Soarify Platform 2 EBike Rack Review: The Heavy-Duty Workhorse for Your Heavyweight Rides

There’s a moment of pure joy every eBike owner knows well. It’s that initial surge of power as the pedal-assist kicks in, transforming a grueling hill into a gentle slope and a long commute into a breezy adventure. We invested in our eBikes for that freedom—the ability to explore further, ride longer, and conquer terrain that once seemed daunting. But then comes the logistical paradox: the very machine that grants us this boundless freedom on the trail becomes an anchor when we try to transport it. Lifting a 60, 70, or even 80-pound eBike onto a flimsy, old-school car rack isn’t just difficult; it’s a recipe for a strained back, a scratched car, or worse, a damaged bike. This is the challenge we faced. Our weekend getaways were becoming exercises in anxiety, constantly worrying if our existing rack could handle the sheer weight and awkward geometry of two modern eBikes. We needed a solution that was as robust and capable as the bikes themselves, a carrier that would let us focus on the destination, not the journey’s potential for disaster.

What to Consider Before Buying an eBike Car Rack

A Bicycle Car Rack, especially one designed for electric bikes, is more than just an accessory; it’s a key solution for unlocking the full potential of your cycling lifestyle. It bridges the gap between your home and the trailhead, allowing you to transport heavy, expensive equipment safely and securely. The primary benefit is peace of mind. A proper eBike rack eliminates the risk of damage to your vehicle and your bikes, protecting a significant investment. It saves you from the physical strain of trying to fit bulky bikes into your car’s interior and ensures you arrive at your ride spot ready to go, not exhausted and frustrated from a transportation battle.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone who owns one or more eBikes, heavy mountain bikes, or fat-tire bikes and has a vehicle with a 2-inch hitch receiver. They value security, stability, and ease of use. This is for the adventurer who regularly takes their bikes on road trips, to state parks, or to distant trails. On the other hand, a heavy-duty hitch rack like this might not be suitable for those who only own lightweight road bikes, lack a hitch receiver on their car, or have very limited storage space. For them, a lighter, more compact trunk-mounted rack might be a better, more economical choice. The key is matching the rack’s capabilities to the demands of your specific bikes and vehicle.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: Consider the overall footprint of the rack, both when extended with bikes and when folded against the vehicle. Measure your garage or parking space to ensure it fits. Also, check the spacing between the bike trays to ensure your specific bikes won’t rub against each other, especially if they have wide handlebars or bulky frames.
• Capacity/Performance: This is the most critical factor for eBikes. Look beyond the number of bikes and focus on the total weight capacity. The Soarify Platform 2 EBike Rack boasts a 180-pound limit, which is essential for carrying two typical eBikes that can easily weigh 60-70 pounds each. Always confirm your bikes’ weight to ensure you’re well within the rack’s specified limits.
• Materials & Durability: The material dictates the rack’s strength and longevity. High-strength alloy steel, used in the Soarify rack, provides exceptional rigidity and load-bearing capability, which is perfect for heavy bikes. While it can be heavier than aluminum, it offers superior strength and is often found in more budget-friendly, heavy-duty options. Pay attention to the quality of the finish to prevent rust.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: A rack should simplify your life, not complicate it. Look for features like tool-free adjustments, quick-release mechanisms for tilting, and straightforward loading procedures. For long-term care, regularly check all bolts for tightness, clean the rack after exposure to road salt or grime, and touch up any scratches in the paint to prevent corrosion.

Understanding these factors will ensure you choose a rack that not only fits your vehicle but seamlessly integrates into your cycling adventures for years to come.

While the Soarify Platform 2 EBike Rack is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Unboxing a Heavy-Duty Contender

The Soarify Platform 2 EBike Rack arrived in a substantial box, and its 34-pound item weight was immediately apparent. This isn’t a lightweight, flimsy piece of equipment; pulling the components out of the packaging, we were greeted with thick-gauge alloy steel parts and solid, confident welds. The bright orange accents provide a nice visual contrast to the black powder coat, giving it a rugged, functional aesthetic. Assembly was our first task, and like many users, we found the included QR code linking to an installation video to be incredibly helpful. While the paper manual was adequate, watching the step-by-step video process clarified the orientation of a few parts and made the whole process smoother. We had it fully assembled in about 20 minutes using our own socket set, as recommended by other owners. The initial feel is one of sheer robustness. The components lock together with authority, and once mounted on our SUV’s 2-inch receiver, it felt like an extension of the vehicle’s frame. The build quality immediately inspires confidence, suggesting it’s ready to handle the serious weight it’s rated for.

Deep Dive: Putting the Soarify Platform 2 to the Test

A rack’s true worth is revealed not in the garage, but out on the open road, over miles of unpredictable pavement and challenging conditions. We put the Soarify Platform 2 EBike Rack through a comprehensive series of tests, from assembly and daily use to a long-distance road trip with two heavy eBikes in tow, mirroring the real-world scenarios it was built for.

Assembly and Fitment: From Box to Bumper

Getting the Soarify Platform 2 EBike Rack from a collection of parts to a fully functional carrier was a straightforward affair, largely thanks to the modern convenience of video instructions. Scanning the QR code led us to a clear, concise assembly guide that was far more intuitive than the included paper manual. As one user noted, “the installation video is very helpful, just scan the code, get it install very quick.” We timed ourselves and, working at a steady pace, had the rack assembled and ready to mount in just under 20 minutes. You will need your own tools—specifically an adjustable wrench or a socket set—so be prepared for that. Once assembled, we moved to mount it on our vehicle’s 2-inch receiver. Here, we encountered an issue that a few other users have flagged: the fit was exceptionally tight. The thick layer of paint on the hitch shank increased its dimensions just enough to make insertion difficult. Like another owner who had to “belt sand and repaint” the part, we opted to use a rubber mallet and some gentle persuasion to get it seated. While it creates a snug, wobble-free connection, this tight tolerance is a minor quality control issue that could frustrate some users. Once installed, however, the included anti-wobble hitch pin and lock worked perfectly, creating a solid, reassuring connection to the vehicle.

On-the-Road Performance: Stability and Security Under Load

This is where the Soarify Platform 2 EBike Rack truly shines. Its heavy-duty steel construction and 180-pound capacity are not just numbers on a spec sheet; they translate directly into tangible, on-the-road stability. We loaded up two eBikes, with a combined weight of approximately 135 pounds, well within the rack’s limit. The platform style is a game-changer for heavy bikes, as you only need to lift them a short distance into the wheel trays. The adjustable, padded frame hooks slid down and locked onto the top tubes with a satisfying click, preventing any vertical movement. The wheel straps, while simple, cinched down tightly and held the tires securely in the trays. Our test route included highways, bumpy country roads, and tight corners. The rack was exceptional. There was minimal sway or bounce, a sentiment echoed by a user who took it on a “week long trip through Yellowstone” with two 4-inch tire eBikes. They noted that the “straps and supports all work as expected.” We did add our own supplemental anti-wobble clamp at the hitch for extra peace of mind, as that same user did, and the result was a rock-solid system. Even during sudden stops and lane changes, the bikes remained firmly in place, giving us the confidence to focus on driving rather than constantly checking the rearview mirror.

Everyday Usability: Tilting, Folding, and Living With the Rack

Beyond its core function of holding bikes, a rack’s usability determines whether it’s a joy or a chore to live with. The Soarify Platform 2 EBike Rack includes several key features that enhance its daily convenience. The most valuable of these is the tilt-down mechanism. By pulling a single pin, the entire rack, with bikes still loaded, pivots away from the vehicle. We tested this on our SUV and had more than enough clearance to fully open the rear liftgate and access the cargo area. This feature, which one user described as “neat,” is indispensable for road trips, allowing you to grab gear from the trunk without the monumental task of unloading the bikes. When not in use, another pin allows the main mast to fold up against the vehicle. This significantly reduces the rack’s overall length, making it much easier to park in a garage or a tight parking spot. The built-in locking hitch pin is another crucial feature, providing a deterrent against theft of the rack itself. While the rack is undeniably heavy at 34 pounds, its thoughtful design makes these key interactions—tilting and folding—relatively effortless. This focus on practical, real-world features is what makes it a compelling option for frequent riders.

What Other Users Are Saying

Across the board, the user feedback for the Soarify Platform 2 EBike Rack paints a picture of a product that delivers on its core promise of strength and stability, albeit with some noted inconsistencies in finish quality. The overwhelming sentiment is positive, with many, like one reviewer, stating, “after using this rack for a week, I have to say it’s solid. Holds my ebike securely… For the price, good value for money.” Another happy customer who took it on road trips noted it “feels solid and secure, even when carrying two adult bikes on bumpy roads.” The ease of assembly, especially with the video guide, is another common point of praise.

However, the critiques are just as consistent. The most frequent complaint centers on the finish. One user bluntly stated, “Rust!! I’m going to paint it myself,” while another received a unit that “Looks used and have paint damage.” This suggests that while the underlying steel structure is robust, the protective coating may be a weak point that could require some proactive maintenance from the owner. The previously mentioned tight fit of the 2-inch hitch part is the other primary issue cited. Despite these drawbacks, most users who experienced them still concluded that the rack’s performance and sturdiness made it a worthwhile purchase, especially given its competitive price point.

How Does the Soarify Platform 2 EBike Rack Compare to the Alternatives?

The Soarify Platform 2 EBike Rack operates in a competitive market. While it carves out a niche as a high-capacity, budget-friendly option, it’s important to see how it stacks up against other popular choices that serve different needs and price points.

1. Saris Bones EX 2-Bike Trunk Rack

The Saris Bones EX is in a completely different category. It’s a trunk-mounted rack, meaning it uses straps to attach to your car’s trunk or hatchback rather than a hitch receiver. Its primary advantages are its light weight, compatibility with vehicles that lack a hitch, and its unique arc-based design that separates the bikes to prevent contact. However, it is fundamentally unsuitable for heavy eBikes. Its weight capacity is significantly lower, and the hanging style can be problematic for the non-traditional frame shapes of many eBikes. The Saris Bones EX is an excellent choice for someone with lightweight road or hybrid bikes and no hitch, but for the eBike owner, the Soarify Platform 2 is unequivocally the superior and safer solution.

2. Young Electric 2-Bike Hitch Rack Smart Tilting

The Young Electric 2-Bike Hitch Rack is a direct competitor to the Soarify Platform 2. Both are platform-style, tilting hitch racks designed specifically for heavy eBikes. The Young rack boasts a slightly higher weight capacity at 200 pounds (compared to Soarify’s 180) and is explicitly designed to fit tires up to 5 inches wide. It often comes at a higher price point, which may be justified by potentially better finish quality and a more refined design. The choice between these two will likely come down to budget and specific needs. If you have exceptionally heavy eBikes (over 90 lbs each) or need to transport two fat-tire bikes simultaneously, the extra capacity of the Young rack might be worth the investment. For most standard eBike users, the Soarify offers very similar core functionality for a more attractive price.

3. Allen Sports 2-Bike Hitch Mount Rack

The Allen Sports rack represents a more traditional, budget-oriented hitch rack design. It’s a “hanging” style rack, where bikes are supported by their top tubes. While it mounts to a hitch receiver like the Soarify, it’s generally not recommended for heavy eBikes. First, lifting a heavy eBike up to arm height is far more difficult than placing it on a low platform. Second, the hanging design can struggle with the step-through frames common on eBikes and can concentrate stress on the frame. The Allen Sports rack is a proven, affordable solution for conventional bicycles, but the platform design of the Soarify Platform 2 EBike Rack is inherently more stable, easier to load, and safer for the unique demands of electric bikes.

Our Final Verdict: Is the Soarify Platform 2 EBike Rack a Buy?

After extensive testing and analysis, our conclusion is clear: the Soarify Platform 2 EBike Rack is a formidable workhorse that delivers exceptional value for the eBike owner. Its core strengths are undeniable: a massive 180-pound weight capacity, a rock-solid steel frame that inspires confidence on the highway, and a suite of user-friendly features like the tilt-down and folding mechanisms. It successfully solves the primary problem of safely and securely transporting two heavy eBikes without breaking the bank.

Its weaknesses, primarily related to cosmetic finish and fitment tolerances, are important to acknowledge but do not detract from its stellar performance in its main duty. For the price, it is one of the most capable racks on the market. We recommend it for any eBike enthusiast who prioritizes strength, stability, and function over a flawless finish. If you’re willing to potentially touch up some paint or put a little muscle into the initial installation, you will be rewarded with a rack that can handle almost any adventure you throw at it. If you’re ready to stop worrying about transport and start focusing on the ride, we highly recommend you check the latest price and see if the Soarify Platform 2 is right for you.