We purchased this Outfitr 2-Bike Hitch E-Bike Rack to transport our new e-bikes, and overall, we are very impressed with its strength and ease of use. My bike is a large 26-inch frame with 4-inch fat tires, and my wife’s is a bit smaller; together, they weigh roughly 140 lbs. This rack handles that weight with ease, feeling exceptionally sturdy and secure.
Assembly and Loading:
Easy Setup: Most of the parts come pre-assembled, so getting it ready for the vehicle was extremely simple and straightforward.
Effortless Loading: The included ramp is a lifesaver. Loading heavy e-bikes can be a chore, but using the ramp makes it nearly effortless to get them onto the trays.
Versatile Cradles: The 5-inch wide steel trays and movable cradles easily accommodated my fat tires and the different wheelbases of our two bikes.
Daily Use and Functionality:
The fold and tilt capability is one of my favorite features. Being able to tilt the rack down even when the bikes are fully loaded is a huge plus—it allows me to open the rear hatch of my SUV without any clearance issues. When we aren't using the rack, it folds up against the vehicle easily with one hand.
Important Observations:
While we love the rack, there are two minor issues with the ramp system and one safety consideration for those with larger bikes:
Ramp Storage: There is no dedicated way to stow the ramp on the rack itself once the bikes are loaded. I’ve ended up just tossing it into the back seat of the car.
Ramp Removal: Because my bike has an extremely large wheelbase, I found it somewhat cumbersome and difficult to remove the ramp once the bike was loaded and secured.
Width: With my larger bike, the rear wheel extends almost 2 feet beyond the width of the car. You definitely need to keep this extra clearance in mind when driving and parking.
Verdict:
Despite these small concerns, none of them are deal-breakers. The "Anti-falloff" and "anti-wobble" structures really do keep the bikes from swaying on the road, even on rougher terrain. If you need a rack with a superb 200 lb total capacity and a user-friendly design, this is a fantastic investment!