Platform vs Hanging Bike Racks: Which One is Best?

[@MikeLucek]

I have that Thule rack. My mtn bike has an angled down tube which makes it a PITA to put the bike on this rack. Start lifting weights LOL! :P There is no attachment to hold the front wheel, so it just free swings around. You have to get creative with the supplied strap. Running the strap through the front wheel and around the seat tube several times. Then tying off the strap with some creative knots. Then make sure everything is snugged down, possibly using a bungee cord or 2. The rubberized pieces where the bike tubes rest tended to wander towards back of the rack, making the bike stick out further from the back of the car. I drove about 8000 miles with the bike on the Thule rack on a long road trip last summer. For the most part, following my above notes, it worked out ok. I have not tried the Thule rack with 2 bikes yet. I'm almost afraid to try that. I also have that tube that is supposed to be used for bikes with angles tubes. I tried it once while sitting in my driveway. I couldn't even get these little knife-blade looking "blades" out from this contraption. The little button you have to press to release the biggest part is another huge PITA! I'll have to search for related videos to see if there's an easier method. The Thule does have a built in locking cable. Works ok. The trailer hitch adaptor also locks to the vehicle's hitch. One of the big turnoff's for really any of these bike racks is the expense. Some of the tray-style racks are almost the same cost as your bikes!! This video is almost useless :( the guy tossed this tube contraption to the other table, pretty much ignoring it. Doesn't show or explain any pros/cons. Could at least have put the rack on a vehicle and a bike on the rack.

[@joshuawest5967]

I purchased an old Yakima bighorn rack too. They say it can hold 4 bikes but im scared to even try 2 as well..good to know you covered some distance.

[@ayoubyakoob7146]

Thanks Mike for the real talk here. I need a bike rack to accomodate 5 x bikes and with them being hybrid bikes, pretty much all of them are angled tubes. Any recommendations on racks you are aware of. I actually was looking at the Thule Apex 5 bike hanging rack !

[@bischofb]

Would have been nice to show how the top bar works as well as issues with bike possibly banging against the car while driving. Options for locking the bike as well.

[@BicMichuM]

Plarforms are very pricey...tho i have the same yakima dr tray that i really love...carried 3 bikes on a 2300 miles trip...no issues

[@yi8477]

Hi there, which one is more stable and not gonna demage the hitch?

[@rangersmith4652]

While I can hardly disagree that a platform rack is generally best, such racks are also significantly more expensive than hanging racks. Seems to me that a hanging rack designed to mount the bikes wheels up would be a logical third alternative for some. Many people store bikes this way with no ill effects, so why are there no such transport racks?

[@JSJ_VISUALS]

check out Thule OutWay Platform

[@CMRinehart]

If your bikes top bar isn’t straight, a platform rack is better.

[@MikeLucek]

The platform racks are almost double $$ the hitch racks.

[@CMRinehart]

@@MikeLucek It depends on the brand. Thule is super expensive. A Swagman XTC2 is only $250.

[@enekoolasagasti1471]

what is the name of the thule bike rack that is not the platform one? on your page I only see the Hangon, but your model is not there. Thanks

[@themuslimmountainbiker]

I mainly got a platform rack because the hanging ones seem to get the bikes pretty close to one another so may scratch more, and because I didn't want to use an adapter on a $6k bike

[@DGXtreme]

good info, I can dig it!

[@jingjing132]

Fits on our sedan

[@ls66]

Why didn't you show how easy the add on bar works on the hanging carrier? Cause one is 200 bucks and the one you pushed is 700?

[@randallgd]

How about a safe way to lock bikes on hitch mout bike rack? Recently had $10,000 worth of bikes stolen off a thule T2 pro hitch mount bike rack using their tiny cable lock that was part of the bike rack. It happened when traveling on the back of our car when stopped to do a thirty min hike where no bikes were allowed. Been thinking some way to rig up two beefy chain locks like Hiplok, kryptonite ect. I know no system is perfect. Just want to be able to leave them on the car for a few hours say at national park parking lot or the like. Bikes won't fit in the car with all our camping gear. Any ideas would be super helpful! Thank you in advance!

[@trailerhitches]

We currently sell this steel braided cable lock. www.uhaul.com/MovingSupplies/Locks/Thule-6-Foot-Braided-Steel-Cable-Lock/?id=16102

[@randallgd]

@@trailerhitches Sadly they can so quickly cut through cables fast with bolt cutters. Thanks though :)

[@pptest1423]

About the platform rack, what if the bike has fenders (or mudguards). I don't see how to clamp the bikes down without damaging the fenders.

[@pinem56]

Agreed, the trays that require the top of the tire to be clamped don't allow for any class 😊. Luckily, the only bikes worth riding have straight top tubes (and lugged Reynolds tubing), so the tray isn't needed.

[@djss5981]

Is that legal to cover the plate?

[@trailerhitches]

It is advised to purchase an illuminated License plate holder as well as auxiliary Turn indicators to avoid violating any Local Traffic Laws. www.uhaul.com/MovingSupplies/Bike-Rack-Accessories/Curt-Auxiliary-LED-Indicator-Lights-for-Bike-Racks-and-Cargo-Carriers/?id=22283

[@thomaspenon6635]

Good explanation

[@rickmassie2209]

Thanks! This was super-helpful!

[@juanornelas9181]

Do you know if one of the bike racks gets better mpg over the other one? Or would they both average the same mpg loss on a sedan?

[@trailerhitches]

Bike rack styles will have an unnoticeable affect on MPG.

[@chrisjames3642]

What is the rack elevated over the trucks bed?

[@blakeperez3899]

That is a Front Runner Slimline Bed Rack. It's modular and designed to carry all sorts of gear, including the tent currently mounted.