Weight of 2 e-bikes on rear rack? (1 Viewer)

[Euphony]

Hi all,
Just wondering if the weight of 2 e-bikes is an issue on a rear rack please? (Batteries would be removed)
TIA.

 

[Mikeco]

Our two bikes have a total weight of 40kg, our van bike rack is only rated to 35kg but is now bolted on so I risk it.

 

[FJmike]

Better to be safe and use a towbar mounted rack. Overloading can and will cause serious possibly unrepairable damage.

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[Euphony]

Better to be safe and use a towbar mounted rack. Overloading can and will cause serious possibly unrepairable damage.

I don't have a towbar but I have seen racks with 4 bikes on the back so hoped that 2 e-bikes would be okay.

 

[scotzsue]

Our rack was plated at 50kg 1 ebike (no battery) 1 adult bike, weighed less than 40kg total. check your bike weights and the rating for your rack. friends have just had a rack fitted to carry 2 ebikes, but the small folding type.

 

[Langtoftlad]

I was going to have a door mounted bike rack for one chunky 25kg e-bike but thought the additional stresses of speed bumps & potholes might exceed the plated limits... the thoughts of a deformed door or hinge wasn't a happy thought.
So went for a towbar option, which although more expensive initially, is a more flexible one, giving choice, as well as peace of mind - and the bike rack can be taken from one van to another.

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[FJmike]

I have seen racks with 4 bikes on the back so hoped that 2 e-bikes would be okay.

But you don't know if they are slowly wrecking their vans. For most vans the rack is mounted through two supports, depending on the person who fitted it these mount holes may or may not be central on the supports, the hole may or may not be the right size. So worse case senario is the fitter has drilled holes that are too large and not central on supports, it will function well with two or three cycles but start really loading and there will be problems.

 

[kelv]

I have a rear mounted rack for my 2 ebikes.
I Remove the batteries total 41kg bike rack max load 60kg been using it for last 3 years not a problem though I did get the ebike rails which are slightly longer than standard to allow for the distance between the wheels 100mm longer from memory.
I also checked with hymer that the preinstalled brackets would take the load.

 

[Vic]

Towbar mounted rack for us. Heard too many horror stories. Why risk it?

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[Gizmouk]

We have a towbar mounted Westfelia bike rack. Gross weight of our e-bikes is 44Kg, so will within the 60Kg bike rack limit.
Obviously take the batteries off:
1. for security
2. Otherwise the wife complains they're too heavy to lift onto the rack

 

[BreweryDave]

Put mine in the garage, and a cargo back carrier on the bike rack for chairs etc. that used to be in the garage!
No way would I leave 2 expensive e-bikes on an external carrier!
Luckily my van has a large garage!

 

[The Wino]

I would just google the limit for the bike rack concerned. Ours had pre fitted rails to attach the rack to and as they are factory fitted I would hope thay are in the right place!!

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[The Wino]

Just checked ours is a pro bike c 60kg

 

[Minxy]

Our two bikes have a total weight of 40kg, our van bike rack is only rated to 35kg but is now bolted on so I risk it.

I don't think I'd risk it ... its not the rack itself that's the issue but the weight pulling at the back door itself ... the force of them moving when you go over bumps etc will add to this so you could end up with a badly distorted door. We've got a rack on our back door but wouldn't ever go over the stated 35kg max, but obviously would prefer to stay well below this.

 

[Lanerboy]

My rack is rated at 60kg and I carry 2 electric bikes on the back without batteries and have had no issues just make sure the wheels with the motors are at opposite ends to spread the weight

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[Katies-travels]

I don't have a towbar but I have seen racks with 4 bikes on the back so hoped that 2 e-bikes would be okay.

 

[Katies-travels]

I’ve just bought anThule hilift had a fiamma before and was fine
Trouble with a towbar type max load 60 kg less weight of bike rack on towbar means can only put about 15kgs on it

 

[deleted-member02]

Our Fiamma Carry Bike is rated at 60kg. We're regularly taking four bikes with a total weight of 55kg (physically weighed, all are heavier than manufacturer's spec)
The rack is attached to factory fitted mounting points and regularly inspected, no problems in the last 20,000miles or so.
Having said that, speed bumps and particularly railway crossings need respect and careful driving, as there's certainly potential for an 'incident'. I would imagine that the downforces exerted are considerable....

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[Ridgeway]

Our Fiamma Carry Bike is rated at 60kg. We're regularly taking four bikes with a total weight of 55kg (physically weighed, all are heavier than manufacturer's spec)
The rack is attached to factory fitted mounting points and regularly inspected, no problems in the last 20,000miles or so.
Having said that, speed bumps and particularly railway crossings need respect and careful driving, as there's certainly potential for an 'incident'. I would imagine that the downforces exerted are considerable....

Very similar here. 4 bikes that have a combined weight of 56kgs on a 60kgs rated rack that was fitted by the manufacturer.

Would prefer tow bar mounted but it's way too expensive.

I have swapped bikes this year though from my "heavy" 12kg Specialised hard tail to an 8kg carbon cross bike so I have 4kgs to play with.....

 

[jumar]

Hi all,
Just wondering if the weight of 2 e-bikes is an issue on a rear rack please? (Batteries would be removed)
TIA.

Have you tried loading eBikes onto a rear mounted rack, don't think I could put ours on, too heavy, too difficult to lift, BUT FUN TO RIDE.

 

[Dogeared]

Bought two electric bikes, after a couple of times lifting them on off the back, decided I didn't want to be a weight lifter, my backs already knackered, and got a tow bar fitted. Do not believe the stated weight of the e bike. We have two providers, great little bikes supposed to be 17k without batteries, actually 20k without the batteries. Try lifting an e bike to shoulder height, if you can do it easily, risk it, if not go for the tow bar.

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[Euphony]

Have you tried loading eBikes onto a rear mounted rack, don't think I could put ours on, too heavy, too difficult to lift, BUT FUN TO RIDE.

Hi, yes, we’ve been using them since I posted, they’re not that heavy. You need 2 people, one to lift and the other to hold the bike while you’re locking it in.

 

[busby]

I was going to have a door mounted bike rack for one chunky 25kg e-bike but thought the additional stresses of speed bumps & potholes might exceed the plated limits... the thoughts of a deformed door or hinge wasn't a happy thought.
So went for a towbar option, which although more expensive initially, is a more flexible one, giving choice, as well as peace of mind - and the bike rack can be taken from one van to another.

I have had two vans over the years fitted with cycle rack on rear doors,,,and carry 2 heavy bikes,,,never had any bother,,,BUSBY,,

 

[Langtoftlad]

I have had two vans over the years fitted with cycle rack on rear doors,,,and carry 2 heavy bikes,,,never had any bother,,,BUSBY,,

Thread from the dead
Anyway apart from my concern of weight hanging off the door - and just because you've never had any issues, wouldn't reduce my anxiety - there's another reason for a towbar rack... height. Not macho to admit but it was quite a struggle to heft 20kgs+ to shoulder height...
so;

• weight on back door
• height of rack
• convenience of having a towbar
• flexibility - on or off when you need it, swap it to another van or a car

Them's my reasons

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[busby]

Thread from the dead
Anyway apart from my concern of weight hanging off the door - and just because you've never had any issues, wouldn't reduce my anxiety - there's another reason for a towbar rack... height. Not macho to admit but it was quite a struggle to heft 20kgs+ to shoulder height...
so;

• weight on back door
• height of rack
• convenience of having a towbar
• flexibility - on or off when you need it, swap it to another van or a car

Them's my reasons

I can' have a tow bar rack because I have 2 aluminium storage boxes mounted beneath the cycle rack..Busby.