E-Bike Rack Recommendation to Carry Two Retrospec Koa Rev E-Bikes

Question:

Hello. We need a new rack because our newest car, a 2021 Polestar 2, came with a 1 1/4inch receiver hitch. Also, our current rack is an old Yakima FullSwing which really wont work with my wifes new E bike. My question is that both the E bike. a Retrospec Koa Rev see here: and her regular bike, an Elektra Townie Commute 27d see here: have front fenders. The Retrospecs fender is pretty minimal and the front edge is basically at 12 oclock. The Townies fender is a little longer, reaching just past 1 oclock. I like the idea of the Thule EasyFold but am concerned that 2 bikes wont fit if one is the E bike as the rear hub on it is 11inch wide. I think a rack like the Kuat NV 2.0 will work because the front wheel holder will clear the fenders if it is set between 2 and 3 oclock. If/when I get and E bike it will likely be another Restrospec or one very similar. So, A will the front wheel holders of the Kuat or any other rack work if set between 2 and 3 oclock, and B can the NV 2.0 hold two Retrospec Koa Revs batteries removed to get under 60 pounds each? Any help figuring this out will be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

asked by: Mark L

Helpful Expert Reply:

The Thule EasyFold XT part # TH903202 carries the bikes with 9 inches between them so if you had a hub that was 11 inches wide (distance split on either side of bike) and the two bikes were loaded in opposite directions there would be no issue. It's not recommended to put the wheel holder of the Thule EasyFold XT part # TH903202 on the outside of the tire like you mentioned. So based on that I would not recommend this rack for your Koa Revs and instead would go with the Easyfold since it uses frame clamps instead.

Or for a similar e-bike rack that has a wider distance between the bikes you could use the Yakima OnRamp part # Y36FR instead which also has a ramp setup built into it.

expert reply by: Jameson C