Best Hitch Bike Racks Categorized by Style: Find your Favorite!

Starting us up is the 1Up Super Duty, which stands out for having one particular feature that separates it from most platform racks. It is the only platform rack that we know of that can hold 16” bikes.

Most platform racks can’t accommodate bikes that small, so it’s the perfect match for kids’ bikes! What’s more, the trays hold fat tires with a width of 3.1 inches.

This rack also has extension trays should you want to expand your bike collection in the future.  The Super Duty can hold up to 2, 3, or 4 bikes; depending on the choice you make.

Furthermore, the 1UP hails from the company that pioneered the system of having the front and rear wheel held in place by tilting arm racks. The rack tilts to allow access to the trunk of your car.

The steadiness of the rack is another plus as the hitch system is entirely anti-wobble, thereby keeping your bikes are insured against damage.

Really; there isn’t much we’d change about this rack.

The Kuat N.V 2.0 is an excellent upgrade to any bike-loving family.

This rack can comfortably hold 2 to 4 bikes with a tire width of 3” going downwards. However, it has a fat bike kit option available for wider tires up to 4.5” wide.

The bikes are amply spaced on the rack with 11.5” of space between them. The rack’s wheel trays further feature a handy three-height adjustment feature that allows you to store the bikes without the handlebars or saddles bumping into each other.

Sturdily built, the Kuat bike rack is one that will undoubtedly serve you for years. To bank on longevity, it also comes with an integrated wide-gauge cable lock system that sufficiently protects bikes from thieves.

In addition, it comes with an optional ‘Trail Doc” bike stand attachment for adjustments while on the go.

One thing to note about the Kuat is that it needs an adapter to fit 20” and 24” bikes. And although the fit is great, the bikes just don’t fit as snugly as they do with other racks.

That notwithstanding, the Kuat N.V is a great rack in our books.

The Yakima HoldUp is an example of a bike rack that offers great value for money. Yakima is an already established brand that thrives in the car bike rack industry, so it would be amiss not to mention such a great contender.

The HoldUp especially made this list for having an expandable feature. The rack comes standard as a 2-bike rack and is expandable to hold 4 bikes.

The 4 bikes are held with minimal interference on bikes as they are amply spaced, and the rack further allows side-to-side adjustability. All four bikes have to have 20–29-inch wheels as that is what the rack can accommodate.

Our only qualm with the Hold is that it is hard to access the pinch and pull bolt used to engage the tilting mechanism. However, Yakima has an upgrade version of this same rack known as the Yakima EVO, which uses a foot-actuated lever that is much simpler to engage.

For those who are working with a budget, the Yakima holdup is an excellent choice.

The Saris SuperClamp Ex made our top list as it is just ramped with great features.

For starters, it is one of the lightest platform racks out there. Weighing 63 pounds, this rack is lightweight yet still solidly constructed.

If you want to view through your rear window, it is the best rack for you as it folds up just right when unloaded such that you can’t even see the rack itself through the rear window.

Designed to hold up to 4 bikes, this rack can accommodate a tire width of up to 4-inches. That’s because the tire trays can be adjusted to accommodate the different bike tire widths.

What we’ve found noteworthy is that mixing up the sizes allows better synchronization on the rails as opposed to trying to fit two 29ers or two 20-inch bikes together. In addition, the larger and smaller sized tires are prone to damage if stored together because the rack stores two bikes per horizontal bar.

For security, integrated bike locks comprising dual shepherd’s hooks keep the bikes in place in a very secure manner.

The Thule T2 Pro XT is a rack that all its users rave over. Each part of this rack was designed with precision!

This rack is designed to fit a 2” hitch and can accommodate 2 to 4 bikes with the help of an add-on kit. It holds quite a variety of bike sizes starting from 20” bikes and goes all the way to 29ers.

Best part? There’s no need for an adapter for the fat tires to fit!

To keep the bikes from contacting each other and resulting in any kind of damage, the rack is sufficiently spaced with 12” of space between them. The rack also features a toolkit that enables left to right adjustability up to 4-inches to offset the bikes’ positioning.

While a folding lever located at the rear of the rack allows it to store easily when not in use; the tilt-down feature enables hatch access in such a simplistic manner even while the rack is fully loaded.

As you can tell, the reasons why this rack is a fan favorite are endless!

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The Rocky Mount SplitRail is a 2-bike capacity rack that is easy on the eyes as far as aesthetics are concerned and also very thoughtfully designed as far as functionality goes.

Its stand-out feature is just how flexible it is. Although it comes standard as a 2-bike rack, it can be upgraded to a 3-tray or 4-tray rack. And while the extension feature is commonly sighted with tray-based racks, the thing to note here is that it is one of the rare racks that offer a 3-bike option.

What’s more, each tray can be adjusted about 4 inches to the left or the right to offset the bikes and prevent handlebar and saddle contact.

This rack can handle 20” bikes with no need for an adapter, so it’s perfect for dad, mom, and child!

Not only does it maintain a minimal profile when folded up, but it also comes with a wall hook to ease storage when the rack is off the car’s rear.

However, the rack needs tool operation to tighten or loosen the hitch pin during the installation and removal process. The process is a bit time-consuming but not a tough job.

Next up is an aluminum-made rack known as the Kuat Sherpa 2.0. This rack makes it all the way over to give the user an easy time using it.

To start with, it’s a 2-bike capacity bike that can hold a maximum weight capacity of 80 lbs. However, while it can hold wheelbases up to 47” and 3” wide tires, this bike rack really stands out because the bikes are spaced with up to 14 inches between them!

Rest assured that they’ll be no contact between the saddle and handlebars of the bike.

This is such a lightweight rack whose operation can even be done by a kid!

One of our favorite features is that folding tire cradles allow a significant level of clearance together with a foot-actuated pivot lever, allowing easy one-handed loading and offloading from the rack. That means that you can enjoy a bagel on hand while loading with the other!

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You can trust the Thule brand to deliver when it comes to bike accessories. The Thule Helium rack is no exception to the high caliber ranking of the Thule brand.

This premium quality rack features sturdy aluminum construction that can hold a 2-bike capacity (each with a maximum weight capacity of 37.5 pounds) which is just perfect for a biking couple.

The rack fits bike wheels of 26- 29 inches and a tire width of up to 3 inches.

We absolutely love how it keeps bikes secured without having frame contact. That’s thanks to ratcheting wheel loops that hold the bikes in place. And taking the bikes off is also an easy task, thanks to the integrated release handle.

The Thule Helium is also fully lockable for maximum security of the bikes. Plus, when not in use, its arms can be folded down for compact storage.

Additionally, the bike rack can tilt even when fully loaded to allow trunk access.

All in all, we are not disappointed by this brand!

Hanging racks have an outstanding balance of minimized weight and a minimized price point, which is precisely what the Thule Apex XT offers.

It is a lightweight, easy-to-use rack that has the capacity to hold 2, 4, or 5 bikes, according to the choice you make.

With the help of ratcheting straps and anti-wobble cradles, the rack can hold 20” bikes and even accommodate bikes as small as 16”!

The Apex XT stands out because it offers 7” of spacing between the bikes, which is better than the average 5” to 6” of space that is standard in horizontal hanging hitch racks. This leaves very little chance of collision and damage to the bikes.

The rack does tilt for hatch access and uses integrated locking cables to keep the bikes from theft and accidents.

Above all else, it maintains all these terrific features while keeping a low profile.

The Allen Deluxe hitch rack is easy on the pockets, but that factor doesn’t compromise its quality. On the contrary, the quality is just what you would expect for its price; and then some.

The length of the rack is 7.75”, so you can also fit it in your garage space. But if garage space is an issue for you, the rack arms do fold down compactly for minimal storage space occupation.

It comes in 2, 3, 4, and 5 bike options! And while the bikes do sit close to each other, one can easily avoid damage by figuring out the right positioning of the bikes.

This five-bike capacity rack is super lightweight (weighing 26.6 pounds), so getting it on and off the car hitch is an effortless task. Even better is that you can do it by yourself!

And in addition, a tightening knob keeps the rack from wobbling when secured to the hitch.

Lastly, the Allen Deluxe hitch rack scores highly as it tilts to enable hatch access. In addition, once unloaded, the rack doesn’t interfere with the driver’s view of the back window.

Following up is an alloy steel 2-bike rack with a weight capacity of 100lbs. known as the Maxxhaul 50025 hitch bike rack.

The Maxxhaul rack is ideal for 1.25” to 2” hitches making it an excellent fit for vans, pickup trucks, and SUVs. Once installed, it does not wobble owing to a built-in locking knob that keeps it in place.

Weighing 14.5 pounds, the Maxxhaul 50025 is one lightweight rack. One of our favorite features is the installment of rubber padding on the attachment areas to prevent damage to the bikes’ finish.

Like the other racks in our review, it tilts down for rear hatch access without detaching it from the car altogether. And the process only requires a quick-release pin to swing the rack down.

The biggest perk of this rack is the considerate gesture of the manufacturer to ensure safety by including reflector stickers that enhance visibility on the road.

From the looks of the all-steel construction and protective powder, paint finishes, one can tell that the IKURAM KRB-H040B bike rack is built with durability in mind.

This rack comfortably holds up to 4 bikes of different frame sizes and designs. However, it does require a separately sold crossbar adaptor to hold most women’s and kids’ bicycles.  

It features a dual-arm mounting design and is the perfect fit for cars, minivans, and SUVs with a 2-inch hitch receiver.

With solid steel construction, it can hold a maximum load capacity of 140 lbs.

As for operation, durable UV-resistant rubber cradles secure the bikes in place and protect them from damage. The tie-down cradles further allow this rack to accommodate a wide variety of bike tube sizes because they are easily adjustable.

Conveniently, it allows access to the car’s rear by tilting down and getting back into position with the help of locking pins.

Keeping the lightweight bandwagon up is the 11 pounds car bike rack known as the Kuat Beta.

This model is a steel-made 2-bike with a maximum weight capacity of 80 lbs.

What stands out about this rack is its slim profile. The racks look great and maintain a very low profile making it the perfect match for those who don’t want a car rack that is too ‘out there.’

It is compatible with 1.25” car hitches, although one can also acquire a 2” hitch adapter separately.

The rack does tilt down to allow you to access the back of your trunk without having to go through the process of offloading.

Lightweight, easy-to-use, and aesthetically pleasing, the Kuat Beta is ideal for a bike-loving couple.

Although a bit heavier than most hanging racks in our review, the Trimax Road-max mount tray wins in almost every single way one would expect a hanging car rack to do.

It has a compact design that fits 2” hitch receivers and carries up to 4 bikes.

To secure the bikes, the rack features high-resistant wheel straps with zamack buckles. In addition, soft pads keep the bike from scratches and damage. And when not in use, the rack arms of the Road-Max Blade-Runner 4 do fold to allow minimal storage space consumption.

The only drawback to this model is that it is challenging to mount two adult-sized bikes side by side. That means that the best-case scenario is mixing adult and child bikes together.

The XCAR bike rack is a 4-bike rack fit for a 2-inch hitch receiver.

With heavy-duty steel construction, this rack can support a wide variety of bikes with a maximum load capacity of 150 pounds.

Mounting saddles are adjustable allow enough spacing between the bikes to avoid saddle conflict. The mounting saddles just require appropriate tightening, and they can offer great stability to the bikes.

It further features durable rubber straps which prevent damage to the bike’s attachment points. In addition, its straps can be adjusted to fit each bike optimally in the event that you are hauling different bike sizes.  

Among its best features is a tilt-down ability for vehicle access, a folding carry arm that stores the rack compactly during rest time, as well as a 7.87” clearance between the end of the hitch and the starting point of the rack to allow room for the spare tire.

The Velocirax is a great vertical car bike rack that holds bikes with 24-inch to 29-inch tires.

Velocirax beats all bike racks we have reviewed for having a 7-bike capacity! It is the luxurious yet also affordable deal that every bike owner wants.

This rack’s other perk is that it features a duo-functional hydraulic dampening system. The damper-assisted hinge works as the perfect aid for accessing your car’s rear hatch or lowering the rack when fully loaded.

However, we will warn that it does require the help of more than one person to get the rack back up to its vertical position. This is because the hinge works against high hitches as it gets harder to push the rack back into position and against low hitches as it can bottom out.

Other than that, it’s a perfect car bike rack for large families. We absolutely love that it also converts to a wall-mounted bike rack with the help of the accessory parts included with the package.

Perfect for larger families, the Lolo rack is a top contender for large bike-riding families! This is because it has a bike capacity of up to 6 BIKES, which is quite impressive!

Lolo rack is undoubtedly the best for multipurpose use as it can also hold kids’ bikes with ease. That’s because the rack holds the bikes by the handlebars, rather than the frame or wheel, like every other rack, so wheel size does not matter.

The rack can hold everything from 12” balance bikes to BMX bikes and fat bikes!

The rack can hold even bikes with front fenders without risk of damage.

Furthermore, the Lolo rack has a tilt-away feature to access the hatch, and to make it even better; it comes with a lockable anti-rattle hitch bolt.

The bummer is that the bikes sit closely together such that the bike’s handlebars might be susceptible to minimal damage (scratching) with long-term use.

The design of the Totem bike rack itself is simple; nothing too fancy about it.

The rack holds bikes’ front wheels by a rubberized top arm. Wheel cradles secure the bikes’ rear wheels while the frames are held in place by yellow bungee cords to keep them from bumping into each other.  

Our favorite feature about this rack is its high capacity. It can hold up to 6 bikes of different wheel sizes. This is further enabled by the fact that the rack’s bottom horizontal bar can be shifted up or down to allow it to accommodate different wheelbase lengths.

The only key point here is a need to secure smaller bike’s rear wheels when stored next to larger bikes with differently-sized bikes. 

This rack’s other big selling point is the extra accessories that make it more user-friendly. Because vertical racks are known to bottom out on low hitch vehicles, this rack offers an optional 6-inch vertical extension to lengthen the ground clearance. The downside is that the vertical mast is a bit wobbly over bumps.

It also has an optional floor stand which converts the car rack into a garage rack for off-the-car storage.

If you have a big family and want to work with a budget, this is just the rack for you!

If you want to store a highly-customizable rack, the Alta rack is the best bang for your buck!

Firstly, its angled hitch arm appropriately prevents bottoming out. The top bar of the rack is height-adjustable (with three height settings), so you can garner additional ground clearance or alternatively ease the loading and offloading process on high hitch vehicles.  

In addition, its multi-sized wheel trays can be easily swapped out to enable you to carry a wide variety of bike sizes and types using the same rack. When swapped out, the spacing between the wheel trays can also be changed.  Due to this feature, this rack can hold 20-inch to 29-inch standard wheels as well as 24-inch to 29-inch mid to fat-tire bikes.

To enhance the stability of the bikes, there are optional side straps that are perfect for off-road riding. These are great as the rack doesn’t have a built-in locking mechanism.

Lastly, the 3-6 bike capacity rack also tilts away to enable hatch access.

At 69 pounds, the Northshore NSR rack is a pretty lightweight rack that is designed specifically for mountain bikes.

It features a new taller mast which enables to accommodate longer slacker mountain bikes.

The NSR-6 is one of the few 6-bike racks in the market today that takes up a small amount of space and stores the bikes without contact and at risk of damage. In addition, it can fit all mountain bikes, be they kids’ bikes or e-bikes.

Even with a 6-bike capacity, it is still effortless to use. In addition, loading the rack is entirely manageable because it is height-adjustable.

The icing on the cake for the NSR-6 is that when put in place, it doesn’t block the tail lights of vehicles .

The Yakima Hangover is the first vertically-oriented bike rack from Yakima. It’s a 4-bike rack that is designed for suspension fork bikes.

Designed to suit the needs of different bike owners, the brand also avails a 6-bike option for larger families. Both the 4-bike and the 6-bike options carry the bikes in the least amount of space possible.

This rack boasts of solid steel construction and a weight capacity of 37.5 pounds per bike. The fork crown supports the bikes, and the finish of each bike’s fork stays protected thanks to soft padding on the contact area

With 3 mast height settings, the rack can also offer improved ground clearance while 3 mast angles prevent bike-tire contact with the vehicle.

This rack further features a foot-operated tilt mechanism that is easy to operate. It tilts downward to allow you to access your vehicle's tailgate without having to unload the rack.

If you are on the lookout for a rack for group rides, look no more; the Hangover is it!

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