TESTED: JB Racks 4-bike vertical bike rack

In July 2022 we conducted a comprehensive group test of 8 vertical bike racks (VBRs). The feedback from that article and accompanying video was consistent, with many readers expressing their admiration for the functionality this style of rack offers to those without a ute. JB Racks 4-bike vertical rack fits neatly into the low-cost, high-value VBR category.

Due to one recurring comment that popped up – the purchase price – we felt it important to test a value option. An unavoidable barrier of entry to some, the racks we tested in the group test varied from $1,200 to $2,000 + which is a significant investment, especially for families already burdened with the cost of purchasing and maintaining their bikes. Since then, a few more value oriented racks have popped up offering a more ‘no frills’ approach to the VBR including the JB Racks 4-bike VBR.

The JB Racks 4-bike rack comes in at a highly competitive $1199 – with current sale price at $800 (for a limited time). While it lacks many additional features we came to appreciate in the racks we reviewed last year, the basics are covered – and I was keen to mount it up and see what the sub $1200 VBR market has to offer.

In October, JB Racks introduced an enhanced version of its vertical bike racks, reflecting its commitment to quality and value. Founder Jameson shared that these improvements came directly from customer feedback and a thorough re-engineering process, resulting in reinforced materials for greater durability and stability for a smoother, more secure ride.

Out of the box

JB Racks are a South Australian based company, founded and run by Jameson Broadbent. What began as a high school engineering project in 2020 has blossomed into a fully-fledged business, with JB offering racks in 3 through to 6 bike capacities, shipped directly to your door.

A quick look at their web page reveals bold claims such as “The world’s best bike rack” and “The easiest rack to load bikes”, along with information pertaining to their 3 year warranty and links to a simple yet informative instructional video on how to bolt together your own VBR.

All JB racks come flat packed, with the rest of the build being easily managed by any wrench wielding mountain biker. Assembly took me around 90 minutes, including the time spent discarding the plastic waste from the packaging of this Chinese made VBR. JB Racks are in the process of updating their instructions, which will shave this time down significantly.

Constructed of SHS steel throughout, building the primary components is a bit of an IKEA-style adventure (excluding the wheel hoops, which are welded to a mounting plate which then bolts to the top bar). The bolts themselves vary in size and all use nyloc nuts, which is nice to see at this price point. JB Racks claim engineering compliance on their design specification and confidently back it with a 3 year warranty.

On the Car

I mounted the rack up to the 50mm hitch mount on my ute in the closer of the two provided pin locations and tightened up the in-built anti rattle bolt. Previous reviews found the rack a little unstable, and so JB Racks took on feedback and now provide an anti-wobble hitch bracket with rack purchases. At 26kg, the rack is 13kg lighter than the Rola VBR5 I tested last year, making mounting and removing it from the car significantly easier.

Loading and unloading

Loading bikes in the upright position can be challenging for some. As a general rule, if you can’t lift your bike up vertically and get your rear wheel close to a metre off the ground, you will likely need a hand loading it on a VBR on a 4WD ute.

Fortunately, I am tall and have a bike with a generous wheelbase, so getting my bike up on the JB Racks 4 rack was as simple. For the shorter rider and those looking to retain rear boot access, JB Racks have introduced the new slow-fold damper. Attaching to the assembly of the main mast, the slow-fold system allows users to manually tip the rack forward for easy loading and unloading. The system worked well, however if loading an e-bike or two the combined weight made it quite the effort to reposition vertically.

Unlike some other VBR’s on the market, JB Racks options hold the lower arc of the wheel at an angle, and retain in place. This means that the wheel doesn’t sit as deeply within the rack, and adequate strapping is a must. Fortunately, JB Racks heeded feedback on an earlier version of this model and the front wheel is now secured using a thick rubber strap. This new rubber strap represents a vast improvement in security of the bikes from the earlier model.

JB Racks have also discarded the rear wheel bungee, replacing it with a pedal strap. These upgrades definitely improved our confidence when transporting bikes on the rack and the bikes remained secured throughout testing.

The top wheel hoops are compatible with 24″-29″ wheels and are rated to 32kg each, with adapters available for smaller diameter wheels available directly through JB. Wheelbase compatibility was no issue for me, with bikes measuring from 1080mm to 1325mm having sufficient contact on the bottom bar when in its lowest setting. It’s notable the racks maximum capacity is 100kg, so loading up four e-bikes may take you over the load capacity.

The addition of the optional slow-fold strut allows shorter riders better loading access, as well as rear boot access. For those with a utility, you’re unlikely to be able to open the rear however a canopy can be facilitated when the rack is tilted. We enjoyed this feature for access, but it was important to be mindful when loading bikes. The cumulative load of rack and bike meant that it took a lot of force to reposition the rack vertically prior to driving away.

The rack also features +/- 170mm of height adjustment in the bottom bar, giving a total dimensional range between the top and bottom bars of 630mm to 800mm and a total stack height of 1200mm – a nice touch allowing users to dial in their VBR to suit their preferred wheelbase.

On the Road

A friendly reminder to all of those who have or are considering getting their own VBR – don’t forget your accessory plate! On my first road trip with this unit I neglected to fit mine, meaning I was driving around with an obstructed number plate in the dark hours of the morning. Fortunately I received only a warning from the authorities, serving as a reminder to always have the accessory plate in the car.

We found the the changes JB Racks have made to the rack resulted in a far more secure ride for the bikes, and gave the test crew much more confidence transporting our prized rides. The slow-fold is a nice touch, and the overall rack weight is adequate to install and remove with one person.

Verdict

JB Racks’ vertical bike racks are ideal for families, first-time rack owners, and mountain or e-bike riders seeking reliable transport without the hefty price tag. In an industry where racks often range from $1,200 to over $2,000 – a significant investment for families already managing bike costs –JB Racks offers a value-driven, ‘no frills’ alternative.

Once built and in position the rack is easy to use and will tick the box for many casual riders. JB Racks meets the needs of biking enthusiasts with a range of wheel sizes, who a basic functional product and affordability over high-end features. This rack is more than adequate for the family of mountain bikers heading on road trips, or a weekend of shuttles. For a full fleet of e-bikes, or some rough off-road driving, I’d also look at the models we tested previously and see where your budget is.

RRP: $1199 (including stand and slow-fold strut).
From: jbracks.com.au

Hits:
– Most affordable VBR on the market
– Multiple configurations and accessories available
– To your door shipping
– Have responded to feedback and implemented positive changes

Misses:
– Build it yourself approach requires a bit more time
– Holds wheel higher than some other options

Updated 20 November 2024