Hitch Bike Rack Buying Guide
Whether you are hauling heavy E-bikes or lightweight roadies, the right bike rack setup makes it easy to load your gear and head out for a ride. The bike rack model that works best for you depends on your vehicle style, bike types, and the number of bikes you are carrying.
This guide breaks down our decades of experience in using, selling, installing, and servicing bike racks to help you find a rock-solid carrier that will secure your bikes and protect your vehicle.
Why Choose A Hitch Mounted Bike Rack?
Hitch mounted bike racks are the go to style for most bike enthusiasts (as opposed to roof or trunk mounted), whether you are loading up the family or taking a solo trip. They are the simplest and easiest carriers to get you riding, while also freeing up your roof to carry other accessories like cargo boxes or kayak racks. Hitch mounted bike racks are available in a variety of styles such as platform, vertical hanging, and horizontal hanging. Platform style bike racks can be either frame or tire mounted.
We break down the features, bike compatibility, pros and cons, and give you our favourite recommendations for each of the four hitch bike rack styles below.
Tire Mounted Hitch Bike Racks
The gold standard for ease of use. Tire-mounted platform racks are the most popular choice for frequent riders because they offer the fastest loading times and zero frame contact.
By securing the bike solely by its wheels, these racks eliminate the risk of paint damage and provide a universal fit for virtually any geometry—from carbon road bikes and heavy E-bikes to kids’ frames. Most models feature a built-in tilt mechanism, allowing you to access your vehicle’s hatch even when the bikes are fully loaded.
Works Best With:
- Virtually all bike types (not dependent on frame style)
- Bikes without front fenders*
- Carbon fiber frames (no frame contact)
- Heavy E-bikes (high weight capacity)
*Models like the Thule Epos and Kuat Piston are fender compatible.
Carrying Capacity:
1-4 Bikes
- No frame contact prevents paint scratches
- Quickest and easiest style to load/unload
- Best compatibility with loading ramps
- Maintains easy access to your rear hatch
- Extends further from the rear of the vehicle
- Heavier than hanging or trunk-mount styles
- Requires a higher initial investment
Our Recommended Tire Mounted Hitch Bike Racks
Frame Mounted Platform Bike Racks
Reliable stability at an accessible price. Frame-mounted platform racks offer a sturdy, secure transport solution for riders who want the benefits of a platform style without the premium price tag of tire-mounted models.
These racks utilize a center-mast arm with padded hooks that secure the bike by its top tube. While they provide excellent stability, they require more careful loading—the inner bike must be maneuvered behind the center mast first. This style works best with traditional frame shapes; however, "step-through" or unique frame geometries can easily be accommodated with an inexpensive frame adapter bar. Like their tire-mounted counterparts, most models feature a tilt function for convenient rear hatch access.
Works Best With:
- Bikes with standard frames or straight top tubes*
- Non-carbon fibre bike frames
*Tube adapters are available to acommodate step-thru frames.
Carrying Capacity:
1-4 Bikes
- Allows access to vehicles hatch when bikes are loaded
- Smaller footprint than tire mounted platform racks
- Affordable prices and great value
- Contacts frame of bikes which can cause damage
- Bikes sit closer together limited handlebar and pedal clearance
- More difficult to load than tire mounted styles
Our Recommended Frame Mounted Hitch Bike Racks
Vertical Hanging Bike Racks
Quick to load and simple to use. Vertical hanging hitch bike racks are a great option if you are looking to carry a greater number of bikes while avoiding having the rack extend far past the rear of the vehicle. The bikes are secured either by the front tires or fork crown and hang vertically with the rear tires mounted to a tire cradle by a ratcheting strap.
These bike carriers work with most vehicles but your hitch must have sufficient tongue weight capacity to appropriately carry the load. Once installed these racks will tilt away from the vehicle to gain access to the hatch and/or make loading and unloading the bikes easier. To load the bikes you can wheel them on their back tire directly into the carrier, no lifting required.The Thule Revert also includes a lift assist which brings the rack back into its carrying position after it has been tilted without you having to push them up.
Works Best With:
- Flat handlebar mountain bikes*
- Bikes with larger tire widths
- Vehicles with class 3 or higher hitches and tongue weight capacities over 500lbs
*Can still be used with drop handlebar road or gravel bikes.
Carrying Capacity:
1-6 Bikes
- Rack does not extend far past rear of vehicle
- Quick and easy to load many large mountain or downhill bikes
- Allows easy access to vehicles hatch when bikes are loaded
- Heavier than other styles of bike racks for storing when not installed on vehicle
- Can obstruct rearview mirror when bikes are loaded
- Not compatible with all hitches
Our Recommended Vertical Hanging Hitch Bike Racks
Horizontal Hanging Bike Racks
Simple and affordable.The horizontal hanging hitch bike rack is the OG style of bike rack. Bikes are mounted by their top tubes by one or two arms that extend out from the hitch while the wheels are unsupported.
Some models also include swing away features to allow full unobstructed access to your vehicles hatch or tailgate. There are more limitations in this style of rack as the top tube of your bike needs to be relatively straight (non step-thru style) to have the easiest mounting and clearance between bikes. Kids bikes can work with this style but often require adapters
Works Best With:
- Bikes with straight top tubes and no rear suspension*
- Lighter weight bikes, as they must be lifted higher to load
- Non-carbon fibre bike frames
*Tube adapters are available to accommodate kids and step-thru frames.
Carrying Capacity:
1-4 Bikes
- Carry a large number of bikes for an affordable price
- Smaller footprint and easier to store
- Bikes sit close together and will contact each other, making them harder to load
- Bikes are mounted by their frames
- Bikes must be lifted to shoulder height when loading
Our Recommended Horizontal Hanging Hitch Bike Racks
The Bottom Line: Which Bike Rack is Best For You?
What ever your budget, bike style, or vehicle type, there is a bike rack for you.
From decades of experience selling, using, servicing, and installing bike racks, we know the "best" bike rack doesn't exist in a vacuum. However, there is a best bike rack for your specific needs.
The comparison chart below highlights key features of each hitch bike rack style.
| Feature | Tire Mounted | Frame Mounted | Vertical Hanging | Horizontal Hanging |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No Frame Contact | ||||
| Hatch Access When Bikes Loaded | ||||
| eBike Compatible | ||||
| Fits 2" & 1.25" Hitches | ||||
| Fender Compatible | -Model Dependent | |||
| Swing-Away Compatible | ||||
| Bike Capacity | 1-4 | 1-4 | 1-6 | 1-5 |
| View All Tire Mounted Bike Racks | View All Frame Mounted Bike Racks | View All Vertical Hanging Racks | View All Horizontal Hanging Racks |