If you are worried whith the hanging ones - why not going for a platform type? - They are well tested nothing happens even at higher speeds here in Germany :)

Honestly I did not know until now that there is something like a hanging rack - never saw one here.

Hanging would be something like this - https://www.rei.com/...wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Thule gives advisments which racks to use with carbon frames and which not. Their platfom racks usually are fine to handle carbon frames by using a "frame protector" for the upper clamps (bubblewrap does the trick, too).

Platform are easier/ more secure.

Hanging racks handle more bikes better.

How many bikes are you looking to carry?

---

"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro."
Hunter S. Thompson

Max four but not all the time.

The other challenge is I don't know about the slanted top tubes of my kids bikes and how that may work on the hanging.

They have adapters for the sloped top tubes and other “oddly” shaped bikes.

---

"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro."
Hunter S. Thompson

We have a hanging rack, much like the Thule one posted above. Funny thing though, I still prefer to put the expensive bike in the 'trunk' of the minivan with the front wheel off. Especially on longer trips where there's a chance for bad weather. The less nice bikes go on the rack. There's typically enough space to add in luggage and a bunch of other gear.

---

---

---

Take a short break from ST and read my blog:
http://tri-banter.blogspot.com/

We have 2 Kuats in our family, they are great racks. Not cheap but so well made, super stable, and great with all kinds of bikes.

I love my Kuat tray style, it is a 3-up. Super sturdy.

Deal is with nice bikes with it you probably don't want to be strapping down on fancy wheels. Carbon fairing like HED or Flo especially. But I wouldn't even on a full carbon wheel. Meaning, you'll need to carry an extra "clunker" wheel for each really nice bike for strapping the one wheel to the tray. The other wheel is held down with a shepherd's crook on the tire, so that's fine.

Just so you know.

Rocky Mounts is the best (platform) rack I've used. I've had several (hanging and platform) over the years and it is the heaviest, most sturdy (the bikes don't flop around) and secure (two locking features). It isn't cheap but it's the last rack I'll buy.

I love my Rocky Mounts. And they are expandable to 4 bikes. I've had it for just over a year.

The platform racks can more easily accommodate odd shaped bikes like mtbs or tri bikes.

Check out this rack. You get a garage wall mount kit with every purchase. And some people suggest if yur hauling 4 bikes get the 5 bike rack and leave extra space for that super nice bike.

https://www.velocirax.com/

That's why I love my 1UP. No hook contacting the fork or brake and no strap around a carbon rim. I also like that I can use it as a 1 bike carrier 90% of the time and then easily add positions when I need them. The sections also fold up and go on a shelf in the garage when not in use instead of taking up floor space.

I've owned KUAT, Yakima and Thule racks and the 1UP is easily my favorite. The only downside is that it isn't easily lockable, I have to string a cable around the bike when needed.

I have a Thule Apex (hanging) and it's awesome.

If I brought my tri bike along with others, I would remove the wheels. I'm super happy with this rack. I've only ever used 1 platform rack and it was ok, but the Apex can fold up and fit in the truck if I want to leave it in the car while I ride. Get a lock for the pin, too.

Once you go 1Up hitch trays, you won't even look at other racks. We always keep one on, which allows for it to be folded up & full use of the rear door, and can easily bolt together up to 4 total.

My parents have a hanging hitch rack and are always wishing they bought a platform rack. My mom isn't strong enough to lift her (heavy) cruiser high enough to get it on the hanging rack plus it requires her to install a rack crossbar from headtube to seat post. I've also watched friends have to "carefully" pack their carbon bikes on hanging racks to make sure they don't bang into each other while they are driving.

If you have the money, buy a platform rack. I have a 1up rack and the best part of it is it's expandable. I just leave it on my car as a single tray and when the wife wants to ride some cruisers on the boardwalk, it quickly expands to two trays with a couple of bolts. The downside is they aren't cheap.

Does the van have a hitch already? If so, is it 1 1/4" or 2"

Either way, 1UPUSA will take care of you. Last rack you'll ever need and they fold up when not being used so you can still park everywhere.

https://www.1up-usa.com

Except if you look at the new company from the people that made 1UP racks - QuikRStuff - check it out.

 

Sweet!!! If I ever put a hitch on the car this will be the one. I have to be able to haul six bikes and I drive a Transit van so that's a lot of length with that system. Ha!

Went from hanging to Kuat platform and couldn't be happier about it. Much more stable.

And I use the straps to secure Flo 90 rear down just fine, no issues at all

Very happy with my Rocky Mounts as well. Very sturdy construction and very easy to load/unload and fold up when not in use.

---

Blog: http://262toboylstonstreet.blogspot.com/
https://twitter.com/NateThomasTri
Coaching: https://bybtricoaching.com/ - accepting athletes for 2023

I’ve had roof, hanging, and platform racks. All I have left are platform racks ... so much easier.

I have a Yakima Dr Tray with the third bike attachment and just got a 1up for my son. The 1up is outstanding and not that much more than comparable Yakima and Thule racks.

I was on the QuickRStuff list but they seem to have some production issues. I just needed a rack for my son and the 1up shipped the day after I ordered.

drn92

I have both: My platform rack doesn't work with my commute bike because of its fenders. My hanging rack doesn't work (well) with my tri bike because of its eccentric top tube.

Another vote for the 1Up bike rack. These racks are well built and designed, with no plastic parts. No issues with carbon wheels or disc wheels because it holds the bike by the tires.

Platforms can allow all bike sizes, from 20" mtb and up to fatbikes, but some hangers need adapters. I've a Thule 2 bike platform and looking to get a 4 bike hanging with adapter for family outings!

I have a 1up and use it for up to 4 bikes. The modularity is great, and I even modified 2 of the trays to attach to my roof rack. Also it touches nothing but the tires so no worries about the bikes. It will never wear out. Fairly easy to lock the bikes and rack to the truck.

The downside is that it is heavy. I think the 4 bike setup is like 80 pounds by itself, which fully loaded is too much to hang off the back of my travel trailer (which is why I put 2 bikes on the roof in that case). It also has no reasonable way to access the rear hatch when loaded. It does have a "drop down" setting that you could use if you really had to, but you better have someone strong with you to lower and lift the rack while you contort your arm through the bikes to try to reach the catch.

If you're transporting carbon bikes at all, make sure you use a platform rack, and that the anchor that holds the bike to the rack does not put pressure through the frame, or it likely voids any warranties on the bike. This means that the platform rack needs the bar/arm securing the bike to be of the type that holds the bike down over the wheels.

I've used the hanging style in the past, with a carbon bike with no issues, but if you're worried about warranties or paint chips, I would not recommend that approach.

I've head great things with Swagman racks, especially for carbon bikes (they identify which ones are carbon safe and generally warranty friendly on their site).

1 up usa racks are amazing and love my equip d

One more 1-Up fan here. Pros to me are the single tray option since I use it solo most often, but can add more trays as needed; folds away in a sturdy box for storage instead of this oddly-shaped monstrosity taking up way more space in the garage; and only contact point w/ the bike is the tires so it's as gentle on the frame as possible.

Cons are the high initial cost (though that sting fades over time, and doesn't seem as bad if you think of it as being an extension of the investment you've already made in your bikes and helping to keep them secure vs just its own separate piece of 'furniture'), and it won't work very well w/ a commuter or touring bike that has fenders since those get in the way of the arms that grip the tires.

The initial cost is tough on top tier bike racks, but I think it's completely worthwhile. I have a Kuat with 4 trays that I absolutely love, the only complaint is tailgate access and the weight as it's too heavy for my wife to put on the truck, but that's a small price to pay for piece of mind as we routinely have an asinine amount of value in bikes on the it. I've heard nothing but good things about 1-Up and would have gone that route if I could find a local vendor just to keep any contact off my wheels, but I haven't had issues of rub with the tire strap on loosely (it's a fail safe anyway) and a microfiber towel under it.

My vote is platform if you have a nice bike (or bikes). If it's for your beater mountain bike from the 90s to haul behind your RV, then go for the hanger.

1UP, look at how low-profile it is when it's folded up and not in use.

Exactly why I love mine. I drive a Mini Cooper, I don't want it to be dwarfed by the rack.

If that Floyd Landis or his doppelganger? for https://www.velocirax.com/

I have the Thule T2 Pro with the 2 bike add on. I love how sturdy the rack is, but it's pretty heavy to move around.

I am looking at the Yakima Hold Up rack. I don't have the budget for a 1up, I need a four bike rack and the 1up is too much $$$ for a four bike unit.

Has anyone use the wheel hook style rack like the Yakima Hold Up/Kuat/Thule T2 and used the wheel hook on the rear wheel instead of the front wheel? The problem is that I have a disc rear wheel and I can't put the wheel tray strap through it. If these types of racks worked with the hook on the rear wheel, then I could put the wheel strap around the spoked front wheel.

1up for me as well. The only contact is with the tire. Super stable. The ability to add a 3rd and 4th rack to the 2 bike version is really nice.
This my friends car with our 4 bikes on the 1up

---

http://www.custombikexcessories.com
Instagram
Facebook

Definitely give the Velocirax a look! I have one for my family and it's been amazing.
Pros:
- options of 3 to 7 (!) Bikes
- only contacts the tires and keeps bikes away from each other
- can take all types of bikes down to 24" wheels easily, 20" and below can be done but will need some playing around, I have even carried a trailer on there
- even 7 bikes are only the height of a bike + ~1' away from the tailgate, getting rid of ground clearance worries on my van
- hydraulic assisted tilt-away that allows you to load (adult) bikes without even lifting but doesn't let hundreds of pounds fall on you
- through bolt mechanism allows you to tighten into hitch
- comes with a locking hitch pin AND a wall mount so you can use it as a bike storage rack in your garage
- release the hinge and it lays flat and becomes a bike stand for camping
- extremely solid construction, made in Utah
- prices $700 for 3X through $895 for 7

Cons
- heavy! May require a couple people to install, I do it myself but it's a bit like a light deadlift
- doesn't take 20" or less kids bikes easily but DOES do BMX
- assembly required, which requires some tools. Took me about an hour but the instructions are excellent.
- tri and road bikes can be tricky because of the bars. There are the "X" options that space the bikes out more and eliminate this though. I can make a tri bike, two roadies, a 29er, a 24 kids bike, and 20 kids bike work on my 6 but it takes some planning
- it's not small when on the car empty
- only comes in fire engine red accents for now

To answer my own question for others that may be curious - no the rear wheel mounting with a Yakima Holdup rack does not work on my Cervelo P-Series. I called them and Yakima said it would, but it doesn't. The shepherd’s hook has to clamp down at the intersection of the top of the rear triangle and the rear tire. Otherwise the hook rotates around the tire and loosens up when going down the road. Problem is, the hook also rubs hard on the edge of the frame, enough to probably wear away the paint at best and maybe damage the carbon at worst.