Like the RockyMounts BackStage above, the racks calling card is its swing-away feature that provides easy access to the vehicle. For hauling a lot of bikes with relative ease, the HangTight is a great option. Vertical Hanging Racks Similar to the Kuat Transfer above, the rack is reasonably light, loads quickly and easily with ratcheting arms that secure over the front tire, and includes a tilt function to allow access your vehicles rear hatch. Theres no getting around the fact that quality platform-style racks are expensive, but those looking to save should check out Kuats Transfer v2. The final potential bike compatibility pitfall is related to the shape and style of your bikes frame. The extra design complexity and materials do add weight and costRockyMounts BackStage is 10 to 20 pounds heavier than a non-swing-away alternativebut are worth it for those that prioritize the feature. The standard baskets are able to carry 24- to 29-inch-wheeled bikes, and the rack can accommodate 20-inch kids bikes and fat bikes with different attachments. Type: PlatformWeight: 32 lbs.Number of bikes: 2Weight capacity per bike: 40 lbs.What we like: Lighter than most other platform-style racks.What we dont: Long-term durability concerns. And with a relatively reasonable price tag of $550, the T2 Classic is a smart way to save. That said, the Transfer packs in a surprising number of features for the price, including a solid weight capacity (60 lbs. Despite the complaints, the HangTights ability to carry various bike stylesas well as its all-around solid buildearn it a spot on our listRead in-depth reviewSee the Yakima HangTight 4. In general, platform-style racks can carry anywhere from one to four bikes (if you invest in an extension), while hanging-style racks range from two to five total bikes. In cutting weight, however, you lose out on the long-term durability found on other racks. The appeal is clear: By hanging the bikes from their handlebars verticallyand securing them below at the rear wheelyoure able to carry more bikes closer to your vehicle. The design includes two independent folding arms that contact only the tires, leaving the rest of the bike completely untoucheda task that other racks struggle to accomplish. Platform racks dominate this round-up, and in our opinion, are the best way to transport your bikes. At $500 and $598 respectively, theyre clearly a big investment, costing nearly as much as the main racks themselves. The main shortcoming of the design is it that the bikes are placed very close together and it can be a pain to limit side-to-side contact. In getting the Dr.Trays weight down to an impressive 34 pounds, Yakima did unfortunately have to compromise the stout feeling typically associated with platform racks. If, however, youre considering a hanging rack, take a close look at the shape of the top tube of your bikes frame. Well start with the positives: the NSR 4 is a proven product that securely holds bikes in place, the highly adjustable design ensures the rack will work with a wide variety of vehicle types, and its one of the few models out there that minimally affects ground clearance by keeping the bikes close to the back of your car. And finally, weve seen some major issues with rust appearing in as little as one year of use. Sure, you can flip the bikes around and hang them by their handlebars, but North Shore Racks doesnt recommend this tactic. And with rapidly changing technology and an ever-growing Not long ago, mountain bikers didnt have a choice when it came to wheel sizes26 inches was the only option. Most have two attachment points: a ratcheting arm that secures the front wheel, and a strap that holds the rear wheel in place. Type: PlatformWeight: 52 lbs.Number of bikes: 2 (4 with add-on)Weight capacity per bike: 60 lbs.What we like: Sleek design and sturdy ratcheting arms.What we dont: Pricier than the Thule T2 above without enough to show for it. Our biggest gripe is that no locks are included with the rackat minimum, wed want a hitch lock to secure the WestSlope to our vehicles receiver (the Lock Kit costs an extra $35). For a cheaper but less refined e-bike-ready alternative, check out Yakimas $699 OnRamp.See the Thule EasyFold XT 2. Most notably is price: At $650, the NSR above is one of the cheapest options out there (Recon Racks premium designs start at $1,200, while the Yakima HangTight 4 is $849). Type: Vertical hangingWeight: 50 lbs.Number of bikes: 4 (available in 2- and 6-bike versions)Weight capacity per bike: 60 lbs.What we like: Relatively compact and easy way to transport mountain bikes.What we dont: Outdated and less versatile compared with the 1UP Recon Rack above. Light and affordable hanging racks like the Yakima RidgeBack 4 are on the lower end at 35 pounds per bike. First, the upper cradles that hold bikes in place are not compatible with road or cyclocross-style bikes, which limits its appeal. At the very top of Yakima's expansive hitch rack line-up is the Dr.Tray. We also dont love the included plastic straps with the Thule, which are stiff and pretty finicky to use (although the Yakimas arent flawless either). Finally, the focus on trimming weight means the rack has more of a tendency to wobble on bumpy roads, although the bike attachment system is reliable in general. In addition, there are no add-ons available, so two bikes are the max you can carry (a Helium Platform 1-Bike is also offered for $500). For reference, purchasing both Kuat adapters isnt costly at around $20, but they are separate pieces that youll need to store when not in use. The saying you get what you pay for rings very true in the hitch-mounted bike rack world. If your mountain biking gear budget has been stretched thin and youre tempted to skimp on the helmet, dont. Featuring moveable tray platforms, an easy-to-use tilt-down lever that resembles the one on Thules T2 Pro above, and a total weight that undercuts our top picks by 10 to 15 pounds, the rack has a lot going for it. Its worth noting that these add-ons are usually only compatible with the 2-inch receiver version of the racks due to the low maximum tongue weight of 1.25-inch receivers. Offered in two- and four-bike versions, the Camber collection delivers good value and all-around performance. Type: PlatformWeight: 63 lbs.Number of bikes: 2Weight capacity per bike: 60 lbs.What we like: Built-in swing feature provides easy access to the rear of your vehicle.What we dont: Its the heaviest two-bike rack on this list. Platform racks are big, bulky, and generally quite heavy. And were happy to see that the Beta hasnt skimped on too many features: the rack tilts for rear vehicle access, its arms fold down when not in use, and it has same wobble-free hitch attachment mechanism thats found on Kuats premium offerings. Moreover, theres no option to add an extension to the XT 2, which means that two bikes are your hard ceiling and youll need to buy another rack if you want to carry more. All that said, it's hard to overlook the beauty and level of craftsmanship of the 1Up. As the name indicates, tilting racks can be leaned over by pulling a lever that moves the rack far enough down to allow you to open the rear hatch or tailgate of your vehicle. Equally impressive is that this ultralight rack is still rated to carry 80 pounds total (40 pounds per bike). What are the shortcomings of the NSR 4-Bike? What sets the design apart is its versatility and ease of use: Unlike the Recon Racks above and North Shore Racks below, the HangTight is compatible with drop bar bikes, which is a great feature for those that mix disciplines (note: a max of three drop bar bikes can be loaded at a time on the HangTight 4). Mountain bikes have been trending towards longer designs, which has impacted the length of their wheelbases. Furthermore, the BackStage comes with many features youd expect from a premium hitch rack: a cable lock (although not integrated), the ability to carry various types of bikes and wheel sizes, sturdy ratcheting arms, and quality materials and construction overall. Kuat is a leader in the platform rack market, and their signature product is the NV 2.0. Platform Rack Add-Ons Thules latest addition to their platform hitch collection is the high-end Helium. Our editor described it as "a work of art much like a high-end bike," and there is a lot of truth to that statement. That being said, the two-bike version is among the most expensive on the market at a hefty $790.See the 1Up USA Heavy Duty Double. Type: PlatformWeight: 43 lbs.Number of bikes: 2What we like: High-end look and feel, reasonably light, and user-friendly.What we dont: Low max weight capacity (especially for the price). Needless to say, its worth the time to verify you have proper clearance. In terms of design, think of the Sherpa 2.0 as a pared-down version of Kuats other racks, while still retaining a good number of the design features that make this brand so popular. Further, as we touched on above, there are limitations with the arm design if youll be hauling bikes with different wheelbases (for example, a long-travel adult mountain bike and a kids bike). It wont impact most folks, but larger mountain bikers on big, modern downhill-oriented models will want to verify this piece of information. Top Tube Adapters If, like most cyclists, you plan to keep your rack on your vehicle for extended periods of time or just want to retain access to your rear cargo area, youll want to get a hitch rack with a tilt feature. In particular, the thin arms that secure the front wheels feel flimsy and cheap and dont lock the bikes as solidly into place as others. An adapter is necessary to carry full-suspension mountain bikes, step-through bikes, or smaller kids models, which adds a significant amount to the overall investment (top tube adapters are about $50 each). The aim is to keep thieves from removing the entire rack from your car. Type: HangingWeight: 35 lbs.Number of bikes: 4 (available in 2- and 5-bike versions)Weight capacity per bike: 40 lbs.What we like: Proven, affordable way to haul 4 bikes.What we dont: Need an adapter to carry step-through bikes. The easiest way to check clearance is to do an actual test fit, but thats often not an option. But step-through frames (common on cruiser bikes), full-suspension mountain bikes, and kids bikes can be problematic. As long as youre hauling regular road or mountain bikes (the rack maxes out at 40 pounds per bike and 3-inch-wide tires), the Sherpa 2.0 has a lot going for it. But once 29- and 27.5-inch wheels hit the market, the debate amongst bikers took off and has continued ever since. Racks that include a separate cable lock that you need to store in your vehicle are less appealing, and in those cases, we prefer to purchase our own metal U-lock. And finally, the RockyMounts is a little limited in bike compatibility, with a max weight of 40 pounds and tire width of 3 inches. (inner); 35 lbs. The design is fairly simple: clamps on either end attach to your seat post and bike stem, and the rounded piece in the middle lays on top of the racks cradles. A final scenario is where a specific rack simply cant fit a certain wheel or tire size. For a bargain-basement $120 (on Amazon at the time of publishing), the Swagman XC2 features a highly adjustable tray system, sturdy and secure ratcheting arms, and a threaded hitch pin that keeps rack movement to a minimum. Both the T2 and NV 2.0 are very user-friendly and have long-lasting builds, although we have found the Thule is a little more versatile. As with any hanging-style hitch rack, theres no avoiding the fact that the FullSwing 4 makes direct contact with your bikes frame. Type: PlatformWeight: 32 lbs.Number of bikes: 2Weight capacity per bike: 35 lbs.What we like: An inexpensive yet surprisingly reliable way to carry two bikes.What we dont: Not the most user-friendly design and the ratcheting arms scuff bike frames. Taking the place of the top-selling XT, the XTR adds a set of wheels at the base for easier shuttling to and from a garage, but the rest of the design remains exactly the same (which is a good thing). That said, for serious riders, the added weight and cost are well worth the security and ease of use of this style. The reason is simple: theyre unable to accommodate irregularly-shaped bike framesincluding many full-suspension mountain bikes, kids bikes, and step-through bikeswithout purchasing a top tube adapter. Type: PlatformWeight: 37 lbs.Number of bikes: 2 (3 w/add-on)Weight capacity per bike: 60 lbs.What we like: Great price for a versatile platform-style rack.What we dont: Design is a bit less sturdy and feature-rich than premium alternatives. We also like the EZ+1 extension, which allows you to expand its carrying capacity to three bikes with only a 9-pound weight penalty (for an additional $259). And its worth noting that this functionality still isnt available from big hitters like Yakima or Thule. That said, just because a rack is made up of a lot of plastic doesnt necessarily mean that its not durable. Comparing common bike-carrying alternatives, there isnt a style that offers as much convenience, capacity, or compatibility with such a wide range of vehicles (provided you have a receiver hitch). While not a perfect deterrenta solid set of bolt cutters will make quick work of themthey do provide a degree of security while parking your car (we like to back them up with a sturdier U-lock as well). Platform Racks A quick check of our list above will show that most of the hanging-style racks have ended up at or near the bottom of our rankings. Our third category is one thats only recently gained serious popularity. British Columbia-based Swagman lacks the brand recognition of Thule or Yakima, but their XC2 model is a smart choice for recreational riders on a budget. Saris may not be as popular as Yakima and Thule, but theyve carved out a nice segment of the market with their competitive prices and creative designs. Our favorite bike locks are those that are integrated into the rack, which makes it very convenient to quickly deploy them when needed. Most notable is the tilt lever, which is located at the base of the rack instead of the end, making the tilting process much more difficult. All that said, for those who will utilize their high carrying capacity, a vertical hanging rack can be a worthwhile investment. The premium vertical hanging rack market has seen a major uptick recently, and Yakima has thrown their hat into the ring with a couple models. What the Helium is lacking, however, is versatility. Once you have this number you can compare it against the max wheelbase spec for the rack you're interested in purchasing. But for e-bike owners who want an integrated and deployable rampand others who dont want to lift heavy bikes on and off their rackthe Thule EasyFold XT 2 is the best option available. Its the only one that can both accommodate 20- to 29-inch wheels and tires up to 5 inches wide (the only incompatible size is a 27.5-inch fat bike). Finally, everything about the Thule has a high-end look and feel to it, from the easy-to-use tilt lever to the metal trays and built-in cable locks. At 32 pounds, its a whopping 20 pounds less than the Kuat NV 2.0 above, which makes it a whole lot easier to install and remove from your vehicle. Others, like the Kuat NV 2.0, require two separate adapters to fit bikes with wheels between 20 to 24 inches and tires larger than 2.75 inches. And finally, at 73 pounds all in, its a bear to haul around. This limitation is what pushes the Beta down our list, but among two-bike hanging racks, we think the Beta has a best-in-class mix of weight, build quality, and functionality.See the Kuat Beta 2.0. Among the options on the market, Yakimas RidgeBack is a long-time favorite: it features a durable build, reasonable price, and anti-sway design that limits bike movement while on the road. Hitch racks is a competitive space, but what really sets the T2 Pro XTR apart from the field is material quality and the sheer number of features it offers. If you have a truck, the simple pickup pad is a nice, affordable option, but you do lose the security of a locking hitch and it can take some work to limit bike-to-bike contact. Adding the swing-away functionality to a hitch-mounted rack does come with compromises. Type: PlatformWeight: 52 lbs.Number of bikes: 2 (4 with add-on)Weight capacity per bike: 60 lbs.What we like: Loaded with features, well-built, and easy to use.What we dont: Expensive and a bit heavy. Plus, the optional 2-Bike Add-On (for another $500) doubles its capacity. And compared with traditional hanging models, you dont have to worry about issues with a bikes top tube. As an example, heres a link to a technical drawing for Kuat's NV 2.0 hitch rack. Hanging Racks Its simple to operate, and the rack feels almost weightless even with heavy bikes on the trays. Wheel size and tire width arent major considerations when choosing a hanging rack, but those that opt for the platform style will want to verify their bikes will fit in the included trays. Further, you get included bike locks, a receiver lock, and its secure strap system is one of the best in the business. In addition, the tilt feature is all but unreachable with loaded bikesthe lever is hidden away under the rack. Another easy way is to physically check the wheelbase of your bike by measuring the distance from the center of the front and rear axles. For example, while the Transfer 2 has a steel frame and theyve upgraded the hitch design with the v2 model, the rack still is more prone to movement on bumpy roads. Like 1Ups Heavy Duty above, the Kuat goes head-to-head with our top-rated Thule T2 Pro XTR. In the end, despite a $69 jump in price, wed rather pay a little more for the slightly sturdier and more proven Yakima.See the Thule Camber 4. RockyMounts WestSlope 3 combines a user-friendly tray design and generous three-bike capacity at a reasonable cost. Its expanding wedge attachment system makes for a wobble-free connection, the 60-pound weight capacity means you can haul nearly all bike styles (including many electric models), and you get ample clearance from your vehicle and between bikes. What are the downsides of the Recon R6? The bike nearest the vehicle is quite challenging to load compared to other racks on this list, the release mechanism on the ratcheting arm is difficult to engage, and there are no locks included with your purchase. Its worth noting that 1Up has recently expanded their line with the Equip-D rack, which addresses many of our complaints with the Heavy Duty, including an easier access tilt bar and compatibility with fat tires. In short, it can't match the sheer number of useful features included with the Thule T2 Pro above. The T2 Pros user-friendly tilt feature is best-in-class, providing quick and easy access to the rear of the vehicle, and its versatile carrying system accommodates everything from fat bikes to 20-inch kids models. For reference, most standard mountain bikes and road bikes are under 35 pounds, but e-bikes can easily exceed 50 pounds. Type: HangingWeight: 56 lbs.Number of bikes: 4Weight capacity per bike: 40 lbs.What we like: The convenience of a swing-away design.What we dont: Heavy and pricey for a hanging rack. 1Up does offer a tilt lever extender, but that will cost you another $70, and it feels like something that could be remedied or included at the outset. One of the more technical considerations of the hitch rack puzzle is the clearance between the rack, your bikes, and the vehicle. British Columbia-based North Shore Racks is known for being one of the original companies to offer high-capacity hanging models that are worthy of shuttle days and rough roads. Thule has one of the largest bike rack lineups, and their Camber 4 slots in as their mid-range hanging option. In the end, this feature can have a huge impact on overall convenience, and we call it out whenever possible in the write-ups above. Bike racks in general have very similar feature sets, and one common upgrade that you see on mid-range and premium designs are locks. If youre able to spend up, we recommend the $449 Kuat Transfer v2 2 above, which addresses most of these issues.See the Swagman XC2. Add-ons (also known as extensions) are a great way to increase the carrying capacity of your platform-style hitch rack. But its hard to ignore the RidgeBacks track record of reliable performance, which makes it our top hanging hitch rack.See the Yakima RidgeBack 4. We use affiliate links andmay receive a small commission on purchases. Both have a four-bike capacity (but are realistically best with a max of 3), anti-sway strap systems, and a tilt mechanism to get the rack out of the way when loading or unloading your car (both require you to remove the bikes to tilt, however). Where the Yakima has the edge is its higher weight capacity (40 lbs. Why isn't the 1Up ranked higher? Considering the $250 drop in price from the T2 Pro XTR, its no surprise the T2 Classic is somewhat lacking in refinement and features. That said, theres no denying the Heliums quality and clean looks, and its a perfectly fine match for those planning to just transport standard mountain and road bikesRead in-depth reviewSee the Thule Helium Platform. Sitting atop Kuats hitch rack collection is their top-end NV 2.0. One of the main reasons to get a hanging-style rack is for occasional family outings, and a four- or five-bike model is often ideal for those trips. And as with the RidgeBack above, a top tube adapter is necessary if youll be hauling bikes with irregularly shaped top tubes (which unfortunately is most full-suspension bikes nowadays). The big news here is the included ramps that allow you to push your bikes onto the platforms rather than having to lift them off the ground. With a premium build and price tag to match, this rack is feature-rich, designed to work with a wide variety of bike styles and sizes, and has proven to be durable and reliable even Weve been a fan of Thule bike racks for yearstheir T2 Pro XTR is currently our top-rated modelso we were pretty excited by the release of the premium Helium Platform. In addition, its important to point out that the rack has a relatively low weight capacity per bike: At 37.5 pounds, its less than its primary competitors (like Recon Racks and NSR), which can be a problem for those hauling downhill rigs or e-bikes. With a weight capacity of only 37.5 pounds per bike, you wont be able to haul electric models or some heavier cruisers. The ramps are quick to deploy, do a nice job guiding the bikes up and down, and store easily on the rack while driving. Choosing a Hitch Rack for Carbon Fiber Bikes, Back to Our Hitch Bike Rack Comparison Table. There are obvious downsides to the vertical hanging style, however. In addition, the platform trays on this rack are highly adjustable, making any bike-to-bike clearance issues almost non-existent. For riders who want a premium design and typically carry traditional road and mountain bikes, 1Up's Heavy Duty Double is a great choice. Their top-end option is the HangTight, which is offered in four- and six-bike capacities (we tested the former). Hanging-style racks are known for their simplicity and affordable price tags, but the feature-rich Yakima FullSwing 4 bucks that trend. For more information, see our hitch rack comparison table and buying advice below the picks. Priced at a reasonable $399 for the four-bike version, the RidgeBack offers double the capacity of the Thule T2 Pro above at just over half the cost. There are two main receiver hitch sizes1.25-inch and 2-inchand it goes without saying that you should verify which one you have on your vehicle prior to purchasing a rack. Read more about us. Its worth noting that if the rack youre purchasing doesnt include a receiver lock, every manufacturer on our list above offers one as an accessory. Manufacturers oftentimes have a technical drawing available of the rack in question, and you can use the measurements for assessing whether or not youll run into any fitment issues. They typically double the racks carrying capacityfrom two to four bikesand are available for many popular designs (including Thules T2 Pro XT Add-On and Kuats NV 2.0 Add-On). In a two-year stretch, our Sherpa 2.0 had a series of issues: the tire ratcheting system failed, the sliding arm mechanism started to stick until it eventually slid out of the lower piece, and the spring in the pivot started to stick as well. Tack on a considerable $49 difference in cost, and despite the NVs smooth styling and extras like the aforementioned repair stand, the T2 Pro gets the slight edgeRead in-depth reviewSee the Kuat NV 2.0 Rack. Skip that extra bit of carbon instead. What do you give up by saving with the Kuat? On the other hand, racks like the $120 Swagman XC2 that use a lot of plastic or cheap, thin metal, will be prone to rusting out or breaking down over time. This straightforward and effective system makes it easy to rapidly load and unload your bike, and it minimizes any wobble or side-to-side movement while driving. Another quibble we have is that the lock is not integrated into the rack, which is a handy feature that we appreciate on the Thule T2 Pro above and Yakima Dr.Tray below. If you plan on removing your hitch rack with any regularity, youll want to pay attention to weight, and many leading options tip the scales at 50 pounds or more. In addition, the tilt lever is hidden away and essentially unreachable if you have bikes already loaded up (its far easier to access without bikes). Another method is to contact the manufacturer directly, and weve had good luck in getting reliable recommendations as to whether or not the rack were looking at will fit our vehicle. And although the T2 Classic has a spot for locks on the ratcheting arms, they are not included with the rack and will cost you an additional $40 (for the Thule version). Below we break down our top picks for 2022, from high-end, exquisitely manufactured designs like 1Ups Heavy Duty Double to Kuats budget-oriented and weight-conscious Beta. The RockyMounts BackStage is 10 to 20 pounds heavier than most other platform-style racks, and therefore you will not want to remove it from your vehicle very often (or without help). The SuperClamp EX 4 is one of their leading platform-style racks that differs from our top picks above with its ability to carry four bikes on a set of two platforms (rather than having only one bike on a platform). With a load capacity of 130 pounds (between two bikes), the EasyFold checks all the boxes for a heavy hauler. The main advantage to the Recons design is that you can carry up to six bikes at once, and the vertical hanging position keeps them relatively stable and close to the back of the vehicle. Further, while theyre fairly easy to use, putting them on and taking them off every time you go biking will inevitably become annoying. Furthermore, it undercuts the similarly designed 1UP Recon Rack by a significant margin. The well-sorted design is compatible with both 1.25- and 2-inch receivers (a big plus for swapping between vehicles), very secure with arms that quickly lock over the tires, and light enough to move in and out of a garage without too much effort. The latest version of the Transfer also is adjustable enough to fit a wide range of bike types and wheel sizes and can even accommodate a fat bike with an adapter (sold separately).