Electric bike rack and city bike

Which bike rack for an electric bike or a city bike?

City bikes have features that make transporting them by car tricky: heavy weight, especially for electric versions, often an open frame, mudguards, racks, baskets, kickstands, and sometimes child seats. The towbar platform remains the most comfortable solution: the wheels rest in low rails, arms grip the frame, and the maximum load per bike is the highest. Roof racks, which require lifting the bike above your head, should be avoided for a city e-bike.

Weight per bike: the figure to check first

Each bike rack specifies a maximum load per bike and a total load. For instance, Thule’s HangOn suspended racks accept 15 kg per bike, the OutPace platform 25 kg, and the VeloSpace 30 kg for heavier electric bikes. Weigh your bike without the battery: step onto a scale holding it, then subtract your weight. Next, compare the total load, including the bike rack, with the vertical load indicated by the manufacturer of the car.

Open frame, mudguards, basket: the features of city bikes

• Open frame: a suspended bike rack holds the bike by the horizontal tube, which is absent on a step-through frame. You will need an adapter bar fixed between the headset and the seat post, or choose a platform where the arm clamps the diagonal tube.
• Mudguards and racks: ensure that the straps of the rails and the support arm do not crush them.
• Wide tires and long wheelbase: the rails must be wide and long enough for the wheels of a light cargo bike or a fat-tired e-bike.
• Accessories: remove baskets, panniers, child seats, and screens before setting off, as they catch the wind and may detach.

Loading a heavy bike, with or without a towbar

For an e-bike of 25 kg or more, opt for a low platform, with a ramp to push the bike into its rails rather than lift it. Without a towbar, some tailgate bike racks are approved for two electric bikes once the batteries are removed: stick to the indicated load and the list of compatible vehicles. The general page for bike racks details the rules for plates and lighting and presents the roof models. And if the journey is by bike, a city trailer or a child seat can carry luggage and passengers.

Which bike rack brands for electric bikes?

Thule categorises its towbar bike racks by accepted load: suspended HangOn for light bikes, OutPace and VeloLite platforms at 25 kg, VeloSpace at 30 kg for heavy electric bikes.

Eufab, a German brand, offers several foldable and tiltable platforms for electric bikes, such as the Premium and Finch marked for e-bikes, alongside the Crow and Amber for classic bikes.

XLC incorporates LED lights into its Azura towbar platforms, available in Easy LED and Xtra LED versions, and offers the Almada Work-E for electric bikes.

Peruzzo provides the Firenze, a tailgate bike rack with two rails, where the wheels rest like on a platform, designed for two electric or traditional bikes.

Mottez, a French manufacturer, has designed the Jupiter Elec, a suspended bike rack for an electric bike, with wide frame support blocks, a tightening strap, and an integrated cable lock.

Bike racks on sale

Bike racks with changing ranges join the urban transport clearance sale, and newly arrived models can be found in the new arrivals. The French Days, before spring departures, are a good time to equip yourself.

Frequently asked questions

Which bike rack should I choose for two electric bikes?

A towbar platform rated for at least the weight of each of your bikes without the battery, ideally with a ramp and tilt. Add the weight of the two bikes and the rack, then check that the vertical load of your towing hitch allows it.

Can I transport a bike with an open frame on a suspended bike rack?

Yes, with an adapter bar that recreates a horizontal tube between the headset and the seat post. However, check the load per bike, often reduced on a suspended model, even though some are designed for an electric bike.

Do I need to remove the battery from an electric bike for transport?

Yes, bike rack manufacturers recommend doing so. The bike is lighter to load, the battery avoids rain and vibrations, and the load on the hitch decreases. Store it in the cabin, protected from heat.

Can a tailgate bike rack support an e-bike?

Only if it is approved for this use and your car is on its compatibility list. The tailgate and its hinges bear all the weight: strictly respect the maximum load, with batteries removed.

How can I find out the weight of my electric bike?

The weight is listed in the manufacturer's specifications, with or without the battery depending on the brands. To check it, weigh yourself with the bike in your arms on a scale, then subtract your own weight. Add the basket or rack if you are leaving them in place.