Which bike rack should you choose for a heavy e-bike?
A modern e-bike rarely weighs less than 25 kilos. Large batteries, wide tires , suspension forks, and sturdy locks have driven up the average weight over the past decade, and fatbikes, longtails, and SUV-style e-bikes far exceed that threshold. You don’t really realize this until you try to load the bike onto your car. Most electric bike racks aren’t designed to carry two 30-kilo bikes, and the label “e-bike compatible” honestly doesn’t mean as much as buyers think it does.
Key Takeaways
- The maximum vertical load for the car and trailer is the absolute limit, and the bike rack's own weight is fully taken into account.
- A bike rack with a 60-kilo capacity is therefore not automatically suitable for two 30-kilo e-bikes.
- Beyond weight, the wheelbase, the width of the tires , and the shape of the frame determine whether a bike will simply fit into the channels.
Overview of Bike Racks
| Model | Net weight | Max. total load | Max. per bike | Wheelbase and tires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thule EasyFold 3 | 18,2 kg | 60 kg | 30 kg | 1,350 mm; 3 inches, up to 5 inches with long straps |
| Uebler i21 Z60-DC | 13,5 kg | 60 kg | 30 kg | 1,300 mm; 3 inches, up to 4.5 inches with an adapter kit |
| Pro-User Diamant FG2 Plus | about 18 kg | 60 kg | 30 kg | 1,350 mm; maximum tire al width 80 mm |
| Atera Genio Pro Red Edition | 21,4 kg | 60 kg | 30 kg | Wheelbase varies by model |
Tow Hitch Load: The Calculation That Makes All the Difference
The most important specification for a bike rack isn’t listed on its packaging, but in your car’s owner’s manual. The maximum vertical load on the tow ball is the vertical load that the hitch can support. For a passenger car, this value is generally between 50 and 100 kilograms, and it has nothing to do with the towing capacity used for pulling a trailer. Confusing the two—which happens more often than you might think—is simply deluding yourself.
The calculation itself is simple. Subtract the bike rack’s weight from the allowed vertical load capacity, and what remains is the weight of the bikes you can load. A car with a 75-kilogram vertical load capacity, equipped with a 13.5-kilogram bike rack, still has 61.5 kilograms available. With an 18.2-kilogram bike rack, only 56.8 kilograms remain—which already rules out two bikes weighing 29 kilograms each. If the vertical load capacity drops to 50 kilograms, only 36.5 kilograms remain even with this lightweight bike rack—too little for two standard e-bikes.
Frankly, that’s where the market’s biggest blind spot lies. Bike racks are marketed based on their load capacity, even though it’s the car itself that sets the actual limit. A bike rack advertised to carry 60 kilos of bikes, including the rack itself, places a total load of 78 kilos on the tow ball. A lightweight model on a car with a limited vertical load capacity is therefore often more practical than a heavier, more luxurious model.
There is a third limitation: the maximum weight per rail. Almost all platform bike racks have a limit of 30 kilograms per bike. Two bikes that together weigh less than 60 kilograms—but weigh 34 and 25 kilograms separately—still exceed the limit. It’s always the lower value that determines how much you can load.
What is the actual weight of your e-bike?
The manufacturer's weight specifications for e-bikes are a starting point, not a definitive answer. They generally include the battery, but not everything you attach to a bike on a daily basis: panniers, a child seat, a second lock, a phone mount, or a basket. When the load is close to the limit, those extra kilos matter just as much.
In my opinion, a scale is the cheapest tool in the garage. Step on it yourself, then step back on with the bike in your arms, and note the difference. It takes two minutes and gives you the only useful number: the actual carrying weight.
The battery is the easiest component to remove. Three kilograms is typical, and the weight increases with higher capacities. How easy it is to remove depends on its location. A battery mounted under the rack can be removed in a matter of seconds, whereas a battery that’s fully integrated into the frame sometimes requires a bit more effort. Also, remove anything sitting on your e-bike’s rack—panniers, a basket, and a child seat—since that can quickly add up to ten kilos.
The category where there’s a structural problem is the fatbike. While a typical electric city bike weighs around 23 kilograms, a fatbike can easily weigh 32 to 35 kilograms. That alone already exceeds the 30-kilogram limit allowed by most bike racks, before even considering vertical load or width tire.
Wheelbase, tire width ( tires ), and the fatbike trap
Weight is the first obstacle; shape is the second. The slots on most platform bike racks measure between 1,300 and 1,350 millimeters. Trekking bikes with long wheelbases and heavier e-bikes with elongated frames sometimes exceed this length. For a longtail or cargo bike, this is almost always the case, and that’s where the story ends with a standard bike rack.
The width of the tires is the next pitfall. Most bike racks are designed for tires up to about 3 inches, and some models have a strict limit of 80 millimeters. A 4-inch fatbike will only fit with wide rails, extra-long straps, or an adapter kit. Ordering without checking this means you risk finding yourself, on the day of departure, with a bike that simply won’t fit in the rack.
With low-step frames, there’s also the issue of the clamping arm. The clamp must attach to a sturdy part of the frame approved by the manufacturer—never to cables, a display, a hydraulic hose, or the battery case. Wide, curved, or unusually shaped frame tubes may sometimes require a flexible mount or an adapter. Also consider the spacing between the rails: wide handlebars, brake levers, and pedals must not touch each other.
In my opinion, that’s where the biggest disappointment lies. The weight is right, the paperwork is in order, and the bike simply won’t physically fit on the bike rack. It takes five minutes to measure; fixing it afterward ruins your vacation.
Tow hitch, roof rack, or tailgate: Which one is right for you?
For heavy e-bikes, a platform-style tow-hitch bike rack is almost always the logical choice. The loading point is low, the bike sits securely in two channels, and the lights and license plate are integrated. A roof-mounted bike rack requires lifting 28 kilograms above shoulder height, which isn’t realistic for most people. Tailgate bike racks rest on the tailgate and the car’s frame and are rarely designed to handle that kind of weight. For longtail and cargo bikes, a trailer or van is usually the only real solution.
Jos's Tip: Honestly, a loading ramp that can handle more than 25 kilos isn't a luxury in my book—it's basic equipment. The same goes for a tilting feature, which is only useful if the tailgate can actually open with your handlebars in place. Test this out in your driveway, not at the campground.
If the bike rack obscures the license plate, a personalized license plate is required, and the bike rack must be equipped with the required lights. Also keep in mind that a loaded bike rack changes the car’s handling. All that weight hangs behind the rear axle, making the car more susceptible to crosswinds, braking, and sudden maneuvers. That’s a good reason not to load it to the very last kilogram. Double-check the straps after the first few kilometers and inspect the mounts and lights at every stop.
Anyone buying a refurbished e-bike has a slight advantage in this calculation: the weight is known, the battery has been checked, and the bike arrives without any unknown past modifications. For a used e-bike, the same principle applies in reverse. Check for cracks and corrosion on load-bearing parts, test all ratchet straps and lights, make sure you have the right tools, look for the manual for that specific model, and don’t hesitate to replace any lock or straps that seem unreliable.
FAQ
Can I transport two 30-kilo e-bikes on a single trailer-mounted bike rack?
Only if the car, the hitch, and the bike rack can handle the combined weight. For 60 kilograms of bikes, that leaves only 15 kilograms for the bike rack itself on a hitch with a 75-kilogram vertical load capacity, and platform-style bike racks are rarely that light. Weigh your bikes and do the math on a case-by-case basis.
Does the weight of the bike rack count toward the vertical load?
Yes, always and completely. The hitch carries both the bike rack and the bikes together. An 18-kilo bike rack with a 60-kilo capacity exerts a total load of 78 kilos on the hitch ball. That’s why a lightweight bike rack, mounted on a hitch with a limited vertical load capacity, can carry more bike weight than a heavier model.
Can I remove the battery from my e-bike during transport?
In most cases, yes, and that adds three kilos or more per bike. Follow the bike and bike rack manuals, and transport the battery in a dry place, securely fastened in the car—never loose in the trunk. As long as the battery stays on the bike, it simply counts toward the total transport weight.
Will a fat bike fit on any e-bike bike rack?
No. Most bike racks are designed for bikes with a tires of up to about 3 inches, and some models are limited to 80 millimeters. A 4-inch fatbike requires wide rails, extra-long straps, or an adapter kit. So be sure to measure the width of your tires and the wheelbase before choosing a bike rack.
Do I need an additional license plate on the bike rack?
If the bike rack or the bikes block the car's license plate, a second white license plate on the bike rack is required. The bike rack must also be equipped with the required lighting: taillights, brake lights, turn signals, and reflectors. Check that these lights are working properly before you leave.
Written by: Jos Mans | Published on: August 21, 2026 | 9-minute read
About the Author: Jos Mans
Jos is both a writer and a cyclist—and more often than not, he does both at the same time. With thousands of kilometers under his belt and just as many words on paper, he combines his two great passions: being on the road and telling stories.