If you’re looking to save a little cash while still getting a well-performing hitch rack, then the Kuat Transfer V2 (2-bike: $549) is a great option to consider. This rack functions much like its more expensive competition, but with a simpler design that helps keep the cost and the weight of the rack a bit lower.

Unlike most platform-style hitch racks, the Kuat Transfer has a somewhat unique design with a U-shaped bar that supports the bikes. Front and rear wheel cradles are attached to the opposing sides of the bar with wheel hooks that pivot up to capture the front wheels. These ratcheting hooks clamp the front wheel down in the large front wheel cradle while the rear wheels get secured by a ladder strap.

The Transfer V2 is quite versatile in terms of bike fit. Right out of the box, it works with wheel sizes between 18″ and 29″ and most normal tires on road or mountain bikes. It can handle fat bike tires up to 5″ in width too, but that requires a special Phat Bike Kit strap for the rear wheel.

It has a max wheelbase length of 50″ (1,270 mm), which means it can handle most bikes except for some super-long enduro or downhill mountain bikes. And, despite this rack’s 37-pound weight, the 2″ receiver version we tested is rated to handle bikes up to 60 pounds each. The bike weight limit goes down to 40 pounds per bike, however, for the 1.25″ receiver size and for the 2″ size when used on an RV.

For security, the Transfer V2 comes with a semi-integrated cable lock that’s long enough to loop through two frames and two wheels easily. The end of the cable clicks into a lock on the rack itself, and it comes with two keys.

The rack comes with a hitch pin but no hitch pin lock (you could add your own). The anti-wobble FlatLock cam feature, however, tightens the rack within the receiver and requires the use of a security Allen wrench that makes it hard to take off the vehicle.

Putting the Transfer V2 together is slightly more involved and time-consuming than some other options, but it’s fairly straightforward if you follow the directions. Compared to higher-end models, there are quite a few plastic parts that could pose some durability issues long-term, the wheel clamp arms occasionally squeak when you move them, and the ratcheting noise is quite loud. The tilt-release lever is also in a position that makes it somewhat awkward to reach with bikes loaded.

Otherwise, the Kuat Transfer V2 is a more cost-effective rack that carries just about any bike securely and with little fuss. It also comes in 1-bike ($389) and 3-bike ($589) versions, each of which is compatible with a 1-bike add-on ($189) to expand your capacity.

We recently learned of a recall that affects up to 80,000 Kuat Transfer V2 hitch bike racks. You can find more information in our Kuat recall article or on Kuat’s website.

Kuat knows how to make a rack that performs as well as it looks, and the Kuat Piston Ion ($1,289) is everything we love about a Kuat rack. Powder-coated exterior, integrated light kit, included bike ramp, and 100-pound rating suitable for e-bikes, RVs, and off-road use.

We tested the rack on the roughest backroads Crested Butte, Colorado, had to offer, and our primary tester, Eric Phillips, loaded up his e-bikes and hit the dirt, shaking down the racks from simple gravel to washboard to off-road trails on the way to the trailhead. 

The Ion is designed to hold e-bikes, ranging from fat-tire commuters with fenders to long-travel enduro e-mountain bikes. It will also handle all types of pedal bikes, from 18” to 29”, so you can safely transport your entire fleet. It even has an integrated heavy-duty cable lock, giving you peace of mind when leaving your bikes unattended on the rack. 

So what makes this e-bike friendly? First and foremost, it’s designed to be heavy-duty, meant for hauling the extra weight that comes with an e-bike.

Each tray is rated for 100lbs, though that rating does fall down to 80lbs when mounted to an RV and only supports class B motorhomes, which is what a sprinter van is considered. Additionally, the rack is rated for off-road use, but that reduces the weight rating to 50lbs per rack, so keep that in mind before heading down the trails. 

Another e-bike-friendly feature is the bike attachments, which help handle the extra weight and maximize compatibility with fenders. The wheel chocks are easily movable with a simple button and come with additional straps for use when adjusted to fit a fender. The rack also comes with heavy-duty wheel stabilizers and a rear tire strap kit, all to help secure heavy bikes. Lastly, it comes with an included extendable ramp to save your back from lifting a heavy e-bike; however, we wish it could be stored with the rack instead of as a separate item in your vehicle. 

A big part of the Ion’s off-road prowess comes from its clever anti-wobble system, its patented Flatlock Hitch Cam. No tools are required; simply insert the rack into the hitch and then hand-tighten the knob until the rack is secure. Even with heavy e-bikes on off-road trails during testing, the rack remained securely locked in our hitch. 

Our main gripe? The Hitch Cam, when fully tightened, slightly shifts the rack to one side. Thus, when tilted downward for trunk access mode, one part of the rack is closer to the vehicle than the other. This was enough for the tailgate on our test vehicle, a 2014 Ford F-150, to hit the rack on one side. Not only would this cause wear on both the tailgate and the rack, but it would also prevent the drawer system from sliding open. An extra inch of clearance here would solve this completely. 

This rack comes ready to hit the road with an optional light and license plate kit. Using a bike rack that blocks your plate can be illegal in some states and can make brake lights or turn signals hard to see. With the light and license plate kits installed, this rack becomes an extension of our vehicle, safely indicating braking and turning, in addition to being unquestionably legal. However, you do need trailer wiring installed on your vehicle (specifically, a 4-pin trailer plug). 

Overall, the Piston Ion is a beast of a rack that provides confidence your expensive e-bike will make it to its destination safely, even when the pavement ends. The powder-coated finish, integrated locks, and well-thought-out light and license plate kits mean you’ll never want to take the rack off your hitch. 

We’ve often felt that the best features are the ones you don’t notice, and the Yakima RidgeBack ($459) for four bikes is an excellent example of this. It strikes a perfect blend of features and simplicity. It comes assembled right out of the box, and the locking, tool-free SpeedKnob lets you mount it in minutes.

While it has a much simpler, hanging design that supports bikes by the top tube of the frame, it is among the most economical ways for people to transport four bikes at a time. The two support arms have eight padded, anti-sway cradles — two per bike — that aim to prevent your bikes from banging into each other during transport. The zip strip ratcheting straps are fast, easy to use, and removable.

As a hanging-style rack, there is no way to avoid frame contact, so this isn’t the best option for those with super fancy carbon bikes. It also works best with traditionally shaped bikes with horizontal top tubes that rest on top of the support arms. You can jimmy curved tubes or full-suspension mountain bikes into place, but it can be awkward. Thankfully, Yakima sells the TubeTop adapter ($39), which can be attached for an easier fit.

The rack tilts away from your car via an easy-to-use UpperHand lever, and the whole rack folds flat for easy storage when not in use. All the adjustments on the main joints are via button or lever, which makes adjusting it a breeze.

There’s the HandCuff lock ($49), a proprietary cable lock designed to work specifically with the RidgeBack (as well as Yakima’s SwingDaddy rack). Bonus: The brand’s signature bottle opener is on the end of the swing arm of the Yakima RidgeBack, which is handy for post-ride celebrations.

While hanging racks aren’t our preferred way to transport our expensive bikes, they do make a lot of sense for less frequent rack users who need an affordable way to carry up to four bikes for the occasional weekend getaway without emptying the bank account. While it is nearly impossible to avoid rack-to-frame and bike-on-bike contact, the Yakima RidgeBack can reliably get your bikes from point A to point B with little else to worry about.

Most quality hitch racks have a tilt feature to allow limited access to the rear of the vehicle, but for truly unfettered access, a swing-away rack is where it’s at. Aftermarket extensions are available to convert just about any rack to a swing-away, but those typically add significant weight and cost to an already expensive rack. The RockyMounts BackStage Swing Away Platform ($800) is an exception, as this quality rack comes pre-mounted to a swing-away arm and costs less than some racks do on their own.

The BackStage essentially consists of a RockyMounts MonoRail rack with the addition of the swing-away feature. As such, it’s a quality two-bike rack that fits a wide range of wheel sizes (20″ to 29″), tires up to 5″ wide, and wheelbases as long as 50″ (1,270 mm).

Bikes are attached to the rack with front wheel hooks that clamp them down and ratcheting straps that secure the rear wheels. It’s rated for bikes up to 60 pounds each, so it can even handle heavy e-bikes.

A convenient tilt-release handle makes it easy to tilt the rack up, flat, or down and can be operated with one hand. But, the standout feature is really the pivoting arm that allows the rack to articulate out 180 degrees to allow for complete access to the back of your vehicle — even with bikes loaded.

This is a great feature for anyone, but it is particularly nice for those with vans or campers on trucks and who need better access than a tilt feature affords.

Another nice thing about the swing-away feature being integrated into the rack is that it doesn’t add as much weight as an aftermarket extension. The BackStage weighs just 63 pounds. This rack also has an anti-wobble cam integrated into the receiver bar and a threaded hitch pin. It comes with a hitch pin lock and a cable lock for the bikes.

The only real drawbacks we’ve found are that the assembly takes a bit of time and effort, it is not compatible with add-ons to expand capacity, and it only comes in the 2″ receiver size. Otherwise, the RockyMounts BackStage is a great rack that adds considerable convenience through its integrated swing-away feature.

There’s hardly a better option for carrying more than four bikes than a vertical hitch rack, and the updated VelociRAX 5X Max ($1,149) is hard to beat. The new 5X doubled down on carry capacity, increasing to 100 pounds per basket (up from 55 pounds per basket), making it a better choice for loading heavy e-mountain bikes. To lower the hitch rack, the release lever also saw an overhaul, becoming easier and more ergonomic for bikers to grab and use.

We dig that the only bike part touching the rack is the tire. Gravity Logic’s bike park builder and professional athlete Dane Tudor appreciated the provided ground clearance when paired with a Sierra GMC truck. He also noted how well the anti-rattle hitch immobilizer (the piece that goes into the receiver and expands in the hitch tube) works to reduce wobble and play. Even with nearly 250 pounds of bikes on the rack, including three e-mountain bikes, the connection was solid. The updated hand-operated release lever is friendly to hold and operate, and the hydraulic dampers enable a slow lower that’s smooth and easy.

In contrast, the Lolo Racks 6 Bike Rack has a foot-activated tilt but without hydraulic dampers to assist and control the lower. Lolo’s design also hangs the bikes from the handlebars versus the front tire, requiring you to physically lift each bike backwards into the cradles. It holds 240 pounds total (40 pounds per bike), while this VelociRAX has a 300-pound capacity (100 pounds per basket), meaning you could take five e-mountain bikes to the trailhead.

Loading a vertical rack isn’t intuitive for the unseasoned, but the proper technique enables even small kids to help with hanging or unloading the bikes. First, activate the tilt, then use the handlebars and brake to rear and hold the bike on its back tire. Position the front tire against a basket and use your knee against the seat to nudge the bike up, then roll the tire inside. Voila! For folks shorter than 5’9″, it helps to raise the dropper seat post for more leverage. It took us a bit of practice but is easy once you get the hang of it.

Senior Editor Morgan Tilton really liked the generous 15-inch spacing between each basket, which is also fairly wide, making loading multiple bikes more of a breeze. To secure each bike, two synthetic rubber straps with molded holes are stretched around each tire and latched onto a bolt nub. The system allows adjustability for different tire widths, and they remain pliable when the temps drop. Made of Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) — which is used for car door seals and roofing membranes — the rubber is highly weather and UV-resistant. That said, you should regularly inspect the straps for cracking, stretching, or degradation. We’ll continue to inspect the long-term durability of the straps and add additional field notes to this review.

Ultimately, the greatest challenge with the VelociRAX is watching the bikes bounce as you drive. Regardless of the speed limit, number of bikes and bike weight, there is obvious visual movement of each bike when the vehicle encounters bumps or debris. That said, no bikes ever fell off the rack. If you have a large ride crew or heavy e-mountain bikes, there’s hardly a better accessory for transporting your cargo than the 5X Max.

Read Review: Kuat’s Piston Pro X Hitch Bike Rack is One-Hand Operable, Extra Safe.

If budget isn’t a concern and you want the best-looking and highest-performing hitch rack available, the Kuat Piston Pro X ($1,589) is it. Not only does it have a super-sleek design, but it boasts a high weight limit, incredibly versatile bike fit, hydraulically actuated wheel clamps, LED lights, and robust security features that make it arguably the best rack on the market. That is, if you’re willing and able to afford it, of course.

The Piston Pro X shares a design popularized by 1UP-USA, with flat bike trays and opposing front and rear wheel clamps. These ratcheting wheel clamps hold the bikes impressively securely while only making contact with the tires, ensuring that they won’t damage the finish of high-end bike frames or even scuff up your rims.

This rack also includes its namesake, the OneTap hydraulic piston arms that open with a touch of a lever, and the ratchet closes easily to snug them up on the bike’s tires. This feature makes it a one-handed operation and by far the most user-friendly of all the platform-style hitch racks we’ve ever used.

On top of that, it can handle wheel sizes between 18″ and 29″, tires up to 5″ wide, and wheelbases up to 53″ (1,346 mm) without the need for adaptors or modifications. Switching between wheel sizes is also quick and easy with a tool-free system, and it can be done in just a few seconds.

The 67 pounds per bike weight limit (60 pounds for the 1.25″ receiver size) means it can also handle heavy electric bikes, and Kuat sells an aftermarket loading ramp that connects to the rack to roll them up into position. The Piston Pro X can carry two bikes, and its capacity can be expanded to three or four by purchasing the 1-Bike ($749) or 2-Bike ($1,289) add-ons.

A tilt release lever located by the pivot point of the support arm can be operated by foot or hand to easily adjust the rack’s platform up or down. In either position, the bright, integrated LED lights are clearly visible and function as turn signals and brake lights for added visibility.

The rack is constructed almost entirely of metal, and the powder coat finish is not only durable but it looks great, too. An anti-wobble cam keeps the rack super stable on the road, a locking hitch pin keeps it secured to your vehicle, and the included 12mm thick coated steel cable lock adds a layer of security for your bikes.

Like similar racks, the Piston Pro X is fairly heavy (63 pounds) and fairly bulky, so storing it when not in use can be a bit cumbersome. That said, its classy looks make it more reasonable to leave on your vehicle all the time. The price of the Kuat Piston Pro X is certainly nothing to scoff at either, but if you’ve got the cash to splash, this is the best hitch bike rack you can buy.

1Up USA’s bike racks have always stood out for their durability. That continues with the latest version of the 1Up Super Duty ($950 for the 2” Double). It builds off the success of its predecessor but is bigger, burlier, and even easier to use.

As if the previous version wasn’t already sturdy enough, 1Up beefed up every part of the new Super Duty, making it even more overbuilt and solid. It’s now rated for carrying bikes up to 100 pounds each and for “extreme off-road” use. We tested it on daily trips up and down rough dirt roads and can confirm this rack is as rugged as they come.

Beefing up the rack isn’t the only change 1Up made. Addressing previous complaints about the two-handed operation of the wheel arms, the Super Duty has a new one-handed system. The new “Domino” disengages the ratchet mechanism, making it much easier to load bikes. Likewise, the revised tilt-release handle is significantly more convenient to grab when adjusting the rack’s tilt.

It can haul just about any bike with trays that fit wheelbases up to 58 inches, wheel sizes between 16 and 29 inches, and tires up to 5 inches wide. It still has the same dual-wheel arm design that holds bikes by the tires only. So, whether you’re hauling an 80-pound electric bike or a 15-pound road racer, there’s zero frame contact. 

An optional wheel chock ($110) can be added to improve front wheel stability. We appreciated this new feature as it helped prevent front wheel wobble with heavier bikes and on rough roads. And it wasn’t just the bikes — the entire rack felt bombproof, stable, and secure.

The Super Duty comes in single and double versions for 2-inch and 2.5-inch receivers, but there is no 1.25-inch version here. 1Up also sells add-ons ($395-425) to expand its capacity to three or four bikes and an optional loading ramp ($122) for rolling heavy bikes onto the trays.

Our biggest complaint is its 64-pound weight, but it isn’t much heavier than similar racks, which aren’t half as durable. That weight is due in large part to its all-metal construction, but 1Up sells every replacement part so you can keep it in operation for the next several decades. 

The Super-Duty isn’t cheap, but we think it’s one of the best values on the market since it’s probably the last bike rack you’ll ever need to buy.

The Lolo Rack 6-Bike with Foot Activated Tilt ($1,175) is the ultimate choice if you love riding with family and friends. This vertical steel rack not only boasts bombproof durability but also stands out for its ability to carry up to six bikes of any kind with its versatile handlebar cradles. Crafted in the PNW of the USA, it’s perfect for big families, shuttles, event directors, or anyone who enjoys riding in good company.

Adaptable to various bike styles, this rack accommodates mountain bikes, gravel bikes, e-bikes, kid bikes, downhill bikes, road bikes, and even fat bikes, with an impressive carrying capacity of 240 pounds total. That’s 40 pounds per bike, but it can also handle heavier e-bikes if they’re positioned in the spots closest to the support mast (and you don’t exceed the rack’s weight limit).

Any vehicle equipped with a 2″ receiver hitch can get the job done — fitting best on SUVs or trucks but also compatible with smaller cars. We tested it on both a Nissan Leaf and a full-size double-cab pickup truck, and both vehicles were able to handle it.

While waiting for the snow to fall in Bend, Ore., our testers were impressed by how easy it was to load bikes and how well it handled on bumpy mountain roads. Unlike other vertical bike racks that hold bikes by the fork or wheel, the Lolo’s handlebar cradles make it easy to fit all kinds of different bikes and sizes, making loading a snap. 

The design also leans slightly toward the vehicle, providing better ground clearance and minimizing bounce. Looking through the rearview on a rough gravel road, the only thing our testers noticed moving were the front wheels (which can spin from the wind if not strapped down).

For convenience, the 6-Bike Rack with Foot-Activated Tilt allows the user to press a lever with the foot to tilt the rack away from the vehicle for easy access — even with bikes loaded (or all the way to the ground without bikes). It also comes in a 4-bike version ($1,080), and both sizes are also available with “standard tilt” — a hand-operated pin system — at a lower cost.

While the rack lacks an included cable lock for the bikes, it does have an integrated metal loop to attach the lock of your choice, and it comes with a locking hitch bolt to secure the lock to your vehicle.

At 76 pounds, the Lolo 6-Bike isn’t light but does weigh less than some similar options we’ve tried. The rack’s size also makes it a little cumbersome to store when not in use. To that end, Lolo provides instructions on how to mount the rack to your wall, and it can even be used to store your bikes. Or you can leave it on and use it all winter for skis and snowboards by mounting a ski rack right onto it. 

The Lolo 6-Bike with Foot-Activated Tilt is crafted from quality materials, including US-made steel, and it’s welded and assembled in Portland, Ore., by fellow riders. It’s big, and yes, it’s expensive, but it’s impressively well-made and can carry up to six bikes of all types and sizes. Transporting that many bikes can be a chore, but the Lolo Rack makes it easy.

We recently tested the 1Up USA Xtreme Duty Single Hitch Rack ($850) as a versatile option for hauling e-motos and e-bikes. In real-world use, it confidently handled heavy loads — there were no worries about structural failure or losing a bike on rough terrain. Rated for RV and trailer use, it offered reassuring security regardless of surface conditions.

That said, the rack sacrifices ease of use for capacity. It’s significantly heavy — especially with an add-on tray — which made moving and installing it a workout. That bulk also impacts folding; lowering the rack takes more effort than we’d like, detracting from convenience. Additionally, at its price point, it’s relatively expensive compared to simpler single-tray racks. 1Up seems to occupy a middle ground: this rack can haul dirt bikes and e-motos, but doesn’t quite replace a true motorcycle transport rack. Another product might be a better fit for those needing full motorcycle capacity.

On the other hand, the Xtreme Duty Single delivers impressive confidence with heavy loads and rugged build quality, making us feel no concern about overloading. The hitch bar mounts securely, the rack arms operate smoothly, and the design inspires trust on rough roads.

This rack’s solid construction and expandable platform system may justify the investment for those transporting multiple heavy bikes or regularly heading off-pavement. However, its heft, the extra steps required to fold it, and its high cost make it less ideal for users who prioritize lightness and simplicity. It’s a specialized, robust solution worth considering for serious haulers. For everyone else, lighter, more affordable options will get the job done.

Almost every piece of gear we’ve tested from Sweden-based Thule always elicits the same thought: “Wow, they really thought this through!” It’s obvious that Thule gear is designed by people who use it — from the pleasing aesthetic to the little details that make it easier and more convenient to use.

The Thule T2 Pro XTR 2-Bike Hitch Rack ($900) is no exception. The generous bike spacing and range of tire widths it accommodates make this one of the best racks we’ve used (for two bikes) for several years running. The new Thule Verse has taken over as the flagship model in the lineup, but the XTR is still available.

The T2 Pro XTR will work with virtually any bike you have. It fits wheels from 20″ to 29″ in diameter and tire widths up to 5 inches, meaning it accommodates everything from road bikes to fat tire bikes, too. It holds up to 60 pounds per bike, which is most bikes outside of some super heavy e-bike outliers. The only other bikes it doesn’t fit are those with wheelbases longer than 50″ (1,270 mm), which excludes some super-long enduro or downhill mountain bikes.

Bringing some friends along? Thule’s got you covered with a 2-bike add-on ($600) that can expand capacity up to four. The wide spacing and side-to-side tray adjustments ensure your bikes don’t bang against each other while you drive. Plus, the ratcheting arm secures the bike without contacting the frame at all, so it’s great for carbon fiber bikes. The rear wheel cradle slides along the tray to fit different-sized bikes, and a ratcheting ladder strap holds it in place.

This bike rack tilts away from the vehicle easily with the large tilt-release handle so you can have easy access to the rear. When not in use, the rack folds neatly up and out of the way. When you’re ready to stow the rack, two small, integrated wheels help make it so you can roll the 52-pound T2 Pro XTR across hard surfaces with ease.

The AutoAttach system installs quickly and easily without tools — we had our rack on and secured in minutes — and prevents rack wobble while also locking the rack to the vehicle. Integrated cable locks extend out of each ratcheting arm and can be looped through the bike’s frame or fork for an added layer of security.

While the T2 Pro XTR holds bikes without contacting the frame, the front wheel hooks have been known to rub on forks and do some minor paint damage. It can be avoided with conscious loading, but it is worth mentioning, regardless. While convenient, the integrated locks are flimsy and essentially only fit around the fork and front wheel.

Otherwise, the Thule T2 Pro XTR is a great rack that is versatile, user-friendly, and will last for years to come. Though we’ve elevated the new Verse rack to the top of our list, the T2 has been a consistent favorite for years, and it still performs as well as it ever has.

While not quite as mainstream of a brand, Hollywood Racks has been making bike racks that are popular with the RV and e-bike crowd for some time now. Its latest model, the CrossTrack (1-bike: $400, 2-bike: $750), marks a relatively significant shift in both design and performance for the brand. Similar to the 1Up-USA and Kuat Piston Pro, the CrossTrack has dual wheel clamps that hold the bike securely while only making contact with the tires. 

The CrossTrack is sold in both 1-bike and 2-bike versions in 2” and 1.25” receiver sizes. The 2” receiver version has a no-wobble hitch mechanism, while the 1.25” size does not. Each tray is rated to carry bikes up to 66 pounds, which covers the vast majority of bikes except for some super-heavy e-bike outliers.

The trays and wheel clamps fit tires up to 4” wide and wheelbases up to 52” (1,320 mm). The wheel clamps are adjustable to fit wheel sizes between 20” and 29”. Adjusting the clamp arms for different wheel sizes does require the use of tools, but it’s relatively quick and easy to do regardless. Hollywood Racks recommends against using the CrossTrack with bikes with fenders.

Our two-bike test rack arrived in a large box with some assembly required to prepare it for use. After unboxing, it took less than 30 minutes to attach both trays. It weighs 60 pounds, but installing and removing the CrossTrack from a vehicle is relatively quick and easy.

Simply slide the receiver end into the hitch, insert the hitch pin, then turn the no-wobble knob (2” receiver size only) until it’s tight and wobble-free. Unlike other anti-wobble systems, this one pulls tension against the hitch pin to remove any play in the system. 

When not in use, the CrossTrack folds flat and low-profile up against the back of your vehicle. A convenient tilt-release handle is easy to use when adjusting the rack into any of its four positions: stowed up, tilted up, flat, or tilted down.

Loading bikes is about as easy as it gets. Open both clamp arms by pressing and holding the red button on the ratchet mechanism while opening the clamp arm with your other hand. Place the bike on the tray with the front wheel up against the wheel chock, and then push the wheel clamps snugly against the front and rear wheels.

The wheel clock helps stabilize the front wheel, which would be prone to wobbling in transit without it. Since it only makes contact with your tires, it won’t damage the paint on your fancy carbon frames or even scuff the finish on your rims.

For heavier e-bikes, Hollywood sells the CrossTrack Ramp ($100) so you can roll them up into position instead of wrestling to lift them to rack level. The CrossTrack comes with a hitch pin lock as well as a keyed cable lock for the bikes, which are keyed alike.

A welded lock loop in the middle of the rack provides a solid point to lock through. Hollywood also sells wheel locks in sets of two to add an additional layer of security, and if you order them at the same time as your rack, you can get all the locks keyed alike. 

On the road, the CrossTrack was impressively stable, and it held our bikes securely in stop-and-go traffic around town and at highway speeds. Turning into driveways and parking lots with abrupt drainage features yielded similar results. The rack remained steady, and the bikes didn’t budge. 

While the CrossTrack is a tad clunkier and a bit less user-friendly than the Kuat Piston Pro X, it costs $600 less, so it’s pretty forgivable. It’s still a sturdy, user-friendly, and relatively slick-looking rack that we’d happily recommend to anyone interested in a rack that holds bikes only by the tires.

The Saris Edge ($1,414) is the brand’s latest hitch bike rack, and it carries the highest price tag of any model it has produced to date. While Saris has traditionally been known for its budget-friendly trunk and hitch racks (other than the MHS included lower on this list), the Edge represents a large step toward the premium end of the market. As such, it comes loaded with useful features, a user-friendly design, a frameless contact bike attachment, and an impressive 80-pound weight limit.

One of the most impressive aspects of the new Edge rack is its 80-pound-per-bike weight limit. This means it can handle just about any bike you own, including heavyweight e-bikes. Its bike compatibility doesn’t stop there. The Edge can fit wheelbases up to 53 inches (1,346 mm) and wheel sizes between 24 and 29 inches.

Width-wise, it fits up to 5-inch wide tires on 27.5-inch wheels and smaller, or up to 3 inches wide on 29ers. So, it can carry your road bike and your fat bike, and it works with bikes with fenders, too.

Loading bikes is straightforward, with an articulating arm and telescoping front wheel hook. Unlike most similar racks, the front wheel hook stops at a fixed angle, so it can’t make contact with your bike’s fork and damage its paint. Given that the forks on most of our bikes are already damaged from other bike racks, this design is a breath of fresh air.

A long ratchet strap in the rear loops through the wheel to snug it down on the tray. The rear strap slides along the tray to adjust for bike length and has a “riser block” function to prevent bike-on-bike conflict if needed.

Installing and removing the Edge is quick and easy with a tool-free anti-wobble system and locking hitch pin. Our test period included plenty of miles on dirt and gravel roads, and the rack stayed impressively stable in the receiver. Likewise, the bikes barely moved, even while rattling down moderately rough dirt roads. We were pleasantly surprised.

The rack’s tilt release handle is conveniently located and easy to use when adjusting its angle. Whether folding it up when not in use or tilting it down for access to the rear of the vehicle, the handle’s design proved to be user-friendly. For rack and bike security, Saris includes a robust hitch pin lock as well as an integrated cable lock system.

The dual-sided 10mm coated steel cable slides out of the rack and connects in the middle. The lock design is somewhat unique, but we appreciate that it’s self-contained, and it should work well as a theft deterrent in low-risk situations.

Our biggest complaint about the Edge rack is that there isn’t a compatible loading ramp accessory offered. If you’re transporting heavy e-bikes, you’ll need to lift them up into position on the trays. The lack of add-ons to expand carrying capacity also means that you’ll be limited to carrying two bikes at a time. Of course, it’s also heavy — 66 pounds — and large, so it takes up some storage space when not in use.

At $1,414, the Saris Edge is up against some very stiff competition at the high end of the hitch rack market. In our opinion, it’s a big step up in terms of quality and performance compared to the brand’s SuperClamp EX. With a high weight limit and versatile bike fit, it really will work with pretty much any bike. We just wish Saris offered a loading ramp.

If you’re on a tight budget or can’t justify spending lots of money on a fancy bike rack, the Allen Sports Deluxe Hitch Bike Rack ($190) can carry up to four bikes at a time for a fraction of the price of the competition.

Four bolts make up the entirety of the assembly, and the light weight (23 pounds) makes it easy to lift and fit into your hitch, so you’ll be ready to roll in minutes. It’s far from the most elegant solution, but it is functional and very affordable.

Two arms sport four sets of padded cradles, while Allen’s individual tie-down system holds the bikes in place. These cradles can be spaced out or rotated to fit a wide array of bikes, from your roadie to your kid’s mountain bike.

Just be aware that the hanging design of this rack means that it relies on frame contact to support the bikes, there will likely be some bike-on-bike contact, and it will work best with traditional frame styles. A top-tube adapter can be used to attach bikes that might otherwise be challenging to fit.

The Allen Deluxe is rated to carry bikes up to 35 pounds each, for a maximum of 140 pounds on the 4-bike version. Considering its low price and simple design, it’s not too surprising that the rack tends to wobble a bit, especially with bikes loaded. Yet, it still has a couple of features that make it more user-friendly.

The pin-locking tilt function swings the rack down, so you can reach your gear in the back without removing the whole system — as long as you take your bikes off first (four bikes crashing to the ground is a horrifying thought). And the folding carry arms give the rack a low profile when it’s not in use.

There are no security features or locks, and the front tires aren’t secured in any way. A pair of bungee cords or straps and a good cable lock are ideal add-ons. However, combining the cost of the rack, straps, and cable lock, this setup still costs less than half the price of even moderately priced four-bike carriers on the market.

Overall, the Allen Sports Deluxe Hitch Bike Rack gets the job done at an impressively low price, even with the recommended added purchases.

By the end of road-tripping more than 600 miles throughout Southwest Colorado, we were impressed with the durability and streamlined style of the hitch-mounted Yakima StageTwo ($949) bike rack. Despite wind-ridden hairpin turns through the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, rowdy mud-and-snow-packed conditions on Kebler Pass, and chalky dust clouds blasting out to Fruita’s 18 Road, the bikes stayed put even when passengers jostled in the cab. 

Every aspect and step of this rack is approachable, which is what makes the premium design. That and the fact that the rack doesn’t glaze your frame one bit, even when the roads are rough. The sculpted front wheel hook avoids contact with the frame, and the back security strap wraps around the wheel to secure the bicycles. 

It’s also burly and well-made with an impressive 70 pounds per bike weight limit that can easily handle most heavy electric bikes, and Yakima sells an aftermarket loading ramp to roll them up onto the trays. Factor in its versatile bike fit that includes 20″ to 29″ wheels, tires up to 3.25″ (up to 5″ with Fat Bike Kit), and wheelbases up to 52″ (1,320 mm), and this bike can handle just about any bike you own.

That 30-minute assembly and installation process is virtually tool-free — the kit includes a 6 mm security Allen wrench to tighten down the bolts, and you’ll need your hands. After sliding the spine into your rig’s receiver, insert the safety pin, and then tighten the SpeedKnob (which both tightens and locks the rack in place) until you meet resistance.

Next, use the included SKS (Same Key System) key to completely lock the rack in, after which the glistening knob spins freely. We also appreciate the integrated cable locks — which use the same SKS key as the receiver lock — that extend from the top of each pivot arm to wrap around the bike. 

Whether we were loading up heavy old-school Schwinn rides or high-end mountain bikes with 27.5 or 29er wheels, the size of the load didn’t affect the ease of use. This is thanks to stadium-tiered trays for handlebar clearance, which can also be adjusted laterally (but this involves tools and little time).

Also, while the tilt factor seems herculean, it couldn’t be easier to operate with the forward-facing remote tilt lever (meaning you don’t need to reach behind the bikes) for fast access to the back of your vehicle.  

The Yakima StageTwo is fairly heavy at 66 pounds and is quite bulky when off the vehicle, so like similar racks, you’ll need a bit of space to store when not in use. Otherwise, this is a rugged and user-friendly hitch bike rack that feels like it should provide years of faithful service and look pretty good doing it, too. Need to carry more than two bikes? Yakima sells a two-bike add-on to expand capacity to four.

The Kuat Sherpa 2.0 ($759) is a streamlined hitch rack that scores points for its lightweight and ease of use. It sports tool-free installation — just hand-tighten the hitch cam, and you’re set — and a foot-activated tilt-away feature to let you get at your gear in the back of the vehicle, even when it’s loaded with bikes. It loses a little ground due to its lower weight limit and comparatively limited bike compatibility, but it is still a great option for many users.

It holds wheelbases up to 47″ (1,194 mm) and can handle tires up to 3 inches wide, with a load capacity of up to 40 pounds per bike. This means it works best with road, gravel, and smaller mountain bikes, as many larger mountain bikes will be too long to fit. The folding arms lock down on the front tires without any frame contact, and the rear tire cradle sports a molded strap to keep your bikes safe while you drive.

The lighter weight — just 32 pounds — makes it easy to install or remove, but thanks to the low-profile foldaway design and nice-looking finish, you won’t be taking it off. You’ll hardly know it’s there until you need it. It also comes with a hitch pin lock to keep it secured to the vehicle, as well as a user-friendly cable lock to add a little security to your precious bikes.

The Kuat Sherpa 2.0 is a very lightweight and sleek hitch bike rack that’s a great option for transporting lighter, smaller bikes. While it may have some limitations in terms of bike fit, it looks great and up there with the most user-friendly racks on the market.

This low-profile INNO Tire Hold Bike Hitch 4 ($1,000) can carry up to four bikes up to 60 pounds each, but this monster looks like you could strap an ATV to it (you can’t). Also known as the IH142, the aluminum construction is strong but keeps the weight of the rack itself low. And the pull handle at the end of the rack makes it a breeze to fold up the rack against the vehicle when not in use.

Besides its intimidating presence, the most notable aspect of the Tire Hold is its completely frameless contact securing system. Combining a full-length cradle with locking wheel clamps on both tires, the rack locks in bikes and keeps them from banging against each other during transport.

It prevents any contact with the frames or forks, which is ideal for users who own carbon frames, bikes with large forks, or those who want to treat their bikes like polished china.

The arms hold 20″ to 29″ wheels and tires that are up to 3″ wide. One feature we absolutely love is the ability to tilt down for rear access when fully loaded thanks to the handle on the end, which makes it easier to lift the rack, even with four bikes on it. There are four different angles accessed with the tilt. And the included locks for the hitch and bikes are a huge plus.

Overall, the weight capacity of the INNO Tire Hold Bike Hitch 4 makes this a great choice for e-bikers, as well as road trippers who may need to access the back of the rig without unloading all four bikes first.

Of all the bike racks we’ve seen under $200, the Swagman XC2 ($150) is easily one of the best. Instead of the top tube hanging mount you usually see with racks at this price point, the XC2 combines a cradle system with arms that clamp down on the frame. This not only keeps bikes more secure, but it also stops the front tires from swinging around and banging against your car or other bikes while you drive.

The cradle hoops are adjustable, so they can fit a variety of wheelbases as well as 20″ to 29″ wheels. The push-button ratchet arms adjust easily, and the upright bar folds down to let you get to gear in the back of your car (but only when the bikes are off the mount). That said, there is no avoiding frame contact with this rack, so it’s not ideal for carbon bikes or anyone who values the finish of their bicycle.

It will hold bikes up to 35 pounds, so e-bikes and some cruisers may not work. But, most non-electric mountain and road bikes will hold just fine.

Lightweight and compact, the Swagman XC2 only weighs 28 pounds. You can take it off when you won’t be riding for a while, and it folds down flat for easy storage when you’re not using it. It’s a solid option for budget-conscious buyers, occasional rack users, and weekend riders.

All that said, this is a budget rack, not just in terms of price, but also in build quality. It’s very basic in its design and the way it holds your bikes, but also the materials used. It works better than some other options, but its performance is in line with its price tag.

If you’re looking for a more customizable approach, the modular MHS (Modular Hitch System) rack from Saris is worth checking out. There are three base hitch options that can be combined with a sleek, strong tray system, which is quick and easy to operate.

We recently combined the Saris MHS 2+1 Base ($240) stacked with two MHS DUO 1-Bike Trays ($350), which adds up to $940. There’s also a menu of options. The MHS 3+1 Base is also compatible with a 2-inch hitch and carries up to four bikes.

The MHS 1+1 Base Universal Hitch fits both 2-inch and 1.25-inch hitch receivers but is limited to two bikes max. They also sell a cargo basket that can be attached to the Base that can hold coolers or luggage. This allows you to configure your rack to meet your needs and make adjustments when those needs change.

To load up, you simply lift your bike onto the tray and sandwich the wheels between the opposing wheel clamps — giving a slight bump to make sure it clicks as snugly as possible. If you have multiple trays, alternate the direction of the bike handles, and make sure the seats are lowered to not bump into another bike’s components. The dual-wheel clamp design only makes contact with the tires and holds bikes very securely.

The design also accommodates e-bikes (up to 80 pounds), fat-tire bikes (as wide as 5 inches), and 20″ to 29″ wheels plus bikes with wheelbases up to 52″ long. Bikes with fenders are also welcome here.

One thing — with the Saris MHS 2+1 Base, you can’t be afraid to muscle the release levers at times when they’re a bit stuck. The same goes for closing each arm around the back and front tires: give it a push.

Known more for its premium road and gravel cycling apparel, Velocio recently launched a new line of Off-Road Equipment for both men and women. They currently offer several jerseys, a lightweight trail jacket, riding pants, and two models of shorts, including the Ultralight Trail Shorts ($159) that we got our hands on for testing. It didn’t take long to realize that these are some of the highest-quality shorts on the market. We had the chance to test our shorts with Velocio’s Delta Trail Jersey ($79), which was equally impressive.

Velocio’s expertise in crafting quality road bike apparel is immediately evident in both the fit and finish of the Ultralight Trail Shorts. The paneling of the shorts, articulation, and form-fitting cut are absolutely perfect. They come in nine sizes from XXS to 4XL, covering waist sizes between 27.5 to 40 inches. Our size Medium test pair has a claimed 32-inch waist, and it fits true to size.

Should you need to add a little tension to the waist, the shorts come with a Velocio-branded stretch belt made in collaboration with Arcade belts (also sold separately for $38) that fits through the belt loops. The lack of built-in waist adjusters may put some people off, but it does reduce weight, bulk, and bunching at the waistline, and ours fit so well that we didn’t have to use the belt anyway. Silicone dots across the back of the waistband help keep them in place while riding, and a locking snap at the top of the zipper fly ensures they won’t pop open unexpectedly.

Inseam length varies by size with the Medium we tested coming in at 13.5 inches. They hang right down around the middle of the kneecap while standing, rise slightly above the knee while pedaling, and there is adequate space in the leg opening to work well with low-profile knee pads.

The hem at the knee is bonded and taped, and along with the streamlined fit and ample stretch in the material, they are exceptionally pedal-friendly. The relatively minimal design has two zippered pockets, one on each thigh, that are back-loading and hold contents like a phone out of the way and with impressive stability.

While expensive, they are in line with other high-end mountain bike shorts, plus they include a $35 belt with the purchase. Certainly, some riders will scoff at the lack of waist adjustability, but we found it unnecessary, and the belt has you covered should you need to snug them up. We did notice that the articulation in the waist could cause them to hang a little funny when off the bike, though it is one of the reasons they are so comfortable and high-performing while riding.

If lightweight, excellent fit, and quality construction are important to you, check out the Velocio Ultralight Trail Shorts. For something a little burlier, check out the Trail Access Shorts ($179) that are made from a slightly heavier stretch Cordura fabric.

These shorts are some of our favorites because of their awesome style combined with comfort and functionality. Every single time we’ve worn them — provided there are other people on the trails — we’ve gotten compliments on the look, pattern, and style. The Wild Rye Freel Shorts ($139) are similar to the Wild Rye Kaweah but differ in one way — fabric (and thus price).

The Freel is made with a slightly more durable, four-way stretch DWR-treated, water-resistant nylon, as opposed to the Kaweah’s polyester fabric. Both are comfortable. And if you don’t mind dropping a few extra bucks, the durability and feel of the Freel are even better.

The fabric of the Wild Rye Freel Shorts is comfortable and strong, the shorts come in sizes 0 to 18, the fit is complimentary in the saddle, and we love the longer 12-inch inseam on this style. Patterns include desert dream and alpine bloom, or they come in solid black and mahogany. No matter what color or pattern you choose, these shorts look good and transition easily from your ride to hanging with friends afterward.

Two open jeans-style hand pockets are great off the bike, while a zippered pocket on the right thigh perfectly fits a phone and holds it out of the way while riding. The size range should ensure a good fit for most ladies, and although the waist does not have any adjustments, the loops make it easy to snug them up with your favorite belt if needed.

After testing the Wild Rye Freel shorts, it’s easy to see why everyone loves them. These shorts perform well on the bike, look great all the time, and are built to last.

Curious Creatures has been steadily growing its product selection, with the Sun Dog shorts ($125) adding another option for men to the lineup. With a luxuriously soft, lightweight material and a stretchy waistband, these shorts take comfort to new heights while still performing well on the bike.

Compared to the tougher midweight material used in the brand’s Ramble Scramble shorts, the fabric used for the Sun Dog shorts is much softer, lighter, stretchier, and more breathable. Curious Creatures chose a Bluesign-approved 100% polyester with 4-way stretch and a weight of 155 gsm. It feels buttery and soft to the touch and moves freely, allowing for completely unrestricted pedaling and movement on the bike.

The soft, stretchy, yoga-style waistband enhances the comfort of the Sun Dog Shorts. We found the tension in the waistband to be adequate to keep the shorts up, but the drawcord could be useful for those who may need to snug them up around the waist.

The waistline is only lightly articulated, but the stretch in the material and waistband kept them super comfortable in the riding position. This design negates a zipper fly, however, but it was easy enough to take pee breaks, regardless.

We found the 12.5-inch inseam to work well on our long-legged tester, falling just above the knee and providing ample coverage from the sun. We wore these with and without knee pads while testing, and they worked well in both configurations. Otherwise, the fit is relatively slim and streamlined with a low-key and timeless style.

Unlike the pocket-heavy design of the Ramble Scramble shorts, the Sun Dog shorts have a more bike-specific layout. Two zippered pockets, one on each thigh, have vertical zips and a backloading design that makes them easy to access. They fit phones easily and hold their contents off to the side for unencumbered pedaling. A snap pocket on the back adds some off-the-bike utility and a little pop of color.

The Sun Dog shorts are lightweight, but if you’re looking for the lightest shorts around, the 115 gsm material of the Velocio Ultralight shorts can’t be topped. On the flip side, if you’re after something a little more substantial, the Outdoor Research Freewheel Ride shorts are made from a slightly heavier and tougher-feeling material, which may be better suited to more aggressive riding and conditions.

Still, the Curious Creatures Sun Dog is tough to beat if you’re looking for soft and supremely comfortable mountain bike shorts. They look good and feel even better, and that’s a win-win in our book.

Outdoor Research has long produced a wide range of quality outdoor apparel. Until somewhat recently, however, the brand did not offer any mountain bike-specific products. That changed when they launched the Freewheel collection, a comprehensive range of mountain bike clothing and accessories. We covered the launch of the Freewheel collection a while back and recently spent more time testing the Freewheel Ride shorts ($115).

Designed to be layered over a liner short, the Freewheel Ride shorts have a relaxed but nicely contoured fit that avoids being excessively baggy. We found the articulated waist and contoured waistband to be very comfortable in the riding position. The locking snap ensures they won’t come undone unexpectedly, and the zipper fly makes for easy nature breaks. The dual waist adjustment straps are very low-profile and worked well to securely snug the waistband.

The 12-inch inseam rose a bit above the knee on our long-legged tester when pedaling, but it is a good length that should work for most riders. The hem is angled up in the back and inside to reduce contact and the potential for chafing the knee, and the size of the opening worked well with or without knee pads. A layer of DuraPrint dimples covers the outside of the knee for added durability in that high-wear area.

The storage consists of two zippered pockets on the thighs. The right side is top-loading, while the left is back-loading. Both are large enough to fit modern smartphones or similar-sized items and hold them on the outside of the thigh in a pedal-friendly location. Ventilation is limited to some laser-cut perforations on the back just below the waistband.

The 4-way stretch material is Bluesign approved and has a tough, durable feel while remaining relatively soft to the touch. They have an impressive amount of stretch vertically, but the horizontal stretch is comparatively a bit limited. Still, we didn’t find them to feel restrictive in any way. Given the midweight of the material, however, they weren’t the most breathable. That said, the DWR coating helped repel water and aided in drying, and they were great for riding anytime it wasn’t scorching hot.

Overall, the Freewheel Ride shorts are a thoughtfully designed and well-made pair of mountain bike shorts. With durable materials, quality construction, and a bike-specific fit, these shorts are ready to ride as hard as you are. At $115, they are priced competitively and are a solid value, too.

Not everyone wants to wear baggy mountain bike shorts when they ride. We tested out the new Shredly Biker Cham ($98), and this design is one of the most functional we’ve ever worn — it’s simply elegant and fashionable. These versatile bike shorts can be worn on their own or under your favorite baggies, depending on the look you’re going for.

You might not think much of the scalloped hem with laser-cut perforations until you pull these shorts on and shred. There’s no need to sacrifice style when it’s packed into such a comfortable chamois that fits smoothly under your baggy shorts or works great and looks cute on its own. The Biker Cham also comes in a range of colors and patterns to match your style.

We also really like the two long stretchy pockets on each side of the shorts. While we tended to wear these as a liner beneath other riding shorts (and wouldn’t use the pockets), we always used those pockets before and after rides while wearing only the Cham. They fit a phone perfectly.

The longer 7-inch length of these chamois is super comfortable and helps protect our skin. The chamois pad itself is densely padded and very appreciated, with a variable thickness of 2-14 mm from the front to the backside. We’re also happy to see the materials are PFAS and PFC-Free, lowering our exposure to potential cancer-causing agents.

If you tend to wear thicker mountain bike shorts over your chamois, get hot easily, or live in a humid, sunny environment, be aware that the fabric of the Shredly Biker Cham is not the most breathable. In contrast, some of the other liner chamois are made of mesh for extreme breathability. This textile is built so that you can wear it alone without an outer layer, and it’s not see-through. The thicker material reduces the breathability that mesh provides.

At the top of the short, there’s technically zero waistband, meaning the fabric tapers off and is super smooth and high-reaching. We found it to be comfortable and rarely saggy. It was so elastic and stretchy that, typically, when we pulled those puppies on, they’d stay. Ultimately, we also love how smooth and buttery the fabric is on these shorts.

Fox Racing has been putting out some of the best mountain bike apparel for a long time, and the latest Defend Shorts ($130) are our favorite for gravity riding. Gone are the days you look like you’re gearing up for a motocross ride when you go to the bike park, these stylish shorts have a much more subdued look and come in three neutral color options. Still, they’re made from a burly fabric to stand up to aggressive riding and have a long inseam that works well with kneepads. 

If you spend your days riding lifts at the bike park, shuttling, or riding super rough terrain, the Defend shorts are up to the task. Made from a rugged recycled material, these shorts brush off encounters with trailside branches or wipeouts without a second thought. They are much more substantial than thinner, lighter options. 

That also makes them a bit heavier, and at 332 g (size 32), they are the heaviest shorts we tested by a significant margin. But, if you value protection and durability for gravity riding, that weight is relatively inconsequential. Laser-cut perforations on the inside of the thighs allow for a bit of airflow, but the thickness of the material also means that these shorts run a bit hotter. Again, if you’re not climbing all day in the heat, it’s not a big deal. 

The Defend shorts come in even waist sizes between 28 and 40, and our size 32 test pair fit true to size. The offset Race-ratchet closure provides a couple of inches of tension adjustment, is easy to use, and doesn’t feel bulky or uncomfortable at the waist. The 13.25-inch inseam length is pretty ideal for gravity riding, and these shorts work great with kneepads of all sizes. 

Two zippered hand pockets and a zippered phone/pass pocket on the thigh provide ample storage space. While the thigh pocket perfectly fits a phone, we found that it tended to bounce around a bit while riding, so we opted to carry it in the hand pockets, which worked just fine.

The Fox Defend Shorts also happen to look great. They aren’t excessively baggy, and the solid color options are tasteful and pair well with any jersey in your closet. One small fox head logo on the left thigh is the only branding, a stark contrast to the logo-heavy, moto-styling of gravity shorts of the past.

Specialized is arguably the biggest player in the cycling industry, and the brand is capable of outfitting you from head to toe, as well as bikes, no matter what type of riding you do. The brand has been producing mountain bike apparel for many years, and the Trail Air short ($130) is intended to be a lightweight and well-ventilated short for pedal-heavy trail riding. These shorts deliver a high level of comfort, breathability, and mobility, and are a great option for anyone seeking a minimalist short for riding in warm to hot conditions.

At their retail price, the Trail Air shorts aren’t a particularly great value. But Specialized has deeply discounted them for a while, so you can pick them up for $40 to $50, depending on the color. This pricing undercuts virtually every other short on the market, and is a screaming deal.

The Trail Air shorts have a relatively slim fit through the hips and loose but not excessively baggy legs that cater well to their trail riding intentions. The 13.5-inch inseam hangs down around mid-knee and plays well with light- to mid-duty knee pads. The angled hem is shorter in the back to prevent unwanted calf contact, and the welded hem and taped seams ensure an irritation-free pedaling experience.

Specialized’s Vaporize woven fabric is a blend of 86% polyester and 14% spandex, and it is lightweight, adequately stretchy, highly breathable, and feels great against the skin. Some perforations on the inner thighs and on the back of the waistband aim to add a little more airflow, and these shorts live up to their airy promises.

The Trail Air shorts come in even waist sizes between 28 and 44, so most people will be able to find a relatively precise fit. A simple ladder strap buckle at the waist is used as both the closure system and the waist adjustment, offering about 2 inches of adjustability.

We did find, however, that our size 32 test pair ran a little big, and we had the ladder strap maxed out and wouldn’t have minded being able to get them a little tighter. There is a bit of stretch in the waistband itself, which is the primary culprit, and we think it might be a good idea to size down if buying these shorts.

A single zippered pocket on the left thigh makes up the storage capabilities. This backloading pocket fits a phone perfectly and holds its contents securely and out of the way of the pedal stroke.

The Specialized Trail Air shorts are a well-designed and constructed pair of lightweight, breathable, and pedal-friendly trail riding shorts that are a great option for riding in the heat of summer. They’ve got a clean aesthetic and minimal branding, and come in several colors to match your taste.

With a baggier look and feel, the Flylow Gear Lola Short ($95) delivers a Tomboy take on women’s mountain shorts, but we can’t get enough of the buttery fabric. New for 2024, the Lola offers a soft hand feel and a forgiving stretch that easily slides over a chamois and is comfortable for big days in the saddle. 

Stretching nearly to the knee, the exterior hem has an angled feminine detail, reminding us of a herringbone pattern. We love that these shorts offer three roomy, stretchy zippered stash zones: two hand pockets and a lengthy one off the right hip. The hand pouch is large enough to stuff a big phone, which holds close to the body and doesn’t jostle while dancing down chunky rock gardens.

Even after one fairly muddy 32-mile ride, during which we absolutely caked the blue-steel color with wet dirt, these shorts came out of the wash without any stains. Score! While we found that the Lola shorts are pretty true to size and super comfortable, we were thankful for the grippy interior silicone patches and the exterior velcro adjusters to help tailor the fit at the waist. The band really does wick sweat, yet it doesn’t loosen over time. For riders that prefer a belt, generous loops line the midriff. The zipper and single-snap closure never popped open on rides, either. 

For sunny and sweat-ridden adventures, the Inuitive IQ MTB fabric is reinforced with 50+ UPF. The quick-drying textile served us well with zero chafing, and it felt adequately breathable in the high alpine. The interior polyester lining is soft against the skin, and while it does pill fast, it’s not visible, and the exterior holds up against a beating. As long as the velcro belt lasts, we’ll be pulling on the baggy, smooth Flylow Lola Shorts for many more miles ahead.

The Norrøna Fjora Flex1 ($159) is among the most durable and protective pairs of shorts out there. The 15-inch inseam is long, with articulation and reinforcement atop the knees, which stay covered even when we’re in the saddle. The added length provides extra protection from the sun, trailside bushes, and unexpected encounters with the ground, and it pairs well with knee pads.

While that construction might be a bit overbuilt for some everyday rides, it’s our go-to for long hours in the saddle in variable conditions — like our self-supported 142-mile Kokopelli Trail ride under brutal sun and dashes of rain. The waistband also reaches higher than our other shorts, adding lower back protection and comfort, especially if we’re wearing a loaded backpack for a long journey.

Despite the extra leg coverage, two front-facing, mesh-lined, zippered vents on the legs of the Norrøna Fjora Flex1 allow airflow if needed on the ride. The integrated Velcro belt is substantial and wide and definitely helps tighten up the shorts, especially on back-to-back days. Two zippered hand pockets and a spacious zippered thigh pocket provide ample space for your storage needs.

If you’re seeking more coverage and protection than most shorts provide, the Norrøna Fjora Flex1 is a great option to consider. While protective, they’ve still got a flattering cut and have you covered, literally, for your most epic mountain bike adventures.

POC has recently made a big push into weather-resistant mountain bike apparel with interesting new models like the wildly expensive $500 Consort MTB Dungaree overalls and shorts like the Bastion ($200). If you ride in wet or highly variable weather conditions regularly and don’t want to wear pants all the time, the three-layer waterproof Bastion shorts are a compelling option to keep you dry without overheating. At $200, they certainly aren’t inexpensive, but they are similarly priced to other fully waterproof shorts on the market.

Of course, not everyone needs or wants waterproof shorts, but those who live in perpetually wet areas or are seeking a little extra wind and water protection for those shoulder season rides are the target market of the Bastion shorts.

Constructed from a three-layer waterproof fabric with fully taped seams, they protect from tire spray in the rear and rain and splashes in the front, keeping you dry if the weather goes south or you choose to go out and ride in the rain. While they aren’t quite as breathable as lightweight nonwaterproof shorts, the fabric does allow heat and moisture to escape, and air easily circulates up from the leg opening to keep you cool.

POC doesn’t specify an inseam length for the Bastion shorts, but we measured it at 15 inches on our size Medium test pair. With an angled hem, they actually feel a bit longer than that, and they provide lots of leg coverage, hanging just below the kneecap while standing and barely rising above it while pedaling. The long cut, along with roomy legs and a fairly large leg opening, plays super well with any kind of knee pads.

At the waist, a single metal snap secures a flap over the zipper fly, and two large external Velcro tabs provide a couple of inches of waistband adjustment. We found the broad waistband to be quite comfy, with minimal bunching from the adjusters, even when snugged up to fit our 32-inch-waisted tester.

There are a total of three pockets, two zippered hand pockets and one on the rear of the waistband. While we don’t love the positioning of the front pockets that hold their contents on the top of the thigh, they provide plenty of space and the mesh lining means they can be used for ventilation if they aren’t carrying anything. The small zippered pocket on the back is the perfect size to fit a credit card or other small, thin items.

While the Bastion shorts are certainly great for riding in wet and sloppy conditions, they aren’t exactly the shorts you want to be wearing when it’s dry or warm. The material is somewhat noisy when pedaling and they are simply overkill when taken out of their conditions niche.

They are indeed a boutique product aimed squarely at specific riders and conditions, but if you’re looking for quality waterproof shorts, the POC Bastion might be a perfect fit.

We questioned how a seemingly simple and high-cut mountain bike short would serve us on the trail and were pretty blown away by just how comfortable the Curious Creatures Marilyn Short ($130) turned out to be. What a perfect ode to an icon! 

Yes, the look is on the “sexier” side, but still sports tech. With a fit on the slimmer side of the baggy spectrum, the waist reaches high, keeping away any chance of a backside flash. We found the extra-high reach to be surprisingly comfortable. A unique waistband allowed us to easily pull these on, zipping up the side and then closing the single snap (with two options for your preferred tightness). The closure never popped open on a ride. 

These shorts reach further down the leg than their sister, the Ramble Scramble. While they’re not baggy, they’re slightly less snug-fitting than the Ramble. Super minimal seams lead to a very smooth, airy feel and a simple, streamlined, uncluttered aesthetic. We don’t typically use pockets on our backside while we ride, so why not keep the look polished? The brand also partnered with a local Montana-based sewing studio, The Stitch House, to handle repairs if those surface down the line. 

Launched in the fall of 2023, Curious Creatures is relatively new on the scene, but we’re already seeing them everywhere on the trails. After trying them for ourselves, it’s easy to see why. We appreciate the fusion of flattering cuts and a fun yet technical vision for ladies on bikes. 

Don’t sleep on the Curious Creatures Marilyn if you’re after a high-performance, comfortable, slim-fitting, and minimalist pair of mountain bike shorts. Slender and form-celebrating yet functional, we like to think Marilyn would love these shorts, too.

Talk about hipster — making a new mark on the mountain bike scene, the Curious Creatures Ramble Scramble Short ($139) marries the look of jean cutoffs and trail shred. And we really dig ‘em. 

Founder and designer Natasha Woodworth launched the brand in the fall of 2023, and we’re stoked to finally put down miles with the apparel. Following more than a decade on Patagonia’s design team — where she rocketed off the women’s MTB and touring lines — plus years with Quicksilver, Lady Gaga, and Marc Jacobs, she established a new fun-yet-technical vision for ladies on bikes. 

With a slim fit, the Ramble Scramble hits mid-thigh and hikes a bit while pedaling, showing the hem of our chamois (We love the feminine, scalloped hem on the Shredly Biker Cham, and we don’t mind getting peeks while we roll!). With sizable biker quads, we recommend sizing up if you don’t want a hug. But we’ll say the fabric is deliciously malleable and smooth, so the fit doesn’t bug. Inside, a drawcord is available to help snug up the waistband, which is comfy and goes unnoticed. 

Lightweight and treated with PFC-free DWR, the surface repels moisture (woohoo!), and the feel? Super soft. Decorated with pockets, there are two rear and two hand pockets without zip closures. There’s also a tiny inset pocket on the right side, hanging above the hand pouch. On the right is also a broad envelope pocket and a smaller zippered pocket, which fits an ID or key fob (but not a large phone). While we wouldn’t use most of the pockets while we rip singletrack because they lack security, we appreciate their presence post-ride. Also, we love that the Curious Creatures eyeball logo is visible on our back right pocket as we pedal. 

The roundup of pockets reminds us of lifestyle shorts — and even one-ups with regard to storage — and that’s a special niche these mountain bike shorts fill. As soon as we’re done on dirt, we pull off our chamois and keep sporting these shorts as an everyday summer piece in our wardrobe. One niggle: the garment’s hand pocket tends to get ruffled when we pull items out, so they need a little manual ironing with our hands. Not a big deal but it’s a tad annoying. The issue would likely be less prevalent if we’d sized up instead of going slim with the fit. 

Ladies who want a fun, stretchy pair of mountain bike shorts they can seamlessly wear from happy hour shreds to grabbing dinner with the crew, look no further than the Curious Creatures Ramble Scramble Short. We recommend rocking these shorts on your rest days, too.

The affordable Cygolite Dash Pro 600 ($65) is a solid value. This front bike light punches well above its price tag with a slew of features and an intuitive, user-friendly design. 

One of the Dash Pro’s claims to fame is the three-mode daytime running lights (DRL), which increase visibility and safety for when it’s not-quite-dark-but-still-sort-of-light-out. And while you might not find yourself using the DRL feature all that often, the Dash Pro features five other modes: Boost, High, Medium, Low, and Steady Pulse. On boost, the Dash Pro will last approximately an hour and fifteen minutes. Cygolite claims that on lower levels, users can get up to 70 hours of light out of one charge.

The universal handlebar mount is simple and easy to use, and although not as good as some, we still preferred it over the NiteRider Lumina. Like the Lezyne, this light is also available in a front/rear set ($100) for an upcharge, but the combo will give you front and rear visibility whether you’re riding day or night.

At just 95 grams and in a compact package, the Dash Pro 600 is easy to stash in a jersey pocket or in your bag, so it’s there when you need it. Recharging takes approximately 4 hours, which certainly puts this light on the slower end of this list, but not so slow that it’s a deal breaker.

Anyone looking for a solid and easy-to-use light for road riding or commuting after dark would be hard-pressed to find a better deal than the Dash Pro. While not as bright as other lights on this list, the slew of modes, versatile bar mount, intuitive operation, and wallet-friendly price point make the Dash Pro our choice for the best front bike light for the price. 

The Garmin Varia ($200) is a slick piece of kit for safety-minded cyclists looking to improve their situational awareness and visibility. While the Varia is a bit of a niche piece as far as rear lights and radar go, it represents the benchmark for performance in its small field of competitors. This radar-equipped unit doesn’t just detect oncoming cars. It’ll pick up just about any other object overtaking you — including other cyclists — up to 140 meters behind you.

If you already own a Garmin computer, you’ll have the option to connect the Varia directly to your Garmin profile. We are big fans of the Garmin Edge, and the Varia rounds out the system nicely. If, like some of us, you prefer to run a different cycling computer for your setup, you’ll have to download the Varia app and use your phone to take full advantage of the radar feature. Of course, this means that you’ll also need a way to mount your phone to your handlebar if you don’t already have one.

Garmin does make a standalone unit, the RDU (Radar Display Unit), to pair with the Varia, but they are increasingly hard to find online, and you are probably better off just putting that money toward a Garmin computer. Ultimately, this unit is meant to be used in the Garmin ecosystem, and while it is certainly possible to make it work with your phone, we found that the user experience is best with the full Garmin kit.

The unit itself is compact and fits a wide range of seatpost styles thanks to the assortment of seatpost adaptors included. Battery life is a solid 6 hours on full blast and 16 hours in daytime flash mode. Garmin claims up to 1-mile visibility in daytime flash mode. Charging is handled via micro-USB and takes about 3 hours to fully charge. In general, it’s pretty simple to set up the Varia, even if it is more involved than basic options.

The app is easy enough to download and pair with the radar, and once you’re set up, the whole system works well. The app can display multiple objects (cars, motorcycles, other cyclists) as they approach. You’ll get color-coded visual alerts (green, yellow, red) as well as tone alerts as objects approach. It’s especially useful to see the approach speed of the object behind you.

In theory, you can also stick your phone in your pocket and it’ll vibrate as an object approaches — but that’s all the information you’ll get, and you’ll likely still need to throw a glance over your shoulder. Again, the Varia works much better paired with your Garmin Edge. 

So what’s the verdict on the high-tech Varia? It definitely improves your visibility to motorists, along with your situational awareness, and could potentially save your life. We’d like to see widespread support for the Varia on other popular cycling computer platforms. In this regard, we feel that the Varia is perhaps a little bit ahead of its time. Conversely, the micro-USB charge port is a bit dated.

We’re willing to bet that the field of competitors will grow substantially in the next couple of years, and the Varia will be the unit to beat. For now, if you already own a computer that supports the Varia, it’s a 5 out of 5 from us. If you don’t have a compatible computer or want to go the smartphone route, we’d give the Varia a 3.5 out of 5.

The Portland Designs Works Gravity Plus USB Tail Light ($40) is a compact, affordable, and surprisingly smart option for anyone who rides after dark. GearJunkie contributor Heather Balogh Rochfort lives off a pitch-black, shoulderless rural road outside a small mountain town in Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley. Her only route to and from town is a dark, winding, and relatively unsafe route with no bike lanes or streetlights. She used the Gravity Plus for evening commutes and it delivered the kind of reliable visibility that matters when drivers can’t see you until they’re right on top of you (And she likes to think that it helped ward off wildlife too, but that’s just a guess!)

Weighing just 1.9 ounces, the Gravity Plus feels practically invisible when mounted on the seat post, but its safety features are anything but. The standout is the built-in accelerometer, which detects when you slow down or swerve and automatically boosts brightness to 100 lumens. Basically, it acts like a brake light for following traffic, which is especially nice after dark. It’s a clever feature that adds a layer of safety most lights in this price range don’t offer. Tradeoff: The accelerometer can be a little finicky, so calibration is important. After mounting, be sure to power the light on and keep your bike still for a second so it can sync properly.

Mounting itself is refreshingly easy. The rubber seat post strap takes about 15 seconds to figure out and secure; no tools, no fuss. Once installed, the light naturally angles slightly downward, which has been a knock on this tail light. But, a small screw allows you to tweak the tilt for better visibility.

The Gravity Plus Tail Light has two modes to cover your bases: a steady 20-lumen beam (12 hours) and an 80-lumen flash (30 hours). Charging is equally painless and quick; just plug the included USB-C cable into any outlet and you’re good to go.

While 20 lumens is on the low side and won’t light up the road ahead, that’s not the job of a tail light. The Gravity Plus is designed to make you visible (to cars, to bears, whatever), and it does that job well. It’s featherlight, durable, and adds a noticeable level of security for dusk commutes, nighttime rides, or anywhere you need to share the road.

Knog revived its iconic Frog Bike Lights and infused them with modern tech to make them better than ever. In doing so, the Knog Frog Bike Light Set ($55) earned a spot on our list as our favorite lights for being seen. We love these as daytime running lights for daily commutes, road rides, gravel grinds, and anytime we want to make ourselves more visible to motorists.

One of our favorite things about the Frog lights is their simple form factor. There is something frog-like about the way they look. These compact and super-light — just 20 grams each — units are streamlined and relatively aerodynamic on your handlebar and seatpost. The stretch silicone band also makes them super easy to install and remove, and they fit around bars and posts between 22.2 and 32 mm in diameter.

The 40-lumen front and 20-lumen rear lights are plenty bright to enhance your day or nighttime visibility. Both lights have nine eye-catching modes with solid and various flashing settings. The Chip On Board LEDs are crisp and striking, while the curve of the lens provides 180 degrees of lighting so you’re visible from the side.

Battery life ranges from 3 to 4 hours on high up to 60 to 80 hours on eco flash. Charging the lights is simple, though not the fastest, with a USB-C. A charging cord is not included, but you’ve probably already got several anyway.

While the Knog Frog Light Set is excellent for helping you be seen day or night, these lights will do little to help you see in the dark. But that’s not what they’re intended for, either. If you’re riding after dark, you’ll want to supplement these lights with a proper front light like the Knog Blinder 900 or something similar.

Otherwise, if you’re after a set of bike lights for being seen, the Knog Frog Light Set is our top recommendation. Sleek, light, and easy to use, these lights will get you noticed on the road. They also come in six color options to suit your bike’s aesthetic or personal style.

Looking for an affordable front and rear light set to be seen out on the road? The Brooklyn Bicycle Co. Uptown Bike Lights ($25) cost less than half the price of the Knog Frog Light Set described above, but work similarly to make you visible to motorists. They make some concessions in terms of looks, weight, and tech, but they work well enough at a budget-friendly price.

Like the Knog Frog lights, the Uptown light set is mostly intended to make you visible to motorists, other riders, and pedestrians at any time of the day or night. For “be seen” lights, both are pretty darn bright. The front tops out at 150 lumens and the rear at 60 lumens on high. That’s more than enough to catch the attention of drivers on your bike commute.

The Uptown lights are designed for the front and rear, but the side of the lens also emits some light for visibility from the side. They have four modes, with steady high, steady low, flash, and strobe as the options.

Unfortunately, Brooklyn Bicycle Co. doesn’t list the run times for the different modes, but it does say “10-hour battery life” on the box. We used a set for an overnight bike scavenger hunt, and can confirm that seems pretty accurate. When you need to charge them up, the included USB-C makes quick work of it.

Stretchy rubber straps are included with each light so you can quickly and easily mount them to your handlebar and seatpost. There’s also a clip on the back of each light that you can use if you’d rather attach them to a saddlebag, backpack, messenger bag, or piece of clothing.

Compared to the Knog Frog lights, the Uptown lights are not nearly as sleek or streamlined. Not only are they chunky and stand out a bit more, but they weigh more than double, too.

Still, we were pleasantly surprised by the performance of this inexpensive light set. If you want to improve your visibility without breaking the bank, the Uptown Bike Lights are a great choice. Brooklyn Bicycle Co. is also a cool company that sells a wide range of affordable, good-looking bikes that are worth checking out as well.

While many of the front lights on this list work well for riding at night, the Outbound Lighting Detour ($185) strikes us as the best option for serious night rides. If you’re a hardcore cyclist who can’t stand the thought of another indoor session, this light is our recommendation for putting in miles after the sun goes down.

Outbound Lighting made a name for itself in the mountain bike light market with unique helmet and handlebar-mounted lights that perform well and are super easy to use. The brand has brought the same design philosophy to the gravel and paved road market with the Detour. Not only is its form factor different, but it has a number of features that set it apart from the competition.

While most front bike lights are shaped like long tubes, the Detour is oriented the opposite. The two LEDs, reflectors, and lenses are on the long side of the light body. There is a simple one-button interface on the top of the light along with some cooling fins. The USB-C charging port is on the bottom. On the back is a small bracket that fits into the quick-release handlebar clamp.

Our cycling editor, Seiji Ishii, found the Detour to be very easy to use. The single-button interface was intuitive and made turning the unit on/off or switching between its six lighting modes a snap. Speaking of which, it has four steady modes — Adaptive, High, Medium, and Low — along with daytime and nighttime flash.

Outbound claims the Detour’s max brightness is “around 1,200 lumens” but doesn’t specify the output of the medium and low modes. Regardless, this light is plenty bright, and Seiji spent the majority of the time riding in the medium setting.

The Detour also has a unique Adaptive mode. It starts on High for 5 minutes, then slowly dims to Medium so your eyes can “adapt” without noticing. Not only does it work as intended, but it also helps extend battery life.

The two LEDs work together for a beam pattern that nicely balances spread and distance. We found the Detour’s upper cutoff to be a huge benefit, too. Much like a car headlight, the light is focused toward the road with a horizontal cutoff to avoid blinding oncoming drivers. With this cutoff, it was easier to extend the light’s distance further down the road.

The 5,000 mAh battery provided respectable but not class-leading run times. In High, Outbound claims 1.7 hours. Using Adaptive mode, which we found to work very well, you can easily boost that to 2.6 hours. Running it in Medium and Low gets you 4.2 hours and 8.5 hours, respectively. Should you ever need to, the Detour also allows for pass-through charging so that you can power it from a portable power bank on the fly.

While it isn’t the outright brightest light around, the Detour is our first pick for training rides at night. The balanced beam pattern and upper cutoff light up the night without blinding others, and it couldn’t be more user-friendly. Whether you’re night riding to beat the summer heat, to stay off the indoor trainer in the winter, or as part of your daily commute, the Detour is one of the best options out there.

Fenix is best known in the EDC sphere for its flashlights, but the brand has been manufacturing bike lights for over 20 years. We tested the Fenix BC26R Rechargeable Bike Light ($89) and were impressed by its fit, finish, and function. This bike headlight handily outperforms lights twice its price and offers bright, long-lasting lighting in a compact, no-frills package.

The BC26R churns out an impressive 1,600 lumens with a claimed 65-hour run time — though that’s on its lowest 50-lumen setting. At full power, riders will have approximately 3.5 hours of run time. Charging time is slightly longer than that of other lights, at 4 hours via USB-C cable, but that doesn’t take away from its excellent battery system.

The BC26R comes with a 21700 rechargeable lithium-ion battery that’s super easy to swap out. You can easily purchase an additional battery for around $25 and carry it on longer rides.

With a 544-foot forward output and a 100-foot wide beam, the BC26R is equally at home on mountain, road, gravel, touring, and commuter bikes. The five light modes include four steady brightness levels — 50, 200, 600, and 1,600 lumens — and one flashing mode.

Its waterproof metal housing is lightweight and extremely durable and seals out dust and debris very well. The BC26R is shockproof to 1.5 m, meaning that it’ll easily withstand a fall from your handlebars. We doubt that it’ll fall off, though, because the mount is super solid.

A simple clamp with a silicone inner ring and a barrel screw keeps the light secure at all times. The quick release is just that — quick — and functions better than the NiteRider equivalent.

We tested the BC26R mounted on both a mountain bike and a grocery-getter and encountered zero issues with its performance. The BC26R is an excellent light. It just works. It’s bright, the battery life is great, and the mount is effective. At $89, it outperformed nearly every other light on this list and did so at a better price point than most.

While we fell in love with the new Knog Blinder 900, it was a very tough competition between these two lights. And, if you think you need something brighter than the Knog’s 900 lumens, then we recommend the Fenix all day.

Don’t have $200 burning a hole in your pocket, but you still want to be seen out on the road? The NiteRider Vmax+ 150 ($35) is a fraction of the cost of the Garmin Varia described above and is a bright, no-nonsense rear light that’ll make you visible to motorists day or night.

While it may be small in size, the Vmax+ 150 packs a punch with a max output of 150 lumens and six different modes. On the high steady setting, that’s more than double the brightness of the Garmin Varia. It also has a low steady mode, as well as four flash options — fast, slow, disco, and pulse — so you can choose what works best for your visibility needs.

NiteRider doesn’t specify a capacity for the internal rechargeable battery but it provides relatively long run times for such a lightweight and compact light. In high steady, it can run for a claimed 4.5 hours. In low steady, that increases up to 25.5 hours. The flash modes should last anywhere between 6 and 11.5 hours, which should be adequate for all but the longest rides. When depleted, the Vmax+ 150 recharges quickly in 2 hours with a USB-C cord.

The Vmax+ 150 comes with a rubber seatpost strap mount to attach it to your bike. It fits seatposts between 15.8 and 31.6 mm and is angle-adjustable. The clip-on design makes it easy to remove for charging and also makes it possible to clip onto clothing, saddle bags, messenger bags, belts, you name it. We loved the flexibility in mounting, which made it easy to stay lit no matter what bike we were riding.

At just 59 g, the Vmax+ 150 barely weighs anything and went virtually unnoticed on rides. While it doesn’t boast features like vehicle detection or integration with cycling computers, its simplicity was one of the things we enjoyed most. This rear light is easy to use and does its job, no muss, no fuss.

This affordably priced Cygolite Streak light set ($51) is a reliable headlight and taillight combo. With quick, easy mounting and impressive battery life, this light combo from Cygolite gets you front and rear visibilty for a great price.

The Streak’s 450-lumen headlight can last for up to 100 hours on a single charge (on a low setting), while the 50-lumen tail light lasts up to 200 hours. Both are rechargeable via an included mini-USB cable.

A low-battery indicator will notify you when it’s time to charge. It is a good idea to travel with the included cord, as it can be challenging to come by a replacement (mini USB is less common these days).

With seven lighting modes — including boost and pulse — the Streak front light is handy in all kinds of riding scenarios. The Hotshot taillight has six, including multiple tempos of flash. Both the front and rear lights have a DayLightning mode, which is a very bright flashing setting to enhance visibility in bright daylight.

Still, 450 lumens is on the low end of brightness for riding in pitch darkness, but it will get you home in a pinch. These lights are best suited for daytime visibility and rides where there’s still a hint of natural light.

Another consideration is the handlebar clamp. It’ll fit the majority of road, gravel, and commuter bikes, but it maxes out at 32mm diameter. If you’ve got 35mm mountain bike handlebars, you’ll be out of luck.

Cygolite has been making bike lights for 30 years, and it’s clear that they have figured out the balance between quality and affordability. If you’re looking for a long-term lighting solution with a sub-$100 price tag, this is a great combo to consider.

Riding your bike after dark without a light is generally ill-advised, but not everyone wants to drop $100-plus on the latest and greatest super-light for a 5-minute commute home. Riders looking for an inexpensive and stylish option to light their way home should check out the Thousand Traveler Light ($35). 

The Traveler has some interesting and innovative features. The magnetic on/off is pretty nifty, and it makes it easy to keep your light with you when you’re away from your bike. Surprisingly, the magnetic coupling is quite secure, and we didn’t have any issues with it coming undone during testing. At 60 g, the Thousand Traveler is super lightweight and features an easy and intuitive strap mount.

While its lightweight, stylish, and user-friendly design makes the Traveler a good way to illuminate your path, this light only puts out 100 lumens, which is a pittance compared to other lights. It’s really not bright enough for anything but short rides around town. While it will definitely make you more visible on your bike, its low light is not the best option if you need to light your way. It features four modes; flash high/low and regular high/low. 

Users can expect 8 hours of runtime on high, which is very good until you remember that it’s only running at 100 lumens. Charging is handled via USB-C, and it takes around 2 hours to charge. The water-resistant feature is pretty nice when the forecast calls for a light shower, but it’s not fully waterproof, so users will want to be aware of that if those showers turn into a downpour. 

At $35, the price point makes this an inexpensive option to put a light on your bike, and it’s certainly a much better option than no light at all. That said, we wouldn’t really recommend the Thousand Traveler for anything other than short urban commutes — and even then, it may not be the best option depending on your commute.

For a few more dollars, you can upgrade to our best budget pick, the Cygolite Dash, and get significantly more output and much better visibility. But, if you are looking for a stylish little light on a budget, and you just need something to help you see and be seen, the Thousand Traveler is worth a look. 

The Ion Pro ($155) is a high-quality bike light. With 1,300 lumens of clear, clean light, the Ion Pro is a great choice to help illuminate your ride and keep you visible to drivers and other riders on the road.

Sporting five modes — including daytime and nighttime flashing modes — the Ion Pro’s beam is super bright and wide enough to make turns comfortably.

On its lowest setting at 400 lumens, the Ion Pro will run for approximately 6 hours, and at full blast (1,300 lumens), you’ll get about 1.5 hours. The night and day flash modes last 26 and 22 hours, respectively. Bontrager claims the Ion Pro is visible up to 2km away, making it an excellent choice for safety-minded riders. We’d tend to agree — this is a great light on busy roads.

In other areas, the Ion Pro falls just a little short of its competition. Its 1,300 lumens aren’t quite as bright as other lights, and its 1.5-hour run time isn’t especially impressive.

The real drag for our testers was the 7-hour charge time. Every time you deplete the battery, you have to bring the light in and charge it overnight. This light is pretty high maintenance for folks who prefer to set it and forget it (that’s us, too).

The clamp mechanism is well-designed and keeps the light secure on a wide range of handlebars. We were a bit disappointed to find that the mounting platform is fixed and has no ability to rotate.

The Ion Pro employs a double-click feature to turn the light on and off. Bontrager claims this feature prevents accidentally turning the light on in your pack or bag. It’s a good idea, especially if you routinely store your light in your backpack.

Unfortunately, when it comes to turning your light on and off, there is a little bit of a learning curve, and we found it to be unnecessarily finicky. It’s worth noting that the Ion Pro does have ANT+ connectivity for the Garmin and Bontrager ecosystems, and you can control the light setting from there.

In the end, we thought the Ion Pro was a quality light with a few well-thought-out features. However, the below-average battery life and incredibly long charge time kept it out of the running for the best light of 2025. Still, if you are looking for a bright light to keep you visible on the road, the Ion Pro gets the job done. 

Arguably the most versatile light of the bunch, the Blackburn 2’Fer-XL ($49) is one seriously hardworking light. It doesn’t replace having a front and rear light. But because it can be used as a front light in the white light mode or a rear light in the red mode, it’s an excellent option to have on hand.

The 40-lumen rear red light has two modes, flashing and solid, as does the white light option. Plus, 40 lumens is plenty for a rear light, as its purpose is to make you visible, not to light your path ahead. But when you swap to the 200-lumen front white light option, you can see the road ahead of you.

We think the Blackburn 2’Fer-XL is a great light option for a bikepacker who rides at dawn and dusk and needs a rear light for visibility — and then wants to use the white light option as a campsite flashlight.

As a light that can do it all, it has a few mounting options. It has a clip for mounting to clothing or backpacks, and it can be mounted to a helmet or handlebar mount. It also has a silicone gripper that lets it mount easily to most handlebars and seat posts.

The 2’Fer XL is an interesting option, given its ability to be used as either a front or rear light. The wealth of mounting options makes it adaptable for whatever and wherever you’re riding. Pick up a two-pack of these and be seen on your daily commutes.

Even budget bike lights are now USB rechargeable. At $20, the Lezyne Femto USB-C Rear provides rear visibility at a fraction of the price of the competition. It isn’t the brightest light at 15 lumens, but for a rear light, that’s really all you need.

The simple mounting strap makes it easy to swap this light from bike to bike, and its ultra-simple design makes it easy for even the newest riders to use.

It has six light modes, including two steady settings and four flashing. In its highest steady output of 15 lumens, it’ll run for 1.5 hours. You can crank that up to a total of 13 hours when using the day flash mode. While that isn’t class-leading, we think it’s still pretty impressive for a light that weighs 29 grams.

The lens is optimized for 270 degrees of visibility. Unlike the super-budget rear lights you can buy in a discount store, this light can be seen from the sides and offers more protection from motorists.

When it runs out of juice, you can recharge it with a USB-C — no buying or replacing coin-cell batteries here. The Femto USB-C rear light is so simple that it almost hurts. It’s also so light and affordable that there’s no reason not to have a rear light on your bike, no matter where or how you ride.