Summer Starts Here - Save up to 70%
# 1
Kuat Sherpa 2.0 Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 2" Hitches - Wheel Mount - Gray
Installed this on my 2018 Nissan Leaf. Excellent product and extremely light weight. Makes loading and loading the bikes super easy, I can even get into the hatch with both bike loaded by tilting the rack down. Wish I would have had this years ago!
So after much research into bike racks, I decided on pulling the plug on the Kuat Sherpa 2.0. I've looked into the Kuat NV and other brands, but they were just too much for my needs. If you've got "regular" bikes and not the heavier eBikes, then this rack is perfect. I wanted a hitch rack that was user friendly and not overly complicated. I have a mixed bag of bikes and this rack can handle them all, from mountain bikes, street bikes, and BMX bikes. I like that this rack comes with an adapter piece for 20"-24" wheels. Assembly of the Kuat Sherpa 2.0 is really a no-brainer. I think it's only 4-5 bolts really. Everything else is ready to go. The anti-rattle hitch ball mechanism is simple to use with just a twist of the dial, easy. The tilt pedal/lever is also easy to access should you need to open your hatch, a solid "click" assures it's in place. So far, loving this rack. Fit and finish is superb. Thanks to Jerred and etrailer for answering my questions, always helpful.
# 2
Yakima HoldUp Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" Hitches - Wheel Mount
I just installed this on Friday and we used it for a short trip to the bike shop. So far, it is not bad. I had to laugh; Yakima applied their logo upside-down! I read the directions at least 3x to be sure I didn't have them reversed...I did it right. The directions also show a logo on both, upper & lower rack. I guess they wanted to save some $$ ? Assembly was easy with just three steps. The hitch has a lock to lock it to the car, which is great, but the cover won't stay on. It takes 2 hands, one to hold the lock in place and the other to try to put the cover over the lock. It just pops off the second you release pressure. I will try again in warmer weather, then tape it on so hopefully it will mold to the lock and eventually stay put without the tape. I am not convinced of the stability of the bikes, really. Going over bumps they do shake. For safety, we are going to add straps from the luggage rack and through the bikes, just in case. I really like the cable locks to secure the bikes to the rack. With our old rack there really wasn't a way to lock the bikes to the rack, and I always worried when we were traveling and stopped for food.
As etrailer reminded me, I have had this thing for a year and it is awesome. I did a lot of research before buying and am certainly glad it steered me towards this product. My hatch just clears the rack when it is in the stowed (up) position and it just clears my handlebars in the tilted (down) position. Fits like a glove! The bolt fits snugly and makes for a very quiet ride. I love the anti-theft bolt-end but I make sure to pull on it after installing because it is hard to tell for sure if it is on. Mine was not and I drove away, losing it. They're not super expensive, but are super back-ordered rn so I had to find one from MasterLock that fits. I actually take mine on and off a fair amount because I'm hauling stuff around and loading/unloading is much easier without the rack in place even with it all folded into the stowed position. I've taken this rack across the country a few times (with and without bikes) and it has been great. I try not to exceed 90mph with a bike in the rack... Two things to know: 1. When you are only carrying one bike you have to make certain that the other spot's ratcheting arm is as ratcheted-down as possible. I once had it slip and it was dragging in the roadway before someone started flashing lights at me and I caught it. 2. I use a Voile strap (elastic cargo strap) to hold my front tire down. See attached photo. If you don't, it is possible for the front wheel to roll back a little bit and loosen the fit. I don't know why Yakima hasn't made this change themselves but it's simple and makes your bike WAY more secure especially on winding roads.
# 3
Kuat NV 2.0 Base 2-Bike Platform Rack - 1-1/4" Hitches - Wheel Mount - Matte Black
Great rack! This is our third hitch rack: we had a 4-bike Thule for hanging bikes by their tubes and then a 2-bike Thule platform rack whose 100-pound rating didn't permit loading 2 e-bikes, so that was our criterion for the search that led to this purchase. Assembly was not intuitive, so we had to re-do a few steps, but the final product is excellent: very stable. Two cautions: (1) Be sure to check whether any panniers block your tail lights; (2) Always use the included lock because each bike's rear wheel sits on a relatively flat surface and a big bump might dislodge it if the back strap isn't firmly seated.
Bought a new Mazda 3 HB and decided to go with a hitch bike rack. I've had a Kuat Trasnfer bike rack. That rack did it's job, but I felt the Sherpa or NV 2.0 Base would be better in every way. I've bought hitches and Kuat from etrailer and I knew their online prices and customer service was the best in business so it was a no brainer to go back to buy another bike rack. It was a tough decision between the Sherpa and NV 2.0 Base, but I felt had all the right checks for me to go with the NV Base 2.0. Once I ordered the rack, it was shipped the same day and arrived at my doorstep a day earlier! The box was ok, but the packaging inside was excellent. The quality is top notch and the manual is easy to read. Not gonna lie, the rack is heavy. I knew it was going to be heavy after researching on it and it's not a big deal, but doing a solo assembly wasn't going to be easy. Luckily I had my son with me to assist. Assembly took 15min (with another person). Manual doesn't state NM torque, but I set it around 8-10nm to bolt down everything. Once I put it on the hitch, I turned the anti-rattle knob and it locked the bike rack down to the hitch like a vice grip. It's solid and wont budge at all! everything on this rack is sturdy and top quality. The bike and rack barely sways during the drive. I can't express how impressive this rack is! The only down side to this and it's not even the rack, it's the hitch lock pin. It feels like an after thought and it's too thin. it flops around. With the price I paid for this, I was hoping for something little better. Overall all, the Kuat NV 2.0 Base is hands down the best bike rack on the market and I'm glad I went with it.
# 4
Thule EasyFold XT Bike Rack for 2 Electric Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Frame Mount
The BEST bike carrier by far!! We are both in our 7th decade and even I alone (5’2” 120 lbs) can manage to attach this in my hitch without any issues. It’s so easy to load both our hybrid and e-bike and they are super secure. We love that it folds up small and wheels away when not in use. This bike carrier is worth every penny!!
This rack is perfect! eTrailer had it shipped and at my home in almost no time. I drove with it on the car today, and it was solid and secure. It's super easy to get on and off the hitch. I'm 5'1 and I was able to load the bike on with the ramp without a struggle. Thanks for the thorough video and comparison information. It made this purchase easy.
# 5
Hollywood Racks Sport Rider SE Bike Rack for 2 Electric Bikes - 2" Hitches - Frame Mount
I have a Dirty Sixer 36" wheel bike and my wife has an electric bike. This rack handles them both very easy. This is one of the only bikes racks the 36er will fit on. We are extremely happy with the purchase and will more than likely be purchasing another one in the near future. Assembly was very easy!!
This bike rack works great for our 2 Lectric 2.0 e-bikes. We mount it on our 2019 Honda Ridgeline. It folds up nicely when it’s on the truck and we are using our bikes. The locking mechanisms work well also. I contacted support for a smaller hook arm to clamp B over the bike frame. They knew exactly what I needed and shipped it - no problem.
# 6
Swagman Chinook Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Frame Mount
I ordered the Swagman Chinook 2 Bike Platform Rack on line from etrailer and so far have been very satisfied. The bike rack was delivered in less than a week. Unpacking the rack and assembly was fairly straightforward. I have read some reviews that complained the assembly instructions were a bit vague. I didn't have a problem but can see where others without a mechanical background get confused. The rack is very sturdy, but there is some side to side play in the tilt mechanism. I'm not sure this can be avoided with a rack that folds down. Installing the Curt trunk stabilizing strap takes most of the sway out of the rack. Installation is fairly easy and quick. It takes me 6 - 7 minutes to install the back on my hitch, and to install the bike and be ready to drive away. That seems reasonable to me. So far I've only loaded 1 bike. I've included pictures of my installation on a 2014 Mercedes Benz E350 sedan. Clearance between the bikes, the rack and the car are good. With the bike loaded in the inside, most forward position, I have 6" clearance between the pedal and the bumper. With the bike removed, the center support folded flat and the rack folded up in the storage position, I have 4" clearance between the closest part of the bike rack (the fold down hinge assembly) and the back bumper of the car. I am able to open the trunk of the car without removing the bikes or using the tilt feature, but I do have to remove the stabilizing strap first. Overall, I'm very pleased with the bike rack and think it will serve me much better than my old strap on rack. Since the weather has been cool since getting the bike carrier, I haven't taken any long trips to give it a real workout.
Truly grooving on my wife's new Swagman Chinook bike rack. She wanted to be able to transport her nice road bike easily without throwing it in the back of her car, and since a roof rack is out of the question, this Swagman model fit the bill perfectly. It arrived quickly on the anticipated date. Kudos to etrailer.com for the email updates to keep me informed of my purchase. Within one hour, it was installed on my wife's 2014 Mazda3 hatchback. The Swagman is heavy and solid, which is reassuring as it makes me feel confident that it will keep the bikes secure. It also makes me feel like I got my money's worth. A ratchet wrench and Phillip's head screwdriver were the only tools required for the easy install. I did my research before purchasing the Chinook model as I was also eyeballing a very similar Thule rack that was slightly more expensive. I spoke with an etrailer.com expert who gave me the lowdown on both models. Ultimately, the Swagman won out because it has a smaller 'footprint' while extended or folded up ... and also can tilt away from the car for easy access to the hatchback area. Very convenient! FYI: Mazda doesn't make a trailer hitch for the Mazda3 as it's a small car with a small engine and has no business towing anything. Thankfully, the Curt company makes an aftermarket frame and trailer hitch that fits the Mazda3 hatchback perfectly with no drilling. Stupidly, I purchased it from another online company thinking I was getting a good deal. Turns out etrailer.com had it for less with FREE shipping. Oh well ... live and learn. Now I know that etrailer.com is one-stop shopping for bike racks AND trailer hitches. (Full disclosure: I had the garage down the street install the frame as it's easier with a lift) Only snafu: the shipment contained an extra set of keys that I assumed was for the hitch bolt lock (there was also a set of keys on the bolt itself). I spent 15 minutes using those keys trying to figure out how to remove the lock from the bolt to install it on the hitch. The keys just wouldn't turn in the lock. I called etrailer.com and Kevin told me to try the other set of keys ... and they worked. So an extra set of keys came with it that did absolutely nothing ... weird! Obviously, I can't speak to the longevity and durability of the Swagman Chinook 2 Bike Platform Rack as I just installed it. What I can speak to is the sturdiness of it, the ease of the installation and my complete satisfaction with the good folks at etrailer.com.
# 7
Swagman E-Spec Bike Rack for 2 Electric Bikes - 2" Hitches - Frame Mount
I have pulled my 33’ 5th wheel around 400 miles since I installed my Swagman E-Spec bike rack with a Rad Mini and a Rad expand E-bike on board and have had absolutely no problems. The bikes are held firmly and safely in place without shake or excessive vibration. I have had friends follow closely behind me just to verify the ride and they are equally impressed. This bike rack makes carrying two E-bikes effortless. I can load and unload the bikes by myself without any problem and the “keyed alike” feature make all the locking components quick and easy to access. etrailer delivered without any hassle and their helpfulness in recommending the 4”+ tire adapters was the ticket to making my rack fit one of my bikes.
I was worried about a rear bumper bike rack for my 2 Lectric bikes bouncing too much but after traveling 2,000 miles, we didn't have any trouble. The Swagman E-spec from etrailer bike rack was made specifically for my RV and attaches to the hitch that is rated at 300 lbs. The bike rack locks the bikes into the rack and I had a cover from [online] to protect the bikes from the elements. Loading and unloading is very easy. Prior to the bike rack, we had to fold the bikes in half and put them in a 80 gallon plastic tub and muscle them into the living room between the slides and that was a horrible experience having to lift them into and out of the RV. The supply chain pandemic issue took place and delayed the arrival by 6 months but worth the wait.
# 8
Saris SuperClamp EX Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Wheel Mount
At the age of 70, I needed a “friendlier” mounting and bike access rack. A platform rack seemed to be the solution. I had one caveat. My Subaru Forester had a 1and 1/4” receiver (with a non-standard 3/4” length mounting hole). My Volvo had a tuck away 2” receiver. After some research I gravitated toward Thule only to find out they had no solution for my above conundrum. In fact their customer service offered no interest in solving my problem which others also must have had. More research…enter Saris! An American made company with an innovative solution. I quickly received my SuperClamp EX-2 from ETrailer along with excellent customer service support. The ease of constructing the unit for use and the obvious structural integrity was immediately apparent. My wife couldn’t believe how easy it was to use and to stow away on my garage wall after use. Thank you Saris and ETrailer for a wonderful product and experience. I guess American made is still alive and well. I highly recommend this product and the associated companies.
Purchased this bike rack last year and am very pleased with the stability of the rack. The straps and clamps secure the bike well to the rack. Some things that I learned: When attaching the rack onto your hitch, it helps to put a piece of tape on the rack (hitchtite) once you have lined up the holes. This will make it easier to find the exact location of the holes the next time that you want to use the rack. Finding the exact location allows you to smoothly hand tighten the bolt to the end of the hitch. At that point, just use a socket wrench to finish the tightening. When putting the bike on the rack, I loosely secure the clamps to the tires at first. This allows me to rotate the tires to find the right location in the wheel well for the straps to go around the spokes. I next secure the bike with the straps and then fininsh securing the clamps to the tires.
# 9
Hollywood Racks Trail Rider Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Frame Mount
Overall the hitch works great sturdy heavy duty easy to load. The only difficulty was getting a receiver mounted on our little Honda Civic that took a mechanic! This hitch is much better than the kind we used to use strapping on the back of the car much more secure.
I was impressed with this bike rack from the minute I unpacked it. The assembly was simple & straight forward. I looked at quite a few bike racks & for the price point this product was hard to beat. It is well designed & the keyhole pins make it easy to remove & fold up when not carrying the bikes. The locking hitch pin & locking frame bars are convenient and fairly secure. I will add my cable lock to make the bikes even a little more tamper proof. So far I’m very happy with this his purchase. Now the test of time!
What our customers are saying:
"The bike rack went together with ease. Everything was in the box, no missing parts. It was very stable on my first trip with it.Works well with womens bikes also. Delivery was prompt with no mishaps. Good job"