People frequently write in to ask us what bike rack we recommend for the the car to transport an elMundo (or Mundo) long distances, say between a winter residence and a summer residence.
Over the years, we have recommended several products, but each had their drawbacks. The roof racks designed for tandems or recumbents weren’t ideal for elMundos because it is difficult for many Yuba riders to lift 50-70 lbs over their heads. The “remove the front wheel” type of rack requires remembering to bring the tools to pull off the wheels, and then lining up those little suckers while lifting the bike up. Then there’s the racks that aren’t designed for bikes over 35 pounds, which we haven’t recommended but people have tried.
A elMundo and a Mundo NuVinci Lux, ready to go on an adventure!
We finally found a rack that’s easy to use, and can accommodate two (yes two!) elMundos. The Hollywood Racks Sport Rider for Electric Bikes (HR1450E) is an easy-to-use hitch mounted rack that fits standard 2″ trailer hitches. Loading the bikes is easy, because the rack is fairly close to the ground, so you can put the front wheel in the rack first, and then lift the rear wheel (and motor) into the rack.
We were concerned that the sideloaders would rub and scratch the paint on the second bike. In our test, this did not happen, because the sideloaders rubbed up against the rubber of the tires on the second bike. If it was a major concern, a user could tape or zip tie some cardboard between the bikes to prevent any contact at all.
The rack conveniently folds up against the vehicle when not in use.
**Please remember to remove the electric batteries before putting your electric bike on a car rack, because the vibrations of the road can decrease battery life.
