Bike Rack Recommendation for Electric Assist Bikes  

Question:

Expert Reply:

Those are some VERY heavy bikes you are dealing with there! The weight of your bikes will unfortunately limit the number of racks that will work for you.

The rack with the highest capacity that we offer is the Yakima HoldUp 4, part # Y02443-2. This rack can handle 200 lbs and an individual bike weighing up to 60 lbs. As long as the children's bikes you are using are pretty light, and you place the heavier electric assist bikes closest to the vehicle, you should be fine. This rack holds the bikes by the wheels, so the lack of a top frame crossbar will not cause any problem whatsoever. Keep in mind that the 105 lb weight of this rack plus the total weight of the bikes placed upon it cannot exceed the tongue weight capacity of the hitch installed on your vehicle. The hitch itself should have a sticker on it that lists the tongue weight capacity. In order to be folded once in the hitch, you will need at least 7 inches of clearance between your hitch pin hole and the furthest rearward edge of your bumper.

The Kuat NV 2.0, part # NV22G-NA22G can also handle 4 bikes weighing up to 60 lbs each and will hold them at the wheels. This rack weighs approximately 82 lbs. In order for the rack to be folded while it is in the hitch, you must have at least 7 inches of clearance between the hitch pin hole in your receiver and the furthest rearward point of your bumper.

The Swagman XTC4 rack you referenced, part # S64655 only has a 35 lb per bike capacity, and would not be strong enough to carry your bikes.

I have linked you to some product demonstration videos showing these racks in action.

expert reply by: Mike L

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