In Italy and Spain, it also has to be made of aluminium. Carries: 1 or 2 BikesFits: Class 2 - 1-1/4" & Class 3 - 2" Hitch ReceiverLoad:60 lbs. Thule Apex XT is a hanging hitch bike rack that can carry up to 5 bikes. The space-saving foldable design allows you to fold it up when not in use. It looks like you're coming from United States. (JPG or GIF only, max size 3 meg). "The Thule pro 2 rack we just purchased rocks. Platform bicycle racks like the Thule EasyFold, hold bikes by both the tires and the frame. Ordered sup rack today and they had it picked up and FedEx enroute same day. Thule T2 Pro XTR is an award-winning hitch bike rack that can take a heavy load. The Current features locking hooks to keep your bike safe. for (i = 0; i < m; i++) setImg(i, "on"); Did you enjoy this article? Even when loaded with bikes, the Current tilts away from the rear of your vehicle making for easy access. If youre transporting lots of heavy bikes or ebikes on your next family vacation, look no further than a hitch bike rack. Become a supporter now! Because not everyone can lift a 25 kg ebike onto the roof of their car. Click here to learn more. AllRightsReserved. Thule aims to make every bike adventure as smooth as possible. We tell you what to consider when planning to transport your eMTB by car. If you get stopped by the police in Germany and dont have a registration plate on the rack, youre liable to pay a 60 euro fine. Tip: If youve got 2.8 inch wide tires that barely fit onto the rail, simply deflating them slightly can often do the trick, allowing you to transport these bikes just as safely. We also provide a lot of specialist knowledge, behind the scenes information and a report on the hottest trends all of this is wrapped in a high quality print format. If that isnt the case, the taillights, brake lights and indicators on the rack wont work. About This Item:Quick and easy assembly within 2 minutes, comes with fully integrated security. Where can I find the maximum vertical load? The trendsetters of 2023: full-suspension off-road step-through ebikes from CONWAY, Corratec, Victoria, Malaguti and ZEMO, FAZUA Ride 60 versus TQ HPR 50 the two new light-assistance eBike motors in direct comparison, New Trek Fuel EXe 9.9 XX1 AXS 2023 with TQ HPR 50 motor first ride review Smooth Operator. Youre not allowed to use a homemade registration plate, as that would be considered a moving violation. However, this means that you must change the registration plate when installing the rack on a different vehicle. E-Bike HD Wide-angle Rearview Mirror (A pair), Multifunction Bicycle 16-in-1 Repair Toolkit, 2-Year Its a great choice if you have an ebike (or two), with a higher weight capacity of 60lbs per bike. The Current is rated up to 60 lbs per bike, making it perfect for transporting ebikes, fat bikes, and more. Once you're on the trail, pack your essentials in a bike bagor pannier. This bike rack provides access to your trunk with the bikes still loaded. Sometimes you need to take your bikes on a trip before they can do the same. Want to go there? But at some point youll know all the local paths and trails like the back of your hand and youll long to discover something new. Warranty, Address: 3553 Placentia Ct, Chino, California 91710. Once youve sorted all the legal requirements, you can start mounting the rack on the tow hitch. First ride review of the 2023 Bosch eBike ABS The safety revolution for trekking, touring and even trails. The extent to which they can be tipped varies between 50 and 90 degrees. Are you with us? console.log("review rating:" + $('#review_rating').val()); In Germany, for example, it must comply with the DIN standard and have a corresponding test mark with the associated registration number. I called The Rack Warehouse and the person I spoke with was great! Carries up to 2 bikes. The Current can carry almost any bike! Read the new issue of E-MOUNTAINBIKE Magazine now. To prevent this from happening, you must loosen the stem and tilt the handlebar sideways, which comes with additional effort when loading the bikes. Join our community. So, the registration plate on the rack is just a duplicate to ensure that its clearly visible. Will the tires of your ebikes fit the rails of the rack? var images = './images/'; } When loading the second bike, make sure that it faces the other direction to avoid crossing the handlebars. Copyright 2022 E-MOUNTAINBIKE Magazine. How heavy are the bikes that you want to transport? The good thing is that once the system has been set up for your bikes and you know how everything fits, loading them is quick. Alternatively, you can start by putting the pedals in different positions relative to each other and see what works best. Transport your ebikes with ease! Words: Susanne Feddersen, Manne Schmitt Photos: Manne Schmitt, Robin Schmitt. NEW: Before we get into the review, we would like to tell you about our latest print edition. Unsubscribe at anytime. High Weight Capacity Bicycle Racks are available in select styles to haul your Ebikes and other heavier bicycles to and from the action. He answered all of my questions, explained the differences, what type of hitch worked best for what we wanted, and he didn't seem to mind explaining things. Thule was established in Sweden in 1942. In that case, a hitch rack is often the best choice. We also excluded boot racks since they arent compatible with every car, requiring a certain hatchback design and the corresponding slot for the carrier in the body. However, if the total weight of the rack is 18 kg and the maximum vertical load of the hitch is 70 kg, youre left with a maximum of just 52 kilograms for the two bikes. p = (fixed != -1 && i < fixed) ? e.src = images + "star-" + s + ".png"; There is nothing better than exploring trails, routes and landscapes aboard an ebike. Plus, the EasyFold has an optional EasyFold Bike Ramp available to roll your heavy bikes on and off the rack. for (i = m; i < 5; i++) setImg(i, "off"); Often, eMTB tires are too wide for conventional rails. The Swagman CURRENT is a heavy duty rack designed to carry two heavier bikes. Among the three common carrier systems, we focused on hitch racks. This doesnt just secure it while driving, but also serves as a protection against theft. As such, its possible that a hitch rack that worked well with our bikes wont be as good with the bikes you have. fixed = getI(t); We werent interested in how the car drives with the hitch rack attached, focusing instead on usability, the advantages and disadvantages of the individual models and the most important points that you should consider before buying to avoid disappointment. It also comes ready to fit your fat tire bikes up to 5 wide. According to German law, the bikes arent allowed to protrude more than 40 centimetres beyond the edge of the rack tail lights. Tip: Once youve found the right hitch rack, it makes sense to ask about the optional accessories that are available or to look for alternative aftermarket clamps and arms. In our example that would be 55 to 63 kg, depending on the rack. Note: check that you have the right plug to connect the rack to the car, whether its got 7 or 13 pins! Before going abroad, you should study the specific regulations applicable to the countries youre driving through. The maximum vertical load of the tow hitch determines how heavy the rear rack, including the bikes, can be. Alternatively, Thule offers a Carbon Frame Protector for their EasyFold XT2 carrier. } function star(t, r) { And it becomes even more complicated when you want to carry 2 bikes. All 5 hitch racks have some advantages and disadvantages, so we couldnt find a general winner that offers the perfect overall package. Sustainability megatrend: Snake oil, eyewash or clear innovation? However, the faster you drive, the greater the risk that the hitch will come loose. per Bike. Weighing in at only 36lbs, single-speed belt drive provides a smooth ride. var fixed = 4; If you have an electric hatch, you should ensure that you switch it to manual so that it doesnt get opened accidentally with the rack in the way. } All the hitch racks on test can be tipped to get access to the trunk, or boot if youre in the UK. But which one is best for you and your bikes? Most ebike battery manufacturers recommend removing the battery and putting it inside the car when transporting the bike. If you have any questions please contact us at 800-272-5362. Then you can choose a platform for easier loading and unloading or a tiltable carrier that swings away to give you access to the trunk of the car. The wheel trays are compatible with tires up to 5" right out of the box - no additional purchase necessary! function resetstars() { Add accessories or security to your Swagman rack, All of our racks are backed with a Limited Lifetime Warranty, Be the first to discover our latest products and receive exclusive offers, Carries up to two bikes with a maximum weight capacity of 60lbs per bike, Fits Class 2 , 1- and Class 3, 2 hitch receivers, Ratchet hooks are padded to protect your frames finish, Rack tilts back to allow access to rear of vehicle even when bikes are loaded, Locking threaded hitch pin and locking ratchet hooks. Before delving deeper into the test, we must clarify that this isnt a driving test. Spoiler alert: not every hitch rack was compatible with every combination of bikes. All the hitch racks on test have a maximum load capacity of up to 60 kg. We also found that some MTB specific rails such as the Westfalia Bikelander are too narrow for tires over 2.4 inches wide. After installing the racks on the hitch, we took two eMTBs and mounted them on the racks. Please remove the batteries before mounting ebikes to the rack. We reply to every email from our customers within 24 hrs. Get the latest news & offers! Atera Strada E-Bike ML (Click for review) | EAL EUFAB Premium TG (Click for review) | Thule Easyfold XT2 (Click for review) | Uebler i21 (Click for review) | Westfalia Bikelander (Click for review). Digital & free: Which is the best rear rack for your ebike? Each country usually sets its own tolerance limit. Become an E-MOUNTAINBIKE supporter and lets shape the bike scene together and make E-MOUNTAINBIKE(n) even better! Almost all the hitch racks we tested were foldable, which made it easy for them to be fitted by one person. Considering all the different frame shapes and sizes, its the rack itself and the clamps which are the deciding factor in whether itll be able to carry your bike. Thule Apex XT Swing 4 hitch bike rack has all these perks and more! Its important that the heavier bike gets loaded first, putting it closer to the vehicle so that it has less of a lever effect on the rack. Youll find further information about the individual racks and their peculiarities in the individual reviews, helping you choose the right rack for your needs. What is the maximum vertical load of your tow hitch? If you do, its at your own risk. Robust and lightweight, these bike racks take seconds to install on your hitch receiver and carry up to 5 bikes. The problem is that not every rack is compatible with every bike. Platform Style Trailer Hitch Carriers are both rugged and convenient to use. It should also be noted that the maximum weight per ebike is 30 kg for all racks. You shouldnt cover the bike with a tarpaulin either, as this would create excessive wind resistance and thereby unnecessarily increase your fuel consumption. Carries up to 2 bikes. $('#review_rating').val( fixed + 1); Perfect for carbon frames, fatbikes, ebikes and more. 1 * t.id.substr(5, 1) : -1; Going on a long road trip, you might need your bikes for the short-distance road runs? } If you want to go on a holiday with your eMTBs, youll have to consider the legal aspects such as the maximum vertical load and license plate requirements before purchasing a hitch rack. The rack tilts back so you can access your trunk without taking the bikes off and folds up out of the way when not in use.