What are the most important things to look for when buying a bike hitch rack?

Answer 1

1 that it's compatible with your vehicle
2 that it's compatible with your bike
3 that it's not so heavy or awkward that you can put it on and take it off by yourself.

Answer 2

All the above but consider this.

Many people complain about a quality hitch rack costing $250 to $400. If you have 1 to 4 department store bikes then buy a $85 rack from wally world.

However if you have a $5k or $6k bike then think about it long and hard.
I have a $300+ Thule hitch rack as there are times when i have 4 road bikes on the back with the cheapest starting at $5500. Going to a race I could have +$20k hanging off the back of my car. Would you trust that to a $87 department store off brand rack?

just something to chew on......

Answer 3

Ease of use. Are you able to remove it when necessary? Does it hold the number of bikes you need it to? Does it hold a variety of bike frames? Is it easy to put the bikes on? Is the rack able to swing away if you need to access the trunk? Those are some of the questions I would ask.

Answer 4

if your vehicle has a hatch, meaning a door that lifts up in the rear, you want to make sure the rack swing out of the way to the left or right so you can still have access to getting in through the hatch with out taking off the bikes.

Answer 5

make sure it fits your style of hitch. if your getting a hitch, you should consider getting one that holds up to 4 bikes. also make sure your bike will fit on it. some dual suspension bikes will be difficult to get straped on.

Answer 6

First, it fits in your hitch
Second, how many bikes you want to carry
Third, It does not have a plastic insert to make it fit a larger hitch
Fourth, construction, mine is a Bell that cost $120.00, tie downs were plastic they also were two halves pieces that got separated when going from one place to another peeling my Trek's paint off.