Are you looking for the best hitch bike rack to keep your bikes safe on the way to the trail? Here are your 10 best options.
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- Thule T2 Pro XTR
- Kuat Transfer V2 2
- Swagman XC2
- Yakima Ridgeback 4
- RockyMounts BackStage
- Kuat Racks NV 2.0
- Yakima Hangover Verticle Hitch Bike Rack
- Yakima FullSwing 4
- Thule Camber 4
- Kuta Beta 2.0
Biking is one of my favorite sports, but carrying one or more bikes can be tricky if you don’t have the right bike rack for your vehicle. Nor does anyone want to carry them in an unsecured manner to reach the destination with a damaged car or bike. And that is why a hitch bike rack can be your solution for more accessible transportation.
But which one should you buy? We’re going to explore the best hitch bike racks on the market and review them so you know what’s worth investing in.
Hitch racks are a great way to transport bikes because they offer unmatched versatility and ease of use. There are many options, but hitch racks fall into two basic categories: platform models, which provide excellent stability and convenience at the costliest price point. Or hangin’ ones that can be adjusted for different needs like carrying children on bike seats while providing easy access.
Thule T2 Pro XTR
Provided by Amazon
Cost: See Price on Amazon
The Thule is a platform bike hitch rack that weighs only 52lbs. It can carry two bikes but has additional attachment space that can hold two more. The weight capacity of the bikes must not exceed 60 lbs. It is a bike rack with numerous features, has an elementary usage manual, and has impeccable engineering. Compares to other bike hitch racks, it is rather costly and a bit heavy.
The Thule T2 Pro, the most popular hitch-mounted rack in North America, has just been updated. The new model is an excellent all-around choice for towing various bikes with its complete feature set and premium build quality. But it will not come as a surprise that Thule has stayed true to its tried and tested design.
However, what does change are some great features like wheels at the base, making moving this beast around your garage or shed so much easier than before. Plus, there’s also more space inside thanks to increased depth capacity coming from 23% wider cradles now up against 36″.
Kuat Transfer v2 2
Provided by Amazon
Cost : See Price on Amazon
The Kuat is yet another platform hitch bike rack that weighs 37lbs. It also holds two bicycles but can hold one more with an add-on. The weight capacity per bike is set at 60 lbs. This rack has a versatile platform-style frame at a very affordable price. The only downside is that the design is a bit less sturdy than the competing brands.
The Kuat Transfer is the perfect companion for those who need to transport their bikes safely and securely. The lightweight aluminum frame attaches quickly, without harming your vehicle in any way. It also has a tilting function that allows you to access the back of your car with ease.
The latest version of this bike rack features adjustable straps to be used on various wheel sizes or even accommodate fat-tire models (sold separately). So whether you’re biking at night or taking long trips by plane when airlines don’t allow them on board, we’ve got what you need here – safe transportation guaranteed!
Swagman XC2
Provided by Amazon
Cost: See Price on Amazon
Yet another platform hitch bike rack, the Swagman XC2, weighs only 32lbs. It only carries two bikes, and the weight capacity of each bike should be 35 lbs. The price is perhaps the best thing about this bike, making it a pocket-friendly option. Unfortunately, if you are not familiar with hitch bike racks, this one is not so user-friendly. Also, the ratcheting arms could scuff the bike’s frame, which is not so good.
The Swagman XC2 is the perfect car bike rack for those looking to get their bikes off the ground and out of harm’s way. The sleek, clean design features a highly adjustable tray system that will easily fit almost all sizes and shapes of bicycle frames. And don’t worry about your precious cargo–the sturdy ratcheting arms secure your bicycles in place while you’re driving, so they won’t move at any point during transit or when parked.
With this low-profile option weighing less than 33 pounds total (including mounting hardware), it can easily be installed on most vehicles without adding too much weight up top – even better if you have limited space to work with.
Yakima RidgeBack 4
Provided by Amazon
Cost: See Price on Amazon
The Yakima RidgeBack 4 is a hanging hitch bike rack that weighs only 35 lbs. It can comfortably carry four bicycles, although you can get in both two and five-bike versions. The weight capacity of each bike is set at a maximum of 40 lbs. The best thing is that it can haul four bicycles at a very affordable price. On the flip side, you will need an adapter to carry step-through bikes.
Sometimes, you need to get away from it all. Wherever your adventures take you, Yakima’s bike rack will provide the perfect foundation for storing those two-wheelers that serve as our mode of transportation in this digital age. The durable build and anti-sway design make them ideal companions on every adventure, with enough room to store any kind of kickstand or handlebars securely attached without worry about damaging the vehicle’s finish.
RockyMounts BackStage
Provided by Amazon
cost: See Price on Amazon
This is a platform hitch bike rack with a weight of 63 lbs. It only transports two bikes, each with a weight limit of 60 lbs. The built-in swing feature is the best part about this device that provides you easy access to the back of your car. On the downside, it tends to be very heavy.
The BackStage is a revolutionary new platform-style hitch mount that offers easy access to your vehicle with its side-swinging arm. Thule and Yakima don’t even have this feature, but it’s included in the purchase of the Backstage! It also comes equipped with many features you’d expect from an ultra-premium rack, such as a locking anti-wobble tow bar stabilizer for maximum security while driving on rough terrain or bumpy roads.
The rack’s profile aluminum construction means less intrusion into your gas tank area when carrying bikes. This will maximize fuel economy without sacrificing load capacity. The system includes rubber straps, tie-downs, and locks, so all bike sizes are secure on board while you ride on any terrain.
Kuat Racks NV 2.0
Provided by Amazon
Cost: See Price on Amazon
The Kuat NV 2.0 is a platform hitch bike rack that weighs only 60 lbs. It carries two bikes. The weight capacity of each bike is 50 lbs. The ratcheting arms that make contact with the bike’s tire are the most commendable feature, while the easy-to-reach tilt foot lever makes it easy to use. I highly recommend this rack for a secure fit for your bike.
From a weighty metal frame to the impressive arm design, the Kuat NV 2.0 is one of their most popular racks. It offers excellent protection for your bike and can withstand any terrain that you throw at it. The arms are independent of each other, which means they contact only with the tires—that way, you’ll never have issues when transporting any size bike.
Yakima Hangover Verticle Hitch Rack
Provided by Amazon
Cost: See Price on Amazon
This Yakima Hangover Verticle hanging rack is the perfect device for groups riders. It can comfortably carry six bikes, although you may purchase the 4-bike versions if you wish. The weight capacity per bike is set at 37.5 lbs. This rack is so far the best hanging rack that can carry numerous bikes at once securely. The only negative tends to be its cost and weight.
This unique hitch-mounted rack takes a different approach to carry bikes. Its topside hold the fork high while the rest of the bike is strapped into the lower bar. The standard baskets can carry 24- 29 inch wheels, and they can accommodate up to 20-inch kids’ bikes or fat bikes with attachments.
This design offers many advantages; you’ll be able to transport any kind of bicycle safely as well as take off without having to worry about damaging your vehicle during transit. This is an innovative new way for transporting bicycles that makes sure they’re more than just safe from physical damage but also comfortable. It’s also compatible with all kinds of bikes.
Yakima FullSwing 4
Provided by Amazon
Cost: See Price on Amazon
The Yakima FullSwing 4 is a hanging hitch bike rack that weighs 56 lbs and carries four bikes at once. The weight capacity per bike is at 40lbs. The best part of the FullSwing 4 is the convenience of the swing-away design. However, the price for the hanging rack tends to be on the higher side.
The FullSwing 4 bike rack is one of the best with its swing-away feature and included locks. With a secure strap system that’s also some of the best in business, you can safely load up your bikes without worry about them wobbling or falling off while driving down rough terrain.
Thule Camber 4
Provided by Amazon
Cost: See Price on Amazon
The Thule Camber 4 is also another hanging hitch bike rack that weighs 34 lbs. It can carry four bikes, but you may purchase a version that only carries two bikes. The weight capacity per bike is set at 37.5 lbs. The features on this gadget complement each other holding a reasonable bike capacity and offering an affordable cost. The only thing that most people do not like is the finicky straps.
The Camber 4 is a dependable and versatile hitch carrier. It features 7 inches of space between cradles to minimize bike-to-bike contact, while the folding design makes it easy for travelers on the go-to store their bikes when not in use. The Thule’s challenging build ensures that your investment will last, so you can focus more on enjoying your vacation rather than worrying about transporting your precious cargo.
Kuat Beta 2.0
Provided by Amazon
Cost: See Price on Amazon
The Kuat Beta 2.0 is a hanging hitch bike rack that weighs 14 lbs. It can only transport two bikes with a weight capacity of 40 lbs per bike. The weight is perhaps the most commendable thing about this rack, plus its strength and features. Unfortunately, its limited bike carriage is the only downside.
The Beta’s 14-pound weight is a huge advantage when you’re looking for the perfect rack that won’t weigh down your car. The arms of this ultralight 80-pound rated aluminum bike holder fold away to save space in tight areas, and it tilts so rear vehicle access is never an issue.
Bottom line
We’ve reviewed and tested the best hitch bike racks on the market, so you don’t have to. We hope our reviews help guide your decision when it comes time for you to buy a new bicycle rack. If you need more information about any particular product or are just looking for general advice, feel free to reach out to an expert. Most are always happy to answer questions from fellow riders like yourself.
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