Buying a bike rack

Tow bar bike rack features 

Take your bicycle(s) with you easily with a bike rack on the tow bar! Thanks to the position of the tow bar and of the bicycle(s), you will experience better aerodynamics while driving than when you’re using a roof rack. 

Another advantage to a bike rack on the tow bar is having an increased load capacity - up to 30 kilos per bike! There are several ways to install bicycles on the bike rack, for example by using clamps and buckles. This type of bike rack is often suitable for 2 e-bikes and 1 “regular” bicycle max., or 4 regular bicycles, like the Pro-User Amber IV.

Some bike racks feature a loading ramp. This is a helpful additional feature to help you easily load bicycles onto the rack - a great way to load bicycles onto your bike rack without additional effort. Loading ramps are sold separately.
 

Types of tow bar bike racks

The number of bicycles (and what kind) you can transport on your bike rack depends on the rack itself. These days there are many different bike racks available for transporting 1, 2, 3 or even 4 bicycles at once. Some bike racks may be more suitable for you than others. We will discuss several types of bike racks below.
 

Bike racks for one or more bicycles

The number of bicycles a bike rack can carry depends on its carrying capacity, as well as the maximum tow bar load. When you’re setting of for a cycling adventure alone, you can use a bike rack for one bicycle. This type of bike rack can handle a normal bicycle as well as an e-bike, thanks to its high carrying capacity (30 kg).

Discover all bike racks for 1 or more bicycles

If you’re going on holiday with the family and want to take your bicycles along, try one of our bike racks for up to 4 bicycles. They’re easy to install without any extra effort. An increasing number of bike rack models is designed taking into account that people want to be able to access their trunk. These models are tiltable.
 

Bike racks for e-bikes

Want to take your e-bike on a cycling holiday? No problem! With e-bikes increasing in popularity in recent years, the number of bike racks suitable for e-bikes is also increasing. These bike racks have a considerable carrying capacity and are tailored for e-bikes in many ways. Their loading ramps are wider, for example. Bike racks for the tow bar are perfect for transporting your e-bike.

Discover all our tow bar bike racks for e-bikes 

Bike racks for mountain bikes

There are no bike racks made solely for mountain bikes, but most bike racks are suitable for transporting mountain bikes. When picking a bike rack to carry your MTB, make sure to look at the width of the loading ramps, as mountain bike tires are much thicker than city bike tires. 

Also, keep the load capacity in mind. In some cases, mountain bikes are heavier than city bikes. These are usually the cheaper models.

If your mountain bike has a carbon frame, use a frame protector to prevent damaging it while securing the bicycle on the bike rack (or during transport). One tow bar bike rack often used by mountain bikers is the Thule EasyFold XT 2. 
 

How much weight is allowed on a bike rack? 

You should never exceed the tow bar’s carrying capacity. If you want to avoid doing so, make sure you know the maximum tow bar load for your car. You can usually find this information in the car owner’s manual. 

Make sure to consider both the weight of the bicycle(s) and the weight of the bike rack. For example, if your car has a maximum tow bar load of 60 kg and your rack weighs 20 kg, then you’ll be able to take up to 40 kg with you on the rack (simply put: 60 - 20 = 40). In this example, 40 kg amounts to about two regular bicycles. 

The bike rack’s capacity and the number of bicycles it can carry is different for each bike rack. The Hapro Atlas Active, with its maximum capacity of 30 kg, can carry 1 (one) bicycle, while the Thule Velo Compact 926 can carry 3 to 4 bicycles and has a 60 kg maximum capacity. 

The weight of a bicycle can vary widely depending on the type or model. Generally, city bikes weigh between 14 and 21 kg. We distinguish between lightweight city bikes (14-15 kg), intermediate models (18-19 kg) and heavy city bikes (20-21 kg). 

Mountain bikes tend to be lighter, with hard tail models weighing between 11 and 14 kg and full suspension models weighing between 12 and 15 kg. Keep in mind that e-MTBs are heavier, weighing between 19 and 24 kg.
On average, road bikes weigh between 6.8 and 10 kg (the lighter, the better!). The average fat bike weighs between 13 and 17 kg.
 

What is a tiltable bike rack?

When loading the trunk of your car, keep in mind that access to the trunk will be limited once the bike rack is installed. Some bike racks feature a convenient tilting option to get around this issue. 

Please note: only bike racks for the tow bar have this option. Tiltable bike racks have a foot pedal that you can simply press in order to pull back the bike rack. By doing so, you can access the trunk quickly and easily, without having to remove the rack - several times if needed. Super convenient! 

One example of a tiltable bike rack from our range is the Thule EasyFold XT 2. When you’re not using the bike rack, it’s easy to remove and store in your garage or shed. Some bike racks are foldable for compact, easy storage, like the Hapro Atlas Blue.
 

How to mount a bike rack on your tow bar

When mounting the bike rack, always carefully follow the included instructions. The bike racks in our range are compatible with almost every tow bar, but in some cases, you may need a special coupling piece. Below is a brief overview of how you might install a bike rack on the tow bar. 

Step 1: 
First, you should degrease the tow bar. Then put the bike rack on the tow bar ball. 

Step 2: 
Adjust the bike rack for a better hold, if necessary. You can check whether you’ve properly secured the bike rack by trying to turn it. You should not be able to do so.

Step 3: 
As soon as the bike rack is properly secured, lock the bike rack lever and connect the bike rack plug. 

Before purchase, check whether you might need a (plug) adapter for your lights. Plugs will have 7 to 11 pins. And before you finally drive off, do check your brake lights, hazard lights and indicators, and make sure your bike rack has its white license plate. If everything works like it is supposed to, and the white license plate is mounted, you’re ready for adventure. 

Mounting a bike rack on the tow bar is easy. However, it is important that you always pay close attention to what you’re doing and that you work carefully. After all, it’s safety first - for you and other traffic. Once you’ve placed your bicycle on the bike rack, you can secure it with a clamp or a strap. There are clamps available that you can lock in order to prevent bicycle theft. 
 

Are bike racks for the tow bar safe? 

Some people prefer not to drive behind a car with a bike rack. They see each wobble the bicycles make when there is a hill or gust of wind, and think that any minute they will get a bike wheel in their windshield (so to speak), even though there is no need to worry. Bike racks for the tow bar are perfectly safe! 

Manufacturers test their bike racks extensively before they’re even allowed to leave the factory. In addition, most bike racks in our range are TÜV or RDW certified, meaning that they are guaranteed to be safe for use.

It’s perfectly normal for bicycles to move a little when you’re driving over a hill or a pothole. As a driver, you can of course take preventative measures to make sure there is no chance of an accident. 
Have a look at the maximum load capacity of the tow bar ball and bike rack, and be extra vigilant of other road users if your bicycles hinder your view in any way.
 

Bike racks for tow-bar mounting - buy them at Hollandbikeshop!

Get your new tow bar bike rack at Hollandbikeshop.com. We have the bike rack you need, whether you’re transporting 1 or 2 or even more bicycles. Quick and easy to install on your tow bar!

In our range you’ll find a wide selection of bike racks by popular brands like Thule, Hapro, Pro-User, Spinder, Twinny Load and XLC. We also often have bike racks for the tow bar on sale, so keep an eye on our sale section!