may not accommodate some bikes, such as full-suspension mountain bikes, due to their unusual shapes.
In addition, hanging racks are also easier to mount and are more affordable than platform-style racks.
So, if you have bikes with unique frames such as step-through bikes, the platform rack is the best option. Also, if you don’t want to ruin your bike aesthetics, this type of rack is the best
Ease of storage-is it foldable?
The next factor to consider when shopping for the best bike carrier is if it’s foldable. This feature is important as you don’t want to disengage your rack every time you need to pack your car in a garage. A hitch rack that doesn’t fold will end up taking a lot of space in your garage.
Modern bike racks are foldable and can quickly press up against your car, thereby allowing you to keep it attached to the hitch when not in use—this helps save your time and garage space.
Therefore, if your garage space is limited, make sure to check this perk.
Dimensions
This refers to both the dimensions of your car and the dimensions of your hitch rack. It is important to pick a rack that fits on your vehicle. Most of the racks we have reviewed in this guide are great for pickup trucks and SUVs, but it is always important to check the dimension to be sure.
When buying a hitch bike rack, try to go for one that doesn’t protrude on the outside as it can interfere with your driving.
Number of bikes it can hold
This is a crucial aspect to consider if you want to carry several bikes with you. Irrespective of your needs, it is always wise to invest in a rack that can carry at least two bikes (ideal one- 4-bike hitch rack). These racks can accommodate mountain bikes or heavier fat-tire bikes.
Hitch size
Cars have different hitch sizes. Since the connection between the hitch and the rack keeps the whole structure together and prevents the bike from swaying, you need to ensure they fit well.
Some cars have a 1.25-inches hitch, while others have a 2-inches hitch. Many racks feature adaptors that fit both sizes, but some can only fit with one size. Therefore, make sure to check the hitch sizes of the rack and that of your car.
Security
You don’t want to leave your bikes attached to your rack on your car only to find that an opportunist thief removed it. That's why you need to consider the security aspect of your bike.
How easy is it to remove the rack from your car hitch when it is secured? How easy is it to remove the bikes from the rack? Does the rack offer extra safety features?
Racks with a locking hitch mount make it impossible for a thief to unscrew it. If your rack doesn't come with a locking hitch mount, you can purchase it separately.
Tilt feature
Many hitch bike racks allow one to tilt the whole structure to give way to your car trunk without the need to remove the bikes. If you would like to have this feature, make sure the rack you choose allows you to do that.
By keeping these factors in mind, you will easily find the best hitch bike rack.
Frequently Asked Questions about Hitch Bike Racks
Are hitch bike racks safe?
Yes. There is no safety or security issue with hitch bike racks. Most come with locks that secure the rack with a hitch.
Can a bike rack damage my car?
The major reason people choose a hitch-style rack over a rooftop rack is that the hitch doesn't allow the bike to come into contact with the car's body. This means the bike will not dent or shatter the body.
However, you can take several measures, such as adjusting the bike cradles to make them sit further from the car window. Also, if you are using a hanging-style bike rack, you can secure the wheels with a bungee cord or strap to solve this issue.
Are hitch bike racks better than other racks?
Yes. If your car has a hitch, hitch bike racks are the better option to install instead of roof racks or trunk racks. Hitch bike racks protect your car's finish and also secure your bike well. Also, they are easier to mount and unmount. Not to mention that most are foldable and thus easy to store.
Conclusion
The hitch bike racks are excellent choices for people who want to move around with their bikes. When buying, consider how well it fits your car and the number of bikes you plan to carry with you.
A bike rack should fulfill your transport needs. Therefore, you have to decide the style and type you want before buying.
The above five models we have reviewed are top-rated, have great features, and are positively reviewed by many users, and we believe they are ideal choices for you to buy.