The 12 Best Hitch Bike Racks That Make Traveling with Your Ride Easier

When you consider this rack’s construction, list of features (many of them never before seen on a rack), price, and elevated style (even compared to Küat’s existing models, which are already known for their good looks), it stands alone. It’s a superrack.

Senior Features Director Louis Mazzante has been driving around for over two years with this rack, and it’s earning it's reputation as an impressive piece of cycling equipment. With the Piston Pro X, Küat elevated the rack from something purely utilitarian to a desirable piece of gear that’s easier to use than any other, has smart features like integrated brake and turn-signal lights, can carry more bike sizes (and more weight) than almost any other rack on the market.

It fits wheels as small as 18 inches and tires up to 5-inches wide without adapters, and can hold bikes that weight up to 67 pounds each, using ratcheting U-shaped arms to hold the front and rear wheels in the style popularized by 1Up.

The price of the top-end Pro X model is nearly 50 percent more than even the most expensive hitch-mount racks currently available, but it has proven to be extremely durable and maintain its good looks. It's also available in 3- and 4-bike models, as well as the slightly cheaper Piston Pro variant, which ditches the Kashima coating on the pistons and the integrated brake lights and turn signals.

READ KÜAT PISTON PRO X REVIEW

This budget-friendly rack has features similar to those found on Thule and Küat hitch racks. The bike is secured by an arm that clamps over the front wheel, like the Thule T2 XTR Pro, while the front wheel rests in a cradle that looks like it was pulled right from a Küat parts bin. The rack fits 2-inch and and 1 1/4-inch receivers and is secured with a tool-free locking wedge. It folds up when not in use and tilts back for easy tailgate access when holding a bike. It's also available in 2- and 3-bike configurations.

At this price, some compromises are necessary. The minimum wheel size is 26 inches, the largest minimum of any rack on this list, and the tray is rated for bikes up to 35 pounds. However, that still leaves a lot of room to safely and securely transport most road, gravel, and mountain bikes. Overall, this rack is a great budget-friendly option for getting the job done.

Editor's note: The price has risen considerably on the single-bike version. But the two-bike rack can still be purchased at a pre-tariff price of $444.

When the T2 debuted over a decade ago, it raised the bar for what riders expect from a hitch-mounted bike rack. Over the years, Thule updated the T2 to accommodate wider tires and different wheel sizes. Plus, it made the rack better looking and easier to operate. Topping the list of recent upgrades is a handle with a wide trigger that allows you, with a single hand, to raise and lower the rack (and dip it out of the way for access to rear hatches).

Integrated cable locks keep your bikes from growing legs, and the rack’s arms have wide, comfortable grips and slide easily to secure the front wheel, with tires up to 5 inches wide. Instead of using a bolt, the T2 secures to your hitch receiver with an expansion wedge that tightens with a locking knob. The system makes installing and removing the T2 easier (though it weighs 52 pounds, so you might still need an assist), but it’s not foolproof.

It accommodates wheels as small as 20-inches, and the per-tray weight limit is 60 pounds, making it a good option for all but the heaviest e-bikes.

The T2 is heavier and costs more than most racks, but it's a dependable product that has been serving Senior Reviews Editor Bobby Lea well for over 6 years.

The Trail Rider is a great, lower-cost alternative to the premium racks on this list. It holds two bikes in fixed wheel mounts, secured with a single ratcheting arm that clamps down over the frame. The upright beam that holds the frame clamps folds back and out of the way for trunk access, which also came in handy for loading up two bikes. We could fold it down and set a bike on the rack closest to the car without having to lift it up and over the arm, then lift the arm back up into place and position the second bike.

When not in use, the rack can fold up flush with the back of the car. It’s super sturdy—our tester drove from Philadelphia to Phoenix with a bike on the rack, and the lock on the securing arm let her comfortably leave bikes on the car in hotel parking lots along the way.

The trade-off for a rack at this lower price has nothing to do with stability or strength, but adjustability: The bikes sit in a fixed location with minimal ability to adjust them away from each other if two don’t fit well together. That said, you can stagger the wheel cradles so the bars and saddles don’t interfere. But it accommodates wheelbase lengths up to 60 inches and tires up to 3 inches wide and is appropriate for bikes that weigh up to 45 pounds.

This Yakima two-bike rack goes head-to-head with premium offerings from Küat and Thule. In about 2,500 miles of on-car testing, the StageTwo impressed us with its ease of use and flex-free performance. This rack is only rated up to 35 pounds per tray, so it's not appropriate for transporting e-bikes. However, it's one of only two racks on this list that accommodates wheels as small as 16-inches. And best of all: there are no tools or adjustments required regardless of wheel size.

The StageTwo’s trays are offset, which means less chance of contact when carrying two similarly sized bikes (it does make the bikes sit more widely apart, so watch those tight parking spaces). The rack has two SKS locking cables (they don’t auto-retract, so make sure you tuck them back in when not in use) and an integrated lock loop for extra security when parked or locking up your rack off of the vehicle.

The StageTwo is offered in 1.25- and 2-inch sizes. The 2-inch variant can accommodate four bikes with an additional kit. A final note: Make sure to check Yakima’s fit guide carefully before purchase, as you could wind up with fitment hardware that doesn’t match your car, like one of our testers did.

The RockyMounts MonoRail closely resembles the Thule T2 XTR in both design and function. It uses a ratcheting arm to secure the front wheel and folds by pulling a handle located beneath the main support beam. Like the Thule, it accommodates wheel sizes as small as 20 inches.

This rack is an excellent option for transporting fat bikes, thanks to wheel cradles that support tires up to 5 inches wide. We also appreciate the adjustable trays, which can shift 2 inches side to side to help prevent handlebar or pedal interference when the rack is fully loaded. With a weight capacity of 60 pounds per bike, it’s suitable for many e-bikes as well. Plus, a single-bike add-on is available if you need to carry a third bike.

The Swagman XTC2 is one of the most affordable 2-bike racks we confidently recommend. Made by British Columbia–based Swagman, this no-frills rack is a solid choice for budget-conscious riders. It fits both 1¼-inch and 2-inch receiver tubes and accommodates wheel sizes from 20 to 29 inches. With a total weight capacity of 70 pounds (35 pounds per bike), it's not suitable for e-bikes.
As expected at this price point, there are some trade-offs. The wheel hoops are adjustable, but not as smoothly or precisely as on more premium racks. The rack doesn't tilt away from the vehicle when loaded, limiting access to tailgates or liftgates. Additionally, the center support bar with the ratchet arms must be removed to load a bike on the inside tray.
Still, the XTC2 is lightweight, durable, and very reasonably priced. If you're willing to trade a bit of convenience for significant savings, the Swagman XTC2 is a reliable and practical option.

The Camber 2 is a two-bike hanging rack that’s a great lower-cost alternative to pricer tray racks. Bikes hang on two horizontal arms that cradle the top tubes. Rubber brackets with straps keep the bikes from sliding back and forth, but they don’t hold them as securely as tray racks do. That’s inescapable with this style of rack.

You can rotate the Camber back to allow for easy trunk access, and the arms easily fold down when not in use. Unlike tray racks, which tend to be very heavy, the 28-pound Camber 2 is light and easy to install quickly, making it a great option as both a permanent fixture on your vehicle and as a rack that you put on only when you need it.Thule recommends a maximum weight of 37.5 pounds for each bike, which makes it a poor choice for transporting electric bikes. It’s also not ideal for bikes with non-traditional diamond-shaped frames, like some full-suspension mountain bikes or bikes with step-through frames. That said, if you have some road bikes or light mountain bikes that need hauling, this is an ideal setup.

1UP USA built a cult-like following with its industrial-looking racks that take a simplistic approach to securing your bike. This one has two ratcheting arms that clamp down on your wheels; there are no hooks or straps necessary. It's one of only two racks on this list that fits 16-inch wheels, although you'll need to manually adjust the crossbar on the folding arms if you want to mount a bike with small wheels. It also features wider and taller arms to better accommodate 29-inch wheels and fat tires.

The Equip-D’s pivot mechanism is smooth and works reliably even after years of abuse, although an occasional shot of WD-40 White Lithium Grease Spray goes a long way towards keeping the release mechanism running smoothly. A T-handle release positioned at the end of the hitch bar doesn’t require reaching through the rack to fold it up. Tiered trays allow bikes to sit closer together, and the rack rides high enough to be out of the way of most exhaust pipes. And we appreciate that this rack is available in a single version, so you don't have to pay for extra capacity you'll never use.

Also, check out our colleague Brad Ford’s review of 1Up’s Heavy Duty Double on Popular Mechanics.

The last thing you want to see in your rearview mirror as you hurtle down the road is thousands of dollars worth of bikes rattling behind your bumper. But thanks to an expanding-wedge design that secures the rack in your vehicle’s receiver hitch and locks in place with a theft-preventing thru-bolt, the NV 2.0 stayed wobble-free throughout our testing.

The standout feature of this rack especially is its built-in repair stand, which extends from the top of the rack when it’s folded up to hang any bike by the seatpost with considerable ground clearance. It's not the sturdiest repair stand we've ever used, but it's a superior option for parking lot repairs than leaning your bike against your vehicle.

A stout pivot lets you flip the rack up when you’re not hauling bikes, deploy it flat for when you are, or drop it to a 45-degree angle for easy access to trunks and pickup beds. Other nice features include integrated cable locks and adjustable cradles offering better clearance for stacked bikes when loaded. It's rated for up to 60 pounds per tray, making it a good option for many e-bikes.

The only hiccup we noticed is that the ratcheting system can get gunked up, making it hard to remove bikes. We also found that, as long as we paid attention to cleaning dirt and grime off the ratcheting system after driving on dirty or dusty roads, the problem disappeared.

The NV 2.0 is available for 1.25- and 2-inch receivers. Extras include a 20- and 24-inch wheel adaptor for $15, the $98 bike ramp, the $359 one-bike, or $598 two-bike add-ons (compatible with the 2-inch version only).

Saris’s latest offering is one of the most configurable hitch-mount systems we've seen. Since this rack is sold as a Base with add-on bicycle or cargo basket attachments, you can build this rack to meet your carrying needs or budget.

For 2-inch receivers, Saris offers the Base in two sizes: 2+1 (up to three bikes or one bike and a cargo basket) or 3+1 (up to four bikes or two bikes and a basket). For 1.25-inch receivers, the 1+1 Base fits up to two bikes (but not a basket).

Folding arms hold your bikes in the same manner as the 1Up Equip'd. It doesn't have the same industrial design motif but it's no less effective or durable. If you only need to transport 2 bikes, the MHS 2, while still pricey, knocks $300 off the 3-bike version, and the MHS 1 is a far more palatable $550 for those who don't regularly drive with a fleet of bikes.

The rack holds bikes up to 80 pounds in the inboard position(s) but the add-on (+1) only supports up to 35 pounds. This may limit your choices if you’re carrying multiple e-bikes or downhill/enduro rigs.

North Shore Rack pioneered and popularized vertical-style racks, now commonly spotted in parking lots of mountain bike parks and trailheads at popular riding destinations. The brand, based in North Vancouver, British Columbia (hence the name), produces two-, four-, and six-bike capacity racks in folding and standard versions.

Rated to hold up to 60 pounds per bike (300 total), the NSR-6 securely carries downhill bikes and electric mountain bikes. Note that, since the NSR holds the bike by the fork crown, it’s not compatible with road bikes. The NSR adjusts to fit a range of vehicles and folds down when not loaded. If you carry lots of bikes for large-group mountain bike trips or a NICA team, this rack is an excellent option.