Selecting the Right Rack

Before we go into the process of getting your bike onto a car-rack, we will cover a few basics to ensure that you have an adequate car-rack for your needs. Electric bikes weigh much more than traditional bicycles, so it is critical that you purchase a car-rack that is specifically rated for e-bikes. Placing an electric bike on a non-electric bike rack will likely result in damage to your bike, bike-rack, and also your car.

Electric bikes also come with different tire sizes. If you plan on purchasing a bike with fat-tires or plus-size tires, you will need to purchase a car-rack specifically designed for fat-tire e-bikes. These racks not only accommodate the larger tires, but also the extra weight that comes with this type of bike.

You should also consider how the rack attaches to your vehicle. Ideally, you should choose a rack that slides into a square hitch below your vehicle’s rear bumper. Smaller cars typically do not come with a hitch, but you can have one installed for a small price.  

Racks that strap to your rear door should be avoided, as they are not capable of supporting a lot of weight, and if they shift position they can cause serious damage to your vehicle. The extra weight on the door will also place strain on the door’s hinges and suspension arms, causing them to wear out.  These racks also block access to the hatch window on the rear door.

Truck racks and roof racks are another option, but your bike’s weight is something to take into consideration here. Many car roof’s cannot support a lot of weight, and even if your car has a sturdy roof you will need to be able to lift your bike much higher to get it on and off of these types of racks than you would with a hitch rack.

The last thing to consider would be if you need extra assistance with getting your bike onto the rack. Hitch racks come in two styles, hanging and platform. We prefer platform racks as they are more sturdy and require less lifting. If it's difficult for you to lift your bike, you might also consider getting a platform rack that comes with a loading ramp, or that offers a ramp as an additional accessory. A loading ramp will allow you to roll the bike onto the rack without any heavy lifting.

Check out our collection of car racks and accessories here.

Securing Your Rack to Your Car

This process varies depending on what type of rack that you purchase, so we will only go over the process for platform style racks, as they are properly suited for the weight of e-bikes. Follow the manufacture's assembly guide and insert the rack’s shank into your car's receiver tube.

Your rack should come with a hitch pin, which may or may not have a lock on it. Pass the hitch pin through the receiving tube's pin hole and the hitch accessory's shank. 

Secure the pin by attaching the lock/safety pin clip.

Loading Your Bike onto the Rack

If your rack has a ramp this process is as simple rolling your bike up the ramp and onto the rack. If you are working without a ramp, you will need to lift your bike up and place its wheels onto the rack’s wheel cradles.

Securing Your Bike onto the Rack

Most car racks come with wheel straps as well as an adjustable arm to secure your bike via the top tube. Lower the notches of the security arm until it rests firmly on the top tube. If your rack’s adjustable arm has a lock, secure it into place. Once the crossbar is secured, your bike should be stable enough that you can step back without having the bike fall over. 

Next pass the wheel straps through the wheels and tighten them into place. If your rack comes with a bike lock, we recommend putting it through the frame, but you can also thread it through one of the wheels.

NOTE: Whether you are traveling with one bike or two, always load your bike on the rack space closest to the rear of your vehicle.