Review by Alex Sardella
For many of us passionate about biking, transporting our bikes is a crucial part of the experience. While some are fortunate enough to have trails accessible right from their doorstep, most riders need to drive to reach their favorite trailheads. Ensuring your bike gets to and from your garage safely is often an aspect that deserves more attention. VelociRAX aims to provide the ultimate solution for bike rack safety and convenience with their 5X rack. Let’s delve into this review to see if it lives up to the hype and becomes the go-to Velocirax Bike Rack for enthusiasts.
THE LAB: Examining the VelociRAX 5X Features
The VelociRAX 5X vertical bike rack is engineered to securely hold up to five bikes, offering a generous 15 inches of spacing between each tire. Upon installation, the robust steel construction of the VelociRAX is immediately apparent, finished with a black industrial powder coat that exudes durability, complemented by sleek red horizontal bars. The rack measures 73 inches in assembled width and stands 58 inches tall from the hitch. It’s important to note that all VelociRAX racks require a Class III hitch with a tongue capacity of 500 lbs, and the company advises against exceeding a total bike weight of 230 lbs. For those transporting multiple e-bikes, VelociRAX recommends removing batteries to manage the load.
The tire baskets are designed with versatility in mind, accommodating a wide array of tire diameters and sizes, from 29”, 27.5”, 26”, 24” down to 20”. The 5X model, which I tested, provides enhanced spacing, making it suitable for loading bikes with drop handlebars side-by-side, offering a bit more width than the standard five-bike version.
Securing the bike is straightforward: once the front tire is placed in the basket, VelociRAX’s custom, durable rubber straps come into play. These straps wrap around each tire and fasten onto a bolt through a series of precisely placed holes, accommodating different wheel diameters. The straps are both stretchy and firm, showing no signs of wear or durability issues after a year of use. VelociRAX also offers these straps for separate purchase, should replacements be needed. Unlike some vertical racks that utilize simpler strings or ratcheting mechanisms, the VelociRAX straps demonstrate a thoughtful approach to bike security—easy to use and consistently reliable.
For added customization, VelociRAX offers optional add-ons such as a fat bike tire bracket, an integrated locking system, and hitch receiver adapters for 2.5” or 3” hitches. They also provide a garage mounting system for convenient storage when the rack is not in use. While I haven’t personally utilized the garage mount yet, it seems like a practical option for off-season storage. All VelociRAX racks are backed by a 2-year limited warranty covering material defects or workmanship errors, excluding normal wear and tear.
THE DIRT: Performance and Real-World Testing of the 5X Rack
Let’s shift focus to the VelociRAX 5X rack’s performance and usability. Initial installation took between 60 to 90 minutes. The process is user-friendly, supported by clear, step-by-step instructions. Throughout the summer, the rack has performed flawlessly, with no issues related to bolts or hitch integration. Removing the rack, when needed, is a simple two-step process: disengage the master lock and pin, then unhitch the rack. While the 5X can feel a bit heavy and cumbersome to maneuver alone, it is manageable for a single person.
Close-up of multiple bikes loaded on the Velocirax 5X bike rack, showcasing its capacity and versatility for different bike types.
The VelociRAX bike rack excels in numerous aspects: ease of loading and unloading, secure bike hold, versatility across bike types, and its resilience on rough dirt roads. A standout feature is the hydraulic damper, which smoothly lowers the rack, making it incredibly easy to roll bikes into the tire baskets. This is a significant advantage, particularly for families, women, or younger riders. While pushing the rack back up with bikes loaded requires some effort, it’s easily manageable with two people. Personally, being taller, I don’t utilize the lowering feature as frequently, but I recognize its considerable value for many users.
One primary reason I was drawn to VelociRAX was its compatibility with downhill bikes. Many vertical bike racks struggle to accommodate dual crown forks due to design limitations. For me, summer riding often includes downhill shuttles, making this compatibility crucial. The tire basket design of the velocirax bike rack proves exceptionally versatile, genuinely accommodating any bike style. My personal bike collection includes a beach cruiser, gravel bike, dirt jumper, trail bike, and downhill bike—all of which fit simultaneously on the rack, despite their varied wheelbases, tire sizes, and handlebar styles.
The VelociRAX platform and carrier design are remarkably refined, leaving little room for complaint. While VelociRAX suggests bike placement is arbitrary, I’ve found that loading bikes from XL to S, right to left, optimizes ease of use. The 15-inch spacing on the 5X model is appreciated, as the standard 5 model might feel cramped with a diverse mix of bikes. Brake levers can sometimes get close to adjacent frames, but the XL-S loading method largely mitigates this.
The Wolf’s Last Word: Final Verdict on the VelociRAX 5X
The VelociRAX is the first vertical bike rack I’ve owned, and frankly, I see no need to explore other options. The intelligent basket design, robust build quality, solid structure, and dependable straps set a high benchmark. This velocirax bike rack truly stands out as an all-encompassing solution. Coordinating shuttle rides with friends has been seamless this year, and the ability to carry more bikes means more companions can join the adventure.
The Velocirax 5X bike rack mounted on a vehicle, demonstrating its compact vertical design for easy bike transport.
Price: $915.00
Website: Velocirax.com/
