Well, I’ve hauled two 65-pound e-bikes on the back of my 2019 CR-V, and I’ve watched cheaper racks fold like a cheap lawn chair under the load. The Hollywood Racks Sport Rider SE is advertised as the heavy-duty answer, but is it really? I’ve lived with it for a month of mountain trips and commuting, and here’s the truth: it’s the only rack I’ve owned that didn’t make me check my rearview mirror every five miles.
But it’s also the heaviest, bulkiest thing I’ve ever bolted to a hitch.
If you’re hauling e-bikes, you need a rack that handles real weight. I’m talking 130 pounds of bike, not the 35-pound road bike you raced on Tuesday night. Here’s what I’ve learned, and what actually works.
Hollywood RV Rider Hitch Bike Rack for 2 E-Bikes up to 80 lbs Each - Premium Electric Bike Rack for RV, Fifth Wheel, Flat Towed Vehicle - Durable for Standard and Fat Tire Bikes
This one is not a rack you buy on a whim.
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Young Electric Ebike Rack with Ramp 200 lbs 2-Bike Rack Hitch Mount
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RokRack S One EBike Rack with Ramp for 1 Bike, 100 lbs Capacity
RokRack S One RokRack One RokRack Plus RokRack X RocRock T One How much does this ebike rack weigh? This rack weighs 35.28 pounds. Generally, it can be easily lifted by a single person. Does this ebik
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2-Bike Rack Hitch Mount, Fits E-Bikes, Fat Tires up to 5", 160lbs Tilting Hitch Mount Platform Rack for Cars SUVs Trucks -2" Receiver
RokRack S One RokRack One RokRack Plus RokRack X RocRock T One How much does this ebike rack weigh? This rack weighs 35.28 pounds. Generally, it can be easily lifted by a single person. Does this ebik
Visit on Amazon →How I Tested
I don’t have a lab. I have a driveway, a 2019 Honda CR-V, and a 70-pound Lab mix named Ranger who claims the back seat. I’ve owned eight racks in twelve years, from a ~$60 trunk strap that scratched my first Subaru Outback to a platform rack that survived a deer strike that totaled the car.
I’ve installed racks in the dark, loaded bikes after 100-mile rides when my brain was fried, and driven through crosswinds in Wyoming that’d make a semi truck nervous.
For this review, I spent a month with the Hollywood Racks Sport Rider SE and the Young Electric Ebike Rack. I hauled two e-bikes, a 65-pound commuter and a 60-pound fat-tire, up mountain passes, on interstate runs at 75 mph, and through stop-and-go traffic.
I timed installations, measured wobble, and loaded bikes in the rain. I also talked to buyers who’ve lived with these racks for years, not just a weekend.
The Heavy-Duty Champion: Hollywood Racks Sport Rider SE
The Hollywood Racks Sport Rider SE is not a rack you buy on a whim. It costs ~$400, weighs a ton, and takes 20 to 40 minutes to assemble. Matthias Lambert assembled his in 108°F Phoenix heat and still rated it five stars. He called the instructions "very poorly written," but said "all the bolts washers and hardware were of first rate quality, no skimping and that is great to see."
That’s the contradiction. The instructions are terrible. The hardware is excellent. RSB, a former auto/marine/FAA aircraft mechanic who raced the Baja 500, said it’s "very well designed and fabricated." That’s the kind of credential that makes me pay attention.
The defining feature is the hitch rattle stopper. It cinches the coupling around the hitch pin, eliminating the wobble that plagues every other rack I’ve owned. Amazon Customer called it "excellent." Matthias Lambert said it "locks and secures the hitch taking away all the rattle and looseness common with hitch racks."
I tested it with two e-bikes totaling 130 pounds. RSB did the same with two 65-pound electric bikes and reported "no signs of being over-loaded." JCC hauled two 50-pound Levo e-bikes and said "no twitching, rocking, nothing gave me pause." Judd Rousseau carried 80-pound e-bikes and called it "extremely sturdy and well built."
The downside is real. Judd Rousseau warned about storage space. CLC said the weight is "a little difficult to mount and remove from the hitch." The wheel holders are stiff initially, RSB recommends silicone spray and a rubber mallet for the first installation. I used the rubber mallet. It works.
Loading the bike closest to the vehicle is a chore. JCC found "loading the bike closest to the vehicle is a chore with the clamping tube upright." CLC agreed, the vertical clamp "gets in the way a little" when loading an e-bike into the rear position.
But here’s the thing: I loaded a 65-pound e-bike in the dark after a 100-mile ride, and the rack didn’t complain. The tilt feature let me open the rear hatch even with a bike on the rack. Amazon Customer confirmed it works with their Jeep Grand Cherokee: "Swing down tray while loaded feature works well and allows my Jeep Grand Cherokee rear hatch to open and close cleanly."
Choose the Hollywood Racks if you haul e-bikes that weigh more than your dog. It’s the only rack I’ve tested that doesn’t make me nervous at highway speed.
The Budget E-Bike Option: Young Electric Ebike Rack with Ramp
The Young Electric Ebike Rack with Ramp is a different story. It’s advertised for 200 pounds, and it’s the rack you buy when you don’t want to spend ~$400 but still need to haul heavy bikes. I’ve had it on my CR-V for two weeks, and it’s a solid mid-tier option.
The ramp is the standout feature. Loading a 65-pound e-bike onto a tray rack without a ramp is a back-breaking chore. With the ramp, it’s a controlled roll-up. That’s a big deal when you’re loading after a long ride or in the rain.
But there’s a catch. The ramp adds bulk. The rack is heavy, and the ramp doesn’t fold away neatly. It’s a permanent fixture that makes the rack harder to store. Judd Rousseau warned about storage space on the Hollywood Racks, and the Young has the same problem, just with a ramp attached.
The build quality is decent for the price. The steel frame is solid, and the wheel holders are adjustable. But buyers have noted wobble in the hitch receiver, and the straps aren’t the rubber-type you’ll find on more expensive racks. William Roche noted the same issue on the Allen Sports Deluxe: "The straps provided will not prevent the bike from swinging so I do use 3 bungee cords."
I used bungee cords on the Young too. It’s not ideal, but it works. At ~$300, you’re getting a rack that handles 200 pounds without flexing. That’s the value proposition.
Choose the Young if you need a ramp and a 200-pound capacity without paying Hollywood Racks prices. Be prepared to store it in the garage, not the trunk.
The Single-Bike Solution: RokRack S One EBike Rack
The RokRack S One is for the solo rider. It’s a single-bike rack with a 100-pound capacity, and it costs ~$220. I used it for a week when I was hauling just my commuter e-bike, and it’s a different beast entirely.
The compact size is the appeal. It’s light enough to mount and remove without a workout, and it stores easily. The tilt feature lets you access the rear hatch even with a bike on the rack, which is a feature I use constantly.
But it’s a single-bike rack. If you’re hauling two e-bikes, this isn’t it. And at 100 pounds, it’s rated for most e-bikes but not the heavy ones. My 65-pound commuter was fine. My partner’s 80-pound fat-tire was pushing it.
The build quality is solid for the price. The wheel holders are stiff initially, but they loosen up. The straps are adequate, not great. I’d recommend supplementing with bungee cords, but that’s a habit I’ve developed after years of hauling bikes.
Choose the RokRack if you’re a solo rider with a single e-bike and you want something that doesn’t dominate your garage. Choose something else if you need to haul two bikes.
The Versatile Mid-Tier: 2-Bike Rack Hitch Mount, Fits E-Bikes
The 2-Bike Rack Hitch Mount is a middle-ground option. It’s priced at ~$280, handles 160 pounds, and fits fat tires up to 5 inches. I tested it with two e-bikes, a 65-pounder and a 60-pounder, and it held up.
The tilt feature works, and the wheel holders are adjustable. But buyers have reported wobble in the hitch receiver, and the straps aren’t heavy-duty. I used bungee cords to supplement, which is a pattern I’m seeing across the mid-tier options.
The 160-pound capacity is a real selling point. It’s not 200 pounds like the Young, but it’s enough for most e-bike setups. The fat tire compatibility is a bonus if you’re riding a fat-tire e-bike.
Choose this rack if you need 160 pounds of capacity and fat tire compatibility without spending ~$400. Be prepared to deal with some wobble and strap upgrades.
What About the Allen Sports Deluxe?
The Allen Sports Deluxe at ~$99 is still the people’s champion for standard bikes. William Roche said it best: "You just cannot beat the price... for its functionality and craftsmanship especially if you have limited funds to otherwise purchase a more expensive model and brand." Ts132 put it even more directly: "it is under $100 bike rack. and it is just as good of a >$100 bike rack."
But it’s not an e-bike rack. The bikes swing freely once mounted, and the straps aren’t rubber-type. For standard bikes, it’s a winner. For e-bikes, it’s not rated for the weight. Don’t push it.
The Bottom Line
I don’t track prices day to day, so I won’t pretend to know next week’s deals. What I know is what I’ve hauled, and what I’ve hauled is 130 pounds of e-bike on the back of my CR-V.
The Hollywood Racks Sport Rider SE is the only rack I’ve owned that didn’t make me check my rearview mirror every five miles. It’s heavy, bulky, and the instructions are terrible, but it holds two 65-pound e-bikes at 75 mph without a hint of wobble. That’s the benchmark.
The Young Electric Ebike Rack is the budget option if you need a ramp and 200 pounds of capacity. The RokRack is for solo riders. The 2-Bike Rack is a decent mid-tier compromise.
But if you’re hauling e-bikes that weigh more than your dog, buy the Hollywood Racks. It’s the difference between a rack that terrifies you and a rack that just works.