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A bike can be a considerable investment, especially if you prefer high-end road or mountain bikes that cost several thousands of dollars. Unless you literally ride the bike everywhere, a good, lightweight bike rack can be a smart investment when it comes to transporting the bike safely. If you are looking for a way to get your bike from point A to point B, check out our handy guide on the best bike racks for cars.
Summary List
- Best Overall: Swagman XC Cross-Country 2-Bike Hitch Mount Rack
- Best Value: Allen Sports Deluxe Hitch Mounted Bike Rack
- Most Versatile: Yakima FrontLoader Bike Rack
- Best Trunk Rack: Allen Sports Premier Trunk Mounted Bike Rack
- Honorable Mention: Tyger Auto Deluxe 1-Bike Trunk Mount Bicycle Carrier Rack
Types of Bike Racks For Cars
Roof
Roof-mounted bike racks are the most common solution for transporting bikes long distances. They tend to offer the most protection, but they can also be the most challenging to use. Heavier bikes are difficult to get up onto the roof alone. Still, these are the best solution if you want to have the most amount of protection possible while out on the road.
Hitch
Hooking up to most 1.5- and 2-inch hitch receivers, a hitch-mounted rack offers more convenience and transport capacity in exchange for some protection. Since the rack sits in the back, the bikes are more exposed during an accident. Compared to roof racks, however, it’s easier to load a bike onto a hitch rack that doesn’t sit as high in the air.
Trunk
For cars that lack roof crossbars or a hitch, bike trunk racks are a good alternative to roof and hitch racks. Trunk mounts don’t require any vehicle modifications and can be placed on/taken off in just a few minutes. Since they stay on with straps, however, they aren’t as secure as more permanent options.
Best Bike Racks For Cars: Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall
Swagman XC Cross-Country 2-Bike Hitch Mount Rack
Best Value
Allen Sports Deluxe Hitch Mounted Bike Rack
Most Versatile
Yakima FrontLoader Bike Rack
Best Trunk Rack
Allen Sports Premier Trunk Mounted Bike Rack
Honorable Mention
Tyger Auto Deluxe 1-Bike Trunk Mount Bicycle Carrier Rack
Our Verdict
For the best all-around bike rack, check out the Swagman XC Cross-Country 2-Bike Hitch Mount Rack. Its simple design and easy use are top qualities that stand out among a crowded landscape.
To save some money and expand your capacity, check out the Allen Sports Deluxe Hitch Mounted Bike Rack instead.
Bike Racks For Cars Pricing
- $100 and below: The budget range commonly filled with inexpensive hitch and trunk racks, this is the best place to start if you are buying your first bike rack.
- $100-$250: Bike racks increase in build quality and capacity in this range. A few lower-end roof racks are here, but most options are still higher-end hitch-mounted racks.
- $250 and above: Larger and longer roof racks are common here. This is the best range to consider when you want the most amount of protection for longer hauls.
Key Features
Bike Mount
The way a bike mounts to the rack will determine how stable and protected that bike is during transport. Many roof and hitch racks use a combination of front/rear anti-sway loaders and tire trays to hold the rear or front wheels in place without touching the frame, reducing the chance of frame damage. More affordable options, however, often use clamps that attach directly to the frame. These are incredibly stable but can damage the frame on rough roads or in bad weather. Some mounts are also easier to connect to the bike than others. In addition to the bike mount itself, you can also stabilize and protect the bike with extra straps, bungees, or bike locks.
Car Mount
Beyond the basic rack types, each has a different way of attaching to a vehicle that can vary, even between two similar designs. For example, roof racks have different crossbar profiles they can possibly mount to: square tube, round tube, aerodynamic tube, etc. Hitch racks are more standardized, but there are still different hitch sizes, like 1.5- and 2-inch hitches, that require different adapters or rack frame sizes.
Foldability
Hitch-mounted bike racks often present a challenge to vehicle owners. Since the rack sits behind the trunk or tailgate, access can become a problem. To avoid this issue, many hitch racks have a folding frame that bends outward to leave room for the tailgate. Some can even fold with the bikes attached, while others will need the bikes off of the frame beforehand.
Other Considerations
- Ease of Use: Not all options are equal in terms of how easy it is to mount or dismount a bicycle. Roof racks, for example, are difficult to mount heavy bikes onto without the help of multiple people or special loading systems. Hitch and trunk racks are more convenient in this area.
- Bike Type: Some racks have a near-universal design, but most other options have limits in frame and wheel size. Specialty bikes like recumbents will also limit the rack options you have to consider before making a purchase.
- Vehicle Type/Size: Nearly any rack will fit on any vehicle, but the type and size of the vehicle can play a small, influential role in your final choice. For hitch racks, the vehicle obviously needs an actual factory or aftermarket hitch. Smaller cars are typically limited to 1.5-inch hitches, which make it more difficult to stabilize hitch-mounted racks due to the smaller frame. Trucks, on the other hand, can handle any number of hitch, roof, and bed racks.
- Additional Accessories: Want to carry more than just bikes? While some racks are designed solely for bikes, others can accommodate different types of accessory mounts. Roof racks are the most common rack systems that are versatile enough to fit different accessories.
Tips
- Pay attention to the weight capacity of the bike rack. Most can carry normal road and mountain bikes, but some will max out with recumbents and cargo bikes.
- Check the wheelbase of your bike(s) before purchasing. Most can accommodate bikes up to 42 inches in length between the wheels.
- If you can avoid the hassle of taking wheels on and off to fit a bike onto a rack, choose an option that attaches to the tires instead of the frame or fork.
- Taking off the bike seat, pedals, and other small parts will reduce the amount of wind noise the bike generates during transport.
FAQs
A. For the most part, these terms are interchangeable. Technically, a bike rack is anything that can be mounted to a car to carry a bike. Roof racks are often the crossbars that hold bike racks and other accessory mounts.
A. Most manufacturers have compatibility charts or calculators on their websites. Research any brand or model of rack you are considering and refer to other user reviews for more information.
A. It is possible for someone to take a bike off of a rack unless you secure it. A simple bike lock is all you really need to keep the bike secure. Turning on the car’s security system can also help.
