Velocirax 412 Review: The Bike Rack That’s Coming With Us All Summer
Words by Mia de Paula:
We first got our hands on the Velocirax 412 at the Sedona MTB Festival, where the crew at Velocirax hooked us up with a rack right on-site (check out that trip here). After spending the weekend immersed in trail rides, community stoke, and gear talk, we brought the 412 back with us to California—ready to put it through its paces for a packed summer season of travel and events.
Since then, we’ve been using it on our Subaru Outback for local trail days and prepping it for a summer full of road trips to Santa Cruz, Everstoke, and New Mexico. It’ll even be part of our shuttle setup at Roam Fest later this year. So, if it’s mounted on my Outback or paired with a full-size truck, the Velocirax 412 is already proving to be one of the most versatile and user-friendly racks we’ve tested.
What Stands Out:
- Built Like a Tank, But Not Overkill
- Surprisingly User-Friendly
- Tight + Secure on the Road
- Easy Setup Right Out of the Box
- Easy to store
- It Just Looks Good
First Impressions: Sedona MTB Festival & the Silverado EV
Our first time using the Velocirax 412 wasn’t just a test—it was a trial by fire. We had it loaded up on the back of the 2024 Silverado EV, and it instantly made our event logistics easier. With bikes vertically mounted, we didn’t have to worry about stacking them, twisting bars, or using a complicated web of straps.
The vertical orientation is a game changer—especially when you’re transporting multiple bikes and want to avoid bars and pedals tangling up. It keeps everything clean, organized, and easy to access, which matters when you’re constantly loading and unloading during an event weekend.
The rack felt secure from the jump. Even fully loaded, the rack didn’t rattle or sway on the highway. The sturdy hitch mount kept everything tight. The folks at Velocirax also gave us a Receiver Hitch Adapter, that comes out another 4 inches, which let us access the tailgate with minimal effort—even with bikes still mounted. That feature quickly became a favorite, especially on travel days when we needed fast access to gear in the truck bed.
It was especially easy during shuttle sessions, when bikes were coming on and off quickly. The vertical design meant we didn’t have to lift bikes too high or carefully wedge them in—just drop the wheels in and go. Less time loading, more time riding.
For an event like Sedona—where the event parking is tight, and our schedules were packed—having a rack that simplifies all of that is a huge win. It gave us peace of mind and freed us up to focus on what we came to do: ride bikes and build community.
Why It’s a Perfect Fit for Our Subaru Outback
Back home in California, the Velocirax 412 now lives on our Subaru Outback, and surprisingly—it’s an ideal fit. You might expect a vertical rack to overpower a smaller vehicle, but that’s not the case here. The size is just right: compact enough to feel balanced, yet still capable of carrying four bikes without crowding or bar interference.
One of our favorite features is the ease of loading, especially for solo missions. The vertical positioning means you don’t have to lift bikes very high, and the tire baskets keep everything steady. Since the Outback is much lower to the ground than mid- or full-size trucks, this was a breeze for me as a shorter person. It takes the strain out of loading and unloading, especially when handling heavier e-bikes.
The tilt-back option also works great on the Outback, making it easy to open the rear hatch without removing bikes—another huge win for daily use and quick trailhead access.
We’ve tested the rack with a range of bikes—from XS frames to longer travel setups—and the fit has been smooth across the board. For riders with a mix of bikes (MTB, road or gravel), this rack just works.
Velocirax 412 Features
Here’s a breakdown of the standout features that make the Velocirax 412 one of our favorite vertical bike racks:
– Hydraulic Assist Tilt – The built-in hydraulic dampers allow the rack to tilt back smoothly, even when fully loaded, making tailgate or hatch access simple and safe.
– Secure Vertical Mounting – Each bike drops into its own wheel basket, keeping bars, pedals, and frames from touching or tangling. Great for protecting carbon frames or tight setups.
– One-Person Loading – Tall or not-so-tall, the vertical load height is low enough to make loading solo completely doable—especially on smaller vehicles like the Outback. Even some kids can load their bikes!
– Heavy-Duty Steel Build – The rack is solid without being overkill. It’s made to last and handle the wear and tear of serious trail use and long-haul trips.
– Built-In Locking Points – Secure your bikes with peace of mind using the rack’s integrated lock points—ideal when you’re on the road or hitting post-ride burritos.
– Garage-Friendly Storage – The rack can stand vertically when not in use, even with bikes loaded. Perfect for garage storage without leaning bikes all over the place. The garage mount bracket, is included with the rack purchase.
Built-in Perks:
– 12‑inch spacing between bikes—wide enough to prevent bars and brake levers from touching, and keep straps off the frame
– Assembled width 49″, height 58″, weight around 80 lb; each bike basket supports up to 55 lb, with a 230 lb total load capacity (yes, it’s e‑bike ready!)
– Includes UV‑tested rubber tire straps that contact only your tires, so no contact or damage to frames or carbon parts, and proper wrench.
– Optional accessories such as fat‑tire baskets, small‑wheel kits, light bars, and hitch extenders.
Looking for Something Bigger (or Smaller)?
While the 412 is perfect for our setup, Velocirax offers a full range of racks for different crew sizes and needs—including 3, 5, 6, and 7-bike options. So whether you’re loading up the whole family or shuttling an entire race team, they’ve got you covered.
They also make accessories to dial in your setup—sway garage mounts, lights, anti-rattle devices, and hitch extensions—so your system works just as well at home as it does on the road.
Check out the full lineup at Velocirax.com to find the right fit for your rides.
Where We’re Headed Next: Road Trips, Shuttles, and Roam Fest
The Velocirax 412 is about to get a true stress test this summer. Here’s where it’s going with us:
- Santa Cruz – For a mix of loamy tech, flow trails, and bike park laps
- Everstoke – A backcountry riding experience that demands solid gear
- New Mexico – High desert riding, long drives, and
- Colorado – our annual stop at Roam Fest
At Roam, we’ll be using the rack as part of our shuttle setup, putting it through constant use with different bikes, riders, and trail days stacked back to back. It’s a great opportunity to test how well it holds up when it’s being tilted, loaded, and unloaded all day long.
We’ll be updating this post with notes from the road—so stay tuned for more insights as the miles (and dust) stack up.
Final Thoughts: Is the Velocirax 412 Worth It?
If you’re the kind of rider who’s constantly hauling bikes—on weekend rides with your crew, loading up for a festival, or just trying to keep your gear organized without a ton of fuss—the Velocirax 412 is 100% worth considering. It’s solid, simple to use, and works just as well on a daily trail mission as it does on a cross-state road trip.
What I really appreciate is that it doesn’t require a giant truck or a full pit crew to make it work. I’ve been running it on my Subaru Outback and it’s been perfect. Easy to load, easy to tilt back when I need to grab gear, and it handles everything from small frames to bigger enduro bikes without a problem. Although, I’m not gonna lie, I’d love to have a truck to haul it around!
Between the integrated locking, full range of accessories, and garage wall-mounting option, Velocirax has clearly thought through every step—from haul to storage.
For us, it’s now a non-negotiable part of our travel setup when we have multiple bikes to haul.
Ideal For:
- Crews hauling 2–4 bikes on the regular
- Riders with a mix of frame sizes, wheel types, or suspension setups
- People who want something that feels professional-grade but still fits on a smaller vehicle
Pros:
- Easy to Load
- Hydraulic Tilt System
- Stable on the Road
- Versatile Bike Fit (Road, Gravel and Mountain Bikes)
- Heavy-Duty Construction
- Garage Storage-Friendly
- Integrated Locking Cable
- Camp Mode
- The garage mount bracket, is included with the rack purchase.
Cons:
- On the Heavier Side, ensure you have a Class III Hitch with a tongue capacity of 500lbs
- Vertical Rack Style Isn’t for Everyone
- Locking Cable May Not Be Enough for All Riders
- May Require Hitch Extender for Trucks
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