Comparison of Yakima OnRamp and Swagman E-Spec Bike Racks for Lectric 2.0 E-Bikes

Question:

Yakima Onramp Bike Rack vs Swagman e- vs Hollywood E Spec Which is safer to use on my 2 Lectric 2.0 Bike? In the absent of holding cradles on Yakima and Swagman similar to Hollywood? Make me worry that the bike may run away or fall off as it bounces back and forth? Am not sure how Yakima straps can hold the bike weight? We leaning toward Yakima: But, these are our concerns? Plus, the railing and the one holding the tires are somehow narrow for 3inch that we have on our bikes?

asked by: RodD

Expert Reply:

The big difference between the Yakima # Y36FR OnRamp and the Swagman # S94FR E-Spec is how the rack grasps the bike frames and the fact that the Yakima OnRamp features an on-board ramp that makes loading the bikes much easier.

The E-Spec has a 70 lb per bike capacity, while the OnRamp's capacity is 66 lb per bike. The E-Spec has ratcheting hooks that can be ran down to grab the frame top tube or an adapter bar like # 64005 while the OnRamp grabs the bike by the seat post tube, which fits a wider variety of bike frame styles.

Both racks are approved for use on passenger vehicles, motorhomes, fifth wheels, travel trailers and flat towed vehicles, so either rack can be used on just about any type of vehicle.

I haven't heard any reports of bikes coming loose from the Yakima OnRamp, but I would personally put a bit more trust in the ratcheting hook arrangement used by the E-Spec and racks of that type. because the hook is moved downward to contact the bike, It would seem to me it would do a better job of preventing the bike from jumping loose.

I've linked to product demonstration videos for both bike racks mentioned above.

expert reply by: Mike L