There are a lot of great things about e-bikes. Lifting them onto bike racks isn’t one of them.It doesn’t matter what kind of bike rack you use, it’s always awkward and difficult. Until Saris made a solution.
Some rack designs are worse than others. Tray racks are, I think, great. They’re low to the ground, depending on your vehicle. Many designs only clamp on the wheel, not the frame. But they’re still awkward to load. Even light e-bikes are still hefty and even the best motor system doesn’t help you lift it straight up in the air.
So Saris decided to work with the strengths of an e-bike. Rolling. The new Cycle-On hitch rack can be used with any kind of bike, e- or otherwise, but it will be most notable for anyone looking to make loading an e-bike easier.
The Ride-On comes with a telescoping ramp that locks securely into place on the rack trays, easily and tool-free, so you can just roll your bike up onto the rack instead of lifting it. If your e-bike has a walk-mode function, you can use that to make loading even easier. I’ve tried an earlier version of this that is an option with Saris’s MHS system and it’s quite handy. It still requires a place to stash the ramp in your vehicle, but that’s way easier than lifting an e-bike. The telescoping design of the ramp means it takes up less space in your trunk.
While hitch racks aren’t the most exciting new technology in the world of bikes, Saris solves a very real-world problem with the Cycle-On. I can’t count how many times I’ve been asked about track racks and e-bike loading at trailheads. Riders are legitimately interested in an easier way to get e-bikes onto their vehicles. I’ve never been stopped and asked whether my fork lowers have little hidden dimples in them. Or whether I can flip my bars instead of flipping my stem. But bike racks? THat’s a problem riders are actually look for a solution to.
Saris offers the Cycle-On for USD 900. That’s about $1,253 in Canada. It is compatible with wheelbases up to 50 inches and wheel sizes from 20” to 32”, and tires up to 4” wide. This rack is compatible with both 1.25” and 2” receivers for universal hitch fit. The rack has a 140-lbs weight limit, or 70 lbs per bike. The rack also folds and rolls on integrated wheels, a welcome feature if you have to remove it regularly.