In this article, we’ll be reviewing the best 2 bike hitch racks.
Our testing took a lot of different factors into account. We considered build quality, load capacity, and even how secure the bike mount is before making our recommendation.
We found Yakima’s Tilt-Away 2 bike hitch rack is one of the best on the market. It is durable and robust while also having a healthy load capacity for all of your heaviest bikes.
We’ve been testing vehicle accessories in one shape or another for over 10 years now. We know all there is to know about bike racks, so we can help you make the best buying decision.
Keep reading for more information on the best 2 bike hitch racks.
YAKIMA, Tilt-Away 2-Bike Hitch Rack
Overall Best
This Yakima 2 bike rack is built to be sturdy and robust. The mount is secure, and can hold two large sized bikes without breaking a sweat.
We were impressed by Yakima‘s approach to the construction of this bike rack. It uses high quality materials that are rigid and less prone to rust than other bike racks.
It comes with Yakima’s patented SpeedKnob technology. That means you don’t need to use any tools to get this bike rack fully setup. Moreover, the SpeedKnob actually locks using a key, for added security and firmness.
It is designed to carry two large sized bikes, and does so securely. While Yakima does not offer an exact figure, we found that this bike rack can carry just under 80 lbs of load.
As for the bike mounts themselves, Yakima uses a proprietary tiedown method. The ratcheting straps, or as Yakima calls them, the ZipStrips, are adjustable and hold your bike at the frame. They are lined in soft material so as not to damage your bike’s frame.
The carrying arms are not as wide as some other 2 bike hitch racks we’ve tested. That means some long wheelbase bikes may not fit perfectly on this bike rack.
Yakima’s ‘anti-sway’ design minimises interaction between bikes, and also makes it less likely that the bikes bang into each other when they’re being transported.
The rack has a hand operated lever that you can use to quickly tilt it down even when it is carrying both bikes. Moreover, the rack folds completely flat against the back of your car, making it easier to park in tight spaces.
This 2 bike hitch rack is compatible with both 1 ¼” and 2” hitch receivers so you can bolt the rack onto a wider variety of cars.
It has an integrated bottle opener that you can use to open bottles when you’re out camping or on a road trip. We are suckers for cool little features like this and this one just puts this bike rack over the top for us.
Pros
- High quality build
- Rust and corrosion resistant
- Holds 2 bikes
- Just under 80 lbs load capacity
- SpeedKnob design for quick installation
- Locks to the hitch with a key
- Tie downs are secure and adjustable
- Stable and wobble free
- Compatible with 1 ¼” and 2” hitch
- Folds down flat against the rear of the car
- Can tilt forward to allow for cargo access
- Hand lever for convenient tilting
- Integrated bottle opener (surprisingly useful for road trips and camping)
Cons
- Will require a frame adapter for some bikes
Allen Sports 2-Bike Hitch Rack
Best Budget
Allen Sports makes some of our favourite 2 bike hitch racks. This model continues that trend with a robust build, decent load capacity, and as with any Allen Sports bike rack, a secure bike mount.
The alloy steel build is sturdy and durable. It comes with a special powder coat that keeps it free of rust and scratches.
Load capacity is decent for a rack of this size. 70 lbs is only enough for two large road bikes. We did not notice the rack bending or flexing under the weight. However, if you want to carry mountain bikes or electric bikes, we would recommend doing so one at a time.
Allen Sports’ proprietary tiedown system is one of the best in the business. The carrying arms are long enough that your bikes do not bang against each other, or even with the back of your car. The ratcheting straps used to secure the bike frames are adjustable so that you can carry a wide variety of bikes.
It is compatible with both 1 ¼” and 2” hitch receivers. Besides that, there is a no wobble bolt that adds to the stability and firmness of the rack.
Moving onto additional features, we have a folding mechanism that makes the bike rack a little bit more contact. The rack can also be tilted forward for easier liftgate access. The tiedown cradles are lined in soft material to keep your bike frames looking spic and span.
As from real world performance, we can report that the bike rack, even fully loaded up, stays stable on the highway.
The only bad thing we can think about with this rack is the lack of any bungee cords or straps to keep the front wheels and handlebars in place. However, those are easy enough to source by yourself.
Installing the rack is also fairly simple. Included instructions are concise and easy to follow, and you won’t need extra tools to get the job done. All said and done it took us less than 20 minutes.
Pros
- Alloy steel construction
- Firm and secure fitment
- Powder coated finish prevents scratching
- Rust and corrosion free
- Compatible with 1 ¼” and 2” hitches
- No wobbling at speed
- Holds 2 bikes
- 70 lbs loading capacity
- Secure tie down system holds bikes at the frame
- Rotating straps can accommodate various bike shapes and sizes
- Rack folds up to be more compact when not in use
- Tilting mechanism allows for easier liftgate access
- Fits variety a different bike shapes and sizes
Cons
- Not included bungee straps for securing front wheel
KAC K2-RT 2-bike Hitch Rack
Premium Choice
This 2 bike hitch rack from KAC is the definition of a high-quality bike rack. The materials used are rigid and durable. Load capacity is exceptional. And to top it off, it has one of the most stable and secure bike mounts of any 2 bike hitch rack we’ve tested.
High quality alloy steel is used for the entire construction of this 2 bike rack. The build is firm and does not shake around or bend under load. The black powder coating on this rack is thicker than most others, giving it even better resistance to rust and corrosion. We also like the particular black finish of this coating.
Load capacity is rated for about 120 lbs. That is more than enough for two large sized road bikes and we also appreciate the fact that this platform style rack has 5” trays for holding fat tire bikes.
Mounting your bikes is pretty secure and confidence inspiring. The tray style loops hold your wheels in place and the wheels are then tied down by ratcheting straps that are secure. The bikes are also held at the frame by the carrying arms which are padded in rubberised material to avoid damaging the bike frames.
On the road, the 2” hitch used is stable and firm. It also has an anti-wobble piece that eliminates any shaking or bouncing, even when the rack is fully loaded with bikes.
This is one of the largest 2 bike hitch racks we’ve tested. But it can fold up into a smaller footprint when it isn’t carrying bikes or when you need to store it.
Moreover, there is a useful tilting feature that allows you to move the fully loaded rack out of the way when you need to access your cargo area.
Installation is a breeze and it took us less than 20 minutes to have the rack fully up and running. We tested a number of different bike frame shapes and sizes, and were pleased to find that most of them fit perfectly. If your bike has an unconventional frame shape, just pick up an adapter to use this rack.
All said and done, the KAC 2 bike hitch rack is one of our favourites and definitely deserves your attention.
Pros
- Alloy steel frame
- Black powder coating
- Rust and corrosion resistant
- 120 lbs load capacity
- Holds 2 bikes
- 5” tray style loop
- Padded main masts prevent scratching
- Can hold fat tire bikes and e-bikes
- 2” hitch is quite stable
- Does not move around at high speed
- Anti wobble system eliminates slack between rack and receiver
- Can be folded when not in use
- Tilting mechanism for easier liftgate access
- Easy installation
Cons
- Most expensive option
