Why Isn't The Hollywood Racks Sport Rider SE Recommended For Bikes With Carbon Fiber Frames?

Updated 10/13/2026 | Published 10/11/2026

Products Featured in This Question

Thule Epos Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Wheel or Frame Mount

(39)

$1299.95

Hollywood Racks Sport Rider SE Bike Rack for 2 Electric Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches

(1196)

$499.03

Question:

We ordered the Hollywood Racks Sport Rider SE Bike Rack for 2 Electric Bikes - 1-1/4inch and 2inch Hitches, to carry one step-through electric bike with fenders and one carbon fiber non electric bike. We chose this after a conversation with someone at your company and they said this would be good for us. But we just watched a video about the rack and the man in your video said it is not good for carbon fiber bikes at the 8:04 minute mark. If this is not appropriate for a carbon fiber bike we will have to return it. And if that is true, which of the racks you sell would be good for us?

asked by: Eils L

Expert Reply:

Hey Elis, thanks for reaching out. The Hollywood Racks Sport Rider SE # HLY74FR is not recommended for carbon fiber bikes because it uses padded frame hooks to secure the bikes. Those hooks put pressure directly on the frame, which can damage carbon fiber tubing. Your step-through e-bike with fenders is not a problem, but I definitely recommend a different rack if you're carrying the carbon fiber bike too.

For carbon fiber frame bikes, you will want to use a rack that mounts to the wheel instead of the frame, but since you also need to carry an E-bike with fenders, you are going to need a specialty rack. What I recommend is the following:

- Thule Epos Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Wheel or Frame Mount # TH99XE

This rack is E-bike rated and can hole bikes weighing up to 75 lbs apiece. It has clamps that can mount to the frame or the wheel, so you can do frame mount for the E-bike, and wheel mount for the carbon fiber frame bike. Overall, it is a very solid rack that is functional and user-friendly.

How much does your E-bike weigh?

expert reply by: Jesse M

Thule Epos Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Wheel or Frame Mount
(click to enlarge)

Eils L.

10/12/2026

That Thule rack is WAY out of our price range. My E bike weighs 37 pounds.

Jesse M.

10/12/2026

@EilsL Ok gotcha. For that combination of bikes you will need something that can do frame mount and wheel mount. We do have a less expensive option that checks both those boxes. Take a look at the following: - Saris CycleOn Bike Rack for 2 Bikes w/ Ramp - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches # SAR36XR

Eils L.

10/12/2026

@JesseM Would the RockyMounts mono rail solo for 2 bikes work for us? Can the tire mount be rotated so as not to grip the fender on the E bike and be locked securely?

Eils L.

10/12/2026

How about the Saris super clamp SAR84yR? looks it fits the bill.

See All (7) Replies to Eils L. ∨

Gary

10/13/2026

we have no issues carrying our ebikes on this rack...33 lbs amd 56lbs. the ramp is helpful for heavier bikes. good luck

Jesse M.

10/13/2026

@Gary Nice! Glad to hear you are liking your Thule rack. Thanks for sharing!

Ed B.

10/13/2026

I’m not sure what’s going on here, but it looks like someone is saying this particular rack is no good for carbon fiber bikes. That is simply not true. The arms that you see that hold the bike can be used on the seat post which is how I do it. My seat posts are not carbon fiber they are aluminum. Both my bikes that my wife and I use are carbon fiber bikes. I also carry an electric bike with fenders and a rack. I picked this particular rack because I was able to secure the top of the bike again using a seat post. Most of these racks want you to secure the wheel and with fenders that’s not really possible. I’m gonna go on to say that if you did happen to secure the bike using a carbon tube, you do not have to crank the mainstay post for the bike rack down that tight so you’re not gonna crush a carbon fiber tube. I can also tell you that this thing holds a lot of weight so my electric bike sits perfectly on it. Again, I don’t know why anybody is saying that this rack is not good for this or that type of bike, but I carry various types of bikes on it and it’s perfectly fine.

Jesse M.

10/13/2026

@EdB Hey Ed, thanks for taking the time to share! And I'm glad to hear you are happy with your Thule Epos rack. The original post was referring to the Hollywood Racks Sport Rider SE Bike Rack, which is not good for carbon fiber frames since it uses ratcheting hooks that attach to the bike frame rather than the tire. Your Epos rack can clamp to the frame or the tire making it a great candidate for carrying an e-bike and carbon fiber frame bike at the same time.