I cannot thank you enough for your videos. I broke my leg several years ago and have severe ankle damage from it and my doctor said that I could pretty much just ride bike and swim for exercise. Long story short I haven't rode a bike for probably 15 years and I'd never been on a bike trail, because I grew up on a back country dirt road and that was my bike trail. Recently my best friend convinced me to go with her on a bike trail and I fell in love with bike riding again, but while on the bike trail I saw a couple of ebike fly by and that was the first time that I'd even heard or seen of an "ebike". My initial thought was; "they're cheating", but I was getting tired of pushing my bike up my driveway and decided to check out this ebike thing and boy was it overwhelming, but I came across your channel and am I thankful! You not only gave me the confidence to make an ebike purchase, but educated me in the maintaining them, in fact my neighbor who talked me into riding the bike trail with her bought one and then after I bought mine, my husband bought one too. So again thank you for all the informative, inspiring and how to videos. You made buying an ebike not so scary and for the record, ebikes are NOT cheating. I'm riding more than I ever have in my life, going places that were previously impossible and it's my choice how I ride. If I want a workout I simply turn off PAS or keep it at one. If I want to just go have fun I have that option too.
If it's pedal assist and not full throttle, then it's not cheating. If the "ebike" has no pedals, then it's cheating and it's practically an electric motorcycle.
I don't know why people think if you have an E-bike that it is cheating. It is not an official race, and why would anyone care how somebody else rides their bike? E-bikes are so versatile, and you can ride it so many different ways. Most E-bike riders ride much farther than they ever thought was possible. You can get great workouts with them.
I've owned more bike racks than I can remember over the 45 years I've been cycling as an adult. By far the best one I've owned so far is the 1-Up. The QuikR rack looks even better. The problem with both of those racks is if your bike has racks and fenders they could interfere with the arms locking onto your tires, especially on the rear tire.
After so much time researching bike racks I couldn’t believe their price points even in the used markets. I looked at cargo carriers for being multi use but the wheel base on my fat tire Mongoose Malus was too wide. In the end I found a very capable rack at a very competitive price. I found the Fultyme RV 1300 to have checked all the features that I needed now and for future upgrades if we decide to get ebikes. It’s rated at a max 200lbs (100lbs each bike).
My wife and I both thank you for the review. We are 55 and plan to have this bike rack a long time so we bought the most expensive. It looks very well engineered.
Unfortunately the price kills that last rack. Many people with ebikes won’t pay more for the rack than they did for their bike. $1k for a bike rack is way too much for most peeps.
Love my QuikRStuff rack! Got the rack 1 add on and the ramp works perfect! Hauls my apollo, all the super heavy sondors bikes, and is very well constructed. You can tell these are hand made in America 🇺🇸
I've had the 1 Up for a couple of years now and it is works great for our 2 60ish lb ebikes. It folds small for garage storage and is easy to setup. I bought the rack ramp option but I've never used it. I'm 70 so I may need it in the future but for now it's just a simple lift, clean and jerk. :-)
I have the QuikrStuff rack. Not sure what you mean by "simple lift, clean and jerk", but what I do is bring the E-bike alongside the rack, squeeze the rear brake and flip the front wheel into the rack. Then I grab either the rear rack or frame and lift the back 1/2 of the bike. I chose not to buy a ramp, and I can load my E-bike (including my 88 lb Wire Freedom 2024) and secure it in less than 30 seconds. I'm not sure whose video I saw the technique I use, but I had the same idea, thus the reason I didn't spend money on a ramp. Safe Riding All
Does your ramp come with parts you need to replace on your original rack to allow you to lower the mechanism that holds the bike tires? On their website it looks like a bolt needs to be removed.
I use a cargo rack that I purchased from walmart a few years ago for $100.00 to carry my electric bike. I have to buy a new set of tie downs every now and then but it works well for cheap..
Have had a 1up for several year. Purchased about 4 years ago and have no regrets. I purchased because all of my bikes are step thru and did not want to put a crossbar adapter on every time I haul my bikes. Plus at the time most racks could not handle the weight. Do not remember the ramp option. May look into that. I agree you should always remove the battery when you put your Ebike on the rack. QuickRStuff is better, but I’m not sure I would pay the extra 1/3.
I'd like to tell you how much I've come to respect your product reviews. Based on them we have bought both the Redshift seat suspension posts and now the quikrstuff rack for two ebikes along with the optional ramp. Even in 2023 it takes about 2 months from the time you order from quikrstuff. Keep up the good work.
I went with the 1Up Super Duty Double for my needs. It's rated to be used with my 5th Wheel RV and works great on my pickup truck too. When traveling, I use a bike cover and it blocks the tail lights so I solved this issue by buying the 1Up ramp which mounts to the rack. I mounted Auxiliary lights that plug into my 4 pin connector to the ramp so I have visible lights to motorists behind me. It works great! Although I don't need to use anything else, I do put on ratchet straps for extra peace of mind.
I have the 1UP Very happy with it. My Sabre is to heavy for me to lift so I really like the ramp. Also, I did have to cut about 6" off the rear fender to make the holder clamp on the tire.
Wonderful video for me. I just bought an e-bike so looking for a trailer hitch bike carrier. Taking my time but this video pushed me towards the Hollywood e-bike rack. Definitely not buying a bike rack that doesn't pin itself to the trailer hitch. I wouldn't trust the compression type system even if its been proven to work. Thanks so much for the video an unbiased report on their plusses and minuses.
My Hollywood rack came with locking pin, locking cable, and the 2 hooks on the mast have locks. 4 locks and they are are keyed alike. The one thing I like better on the last two racks is the bottom of the rack is higher the further away from the vehicle which helps with ground clearance going up a steep drive. My dislike is I have large fenders that would need to come off or be damaged or put the end clamps lower on the tire/less secure. I have a step-thru bike and noticed someone complaining about having to put the adapter on, takes me about 3 seconds to put on and 3 more to take off, I can live with that. If only 1 bike I watch a review of a motorcycle rack with ramp that was very strong for $115 plus some tie downs that I would have gone with.
I needed a rack to haul my tadpole trike and my wife's step-through bike. I bought the Hollywood rack and their trike adapter 2 years ago. It has worked great. Our cycles are not electric but I want a rack that would work if (when) we upgrade. The bike rack went together quickly. The trike adapter can be assembled to fit a wide variety of trikes so it took a bit longer to adjust.
I chose a dirt bike rack for my Rad City. One of those flat ladder style ones. Way overrated for an e-bike at 400lbs capacity, but it's solid as a rock on my Jeep.
The simplicity of a dirt bike rack is important IMO. The ones shown are cool indeed but lots of moving parts integral to that. Dirt roads, dust, mud, etc. A dirt bike rack with straps is simple, quick. It's what I'm going to use (might build my own) for my new blackbird.
Good video. I have a KAC rack rated for 120 lbs. I normally only haul my 70 lb Evelo Aurora but there are times I also haul my Lectric XP. That puts me at 130 lbs but I can remove the batteries and I use ratchet straps hooked to the luggage rack for more stability on my Equinox. I don’t go far because I worry about the tongue weight only being 150 lbs.
I just bought a 1up rack. The new ones come with a lock pin that goes through the hitch hole and a slot in the rack. The ball tightens the rack in the hitch, but the lock pin won't let it come out
Well done guy. I bought a Hollywood rack 4 years ago for a 47 pound trek and then added the support option which was difficult to adapt but once on and switching to the 2 inch plug has worked very well since my wife got a 47 pound trek bike also.
Great video! My short list has been the same, which is also why I haven’t procured yet - these are not entry level racks. When my ideal rack lands between 500 and $1,000, I know I’ll buy it, just seems I’m not in a hurry all of a sudden..🤣 With stock/logistics issues, its more than likely costing me more to wait..
I am going to need to have a hitch installed on my car since my old analog bike rack is insufficient for the heavier e-bike. What size receiver (class size) do you recommend for e-bikes?
Great assessment, very fair and practical. Ordered "Quickrstuff" rack last year due to (noted) great weight capacity and convenience. Gonna' check my place on their production list right now! (You've got to want it.... and you're going to wait, LOL.)
I didn't know the base model 1Up rack didn't have a hitch pin. For me it's not only a security thing but it's also a safety thing. I've got the black 1Up model the Equip-D model. I think the only rack I would get other than mine would be the Quikr Rack.
All 1up racks now come with locking hitch pins, have for over a year. I guess they used to think that the security hex wrench and bolt on the hitch snugger was enough. It finally dawned on them that most trail heads have multiple 1up's and thus multiple security hex wrenches.
I just got a 1 up and love it. Easy to load and very secure. I had a bike fall off on another brand (Thanks to the Sacramento Sheriffs Department) was recovered. After a $500 repair by Specialized Rocklin (I highly recommend) , I bought my 1 up!
You can also use a motorcycle carrier for heavier ebikes like the Talaria or Surron. they are rated for 400 to 600 lbs, are much cheaper, and have a 2 inch hitch as to not need an adapter. I use a Black Widow motorcycle carrier, mines steel but they do make affortable steel+aluminum which are much lighter! im not affiliated with them i just like the carrier ane it worke great with my Talaria Sting R MX4
The Hollywood double rack has been out of stock for a really long time. Bikes are bad about blocking view of your tail lights. I learned a very expensive lesson with my rack, which has the inverted "U" hold-downs. That sucker worked its way up, and my ebike fell over. I ground off one side of the bike handle as it dragged along the road! I drilled, and put in bolt and pin clips to keep it from going up.
Rookie question. How does using a rack interfere with using the rear hatch? Is the hatch accessible with 2 bikes loaded? Looking at the Hollywood model. Have a Subaru Forester.
With the rack installed, if its not the type that swings downward, you have no access to the rear hatch, you won't be able to open it with the rack installed and bikes on it...you'd have to unload the bikes, and remove the rack.
I always wondered why all rack mounts are single point attachment only. I would think a dual point attachment to the vehicle would be stronger, more sturdy and more stable. Anyone know why? I realize they were originally designed for towing and single point attachment makes sense. But for cargo carrying it doesn't seem the physics is in favor of single point methods.
I think in the long run this will probably turn out to be a good rack for your ebike but be aware for those with no experience with hitches or this type of rack there is a hell of a learning curve especially if you have no one to help you. I am having a hell of a time with my newly purchased $500 Hollywood Sport Rider Ebike rack. I took it to U Haul to get the hitch put on and they also put on the rack when I was away and when I came to pick it up they said "you are all set" and next to the next customer without showing how to use the rack. Now I am finding that holes don't line up with the snap hook that allows the rack to be put up against the car and other parts are very stiff and hard to pull and they key locks - there is no user manual (you really have to experiment with them to find out how to work them) just a couple of pages for assembly. I've called U Haul to make an appointment to go back and have them show me some things. When I first brought the box over unopened and left it with them they said the only thing inside beside the rack was a "few pages of an assembly guide" with "no user manual or receipt". If I can't get some satisfaction with U Haul showing me what they should have shown me (the first time) my nest step is to call Hollywood racks and I will give them an earful and will stay on it until things get fixed or I get a full refund.
Hi! thanks a lot for your great videos. I'm a small 71 year old woman. I own an Aventon Level Step through. I cannot lift this bike...I drive a VW Jetta. In your experienced opinion, which rack is best for me. Thanks in advance for your answer!😊
Nice review video. What strikes me most is how wide the bikes are compared to your car. That seems to be particularly risky? Maybe a trailer would be a safer option for these larger bikes.
great review! the hollywood rack also tilts downward. also maybe it would be nice to show people how to lift their bike onto a rack without using a ramp, just the brakes and half bike at a time? thanks!
Canadian viewer here. ?..racks for : Step through e bikes ? It looks like the Hollywood product eliminates the middle arm system used on so many other racks, and so far I only see mtb style bike frames on your videos. BTW, you have already given me a lot of hints on usage, having just purchased my first E bike. I'm in my early days on learning the differences, and weight is a major challenge so far..pretty unwieldy, and so different form my 20 lb road bike...the number one issue for me will to re configure what mudguards to use..the full length things are annoying....This is now July 31/22, this showed in March this year...so you've produced so much more content I'm catching up on....Really good stuff, thanks.
With some modifications you can use a 60" wide cargo carrier for the job. Its more work and might not be as sleek to load but ~$200 and can hold 500-750lbs (you'll basically be limited by your vehicle/hitch). A few people have modified the harbor 750lbs rack for the job, harbor also has a motorcycle rack as well. "BEST HITCH RACK FOR SUR RON’S? Amazon special!" video shows what im talking about (if you bought the non 2 in 1 versions sold by alot of companies you would just have to drill holes for the ratchet straps; this one looks almost identical to my 60" maxxhaul (minus a few holes) I bought for $80 on amazon - still untested as I dont have an ebike yet)
Question for you: Would you wait for the QuickrStuff rack or get the 1Up rack? Since that one is currently available. Do you feel that there is a significant difference between the two?
I was going to get the Quick, but the lead time was a deal breaker. I got the 1 up for 2 bikes. I bought 2 of the fat tire kits. I love it. I remove the rear fender on one of my ebikes and that’s it. The price is ridiculous, but it’s a one and done purchase so I have recovered. lol
Make sure the tow bar mounting on your particular car can take the downward weight. It's a different sort of load from pulling a trailer. Check with your tow bar fitter befitting committing your money.
those are nice, but personally I like a tray rack, multipurpose and pretty cheap comparatively. somethign liek the MYCAn cargo carrier with bike mount for ~$200 or towtuff cargo carrier for a little more but holds up to 4 bikes (only 3 fat tire bikes, 4 mountain bike or skinny street tires)
I got the Leader Accessories 2-Bike Platform Style Hitch Mount Bike Rack for my 20x3 e-bike. Only thing I had to modify is the rear wheel mount. Had to flip upside down because the derailleur was hitting the carrier frame. Looks kinda wonkey but it works.
I can't find a hitch that will go on my car with a 2" receiver. If I went through your store is this something you could help me with? I need something like the OneUp rack for two bikes.... the bikes are heavy being the Aventon Aventures. I can make it up to N. CA which where you are pretty much anytime.
For me, the most important thing, and the thing that nobody talks about, is the wheelbase of E-Bikes, in contrast to the racks. I find very few racks, in fact, only one, that can handle a 55 inch wheelbase safely and securely cradling the E bike. This is a big problem in conjunction with requiring a rack that can hold two bikes at 80 pounds each.l and fenders.
Loved the recommendations. Although, the last two more expensive racks do not have much of security features. Seems anyone has the advantage of stealing the bikes from rack. Great concept but there is a need to have some type of locks on the adjustable tire bars. Mostly e-bikes are the number one theft this last pass year. Also, having links to were to purchase each recommended racks would had been nice.
Really good review...thanx!! Since you did this video, have you heard of Young Electric bike racks? I've seen quite a few riders talk about them quite positively.
Please forgive the grammatical errors. I am on mobile. The price killed me as well. I opted for a Vibrelli V 70 rack. Retails about 250, I picked mine up open box for about 125. Designed to hold two bikes up to 130 pounds fat tire configuration, butt size tire doesn’t matter. If it’s all size tires. Uses a standard hitch pin with a knob to tighten up the hitch to the bike rack. It also has a key lock on the knob. There are two uprights to hold the bikes from the top of different heights to accommodate bikes, different sizes. Those have a key locks as well so this bike rack is extremely secure. It tilts down for easy loading. Mine is mounted to a jeep Cherokee and I’m able to open my hatch without dropping the rack or bikes. It’s a very good bike rack. I’d recommend it to my friends and family. In fact, I’d recommend it to anyone.
You know what all those racks look pretty good but I would have to go with the Hollywood Rec because the Evite I have have fenders and the other two high-dollar bike racks would tear my fenders up and I'm not going to lose to them and I'm not going to do any of that to compromise the e-bike for the ramp you would think for as much money that they cost they would be a way they could design this and not tear the fenders up off of a bike
My bike weighs 76 lbs. I have a car where the only option is an 1-1/4 inch, Class 1 hitch. There is a Hollywood rack that will fit a 1-1/4 inch receiver, but it requires a Class 2 hitch. I'm considering using a strap anchored to my trunk and the rack to support and help reduce the load on the hitch. Will that work or do you have another suggestion?
Are you comfortable hauling your bikes on the one up bike rack without any ratchet straps or something similar. I’ve always strapped mine down for extra insurance
I got a decent Hollywood bike rack alternative (very similar design) from sportsmans guide store just north of 200.00 after discounts. It seems extremely effective for two 77 lb Fat tire Ebike step throughs. I probably would feel safer on the ratchets than the Velcro straps but you definitely get what you pay for.
I got a 1UP and the wide tire adaptor spacers. Since my 1UP is only rated for 75 pounds (B/C of the bolt strength at the rotation point of the tire platforms.) SO... I replaced the stainless pivot bolts with GRADE 8 automotive bolts as my monster E-Cells bike (1 wheel drive, 2 batteries and dual suspension) weighs 95 pounds(!).
When I got my e- bike I was worried about the 80Lbs it weights especially with another bike on the rack as well. So I combined 2 racks and it is solid. I had the typical 'L" type rack where the (bottom of the "L" slides into trailer hitch. My SUV has a tire mounted to back so I found this adapter plate that mounts behind spare tire with a Steel bar that bolts to the " L-" Well it is vlid and secure
MoTow has a great ebike double rack, it’s rated for 200 pounds, but they said it could handle more in a email, it’s stainless steel & the main reason I like, when I get to where I’m going, I can fit in in my trunk of my it easily comes apart (no tools required)
Rad Bikes here in Seattle sure are keen on selling the Hollywood Rack but they don't tell you that you need an adapter bar for their step through Bikes! So thanks for not wasting our weekend like they have on yet another scam! Hollywood is a good rack but at that price, why not throw in the adapters?! Or at least be upfront about it?!
So with two Fat tire Ebiks and the rack one has a 7-10 thousand dollar rear bumper (and not rated for 25 mph). Also need to check that the tongue weigh for the hitch/vehicle is not exceeded.
I always travel without the battery on the rack.Its off before the ebike goes up on the rack. I have three premium ebikes. One has neither rear rack nor fenders and almost any rack works fine but with fenders and rear rack, Thule Easyfold is the best especially using the long ramp. In Az, several dealers I know that sell just ebikes only sell the Thule Easy-fold. Yes, very expensive but so are ebikes! I have spent many hours and have tried different racks. One up just does not work with ebikes with fenders and rear rack and is hardly inexpensive.
I wondered too. Anyway the Hollywood rack arrived and I put it on the wrangler with the wide spare tire on..thete was plenty of room..loaded first bke was the Blackbird. Im worried though about having the license plate (rear left) obscured when on the road.
I’m having a hard time finding a 2” hitch for my car Prius C. My mother also is looking for a 2” hitch for her 2016 Camry hybrid. Do you know where I could get one? We are looking to get the Hollywood rack.
You don't need a 2" hitch...you can get a 1-1/4" hitch which most likely for those cars would be your only option. Toyota Prius C Receiver Hitch: www.etrailer.com/hitch-2019_Toyota_Prius+c.htm?&Redirect=8 Toyota Camry Hybrid Receiver Hitch: www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/CURT/C12107.html Hollywood makes a few Class 2 bike racks, they make Class 3 bike racks as well, and you certainly can buy a Class 2 to Class 3 receiver adapter to utilize those 2" hitch bike racks if you want, just note that your bike carrier will sit back another foot to 18" behind your vehicle using the 2" hitch adapter. Due to the type of cars you are wanting hitches for, they are limited to a Class 2 Receiver Hitch which is a 1-1/4" tube. Harbor Freight and other stores sell 1-1/4" to 2" Receiver adapters which is what you'll need to get those larger bike racks for heavier bikes. Etrailer.com is a great resource for trailer hitches, and even bike racks.
I'm thinking my needs for a rack are different than most. The only time I'm using a rack is when I'm bringing the bike to or from the bike shop. I'm not travelling with the bike to the biking location. I want the bike to be secure to the rack (and I guess the rack secure to the car) but I can drive slowly and gingerly. I don't have to worry about it staying secure at highway speeds and turns at speed.) Cost is more of an issue because I'm only using it a couple of times a year. So I'm wondering what would be the cheapest rack that is sufficiently sturdy for lower speed suburban roads.
I bought a Hollywood and inserted angle iron inside the square tubing. I am pretty sure I can haul the heaviest ebike and the angle iron at Home Depot cost $15 for a 36 inch piece and cut it 17 inches for each side.
I have a Curt Premium 5 Bike Rack for 2" Hitches - Tilting. It’s the traditional L shaped bike mount. My Ebike is aluminum frame with a heavy hub motor. Is there any risk to the frame bending if I use my current bike rack?
I guess, no one of this racks will be aloud in Germany. They all have no additional lights and looks very unstable. But i like the simple how you deal with many. Here we need for the smallest thing a stamp and number.
I drive a Prius and want a rack for my Rad Rover. 2 questions/comment: *how do I get a 2” hitch installed under the rear bumper? *2 I can’t believe these racks support weight of 2 e-bikes. Looking at the moment arm on that skinny 2” tube together with the stresses of driving- vibration, bumps, turns, acceleration, braking - why doesn’t the whole thing just bend off?
The 1.25 hitch supports 1 bike@120lbs or 2 bikes@140lbs total weight. The 2" hitch does 1 bike@120lbs or 2 bikes@240lbs total weight. It is not about the rack; but, all about the installed hitch and tongue weight limits of your vehicle. Usually, the tongue weight limits is around 10% of the max towing capacity (1500lbs tow limit = 150lbs tongue weight). I wouldn't upgraded to the 2" hitch for your Prius or add double trays to the 1.25" rack if 1-2 Radrovers exceed the tongue weight specified by your owner's manual.
I noticed that you have an 1 1/4 hitch receiver on your Prius. Can you put two 70 pound e-Bikes on that? I have a Toyota Corolla, and my challenge is fining a rack and a hitch for tow 70 pound e-Bikes. Also, seems like most racks are 2 inches. Can you offer any advice?
Dragon, I just purchased a 10 ft Abus chain rated 12 tons and an Abus lock. $325 I plan to chain the two ebikes to the hitch of the automobile. The chain is 21 Ibs
Great video. So a 2" receiver would require a class III hitch, is that correct? The Hollywood rack for that load only sell it with a 2" sized connection. We have 2 fat tire ebikes so just curious over what class of hitch we need.
