2/3 hanging bike rack?

[DominiqueD]

Hi Everyone,

I am looking at buying a thule hanging bike rack. Would a 2 bike hanging bike rack work for 2 bikes (space wise) or is it better to get the 3 hanging bike rack? 

Thanks so much 🙂 

[ChrisF]

9 minutes ago, DominiqueD said:

Hi Everyone,

I am looking at buying a thule hanging bike rack. Would a 2 bike hanging bike rack work for 2 bikes (space wise) or is it better to get the 3 hanging bike rack? 

Thanks so much 🙂 

 

Rather get the 3-bike rack, especially if you are transporting modern MTB's with its very wide frame construction.

[DominiqueD]

1 minute ago, ChrisF said:

 

Rather get the 3-bike rack, especially if you are transporting modern MTB's with its very wide frame construction.

Thanks so much! Would the same apply for the platform type racks? 

[Kylie]

1 hour ago, DominiqueD said:

Thanks so much! Would the same apply for the platform type racks? 

Yes, the three bike platform rack will be easier from a packing perspective - and less chance of things rubbing

[Bub Marley]

If it’s a platform rack you can adjust to make it fit but it can be a faff depending on the shapes of the bikes. On a hanging rack, im certain it would be too tight. I have a 4 bike rack and it’s a breeze to fit 3 bikes. If i wanna get 4 in, it takes a bit of adjusting every bike, calculating which bike to place where, some mathematics etc and also some foam to protect as most likely there will be a point where the bikes are touching. 

[RobynE 🚵‍♀️]

2 hours ago, ChrisF said:

 

Rather get the 3-bike rack, especially if you are transporting modern MTB's with its very wide frame construction.

This, plus, if a bike has a rear shock it can make hanging tricky, but you can get adapters for it. 

[ct_rider]

Definitely 3, think more about when the car is moving. Your biggest concern is contact between bikes. Nothing worst than arriving at your destination and finding your paint completely rubbed away or some sort of damage at your destination. 

[ChrisF]

3 hours ago, DominiqueD said:

Thanks so much! Would the same apply for the platform type racks? 

 

Yes, for the older racks.

 

New Thule racks apparently have wider spacing .... might be best to check the spacing width as it differs between brands and year of manufacture

[Dogs]

If you have a towbar, I would suggest that you rather get a platform rack, just a lot less hassle overall.  (coming from someone that has the 2 bike towbar hanging rack as well as 4 bike hanging rack for hatchback).

[Scott roy]

16 hours ago, Dogs said:

If you have a towbar, I would suggest that you rather get a platform rack, just a lot less hassle overall.  (coming from someone that has the 2 bike towbar hanging rack as well as 4 bike hanging rack for hatchback).

I was going to say the same. 
I would strongly suggest getting a platform rack if possible. 

[RobynE 🚵‍♀️]

I have both styles and they both have their merits. I still use my hanging rack for quick trips or where I know it will be very bumpy going. Platform rack for trips on better roads. 

[DominiqueD]

On 6/21/2025 at 12:40 PM, RobynE 🚵‍♀️ said:

I have both styles and they both have their merits. I still use my hanging rack for quick trips or where I know it will be very bumpy going. Platform rack for trips on better roads. 

I do find the hang on rack a lot easier to use by myself. (attaching it to my towbar).  My friend has both and let me try them on my car so I now have a better idea of how it works. The platform racks are of course A LOT more expensive so that is also a big consideration. 

Thank you for your advice 🙂 

[Bub Marley]

On 6/21/2025 at 12:40 PM, RobynE 🚵‍♀️ said:

I have both styles and they both have their merits. I still use my hanging rack for quick trips or where I know it will be very bumpy going. Platform rack for trips on better roads. 

Surely the platform rack is more secure on bumpy roads?

 

I get the one for quick trips as the platform rack is heavy and can be a faff to set up but its way more secure than a hanging rack.

[RobynE 🚵‍♀️]

31 minutes ago, Bub Marley said:

Surely the platform rack is more secure on bumpy roads?

 

I get the one for quick trips as the platform rack is heavy and can be a faff to set up but it’s way more secure than a hanging rack.

I find that the hanging rack has a better centre of gravity and doesn’t bounce up and down as much from the weight of the bikes. Maybe it’s just my own brain 😂 But I’ve done some 4x4 roads with the hanging rack and felt super comfortable, whereas I regularly cringe going over speed bumps with the platform rack.