Best Easy-to-Use Bike Rack for Women

Question:

I’m a short women 5’1”. I want a bike rack that I can lift my bike onto and take off without any help. Right now we have an old Allen rack which sits too high on the car. My research is telling me I need a hitch rack. Problem is I’d also like to be able to open the trunk. Big problem. So what would you recommend for me. I’d also like to be able to carry two bikes. Thank you.

asked by: Joan M

Expert Reply:

As a small 5'2" woman myself, I understand the need for a bike rack that I can use. Hitch mounted bike racks are ALWAYS the best way to go, no matter what, since they're sturdier, easier, and usually have a higher weight capacity. Try to get a platform rack since they have less bike-to-bike contact and you don't have to lift as much.

First, you'll need a hitch. Ideally, you want a 2" hitch like # e98847 since that's the most common size for bike racks.

Next, the bike rack options. There's a bunch of great ones out there, but what I think will work best for you is the Kuat Sherpa 2.0 which comes in three colors # SH22G (Grey) # SH22B (Black) # SH22P (Pearl). It's a premium bike rack, and it shows with its impressive levers and tilting features. The lever can be pressed with your foot to fold down the rack while you're holding onto your bike. It also smoothly tilts away with the bikes on so you can open your trunk. I attached my friend Adam's video review on a 2015 Subaru Outback if you want to see how it works on your vehicle. I also attached MY review of this bike rack on 2020 Jeep Cherokee if you want to see how easy it is for me to dismount my bike and maneuver the bike rack.

Now if you're looking for something a bit more affordable, you can still get a very decent platform rack like the Hollywood Destination 2 # HLY94FR. It's only 20lbs so you can carry and install it yourself. The levers and knobs take a bit getting used to but once you do, it's still much easier than a trunk bike rack. Bike racks in this price range don't usually tilt away though, so you will have to take off your bike to open your trunk. It really depends on what your price range, but these are personally among my favorite bike racks to work with!