When looking for the best hitch bike rack for your needs, there are many factors to take into account. While each form of hitch bike rack has advantages and disadvantages, you need also take into account the kind of bikes you own, their weight, and the number of bikes you need to transport. You should be able to select the ideal rack for you by using those characteristics to limit down your options. See our in-depth guide to the top roof bike racks if you’re searching for more options for carrying your bikes.

Different Hitch Bike Rack Types

There are now three main types of hitch bike racks available. The most popular kind of bike racks are platform racks, which support the bikes from below on a “platform” or tray while holding them horizontally. As the name implies, hanging racks hang the bikes by the top tube of the frame from a support arm, carrying the bikes horizontally. Though they are a little more recent, vertical racks hang the bikes vertically from the handlebar, front wheel, or fork. The many kinds of racks will be covered in more depth below.

Platform
The bike rests on a platform, or tray, in platform-style racks. Platform racks often have the lowest loading height when compared to other types of hitch racks, making it reasonably simple to raise bikes into position. The front wheel clamp/hook is the most widely used technique of holding the motorcycles in place.

One of its benefits is that most platform racks only come into contact with the tires or wheels and not the bike frame. They are therefore perfect for those who don’t want to take the chance of breaking their bike frames. Furthermore, bike-on-bike interference can frequently be avoided or reduced by altering the trays. Because of this, platform racks work with a wide range of bikes, regardless of their size, suspension setup, or wheel diameter.

Serious bikers use platform-style racks because of their mix of simplicity of usage and versatility. The drawbacks are that they are usually heavier and more oversized than hanging-style racks, in addition to being generally more expensive. Additionally, they can typically only hold two bikes at once, however add-ons can frequently be purchased to enhance capacity.

Hanging
Usually consisting of two support arms, hanging racks allow bikes to hang down by holding them by their frames. Compared to platform racks, these racks are usually less expensive and many of them can accommodate up to four bikes without the need for additional hardware. In addition to being less in weight, hanging racks are typically simpler to assemble, take down, and store when not in use.

The primary drawback is the possibility of abrasion and, in certain situations, damage from contact with the frame. This is a very important factor to take into account when transporting a carbon fiber bike. Additionally, motorcycles with unique frames (such as step-through bikes) or full-suspension mountain bikes might not fit on hanging racks. Additionally, you might wish to use a strap or bungee cord to fasten the front tires to the frame. This lessens the chance that the wheels will spin and collide with other motorcycles.

Vertical
Vertical racks are a relatively modern style that were initially created as a way to move large mountain bikes for shuttle journeys. Bikes can be carried in groups of up to six by hanging them vertically. Whereas older models could only carry mountain bikes by the suspension fork crown, more recent versions can carry bikes by the handlebar or front wheel and can handle a variety of bike types. Vertical racks are a fantastic fit for families with plenty of friends and mountain bike shuttles.

The ability to transport more than four bikes at once is the primary advantage of vertical racks. The disadvantages include their weight, mass, storage challenges, and often high cost. Having said that, their final cost is lower than that of many platform racks with accessories.

Which Is Better: Platform, Hanging, or Vertical?
It truly boils down to the kind and quantity of bikes you need to haul when selecting amongst the rack layouts. An affordable hanging rack can be more than adequate for your needs if you don’t use racks much and just need to move some older bikes to and from a vacation house a few times a summer.

Platform racks are perfect if maintaining your bikes secure, stable, and in excellent condition is crucial to you. The majority of platform racks secure the bikes by means of the wheels and/or tires, completely eliminating frame contact. In particular, platform racks with a roll-up capability (or those that work with aftermarket ramps) are simple to load and operate. For those who are carrying bigger bikes, such as cruisers or e-bikes, this is perfect. If you are transporting full-suspension mountain bikes or bikes with unusual frames, such as step-through bikes, platform racks come out on top. There won’t be any hanging arms that need to be woven through the frames.

All things considered, platform racks are generally more expensive than hanging racks. You will also need to consider the cost of accessories if you plan to haul more than two bikes at once. If maintaining the original appearance of your bike is more important to you than saving money, go with a platform rack. A hanging rack is an excellent option if you’re looking to cut costs and don’t care about wear.

If you need to move more bikes, vertical racks are usually your best option. They are usually the only choice (except from tailgate pads) for transporting more than four bikes at once, and although they may look expensive up front, they are actually less expensive than many platform racks with accessories. Additionally, some of the more recent types (such as the Lolo Racks) that hold bikes by the wheels or handlebars are compatible with most bikes, including kids’, road, gravel, and hybrid bikes, although their compatibility with bikes used to be more limited. Though they may look a little out of place on smaller vehicles, keep in mind that they are much larger and will dominate the back of your vehicle a bit.

Bike Attachment
There are several ways to fasten your bike to the rack with bike attachment devices. It varies according on the rack’s type, and even then, different attachment mechanisms are frequently found within each style.

Straps
The strap system, which is most frequently found on hanging racks, is the first and most fundamental. The bike is held in place in the cradle by a zip strip or cam strap, with little cradles on the support arms bearing the weight of the bike. Straps can deteriorate and break, despite the system being reliable and secure (human mistake being the most frequent problem). This is why a lot of strap systems employ two straps as a backup at each attachment point to secure the bike.

The biggest worry that most riders have about hanging racks is that they might eventually cause contact and abrasion damage to the bike’s finish. We’ve heard terrifying tales of hanging racks on lengthy road journeys wearing the paint all the way down to the metal or carbon underneath. Slower wear over years of use is hardly an extreme situation, but that one is. The easiest approach to ensure your frame is safe is to completely avoid frame contact, which is why hanging racks typically have padded cradles to reduce frame damage.

Wheel Hooks and Clamp Arms
The majority of platform racks employ a shepherd’s hook, commonly known as a front wheel clamp. These racks have a pivoting arm with an adjustable hook that grips the front wheel and forces it into a cradle, and a ratcheting strap that wraps around the rear rim to secure the rear wheel. By securing the bike on the rack using the front tire and rear rim, this attachment method prevents frame contact. Not only is this system simple to operate, but it also seems to hold bikes quite steadily and keeps them from colliding if you are carrying many bikes.

Other platform racks enclose the bike from both ends by using opposing clamp arms. Since 1UP-USA popularized this type of attachment, the majority of other significant rack manufacturers have adopted it. These racks won’t even scratch your beautiful carbon rims because they only hold bikes when they are in touch with the tires. In order to prevent interference between bikes, this technology also permits a very wide variety of bike fits and the capacity to move the bikes laterally.

Vertical
Bicycles on vertical racks are usually supported by the handlebar, front wheel, or fork, and the rear wheel is fastened in place using a strap or bungee. Vertical bike racks hold bikes such that they don’t touch, regardless of the attachment method. Only mountain bikes can be mounted on fork mount vertical racks, such as the Yakima HangOver, because they catch bikes by the suspension fork’s crown. However, with time, they may erode the paint coating on the fork crown.

Only the tire makes touch with vertical racks with front-wheel cradles, which hang the bike by the front wheel. Since they don’t rely on a suspension fork, these are a little more adaptable and can frequently be used with rigid fork bikes (road, gravel, kids’, and fat bikes). However, you might need different cradles for different wheel sizes and tire widths.

Bicycles are suspended from handlebar mount vertical racks, such as the Lolo Racks, and as such, they are surprisingly adaptable. Regardless of the type of fork, handlebar, or wheel and tire size, they can fit a wide range of bike types.

Number of Bikes
How many bikes you need to transport is one of the first factors to take into account when selecting the type of rack that will work best for you. You have some possibilities because racks can hold two to six bikes on average. Recall that you can never carry more bikes than a rack can hold, but you can always carry fewer bikes than it can hold. Additionally, you never know when you might meet up with additional friends to bike with.

Platform racks exist in a variety of capacities; the majority have two bike spaces (but some also have one or three). In order to carry up to four bikes, many platform racks can also be enlarged with add-ons that can be installed to enhance capacity by one or two bikes.

Additionally available in different carrying capacities, hanging racks can hold two to five bikes on average. Although they can be purchased for two bikes, the Yakima Ridgeback and Allen Sports Deluxe can each carry up to four bikes.

The majority of bikes can usually be accommodated by vertical racks; the kinds we evaluated came in 4- and 6-bike configurations.

Bike Weight
Regular, non-electric bikes can be loaded into most decent hitch bike racks without any problems. It’s good news for everyone who owns an e-bike, as many of them weigh more than 50 pounds, that many contemporary racks can now support bikes weighing up to 60 pounds. When shopping for a new rack, it’s critical to know the combined weight of your bike(s) and to ensure that the rack you select can support that weight.

Platform racks are known for having the largest weight capacities; the Kuat Piston Pro X, and Yakima OnRamp, for example, all have weight capacities of up to 67 lbs, and 66 lbs per bike, respectively. Some bike racks, such as the RockyMounts GuideRail and the Thule T2 Pro XTR, have a maximum weight capacity of 60 pounds per bike.

Tilt and Swing-Away Features
“Tilt” and “swing-away” allude to the rack’s ability to change position so that you can get inside your car. Tilt features are fairly popular; they allow the rack to be tilted at an angle away from the car in order to open a hatchback or lower a tailgate. This allows you to let your dog leap outside or reach in to pick up a backpack. It also allows folding the rack possible, keeping it out of the way when not in use.

One thing to think about is whether the bikes can be on the rack and you want to tilt it. Removing the bikes when you need to get into your car can be a hassle. Think about how far it tilts away as well. If you’re taking something bulky out, like a cooler, this will really help.

“Swing-away” racks are ones that may rotate away from the vehicle to offer complete open access to the rear of the vehicle. Many firms sell swing-away attachments that you can add to the rack that best suits your needs; some platform and hanging racks have this feature. The simplicity of these attachments may be too much for some users to resist, even if they can be expensive and add weight and expense to an already hefty and expensive rack.

Wheel Size, Tire Width, and Bike Length Compatibility
A bike rack is pointless if it cannot hold your bike, so be sure it will fit. Important things to consider here are the size of the wheels, the wheelbase length of your bike or bikes, and the breadth of the tires. While most platform racks are capable of handling a wide range of tire and wheel dimensions, some are more versatile than others.

Make sure your bike’s tire width, wheel size, and wheelbase all fit within the rack’s specifications because platform racks lock the bike via the tires. Look out the technical specifications on the rack brand’s website before making a purchase. Most businesses will provide a selection of wheelbases, tire widths, and wheel sizes that meet the specifications of that rack. Certain manufactures may also offer kits or adapters to fit larger tires.

There is no problem with tire width, wheel size, or wheelbase because hanging racks support bikes by the frame. The greater issue with hanging racks is specific frame types, such as full-suspension mountain bikes, step-through frames, and BMX cycles. It may be difficult or impossible to put these on a hanging rack.

Thankfully, a few of the racks we list are compatible with large tires and extended wheelbases. Check to see if the item on our list will fit your bike by looking through it.

Hitch Receiver Size

Passenger cars will have either 1.25′′ or 2′′ hitch receivers. It is crucial that you ascertain the exact dimensions of your car before investing in a bike rack. Given their striking differences in appearance, it is easy to tell which of the two sizes is which. Measure if you’re unsure!

It is normally recommended to utilize the larger, 2-inch hitch” receiver since it can support heavier loads, which is ideal if you intend to transport many heavy e-bikes. It’s also important to remember that some racks have an adjustable mechanism to accommodate different sizes.

Lacking a hitch receiver? If you’re willing or able to do it yourself, you may order them online to fit the majority of automobiles and have them installed at home. If not, you should find a nearby car repair shop or U-haul specialist who can likely handle the issue for you.

Security

When it comes to theft, bike racks are vulnerable in two ways: either the bikes or the rack itself might be taken down. The racks themselves may be desirable objects for would-be thieves, so it’s not only a problem if there are bikes on them.

Recall that it just takes a few seconds for a thief to steal your bike from the rack and pedal off with it if you have to go to a store or spend the night somewhere other than at home. Someone can take your complete rack if they have the necessary equipment (or not, in the case of mounting with hand-tightening hitch mounts). If you don’t have a garage to park in, this might be a major problem, especially if you don’t want to put on or take off your rack every time you ride.

Thankfully, a lot of racks have a locking hitch mount that, when engaged, cannot be unscrewed. Should your rack be devoid of one, numerous companies offer mount locks for sale individually. Additionally, hitch locks that are aftermarket are widely accessible for purchase.

When it comes to your bikes, it’s best to have locks built in or incorporated. These are usually found on higher-end racks from companies like Thule, Kuat, and Yakima. The lock is integrated into the rack so that it may be retracted when not in use. Simply take it out and insert it through the bike as needed. By securing it to a different part of the rack, you can rapidly lock and unlock your bikes.

We usually advise adding an aftermarket lock as an extra layer of security because included locks on racks are merely a theft deterrent.

Ease of Use

Ease of use is a key consideration when selecting the correct bike rack, as you may have experienced while trying to Tetris four bikes onto a badly made rack or wrestling a full-suspension mountain bike onto a hanging rack.

Hanging racks offer a straightforward solution for a frame with a conventional triangular design. You just need to raise the bike, slide it onto the rack, fasten the seatbelt, attach the front wheel, and ride away. (Plus, it’s an opportunity for you to work out your bicep curls before your ride).

But, a platform rack can be a better choice for mounting bikes if yours is a heavier bike or one with a distinctive frame design. You don’t need to raise the bike as high because of its lower loading height. It also doesn’t require much lifting to adjust once on. It may need some adjusting to get the bike into the cradle on hanging racks.

Together with the bike attachment systems itself, it’s crucial to take into account additional elements like tilt-release and swing-away characteristics that could affect your experience.

Durability

When it comes to hitch racks, durability is quite important. When racks are carrying cargo over uneven terrain, the single attachment point puts a lot of strain on them. Breaks at the hitch’s connection point are quite rare as they’re typically composed of strong materials like steel.

Problems typically arise where the bike is attached, either at the shepherd’s hook or the straps. Luckily, the straps—which break the most frequently—are also the least dangerous and most easily repaired. Elastic straps gradually crack and break because they dry out easily, especially in the sun.

Ratcheting device straps are no different, consisting of hard plastic. Although hard plastic straps are frequently more sun-resistant than elastic ones, they can also dry up and break. Again, it’s usually not a big deal because they’re cheap and easy to replace.

Conversely, shepherd’s hook breaks are quite uncommon. You will be dragging your bike to your destination if one of these systems breaks because they only employ one hook per wheel. Replacing shepherd’s hooks is considerably more costly and intricate. You probably won’t have a spare in your car because they’re larger than a strap.

More metal is usually used in the construction of the strongest racks. 1UP-USA racks are known for their longevity, mostly because of their all-metal structure. Additionally, they sell every replacement item you might possibly need in case something breaks.

Be thorough in your study while choosing a bike rack. To learn about the experiences of others, read through the user reviews or consult with a local shop expert.