ALTA Superior 45ER – 5 Pack

6 customer reviews

$1,630.00

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Want the full E-Bike version of this rack? Click HERE

Our Alta Superior Rack line is engineered for rough and off-roading. They are the product of top of the line, no-compromise solutions. Our Alta Superior 45ER – 5 Pack comes with 5 baskets and is built to carry four or five bikes with ease. It features a gusseting system and a longer top and bottom bar to allow for more spacing adjustment with baskets for a better bike fit. The Alta Superior 45ER is a robust rack that can handle the toughest terrains. Hand built in the USA.

  • Included Baskets: 5 Baskets
  • Bike Capacity: 4-5 Bikes
  • Weight Capacity Total Load: 300lbs
  • Weight Capacity Per Bike: 60lbs with regular Baskets (w/ E-Bike Straps) & 70lbs with HD Baskets (w/ E-Bike Straps)
  • Total Rack Weight w/ Baskets: ~89lbs
  • Top Bar Length: 60″
  • What else is included?

Before purchasing, please read the description below for included accessories and other important info regarding safety and use. See also our comparison tables for more detailed information on baskets and racks.

  • ALL E bikes must utilize E bike straps and the correct rated baskets. You will bend the basket if you don’t use E bike straps, its ideal to remove the battery from the bike if possible for better carry experience.
  • DO NOT Run this or any of our racks on any third party swing out.
Categories: Bike RacksTags: Superior

Included Hardware & Accessories (For Alta Superior 45ER – 5 Pack):

  • Vertical Post w/ selected color
  • Superior 45ER Top & Low Bar
  • Superior 45ER Driver & Passenger Gussets
  • XL Hitch (a different hitch may be selected)
  • 5 Baskets
  • 5 Threaded Basket Knobs (1 per basket, w/ jam nut installed)
  • 10 Alta Wheel Straps (2 per Basket/bike)
  • 10 Brake Engagers (2 per Basket/bike)
  • 2 Retractable Straps
  • External Stabilizer
  • Internal Stabilizer w/ Hitch Bolt (pre-installed in hitch)
  • Locking Hitch Bolt
  • 1 OSP (Outer Safety Pin)
  • Slam Latch
  • Next Gen Bushing System
  • Hardware to assemble the rack (nuts, bolts, washers, etc.)
  • Assembly Instructions 

How to select the correct basket watch this video

Which is the right Hitch for my setup watch this video

Important Information (Please Read):

Safety & General Info:
  • For all Alta Racks:
    • Do not exceed max weight capacity for both the rack and the baskets, not even by a pound. A good rule to follow is loading 10% below max weight capacity (see Alta Rack comparison table for weight capacity)
    • Off-road and rough-road driving places significant forces on the rack. Tying down the rack (with retractable straps or tie-downs) and utilizing the brake engagers on your bike brakes (included with each rack) are key to create a stable system, especially when off-roading and rough-roading
      • Tie Down Instructions: Tie down from the ends of the Top Bar to a high/low and wide location on the vehicle. Ensure the straps are taught and that the weight of the rack is pulled forward toward the vehicle. Do not attach the tie downs to the hitch. They must be attached directly to the body of the vehicle
    • Tie down system is 100% required for RVs, longer XL vehicles (Sprinters, and similar vehicles), and anything with stiff rear suspension. However, we highly recommend using tie downs on all vehicles to mitigate play and secure the system tightly to the vehicle
    • We do not recommend using an Alta Rack on any third-party swing out, as they may create significant play, and do not provide an effective way to tighten the rack. These issues will bend baskets, which is not covered by our lifetime warranty. Using swing outs that aren’t specifically engineered for our racks is predominately discouraged due to an insufficient transfer of force from the bike rack to the vehicle (which greatly increases play and wobble) as well as their lower weight capacity.
    • ALL E bikes must utilize E bike straps and the correct rated baskets. You will bend the basket if you dont use E bike straps, its ideal to remove the battery from the bike if possible for better carry experience.
Vehicle Requirements & Info:
  • All rack systems require a Class-3 hitch receiver with a minimum tongue weight of 500lbs.
  • For double-door vans, utilize tie down to door hinges. See off-roading videos for setup
  • For trucks, we recommend the XL Hitch for clearing tailgates, on new Ford, Dodge, Chevy Colorado, Ford Ranger, and Toyota Tundra trucks. The Toyota Tacoma will work with a regular hitch
Shipping & Special Orders
    • We ship to US, Canada, and all military installations across the world
    • Shipping is flat-rate and is based on country
    • Custom powder coat available for all parts September to April
      • Pick a personalized color combination, match your vehicle, or represent team colors!
      • Custom powder coating is typically $20 per part
      • Contact us for more information

  1. Alan M. (verified owner)

    Easy to assemble and very well built.

  2. Brad C. (verified owner)

    So sturdy, love the design of the superior! Ali personally reached out to me after my ratchet straps had been forgotten in the order. We covered off some particulars and all he wanted to make certain of was how quickly he could get them to me to make sure we were satisfied with out purchase. Continued customer service was top notch. I need to purchase another AR decal to my main upright bar! Pedals Struck too soon!

    When I was putting together my 4/5’er the only thing confusing in the assembly video was the extra holes in the new upright vertical bar i received, because of how i chose to assemble it for height the lower cross channel did not line up properly and i had to back up in order the get upright bar and two cross bars in proper spots so that the gussets lined up where they needed to be at the bottom of the vertical bar. Ali mentions something briefly in the video I believe, but that was a bit of a headache…..

  3. BRIAN HICKS (verified owner)

    Excellent product. Love it

  4. Dave Steele (verified owner)

    Best. Rack. Ever.

  5. Ruan du Plessis (verified owner)

    Great product support. I appreciate the extra effort you made to ship the missing bolts and get it here on time for me to show off my 45er at the MTB race. I’ve received a few inquiries about it.

    Overall the rack is sturdy and I appreciate all the stabilizers offered on both the rack and the swingout.

    Assembly instructions need some help. Box 1 did not include all the components for the 1st step. Some of the components were later found in the blue bag in a separate box which created some confusion. I think that was the slam latch.

    A step by step guide will be helpful. Consider using a professional photographer or videographer to help create assembly instructions. The numerous videos you created are nice and provide a personal touch. The handheld phone, weak audio, and cluttered background make it difficult to follow along though.

    Consider a permanent mount for the retractable straps. To keep them from going missing they need to be removed after each use. Combine that with a permanent mount for the bike rack and you’ll be golden.

    I must admit. The Alta is not as user friendly as the other rack that should not be named (starts with a Vel) ;). For instance having to deal with the Slam Latch that has to be manually engaged each time feels risky. Dealing with the safety pin is a pain which makes it feel like this is not a secure system. The wheel baskets are flimsy. They jiggle a lot on paved driving without the retractable straps engaged.

    On the swing out the safety pin easily comes off the chain and can get lost. The chain also gets in between the swinger arms. The safety pin aspect on the swinger needs some TLC.

    Overall I’m happy with the quality and appreciate the powder coating and color options. I’d feel better about the safety aspect if the latch would engage itself once the rack is lifted into position and the safety pin was more accessible.

    Keep on rocking the steel in Utah!
    Ruan.

    • altaracks (store manager)

      Hi Ruan,
      Thanks for your honest review. WE are going to address each point. We pack the boxes by weight and some of the parts are in different boxes, it is assumed that all boxes are opened prior to the assembly. We can see how that may be confusing. The videos are very step by step and the feedback from customers have been very positive. this allows us to point out nuances that would be hard to address in writing. We can see how viewing over the phone would not be ideal. Not sure what you mean by risky, the slam latch is engaged and released while stand behind the rack and between the rack and vehicle, which is the safest place to be. all other racks ask that you reach thru the bikes and bet on the dampener to work while the rack is lowered with bikes while you are standing in direct line. It is harder to use, YES. its by design we implement Military design strategy which leads to no single point of failure, this design is the latch and the OSP which is the pin that is on the opposite side of the latch. Having a two point structural system ensures that if one point fails the other will engage and avoids catastrophic failure. This does make it less user friendly, but it is based on the fact that spending seconds longer to ensure safety is at the higher order need. If the latch is not engaging, there are two possible issues. One the latch is not installed correctly and needs to be better spaced, two the latch is left in the open position after lowered, the latch if turned 90 degrees will disengage and after lowered will self align to engage. if you twist the latch open and leave it at that position you would experience the latch not engaging. Hope this makes sense. Please reach out if you need further clarification. we greatly appreciate your purchase, and your trust in us and American manufacturing. We will continue to build as long as there are people like you that believe in American manufacturing and superior products.

  6. Scott G. (verified owner)

    I’ve owned a lot of bike racks in my lifetime and I can honestly say this Alta rack is my favorite one. It was fun to put together watching the videos and I’m enjoying being able to store my bikes in the garage while not using it on my vehicle. A+

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Rack Assembly Instructions
Click photo for assembly instructions

Please reference the PDF link below to view hitch variation and clearance measurements for ALTA Racks, The ALTA Swinger, and the ALTA Arcylon. The diagram also includes measurements for hitches:

Hitch Clearance Diagrams

Bike Rack ModelPriceBike CapacityWeight Capacity Total Load¹Weight Capacity Per Bike²Total Rack Weight w/ Baskets³Top Bar Length (in)
Alta SOLO$8951 bike90lbs*90lbs*~33.5lbsN/A
Alta 3 Pack (Lefty & Righty)$9493 bikes250lbsREG 40lbs/HD 50lbs~56lbs30.5"
Alta GPR 4 Pack$11694 bikes250lbsREG 40lbs/HD 50lbs~73lbs60"
Alta GPR 5 Pack$12695 bikes250lbsREG 40lbs/HD 50lbs~77lbs60"
Alta GPR 6 Pack$13696 bikes250lbsREG 40lbs/HD 50lbs~80.5lbs60"
Alta Superior E-Dub$12852 bikes300lbs70lbs~62.5lbs28"
Alta Superior E-Quattro$15504 bikes300lbsREG 50lbs/HD 70lbs~74lbs41.5"
Alta Superior 45ER 4 Pack$15304 bikes300lbsREG 50lbs/HD 70lbs~85.5lbs60"
Alta Superior 45ER 5 Pack$16305 bikes300lbsREG 50lbs/HD 70lbs~89lbs60"
Alta Superior 76ER 6 Pack$17306 bikes350lbsREG 50lbs/HD 70lbs~95lbs66"
Alta Superior 76ER 7 Pack$18307 bikes350lbsREG 50lbs/HD 70lbs~98.5lbs66"
Alta Superior Ocho 7 Pack$19997 bikes350lbsREG 50lbs/HD 70lbs~106.5lbs74"
Alta Superior OCHO 8 Pack$20998 bikes350lbsREG 50lbs/HD 70lbs~110lbs74"

¹Max weight limit (combined weight of bikes/gear fully loaded on) for each bike rack from the vehicle hitch. Max weight limit does not include the weight of the rack itself

²Total weight limit for each, individual bike put on the rack per basket, and is determined by basket type (non-HD or HD) while using E-Bike Straps. These variations will be labeled as REG for using non-HD Baskets with E-Bike Straps, and HD for using HD Baskets with E-bike straps

³The individual weight of each bike rack when empty (no bikes or accessories), which includes the weight of the rack’s max basket capacity (see respective bike rack capacity) using General Baskets. Non-Superior rack total weight includes General Hitch and Superior rack total weight includes XL Hitch

*The Alta SOLO uses specially made baskets that are custom engineered for this rack, and is weight rated for a single bike or load up to 90 pounds with these same baskets

¹Max weight limit (combined weight of bikes/gear fully loaded on) for each bike rack from the vehicle hitch. Max weight limit does not include the weight of the rack itself

²Total weight limit for each, individual bike put on the rack per basket, and is determined by basket type (non-HD or HD) while using E-Bike Straps. These variations will be labeled as REG for using non-HD Baskets with E-Bike Straps, and HD for using HD Baskets with E-bike straps

³The individual weight of each bike rack when empty (no bikes or accessories), which includes the weight of the rack’s max basket capacity (see respective bike rack capacity) using General Baskets. Non-Superior rack total weight includes General Hitch and Superior rack total weight includes XL Hitch

*The Alta SOLO uses specially made baskets that are custom engineered for this rack, and is weight rated for a single bike or load up to 90 pounds with these same baskets

Baskets (outside of being purchased with an ALTA Rack), can be requested on our Basket Request page.

¹Wheel size can be adjusted between specified wheel size ranges with Wheel Chokes (not included with baskets). Wheel Choke recommendations for regular baskets (General, Mid-Fat, Fat) are as follows:

    • 24-inch and 26-inch wheels (with Wheel Chokes), 27.5-inch and 29-inch wheels (without Wheel Chokes). GROM Baskets generally do not need Wheel Chokes, but may be used in some cases. Contact us if you have further questions regarding this

*HD Baskets have a higher individual weight capacity than non-HD Baskets, and can carry up to 70lbs with E-Bike Straps on Superior Racks, and 60lbs with E-Bike Straps on non-Superior Racks

Brand Comparisons

BrandBasket SwapsHeight Adjustable Top BarBasket CapacityRack CapacityAngle of EntryWarrantyColor OptionsE-Bike ApprovedAdjustable Basket LocationCountry of OriginSwing Arm Compatible
ALTA RACKS GPR 6YESYES50lbs*250lbsExcellent Ground ClearanceLIFETIMEYESYESYESUSAYES
ALTA RACKS 45ERYESYES70lbs*300lbsExcellent Ground Clearance LIFETIMEYESYESYESUSAYES
Thule Revert 6NONO55lbs250lbsMedium Ground Clearance LIFETIMENOYESNOCHINANO
1UP USA Recon 6NOYES45lbs270lbsReduced Ground ClearanceLIFETIMENONot Explicitly StatedNOUSANO
VelociRAX 6 MAXNONO100lbs300lbsReduced Ground Clearance 2 YEARNOYESNOCHINANO

‘* Based on average shipping cost calculated through VelociRAX website 

* On an HD Basket w/ E-Bike Straps 

Bike Straps – Each Rack comes with 2 custom straps per included basket, one to secure the front wheel to the basket, and one to secure the back wheel to the bottom bar

OSP (Outer Safety Pin) – The OSP adds an extra measure of safety to secure the system in place, and allows for the rack to tilt away from the hitch when removed for easy loading and unloading

Tensioner – The adjustable tensioner bolt allows for more or less space for the rack to tilt back. Higher tension equals slower tilt, and lower tension equals faster tilt. We recommend adjusting toward the tighter side for heavier loads

Hitch – Each Alta Rack comes with a hitch to attach to your vehicle. Non-Superior Racks come with a General Hitch and Superior Racks come with an XL Hitch by default. However, you can switch these hitches out depending on your clearance needs

Baskets – Every Alta Rack includes a set number of baskets that cradle the front wheel of your bikes. They can be switched out for different sizes and moved around for more or less space by loosening or tightening the basket knobs below

E-Bike Straps – E-Bike straps are not included in most racks, but are highly recommended for all bike types (especially heavier E-bikes) for a higher weight capacity per basket. They strap on to your bike pedals to put less weight in the basket and more on the top bar

Retractable Straps – Two Retractable Straps come with every Superior Rack for added stability and security for your bikes. We recommend tying down the straps directly to your vehicle (not to the hitch) placed high or low (top or bottom of your vehicle), and angled wide

Low Bar – The Low Bar is an integral part of each rack system, providing limitless positioning for rear bike wheels. The straps on the low bar allow for any wheel size to fit snugly during transport

Gussets – Unique to the Alta Superior Rack, the Gussets extend from the bottom of the vertical post to the ends of the top bar, providing greater support, rigidity, and weight capacity

Gear Hanger – This accessory lets you hang helmets, water bottles, camel backs, and other gear directly on the rack. It is purchased separately and is a great addition for storage on your Alta Rack system

Brake Engagers – Two brake engagers are included with each basket and are generally stored on the basket knobs. These attach directly to your bike brakes to engage them and prevent your bike wheels from moving, creating less movement during transport

Main Beam – The main beam is the core of each Alta Rack. Even after switching out top and bottom bars, baskets, or hitches, it is the part that stays with you to the very end. Comes in awesome colors, too

Top Bar – The long bar that extends from the main beam at the top. It carries all your baskets and is a big player in how we customize our racks. The simple, yet robust design allows for limitless modularity with baskets, accessories, and mounts