In addition, the platform trays on this rack are highly adjustable, making any bike-to-bike clearance issues almost non-existent. What sets the design apart is its versatility and ease of use: Unlike the Recon Racks above and North Shore Racks below, the HangTight is compatible with drop bar bikes, which is a great feature for those that mix disciplines (note: a max of three drop bar bikes can be loaded at a time on the HangTight 4). The good news is that Kuat provided a replacement with their excellent warranty, but this experience leads us to think its worth upgrading to the burlier NV 2.0 if youll be leaving the rack on the back of your car most of the year.See the Kuat Sherpa 2.0. Type: HangingWeight: 14 lbs.Number of bikes: 2Weight capacity per bike: 40 lbs.What we like: Smart mix of weight, strength, and features.What we dont: Only offered in a two-bike capacity. Weve made it clear throughout this piece that a hitch-mounted rack is our favorite design, and platform models in particular. Its the only one that can both accommodate 20- to 29-inch wheels and tires up to 5 inches wide (the only incompatible size is a 27.5-inch fat bike). In addition, its important to point out that the rack has a relatively low weight capacity per bike: At 37.5 pounds, its less than its primary competitors (like Recon Racks and NSR), which can be a problem for those hauling downhill rigs or e-bikes. And were happy to see that the Beta hasnt skimped on too many features: the rack tilts for rear vehicle access, its arms fold down when not in use, and it has same wobble-free hitch attachment mechanism thats found on Kuats premium offerings. One design that does a great job of balancing metal construction and strategic use of tough plastic is our top-rated Thule T2 Pro XTR. Its worth noting that these add-ons are usually only compatible with the 2-inch receiver version of the racks due to the low maximum tongue weight of 1.25-inch receivers. Hanging Racks And with the exception of some truly cheap options, nearly all hitch-mounted bike racks have this functionality. If your mountain biking gear budget has been stretched thin and youre tempted to skimp on the helmet, dont. Their top-end option is the HangTight, which is offered in four- and six-bike capacities (we tested the former). Bike racks in general have very similar feature sets, and one common upgrade that you see on mid-range and premium designs are locks. Its simple to operate, and the rack feels almost weightless even with heavy bikes on the trays. 1Ups Heavy Duty Double and Recon Rack 6 are among the most expensive racks in our round-up, and both feature high-quality, all-metal constructions that have excellent lifespans. British Columbia-based Swagman lacks the brand recognition of Thule or Yakima, but their XC2 model is a smart choice for recreational riders on a budget. Top Tube Adapters There are notable outliers, however, including the innovative 1UP Recon Rack 6, which can accommodate six bikes in a vertical hanging position. Our biggest gripe is that no locks are included with the rackat minimum, wed want a hitch lock to secure the WestSlope to our vehicles receiver (the Lock Kit costs an extra $35). Among the options on the market, Yakimas RidgeBack is a long-time favorite: it features a durable build, reasonable price, and anti-sway design that limits bike movement while on the road. The premium vertical hanging rack market has seen a major uptick recently, and Yakima has thrown their hat into the ring with a couple models. In addition, the tilt feature is all but unreachable with loaded bikesthe lever is hidden away under the rack. One of the main reasons to get a hanging-style rack is for occasional family outings, and a four- or five-bike model is often ideal for those trips. 
Another quibble we have is that the lock is not integrated into the rack, which is a handy feature that we appreciate on the Thule T2 Pro above and Yakima Dr.Tray below. per bike for the 2-inch receiver model) and cable locks. 
Type: PlatformWeight: 63 lbs.Number of bikes: 2Weight capacity per bike: 60 lbs.What we like: Built-in swing feature provides easy access to the rear of your vehicle.What we dont: Its the heaviest two-bike rack on this list. The main shortcoming of the design is it that the bikes are placed very close together and it can be a pain to limit side-to-side contact. That being said, the two-bike version is among the most expensive on the market at a hefty $790.See the 1Up USA Heavy Duty Double. One of the more technical considerations of the hitch rack puzzle is the clearance between the rack, your bikes, and the vehicle. It does have padded arms, but those only help so much, and frame scuffs are inevitable. In the past, vertical hanging racks were mostly found on the back of guide service vehicles and/or shuttle rigs, but their high-capacity setups have found a larger audience of late. What's not to like with the hanging-style RidgeBack 4? Hanging hitch racks are a popular way to transport road or lightweight bikes without the need to lift them overhead and onto the roof of your vehicle. For example, while the Transfer 2 has a steel frame and theyve upgraded the hitch design with the v2 model, the rack still is more prone to movement on bumpy roads. If youre going to be close to the maximum weight or a little over, we recommend upgrading to a sturdier modelits not worth the risk of breaking your rack while driving or voiding your warranty. And compared with traditional hanging models, you dont have to worry about issues with a bikes top tube. But once 29- and 27.5-inch wheels hit the market, the debate amongst bikers took off and has continued ever since. We also dont love the included plastic straps with the Thule, which are stiff and pretty finicky to use (although the Yakimas arent flawless either). It was one of the first platform racks to incorporate a side-swinging mechanism into the design (think of an arm that swings away from your vehicle to allow for total access to the rear of your car). There are a wide range of options to choose from, but hitch racks fall into two basic categories: platform models are the most expensive but offer excellent stability and convenience, while hanging racks maximize carrying capacity in a compact package. What are the compromises with the EasyFold's design? The RockyMounts BackStage is 10 to 20 pounds heavier than most other platform-style racks, and therefore you will not want to remove it from your vehicle very often (or without help). Our editor described it as "a work of art much like a high-end bike," and there is a lot of truth to that statement. The design is fairly simple: clamps on either end attach to your seat post and bike stem, and the rounded piece in the middle lays on top of the racks cradles. If neither of those options work, youll need to do some digging. We also like the EZ+1 extension, which allows you to expand its carrying capacity to three bikes with only a 9-pound weight penalty (for an additional $259). Platform racks dominate this round-up, and in our opinion, are the best way to transport your bikes. Hanging-style racks are known for their simplicity and affordable price tags, but the feature-rich Yakima FullSwing 4 bucks that trend. But for e-bike owners who want an integrated and deployable rampand others who dont want to lift heavy bikes on and off their rackthe Thule EasyFold XT 2 is the best option available. Thule has one of the largest bike rack lineups, and their Camber 4 slots in as their mid-range hanging option. This means youll want to avoid the standard hanging rack category, as models like the Yakima Ridgeback secure the bike with straps directly over the top tube. Others, like the RockyMounts WestSlope 3, are almost unreachable when bikes are loaded, because the handle is tucked away too close to the receiver hitch. Further, the rack rusted out quickly (this was in the rainy Pacific Northwest, however). They typically double the racks carrying capacityfrom two to four bikesand are available for many popular designs (including Thules T2 Pro XT Add-On and Kuats NV 2.0 Add-On). Featuring moveable tray platforms, an easy-to-use tilt-down lever that resembles the one on Thules T2 Pro above, and a total weight that undercuts our top picks by 10 to 15 pounds, the rack has a lot going for it. The appeal is clear: By hanging the bikes from their handlebars verticallyand securing them below at the rear wheelyoure able to carry more bikes closer to your vehicle. Most notable is the tilt lever, which is located at the base of the rack instead of the end, making the tilting process much more difficult. Not surprisingly, the Thule comes with a steep $800 price tag. The easiest way to check clearance is to do an actual test fit, but thats often not an option. The $350 Camber 4 model listed here features 7 inches of space between cradles to minimize bike-to-bike contact and the folding design makes it easy to store when not in use. Among platform-style racks, its best to choose one of two basic designs: a ratcheting arm that locks in over the front wheel and a strap through the rear wheel (featured on the Thule T2 Pro XTR, Kuat Transfer v2, Kuat NV 2.0, and others) or a dual-arm design like 1Ups Heavy Duty that tightens over the front and rear tires. At 32 pounds, its a whopping 20 pounds less than the Kuat NV 2.0 above, which makes it a whole lot easier to install and remove from your vehicle. As the name indicates, tilting racks can be leaned over by pulling a lever that moves the rack far enough down to allow you to open the rear hatch or tailgate of your vehicle. The aim is to keep thieves from removing the entire rack from your car. For those planning on hauling heavier downhill mountain bikes, e-bikes, fat bikes, or cruiser models, its a good idea to verify the bike weight capacity of a given rack. Read more about us. Plus, the optional 2-Bike Add-On (for another $500) doubles its capacity. Type: PlatformWeight: 46 lbs.Number of bikes: 2 (4 with add-on)Weight capacity per bike: 50 lbs.What we like: The ratcheting arms only make contact with your bikes tires.What we dont: Hard-to-reach tilt lever and no bike locks included. The listings for each design will specify the maximum carrying capability per bike. One listing to hone in on is the distance from center of the hitch pin to the first tray, as this shows how close the rack will be to the rear of the vehicle. Adding the swing-away functionality to a hitch-mounted rack does come with compromises. 
In addition, Kuat included extras like integrated cable and receiver locks and a unique bike stand for quick repairs at the trailhead (note: this piece is not locked to the rest of the rack, so we often stored the stand inside our vehicle). At $500 and $598 respectively, theyre clearly a big investment, costing nearly as much as the main racks themselves. Theres no getting around the fact that quality platform-style racks are expensive, but those looking to save should check out Kuats Transfer v2. For group rides, shuttling, tour companies, or if you simply want to maximize your carrying capacity, 1UP's Recon Rack 6 is worth a serious look. And as with the RidgeBack above, a top tube adapter is necessary if youll be hauling bikes with irregularly shaped top tubes (which unfortunately is most full-suspension bikes nowadays). And its worth noting that this functionality still isnt available from big hitters like Yakima or Thule. Considering even a budget-friendly design is often $200 or more, this is a sensible addition.
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