What Bike Rack Do You Recommend for a Lectric E-Bike on a 2019 Subaru Forester?

Question:

Hello! We have a 2019 Subaru Forester with a U-Haul 2inch hitch mounted to it. We also have a nice Thule rack which works just fine for regular bikes, but we just bought a Lectric E-bike step-through model for my wife. Now I want to carry her E-Bike and my old Fuji road bike and Im not sure the Thule is up to the weight limit for that. The Lectric bike weighs 64 lbs and the Fuji about 30 lbs. Although I cant find the specs on my exact Thule model, a similar one double track Pro XT on their website is rated at 37.5 lbs per bike and 75 lbs max. Do you have any recommendations for a suitable hitch mount rack that will carry our new Ebike and my old Fuji?

asked by: Tim B

Expert Reply:

Without knowing the exact model of your current Thule rack, if it has a maximum per-bike weight capacity anywhere around 37.5 pounds, it will definitely not be able to accommodate your wife's Lectric e-bike along with your Fuji road bike.

With that being said, we do have some great options for carrying both of your bikes. I did some research on the current Lectric bike models, and it is my understanding that some of the models (like the XP 2.0) have a very wide center frame tube. Many of the Lectric bikes have fenders and rear cargo platforms as well. Moreover, if your wife indeed has the XP 2.0, the weight listed on the specs is listed as 64 pounds but that is with the 7-pound battery installed. With the battery removed, the weight of her bike would be 57 pounds. We always recommend traveling your e-bike without the battery installed in order to avoid any unnecessary damage to the battery do to bumps/added torque.

With these restrictions, by far the best rack is the Saris Freedom # SA4412B. Apart from the Saris Freedom's 60-pound per-bike weight capacity, it also has mounting arms that independently adjust. With this capability, you will not have to install an adapter bar like the Swagman Deluxe Bike Frame Adapter Bar # 64005. Also, since the bike secures to the rack via the frame, it will avoid potential damage to the cargo platform and fenders. Finally, with the long shank, you will most likely not have an issue with bumper clearance. To confirm this, I recommend measuring the center of your hitch's pinhole to the outside surface of your rear bumper on your Forester. If that measurement is less than 12 inches, you will be good to go!

I went ahead and attached a picture of a neighbor who bought the Freedom to use with his Lectric XP 2.0.

expert reply by: Bob C