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Aug 26, 2024
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Only a few racks can match this one for its versatility and skill to accommodate almost any e-bike available on the market.
The ever-growing hitch rack market contains a lot of new racks designed particularly for e-bikes. With fashions that embrace options akin to ramps and particular arms that may accommodate fenders or step-thru frames and even lights, there are some fairly fancy racks on the market.
Sadly, because the options develop extra elaborate, the costs go up. We love the Hollywood Racks Sportrider rack for a lot of causes, however our favourite motive is that it might carry nearly any e-bike available on the market, plus it is likely one of the most reasonably priced racks on the market. It’s a potent mixture. At $499, there aren’t many hitch racks that may compete with it.
After we say the Hollywood Racks Sportrider hitch rack can carry nearly any e-bike available on the market, we actually imply it. It might carry two e-bikes every weighing as much as 80 lbs. Sure, we’ve reviewed some e-bikes that weigh greater than 80 lbs. however of the a whole lot of e-bikes we’ve reviewed, they comprise perhaps one % of our critiques. It’s subsequent successful function is that it might carry e-bikes with a wheelbase of as much as 60 in.—lengthy sufficient to hold longtail cargo e-bikes.
Professionals- Extraordinarily versatile whereas nonetheless being a terrific worth
- Terrific for fats e-bikes
- Device-free system; meeting and set up is simpler than most others
- One key operates all locks
- Can carry e-bikes with a wheelbase of as much as 60 in., making it splendid for cargo e-bikes
- Weight capability of as much as 80 lbs. per e-bike
- With 10 in. of area between e-bikes, there isn’t a interference between pedals
Cons- No ramp; you’ve obtained to select the e-bike up
- Requires an adapter for smaller (20 in.) wheels
| Hitch Dimension(s) | 2 in. (no 1.25 in.) |
| Variety of Bikes It Can Carry | 2 |
| Max Bike Weight Per Tray | 80 lbs. |
| Complete Max Weight Capability | 160 lbs. |
| Mechanism For Securing Bikes | Arm over body |
| Max Wheel Base Size | 60 in. |
| Rack Weight | Hitch |
| Car Sort | Any |
| Max Tire Width | 5 in. |
| Max Tire Diameter | 29 in. |
| Works With _____ Frames | Step-over frames, step-thru frames with an adapter |
| Key Options | Almost unmatched in weight and wheelbase |
| Safety Options | One key for all locks |
| Non-compulsory equipment | Trike adapter, step-thru body adapter, small wheel adapter |
The ratcheting body hook is simple to place as soon as the e-bike is within the wheel holders.
As a result of the ratcheting wheel straps forestall the e-bike from rolling backward or ahead, the body hooks with with sloping high tubes.
The ratcheting wheel straps assist to safe the e-bike and reduce wiggle.
Turning this crank is all that’s required to safe the Sportrider within the receiver.
Hollywood Racks Sportrider Assessment: Performance / Utilizing the Rack
Securing the rack to the hitch
For individuals who need a rack that doesn’t require getting out a instrument equipment, the Hollywood Racks Sportrider is a perfect alternative. One of many advertising factors for the Sportrider is that it may be put in with no instruments. Slide it into the hitch receiver after which merely flip the deal with clockwise till the rack is cosy.
Loading bikes
Because of the manner an e-bike’s wheels sit within the wheel holders, a ramp gained’t work; the e-bikes should be picked up and positioned within the hitch rack. For house owners of heavier e-bikes, this gained’t be a lot enjoyable, however that is the rack’s greatest disadvantage. To load an e-bike within the extra inboard place the mast will be folded down into the storage place.
With the bike loaded, you’ll be able to then maintain the e-bike upright and fold the mast again up and produce the body hook down on the e-bike. As soon as the primary bike is secured, the second bike will be loaded. Every wheel holder comes with a ratcheting strap to assist safe the e-bike.
For e-bikes with step-thru frames, Hollywood makes a telescoping adapter that features like a high tube and will be mounted on an e-bike that clamps on the seatpost and steerer beneath the stem. The body hook can then be introduced down on it.
The wheel holders will be adjusted left-to-right to scale back interference between the handlebar of 1 e-bike and the saddle of one other. Setting this up the primary time can require a certain quantity of endurance, however as soon as the wheel holders are correctly positioned you gained’t have to maneuver them once more, offered you’re loading the identical e-bikes every time.
Securing the bikes
The body hooks within the Sportrider are keyed to the identical key that locks the rack to the receiver. Having only one key simplifies safety with out sacrificing something.
Trunk / Tailgate entry
Like different hitch racks, the Hollywood Racks Sportrider will be folded out, away from the car as a way to open a car’s trunk, hatch or tailgate.
That is what the rack appears like with the central mast up with out e-bikes in place.
When not in use, the Sportrider folds up in order that it’s compact and out of the way in which.
When carrying only one e-bike, it’s useful to place it nearer to the car to assist scale back how a lot the rack wiggles.
The trike adapter for the Sportrider is a terrific possibility, and one with little competitors.
Hollywood Racks Sportrider Assessment: Driving With the Rack
Stability
The Hollywood Racks Sportrider does a pleasant job of holding e-bikes securely with out loads of wiggle. In fact the quantity of wiggle is decided by simply how heavy your e-bikes are. There’s a notable discount in motion with only one e-bike moderately than two.
For anybody planning to drive on unpaved roads, we advocate slowing down, much less as a result of we’re involved concerning the sturdiness of the rack than how the hook will deal with the body.
Entry/Exit angles and floor clearance
The rack body sits 6.5 in. greater than the hitch receiver, and the outermost portion of the rack sits 29.5 in. from the hitch receiver. That creates a good quantity of clearance between the rack and the bottom.
Factors to think about: The heavier the e-bikes, the decrease the provider will sit. Additionally, the farther the provider is from the rear axle, the decrease the provider will sit. We discovered the Sportrider to scrape on steep driveways when loaded.
Having a truck or SUV will scale back the prospect of the provider scraping. Woe be unto these with lowered automobiles, although.
Equipment
There aren’t many equipment made for the Sportrider. They don’t provide license plate holder or further lights. Nevertheless, what they do provide, which places most different racks to disgrace, is an adapter for a trike, which is a terrific different to purchasing a pickup.
Folks in search of a rack that may be expanded to a few or 4 bikes might want to look elsewhere; the Sportrider just isn’t expandable.
House owners of e-bikes with 20-in. wheels should buy the small wheel adapter.
If, for some motive, the ratcheting body hooks aren’t sufficiently safe to fulfill you, Hollywood makes what they name Precision Slide body hooks. Quite than relying on a ratchet, they are often secured at any top you select.
Hollywood Racks Sportrider Assessment: Rack Storage
What it’s like carrying the rack round and storing it.
The rack weighs 58 lbs., lower than many e-bikes, so it’s not super-heavy, however it’s possible you’ll not get pleasure from carrying it out of your storage to your car. In the event you’re apt to take away the rack following every use, Hollywood makes what they name the Rack Valet, which is a rolling provider for a rack.
Roll it out, place it behind your car, lock the wheels after which slide the rack out of the receiver and choose it up the few inches essential to place it in your car’s receiver.
When folded, the rack is comparatively compact and occupies about as a lot ground area as an e-bike.
Hollywood Racks Sportrider Assessment: Our Suggestion
It our more and more sophisticated world, it doesn’t usually appear to be there are merchandise that may work for anybody, however the place hitch racks are involved, when somebody asks us a few good hitch rack that gained’t run the price of an e-bike, the Hollywood Racks Sportrider is the primary rack we point out.
When don’t we advocate the Sportrider? In precisely one scenario: In the event you can’t carry your e-bike excessive sufficient to set it within the wheel holders. We’d hate for that to look ableist, however that’s the worth of admission with this hitch rack. It’s a bummer, nevertheless it appears an inexpensive commerce given the price of this rack.
It’s uncommon to discover a product that provides a lot flexibility, however there are few hitch racks that may accommodate such a broad array of e-bikes. And with a retail worth of $499, that you just get a lot for such a terrific worth makes this certainly one of our very favorites.
Comfortable Driving! Be sure that to tell us in case you have any questions or should you suppose we left something out on this overview of the Hollywood Racks Sportrider down in our feedback part.
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