How do you transport a mode of transportation? We have broken it down and simplified the e-bike mount landscape so you can pick what works best for you

Modern e-bikes are an irrefutable part of the micromobility landscape, forming a crucial part of several users’ daily commutes. Not everyone chooses to ride their bikes, e-bikes, or s-pedelecs constantly. Especially not if their vehicle is suited to a particular utility, like an eMTB, or if they would like to save their precious battery for a particular trail/path.

The solution? A solid rack or mount for your car, truck, or van to transport your bike to and from your chosen location for an adventure. Roughly, these mounts fall into the following categories - 

• Hitch-Mounted Platform Racks: To keep the bikes low and stable.

• Hitch-Mounted Hangers: Compact & Affordable Construction

• Roof Racks: For lightweight bikes 

• Trunk-Mounted Straps: Nylon Straps that wrap around your car itself

To make it easy for you, this guide will not feature trunk-mounted or roof rack mounts. These are generally not suited for e-bikes, which are much heavier than the average pedal bike. We’ve compiled three options in each category: a budget-friendly, mid-priced, and luxury/ premium option so that you can pick your next bike mount by utility and price. We’ve also busted the complex, and often gate-kept lingo.

Hitch-Mounted Platform Mounts

These mounts connect to the hitch, the part of your car’s chassis designed to bear large weights, like other cars in tow. So, using it to hitch your heavy, expensive e-bikes only makes sense. While each product may slightly differ in exactly how they attach themselves to the hitch, they all broadly attach directly to your vehicle’s hitch receiver and use anti-rattle bolts to prevent wobbling and improve steadiness on long rides. These mounts are also available in all manner of sizes, but to keep it uniform, we’ll cover only 2-bike mounts.

Hitch-Mounted Hanging Mounts

Much like the platform mounts, these mounts rest a majority of their weight on the hitch in your car’s chassis, as it can literally bear a ton of weight. However, unlike the steady support that platform mounts offer by carrying bikes in upright wheel slots and trays, these hanging mounts tether the bike by the tubes. Often considered a more affordable and compact option, these mounts may sometimes swing and sway, causing minor scuffs and scratches where they are attached.

With that out of the way, here are our top picks for bike racks for your vehicle. 

Option 1 -

Young Electric’s 2-Bike platform rack costs $319.99. If you look at their storefront, you will find cheaper 2-bike racks; however, these cannot support e-bikes. Meaning, they might not be suited to handle the extra heft that comes with a motor, battery, and all the accompanying electronic components. 

This e-bike rack can handle up to 200 lbs (90 kg) in total, which is about 100 lb (45 kg) per bike slot. The rack itself is mostly aluminum and alloyed steel, so corrosion should not be an issue if you’re someone who wants to assemble the rack and leave it alone. 

The wheel slots on the rack can handle up to 5-inch-thick tires, so even hyper-performance eMTBs are covered. Plus, the cradles are vertically adjustable, and the wheel slots are horizontally adjustable, so you can set the rack as snug as needed to prevent rattling on the road. 

However, this rack only fits vehicles with a 2-inch hitch receiver, so check that your vehicle is compatible. 

Option 2 -

Our first hanging rack on this list is the Thule Apex XT. At $449.95, this rack is available as either a 2- or a 4-bike set-up. The receiver for this rack fits either 1.25- or 2-inch hitches. However, the maximum load that this rack can carry is 37.5 lbs per bike. While this should be enough to cover most city commuter e-bikes, be careful not to overload it. Further, we recommend removing the battery and any other accessories you may have from the bike to save weight and improve stability, especially if you plan on long, fast, or curvy, unstable drives.

Option 3 -

Priced at $599.95, the Thule Outpace 2 Platform Rack can also hold two e-bikes. It can support up to 55 lbs per rack and up to 110 lbs on the mount as a whole. This rack is compatible with both 1.25 and 2-inch hitch receivers, making it generally more compatible than the Young Electric rack. Moreover, this bike is constructed entirely of aluminum, making it almost 20 lbs lighter than the previous option, resulting in lower fuel consumption and reduced road drag. 

This rack is also compatible with a wide range of tires and wheels. It can handle any bike with wheels ranging from 20 to 29 inches. It can also handle tires ranging from 1 to 3.5 inches, making it suitable for most gravel- and trail-specific e-bikes. It is also foldable, so it occupies less space when parked without any bikes on it. Much like the Young Electric, this hitch can tilt down, allowing for easy access to your trunk. Plus, it comes pre-fit with a proprietary lock and keys so that you can secure your rack.

Option 4 - 

At a colossal price tag of $1065.98, the Thule EasyFold XT Platform Rack can hold two 65-lb bikes, bringing the cumulative capacity to 130 lb. Constructed mostly from aluminum and high-density plastic fixtures, this 2-bike set-up can accommodate bikes up to 48 inches wide. 

The rack can hitch to 1.25- and 2-inch receivers and installs quickly and tool-free. Much like its sister Thule, this one is also fully foldable. This rack features ramps for both individual mounts, so you don’t have to lift and mount the bikes up on your own. Much like the others, this rack tilts outwards to allow you access to the trunk of your car. This flagship mount also features AcuTight torque clamps to protect expensive, sometimes delicate, bike frames on the longest rides. 

Option 5 - 

If budget is truly not a constraint, then this is the option for you. Priced at $1299.99, the Saris Door County is the pinnacle of e-bike rack technology. It is compatible with most 2-inch hitch receivers. This rack can support two bikes, each weighing up to 60 lbs. Furthermore, these bikes can be up to 48 inches wide and have tires up to 3 inches wide. 

However, for this rack, you must also connect it to your car’s electronics system via a 7-pin connector. While you can do this yourself, we recommend professional installation. 

What is the advantage of these extra steps? For one, you get turn signals and brake lights integrated into the bike rack. That way, despite the actual mount’s impeding of the lights, your fellow drivers on the streets can clearly see your intentions on the road. Secondly, connecting it to the car activates the rack’s electric lift assist system, so you can avoid hauling the bike up and down the rack. You lower the rack, load the bike, and press a button to raise it before you drive away. 

Liked what you saw? Check out our guides on the best things to do and buy with a new e-bike. We also have detailed guides on bike safety systems, helmets, and accessories of all sorts.

If you want to learn more about micromobility, join us at one of our two annual live events; we'll have industry leaders, legislators & even a test track where you can try your hand at the latest tech.

Happy Riding!