Looking for rack feedback. I need to hold 4 eMTB and is easy enough that my wife can load when I am not around. They weigh roughly 40-50 pounds. Came upon RevlRax, they look brand new. It’s a vertical style hitch rack. Anyone know anything? I like the idea of motorization to be able to lift the bikes and ratcheting straps to secure them. Any other thoughts on best way to transport 4 eMTBs?
How to haul 4 E-bikes?
- Thread starter TRWebiker
- Start date
Robstyle
Active member
A vertical style rack would be the only type that'll really work. Thule makes a vertical one with a gas assist lift to help wifey out.
CarolinaCrawler
Active member
I would only consider a vertical rack for more than 2 bikes. Its just that convenient. Not to mention with vertical rack you don't really have to pick the bike up, which is nice for you wife.
It really all depends on how much you want to spend. In my opinion there are 2 different classes (and $) of vertical bike rack, basically powered and non powered.
I have had a Velocirax for 3 years and have done well over 5000 miles with 5 ebikes. We have had zero issues other than the rubber straps delaminating with they replaced for free (ours stays attached to a vehicle outside 100% of the time, year round. It has never been in the garage since unboxing). The kids can load their own bikes and all I have to do is strap them down. We are completely happy with it and will always have a vertical rack.
That being said, if I were to have to replace it I would probably pick the Thule Revert @Robstyle mentioned. It was not out when we bought ours or we may have ended up with it. I have not been able to personally put hands on it to see the quality but knowing Thule it's bound to be good. The main reason is the assist up. With 5 ebikes its all I can do to push the Velocirax up. It would be nice to have a little help for the same money.
Then there is the other class of racks, the powered. They are more money but will lift the bikes with power. One is the Revel Rack that you found and the other is the Bike eRack from Canada. It will actually lift the bike from the ground. They also offer moto options for dirt bikes. Both of these racks are pretty much double the money of the non powered racks.
All that to say we are currently trying to get a van. After lots of traveling with the bikes on the rack we have come to the conclusion that's what we need. Not only do we not have to worry about theft (I often stayed in the truck while the family went into stores just to watch the bikes, even though they were locked up) but I have had 2 different instances when some or all of the bikes brakes were contaminated on a long trip. The only conclusion is both trips involved lots of rain. I think the oils from the road surface were slung onto the bikes and ruined the brake pads. Nothing is as bad as driving 6-8 hours somewhere to ride and pulling the brakes and getting nothing.
It really all depends on how much you want to spend. In my opinion there are 2 different classes (and $) of vertical bike rack, basically powered and non powered.
I have had a Velocirax for 3 years and have done well over 5000 miles with 5 ebikes. We have had zero issues other than the rubber straps delaminating with they replaced for free (ours stays attached to a vehicle outside 100% of the time, year round. It has never been in the garage since unboxing). The kids can load their own bikes and all I have to do is strap them down. We are completely happy with it and will always have a vertical rack.
That being said, if I were to have to replace it I would probably pick the Thule Revert @Robstyle mentioned. It was not out when we bought ours or we may have ended up with it. I have not been able to personally put hands on it to see the quality but knowing Thule it's bound to be good. The main reason is the assist up. With 5 ebikes its all I can do to push the Velocirax up. It would be nice to have a little help for the same money.
Then there is the other class of racks, the powered. They are more money but will lift the bikes with power. One is the Revel Rack that you found and the other is the Bike eRack from Canada. It will actually lift the bike from the ground. They also offer moto options for dirt bikes. Both of these racks are pretty much double the money of the non powered racks.
All that to say we are currently trying to get a van. After lots of traveling with the bikes on the rack we have come to the conclusion that's what we need. Not only do we not have to worry about theft (I often stayed in the truck while the family went into stores just to watch the bikes, even though they were locked up) but I have had 2 different instances when some or all of the bikes brakes were contaminated on a long trip. The only conclusion is both trips involved lots of rain. I think the oils from the road surface were slung onto the bikes and ruined the brake pads. Nothing is as bad as driving 6-8 hours somewhere to ride and pulling the brakes and getting nothing.
edruid
Member
On vertical racks good article/review as a starter here: VelociRAX Bike Rack Review
Buyer needs to do the research, I'd want to try before buying - and yeah, reckon a van is the better way to go if you have that option
Buyer needs to do the research, I'd want to try before buying - and yeah, reckon a van is the better way to go if you have that option
- Thread starter
- #6
Thanks for all the input! It’s been a challenge to figure out what rack would best meet our needs. I pulled the trigger on the RevlRax for a few reasons. First, I really didn’t want to have to manually lift up a full rack of bikes multiple times when on road trips with our Sprinter Van when getting into the back doors for gear and the fridge. Second, the rack allows the doors to open fully by sliding the bottom bar out of the way. Lastly, I liked the security of ratcheting straps to keep the bike/front wheel in the baskets. I learned the hard way having bounced an e-bike out of a Velocirax when a rubber strap didn’t keep it secured on the freeway
!
!Utah Rider
Well-known member
If you don't want a vertical, the Kuat is plenty strong. It's also takes two men and a small child to lift it. 
edruid
Member
Can’t believe you’ve got a sprinter and you figure hanging 4 e-bikes off the back of it is your best move?!?£?Thanks for all the input! It’s been a challenge to figure out what rack would best meet our needs. I pulled the trigger on the RevlRax for a few reasons. First, I really didn’t want to have to manually lift up a full rack of bikes multiple times when on road trips with our Sprinter Van when getting into the back doors for gear and the fridge. Second, the rack allows the doors to open fully by sliding the bottom bar out of the way. Lastly, I liked the security of ratcheting straps to keep the bike/front wheel in the baskets. I learned the hard way having bounced an e-bike out of a Velocirax when a rubber strap didn’t keep it secured on the freeway
- Thread starter
- #9
Sometimes you’ve gotta put the bikes on the back when you’ve got a family of 6 and a load of gear!
edruid
Member
Yeah I concede that
CarolinaCrawler
Active member
That’s surprising. We have forgotten the straps multiple times and never had a problem with any bike bouncing out. Heck, one short downhill trail we shuttle with the downhill bikes I never strap them in at all.I learned the hard way having bounced an e-bike out of a Velocirax when a rubber strap didn’t keep it secured on the freeway
I like the RevelRax and can’t wait to hear your review!
CarolinaCrawler
Active member
We have a family of 5 and I’m hoping to fit 5 bikes, people and gear in the back of a long wheelbase Chevrolet Express van.
Hawk13
New Member
I don't think you can treat kids like that nowadays
Similar Threads
-
Best way to transport E bikes without lifting
- Started by hemismith
- Replies: 52
-
-
looking for E-bike advice for pulling 20kg wagon on dirt roads
- Started by faja99
- Replies: 0
-
The Golden Goose. 72v Dengfu E55 CYC X1 Pro.
- Started by bram.biesiekierski
- Replies: 113
-
