The best bike racks for cars𒊎 provide safe and secure carrying options, so you can take your bike with you when you travel. Whether that's to a local race or for an extended trip, you'll want to make sure that your bike or bikes can easily be attached, that they'll stay put and that they're resistant to theft.
Although many car bike racks include some form of lock or one can be added to the basic package, one of the 澳洲幸运5开奖官网在线查询开奖结果:best bike locks is an add-on to consider to secure your bike, both when travelling and once you arrive. A 澳洲幸运5开奖官网在线查询开奖结果:lightweight lock can be a handy alternative to a heavy-duty one.
Read on for our pick of the best bike racks for cars that we've tested here at Cyclingnews, including towbar, rooftop and rear-mounted options, or head further down the page for our buy🔯er's guide to car bike racks and how to choose.
Best bike racks for cars quick list
Want to cut to the chase and find out which are the best bike racks? Here's a list of our top picks from each category.𒉰 You can jump down from each product to a🀅 more detailed review as well.
Saris's system can be expanded from one to four bikes and includes a heavy-duty option for e-bikes. There's a variety of add-ons available, including lights and a cargo basket.
The Kuat NV 2.0 can𓆏 take bikes with a variety of wheel sizes and tyres up to 4.8 inches wide. It's tool-free to put on your car, althoughꦕ it is heavy and bulky when you want to remove it.
Kuat has a button-operated locking sys𒆙tem to attach your bike, with the pistons Kashima coated for smooth action. Although slick, it does add considerably to the rack's price.
The Thule UpRide holds yꦿour bike in place with two locking bars over the front wheel, while the rear wheel holder is rubber to protect expensive carbon rims.
Bike racks for cars aren't known🌄 for their looks, but the Saris Bones looks cool as well as supporting two bikes well away from your car's paintwork. There's a three bik🔥e option too.
Holding your bikes high, but also securely, means that this Thule rack doesn't obscure your number plate, so �⛎�you don't need to invest in a separate one.
This guide was last refreshed on the 13th of May 2025, checking that all the products included were available and adding additional details covering reasons to buy and reasons to avoid.
Best bike racks that mount to a hitch or tow-ball
Tow ball or tow hitch - racꦦks are not the cheapest option but they are often the most convenient and accessible to most people. Once you've figured out what will work for your car and sorted the vehicle s♛ide, there are some distinct advantages. Choosing a hitch option from our list of one of the best bike racks for cars will often mean a tray-style rack with no possibility of bike, or vehicle, damage. If your vehicle is tall, you don't have to lift a bike over your head and if you leave it on, many will tilt out of the way for easy access. And when you'd rather remove the rack, it's usually easy.
Positives
Hitch-mount racks are easy to fit and remove from your car
Some are foldable when not in use
Their position means you needn't lift bikes far from the ground
Some tilt away from the car, allowing access to the boot/trunk
They are typically compatible with all styles of bike, without axle compatibility concerns
Negatives
Vulnerable in the event of a crash
Requires your car to have a tow ball/hitch
They can obscure your vehicle registration plate and lights, which if left unresolved, can be illegal
✅ Your carrying needs may grow: You can buy extra carrier trays to add to the system as you need them.
✅ You want easy storage and assembly: Being modular, it's easy to take apa♚rt, even if the towbar mount is best leඣft in place.
Don't buy it if
❌ You want a rack that's easy to take on and off: The system components are weighty which makes it harder to carry and fit the rack.
❌ You want lower price: The 🍎cost mounts quickly as you add ex🤪tra components.
The Saris Modular Hitch System works similarly to roof-mount systems, as you ca🐲n add or remove capacity to suit your needs. There's a base hitch that attaches to your car, then you add the carriers you need for up to four bikes.
The bikes stand on a tray, which is at🍬tached to the hitch mount with security bolts anꦺd they are held in place by wheel straps and arms at either end of the tray that push against the tyre.
We found it was easiest to leave the hitch system in place, as it's heavy,𓆏 and remove the trays♍ when not in use.
✅ You want tool-free installation: The mounting process is achieved without tools.
✅ You want to carry different wheel and tyre sizes: Kuat's system is very adaptable.
Don't buy it if
❌ You want easier storage: The rack is awkward to move around on its own and to store.
❌ You want a cheaper alternative: Kuat'ꦚs rack is expensive for a rack that takes only two bikes.
Kuat makes some of the best-looking car bike racks on the market. It uses a half-wheel loop design similar to the Thul🅺e Pro XT as well as a ratchet strap meaning it can accommodate a range of wheel sizes and tyres of up to 4.8in width. The wheel cradles are adjustable to avoid bikes bumping into each other on the rack and there are removable cable locks.
The installation process is tool-free and an expanding adaptor takes up space in your car's hitch receiver to eliminate wobbles. The tilt switch can be engaged hands-free and there is even a brilliant bike repa💃ir stand built-in for adjustments and repairs.
The Yakima FoldClick 2 can e🔜💜asily carry two e-bikes (Image credit: Yakima)
3. Yakima FoldClick 2
Best bike rack for cars when you need a towbar mount
Reasons to buy
+
Lightweight and easy to install
+
Taillights
+
E-bike rated
Reasons to avoid
-
Wheel trays not adjustable
-
Arms can be awkward to use with non-traditional frames
Buy it if
✅ You want to use an existing towbar: The FolkClick's rack attaches to a towbar, rather than its receiver.
✅ You want in-built lights: Yakima's system avoids havi☂ng to purchase and fix a light board.
Don't buy it if
❌ You want to carry smaller bikes: The non-adjustable wheel trays may not work for short-wheelbase bikes.
❌ You want to carry bikes without a top tube: The stabilising arms may be difficult to use.
Yakima’s FolkClick 2 car bike rack utilises the towbar instead of the hitch receiver and has a surprisingly high weight limit 💞— you can easily carry two e-bikes and still have weight left over. Not only is the rack quick and easy the install but it weighs just 14kg. The big selling point here, however, is its ability to quickly fold away, not to mention the inclusion of a ramp to help you get your bike i𝐆n place come loading time.
Its design features two wheel-trays as well as arms and clam♋ps t📖o grab onto your bike's frame. A foot pedal unclips the base of the rack to tilt it out of the way so you can quickly get into your trunk. The setup also includes a locking system for both the bikes and the rack itself.
Best for easy removal
The Rockymounts MonoRail Solo hitch⭕ tips the scales at around 25lbs. (Image credit: Josh Ross)
25lb rack weight makes it easy to add and remove from the vehicle
+
Includes strap extenders for larger wheel/tyre bikes
Reasons to avoid
-
Hitch attachment requires tools
-
The hitch lock is flimsy
-
Hard to buy in the UK
Buy it if
✅ You want to carry one bike: As its name says, it's designed to carry a single bike, but can be expanded to two.
✅ You want low weight: The So𓆏lo is lighter than most racks making it easier to fit or store when not in use.
Don't buy it if
❌ You want tool-free fixing: You need to use tools to attach to the hitch.
❌ You want more security: The locking mechanismꦯ for the hitch isn🧸't very robust.
Not everyone needs to carry a bunch of heavy bikes. Also, not everyone wants to leave their rack attached to the car when not in use. If you only occasionally use a bike rack and you tend to ride alone, or at least drive to the ride alone, then the Rockymou⛄nts MonoRail Solo is a perfect choice.
The price is lower than other optio🍨ns and it's exceptionally light at only 25 lbs. Taking it off the car and storing it is an easy one-handed affair. It also doesn't lock you into your current situatꦰion. If you decide you need to start carrying a second bike the MonoRail add-on allows adding capability.
A few screws and a five-minute traꦿnsformation will have you ready to double your load capability. For the times when you aren't using the MonoRail add-on, it's just as light and easy to handle as the base unit.
The 澳洲幸运5开奖官网在线查询开奖结果:best roof bike racks roof racks attach to cross🎃 or roof bars. For some vehicles that will mean factory rails that come pre-installed but even if you've got a flat roof, there are options. Aftermarket brands offer a range of bars to fit the flat roofs of most vehicles with options that range in price and style. There are less expensive square bars or slಞeek aerodynamic offerings.
Bikes are then secured to the roof using the frame, front wheel or front axle. Each of these has advantages and disadvantages; however, the key thing to consider is whether you will be able to lift your bike onto the roof 🍬in the first place. If you’re driving a tall SUV, consider a hitch or towbar car bike rack, as getting heavy bikes onto the ℱroof can be precarious. For e-bikes, the weight means this style of rack isn't going to work at all.
Positives
Easy access to car boot/trunk
Widely compatible with car types
Unrestricted view through rear window
The best roof bike racks offer can cater for the most bikes
Negatives
The high position makes it harder to load bikes
You may need to buy roof bars if you don't already have them
Be careful driving into height-restricted multi-storey car parks
Best for easy bike mounting
The 🍨Kuat Piston SR has a system to lock the bikes wheels (Image credit: Future)
5. Kuat Piston SR
The best roof bike rack for ease of mounting your bike
Reasons to buy
+
Button-controlled locking of the bike to the car
+
Looks great
+
Kashima low friction coated struts
Reasons to avoid
-
High retail price
-
Only capacity for one bike
Buy it if
✅ You want easy bike attachment: The Kashima-coated pistons are quick to use but contribute to a high price.
✅ You want lower weight: The rack is heavy to take on and off the car.
Don't buy it if
❌ You want to carry more bikes: The Piston can only carry one bike.
❌ You want a one-stop solution: You need to buy the roof bars separately.
Th🥂e high-end Kuat Piston SR rack comes with an automated, button-actuated system which locks to your bike's wheels. Called One Tap, it's clever but makes the rack about double the price of many other bike racks. There's an accessory to adapt i🐎t to work with a bike with mudguards.
The🌳 system also makes the rack heavier than other options, so it's not such a good choice if you regularly mount and dismount your bike rack.
There are also gold Kashima-coated struts, the same coating tꦛop-end mountain bike suspension fork stanchions receive. This is arguably a bit much, but it looks really special.
Best for bikes with mudguards
The Yakima High Speed ♓required the bikes front wheel to be removed in transit (Image credit: Future)
6. Yakima HighSpeed
Best bike rack if you have mudguards
Reasons to buy
+
Light and easy to mount to the car
+
Works with mudguards
Reasons to avoid
-
Need to remove the front wheel
Buy it if
✅ Your bike has mudguards: The design works with bikes with mudguards or fenders.
✅ You want easy mounting: Yakima's rack is low in weight an♌d easy to mount🤪 to roof bars.
Don't buy it if
❌ You want to avoid wheel removal: Although the fork mount makes for a secure hold, it does mean removing a wheel and storing it separately.
❌ You want to keep your rear wheel pristine: The rear wheel strap could scuff the 𒁏rear wheel unless protected.
The Yakima HighSpeed mounts to Yakima's separate roof bars and has the advantage that it's designed to work with mudguards. You need tᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚo remove 🅷the front wheel to install your bike (no bad thing) and the fork is secured with a thru-axle which has a torque limiter to guard against overtightening which is really handy.
The rear wheel is secured with a strap, although we found that to be a little lacking in padding if you want to avoid damage to expensive carbon wheels. However, you could perhaps pad this o🗹ut with a soft cloth if you fear scratchesꦯ.
There 🐼is zero frame contact from the rack though, so there's no need to worry about carbon tubes being damaged or crushed here.
If you are travelling with just one bike most of the time to events, trips or races this could be a solid opti🐻on. The fact you need to remove a wheel keeps things a little more compact on the roof too.
Best for rear wheel protection
The Thule Upride lock is ♒integrated into the rack itself (Image credit: Josh Ross)
7. Thule UpRide
Best bike rack for cars for rear wheel protection
☆☆☆☆☆
Specifications
Type: Roof
Style: Wheel mount
Frame Contact: No
Max no. of bikes : One
Reasons to buy
+
Rear wheel holder uses a diagonal ratchet strap with a rubber rim protector
+
No adaptors to keep track of
+
Locking "X" mechanism provides an extra layer of security
Reasons to avoid
-
Folding the system flat might mean adjusting the size of the front wheel retention
Buy it if
✅ You want an expandable roof mount system: Thule's system can be expanded to multiple bikes.
✅ You want integrated locking: The Upride includes locks to the rack ᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚand to the car, so you don't need to use a separate cabl🎀e.
Don't buy it if
❌ You have mudguards: The front wheel mount doesn't work with a mudguard.
❌ You want to keep the rack on the car without a bike: Depending on your bike, you may need to adjust the front retainer🍃 to get it to fold flat.
There are a lot of similarities between the Thule Upride and the Yakima HighRoad. We've decided to include them both because they are both high-quality wheel-on options for mounting a bike on top of a car. The front mount of the Yakima is a little bit easier to use while the rear st☂rap on the Thule is a little bit nicer and it's more protective of the rear wheel.
When it comes to locking, the Thule has the advantage that there's𝓰 no cable, instead it's integrated into the rack. The biggest point of differentiation though is going to be the large🍃r system. A key advantage of a roof rack is that it can extend beyond just a single bike rack. If you think you like the other pieces in one system vs the other, you'll want the matching bike rack for that system.
Best for compatibility
The Rockymounts Tomahawk🎐 works with a range of bike and wheel sizes (Image credit: Josh Ross)
8. Rockymounts Tomahawk
Best roof bike rack for cars for wide compatibility
Reasons to buy
+
Wide compatibility with wheel sizes
+
Handles tyres up to 5 inches wide
Reasons to avoid
-
Chance that the fork legs can get scratched
Buy it if
✅ You want broad bike compatibility: If you've got a fat bike and a road bike, the Tomahawk will work for both.
✅ You want easy mounting: Tomahawk's sy🍷stem is easy to use and🍃 works with a range of crossbars.
Don't buy it if
❌ You want zero bike contact: The mount can rub against the fork legs and could scuff them.
❌ You want to use mudguards: It's anothe🅘r system that won't work with a front fender.
The Tomahawk is simple to use and works with a wide range of bike sizes and wheel sizes, using a 🐭front-wheel loop and a 🐼wheel stop to secure the bike upright, with a strap around each wheel to keep it secure. It can handle everything from road bikes to fat bike tyre width, covering all the likely requirements.
The main issue with the rack is that the mount comes into contact with the fork legs, so there's the chance of rubbing your bike's paint, particularly if the bike is dirty. It's not a dealbreaker for us, but whenever we use it, we add in a bit of heli꧟copter tape to protect things𒀰.
Best trunk bike racks
Trunk and boot racks attach to the back of your car using straps, with feet stabilising the whole thing against the car. With the 澳洲幸运5开奖官网在线查询开奖结果:best trunk/boot bike racks, installing the rack correctly is paramount. If you don’t have something in the right place or pulled tautly, it can damage the paint on your vehicle. The advantage of trunk mount racks is that they are super light and inexpensive. If it's rare that🎃 you use a rack and you just need to occasionally transport an older road bike then these might be worth a look.
Positives
Usually the simplest and cheapest option
Simple ratchet-strap fitting so no specific fixings are needed
Position means it's relatively easy to fit and remove bikes
Negatives
Restricted view through the rear window
Restricted access to trunk/boot
Can be hard to fit bikes without a horizontal top tube
Can obstruct your car's registration plate and lights, meaning a separate number and light board is required
The contact points can damage car paintwork
Best trunk rack for quick fitting
The Saris Bones 2 has a well tested design (Image credit: Future)
9. Saris Bones 2-Bike
Best bike rack for cars if you want quick fitment
☆☆☆☆☆
Specifications
Type: Trunk/Boot
Style: Top tube
Frame Contact: Yes
Max no. of bikes : Two
Reasons to buy
+
Seatpost strap
+
Curved arm separates bikes
Reasons to avoid
-
Nothing to secure the front wheel
-
Can't be locked to vehicle
Buy it if
✅ You want easy fitting: The Bones 2 attaches quickly to the trunk/boot.
✅ You want to carry multiple bikes: You can buy two and three bike versions.
Don't buy it if
❌ You want more security: There's nothing to lock the Bones 2 to your vehicle.
❌ You want to secure your front wheel: The rack doesn't♏ have anything to stop it from moving around.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. That is the mantra Saris🃏 has used with its Bones 2-Bike trunk/boot car bike rack. The design was first introduced in 1996 and hasn't changed all that much since.
It's available in two- and three-bike versions and is made from 100 per cent recyclable materials and everything from the articulating feet to the ar🐲ms are adjustable to make the ra🙈ck fit onto just about any car — including those with small spoilers.
The arm that supports the bikes is curved which provides extra clearance, and the seatpost strap prevents the bikes from wobbling around too much when everyไthing is mounted. Unfortunately, the front wheel is still free to move around, although this is something that even the best car bike racks of this style fail to efficiently address.
Best to avoid numberplate overhang
The Thule Outway Platform 2 brings biꦦkes up above the cars number plate (Image credit: Thule)
10. Thule OutWay Platform 2
Best bike rack for cars to avoid needing an additional number plate
Reasons to buy
+
Raises bikes above the number plate
+
Less likely that the bike will move around than with a hanging system
Reasons to avoid
-
Heavy
-
Expensive
Buy it if
✅ You don't want a separate numberplate : The rack lifts the bikes above most plates, so they're still visible.
✅ You want a system that doesn't use the top tube: If you've got an expensive cꦿarbon bike, wheel attachment is less likely to cause damage.
Don't buy it if
❌ You want lower weight: Thule's rack is heavier than most rear-mounted racks.
❌ You want a cheaper system: Trunk racks are usually less expensive than other options, ಞbut 🙈not so the OutWay.
The Thule OutWay bike rack sits𒈔 the bikes on a platform, rather than the normal system which suspends the bike from the top tube. That means that the bike is immobilised better and it's also lifted above the car's numberplate, so you don't need a separate p𝄹late to stay legal.
There are steel ca💃bles that attach the rack to a car to help increase security and peace of mind. It's still also possible to open your boot or trunk with the bikes removed but the rack still attached to the car. Which will make grocery runs and the like a lot easier on a trip for example.
On the flip side, the rack is heavier and more expensive than other trunk-mounted op꧂tions.
Best budget option
The B'Twin 320 Car Bike Rack has room for up to thrౠee bikes (Image credit: Decathlon)
11. Decathlon 320 Car Bike Rack
Best bike rack for cars if you are worried about keeping the number plate clear
Reasons to buy
+
Budget-friendly
+
Room for up to three bikes
+
Folds away neatly for storage
+
Sits high to not obstruct registration plate or lights
Reasons to avoid
-
You'll need adapters for some bikes
-
Not as much padding as some other models listed here
Buy it if
✅ You want a low-priced rack: This is one of the most affordable options for occasional use.
✅ You want easy storage: Once folded,﷽ the rack takes up little storage space.
Don't buy it if
❌ You want more bike protection: You're probably going to want to take extra measures to protect your paintwork.
❌ Your bike doesn't have a top tube: You'll need an adapter to hold your bike.
This affordable and foldable bike rack from Decathlon can carry up to three bikes, and is designed to sit high u🦩♋p so it doesn't get in the way of your registration plate or rear lights. When not in use it folds flat and can be easily stored away until you need it again.
It features adjustable straps for a good fit, and the feet that co💦me iཧnto contact with the car are rubberised to protect the paintwork. It does come with some padding to protect your bike frames from damage, however, we'd also recommend supplementing it with a bit extra to be safe.
Bikes that don't feature 🌳a horizontal top tube wil🦂l need an adapter to hold them in place.
If you're looking to upgrade your setup without overspending, you can find discounts on bike racks and other cycling essentials with our 澳洲幸运5开奖官网在线查询开奖结果:Decathlon coupon codes.
Small stored footprint
The Hollywood Express 3 is a simple, b𒀰udge♍t friendly option (Image credit: Hollywood)
12. Hollywood Express 3 Bike Car Rack
Best bike rack for cars if you want to keep an emergency rack in the car
Reasons to buy
+
Folds away neatly into the trunk/boot when not in use
+
Arrives fully assembled
+
Rubber tabs to protect the paintwork
Reasons to avoid
-
You must use all the straps to prevent wobbling
Buy it if
✅ You want a low-priced rack for three bikes: The Hollywood rack is a good alternative to Decathlon's.
✅ You want easy assembly: The rack is ready to use as sold.
Don't buy it if
❌ You have a bike with a sloping top tube: You need a standard bike frame to support the bike correctly.
❌ You want easier bike fitting: There's some work required to make sure that t▨he bike is secure and stop the front wheel from moving.
If you're looking for something simple and budget-friendly, the Hollywood F9 Expꦜress E3 bike rack could be the ticket. Able to transport up to three bikes a🦹t a time, it's super sturdy and capable, as long as you use all six of its straps to achieve adequate grip on a solid area of your car. Without this, there's a risk of wobbling.
To keep things as simple as possible, the rack arrives readಞily assembled, so there's no need to scratch your head with an instruction manual (as many of🐟 us are loathe to do), and when it's not in use you can fold it neatly away into the boot for storage.
Rubber tabs keep the car's paintwork protected, while the bike frames are shielded from each other with ⛦rubber separators.
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Bike Rack Model
Mount Type
Capacity
Rack Weight
Bike Frame Contact
Saris Modular
Hitch
4 bikes
From 35lbs / 16kg
No
Rockymounts MonoRail Solo
Hitch
1 bike - 2 with additional add on
25lbs / 11kg
No
Kuat NV 2.0
Hitch
2 bikes - max 60lbs each
52lbs / 23.5kg
No
Yakima FoldClick 2
Hitch
2 bikes - max 58kg each
34lb / 16.3kg
Yes
Kuat Piston SR
Roof
1 bike
26.8lbs / 12kg
No
Yakima HighSpeed
Roof
1 bike - max 18.1kg
9.5lbs / 4.35kg
No
Thule UpRide
Roof
1 bike - max 20kg
17lbs / 7.7kg
No
Rockymounts Tomahawk
Roof
1 bike - 35lbs max weight
16lbs / 7.25kg
Yes
Saris Bones 2-Bike
Trunk/Boot
2 bikes - 25lbs per bike
9lbs / 4kg
Yes
Thule OutWay Platform 2
Trunk/Boot
2 bikes - max 15kg per bike
27.5lbs / 12.5kg
Yes
B'Twin 320 Car Bike Rack
Trunk/Boot
3 bikes - 15kg max per bike
19.8lbs / 9kg
Yes
Hollywood Express 3
Trunk/Boot
2 or 3 bikes - 35lbs max per bike
N/A
Yes
How to choose the best bike rack for you
There are quite a few things to consider when choosing the best bike rack for your needs. The main issue is whether a r♔ack will work both with your car and with your bike, as we explain below. You also need to consider how easy it is to mount and dismount your bike from the rack. If it's a two-person job and you usually travel solo with your bike, that's a problem.
If you are making a sizeable investment, it's a good idea to consult your car manufacturer and the rack🐭 ✨manufacturer to ensure the model you like will actually fit your car.
Price and frequency of use will be important factors, as will how easy it is to store a rack wꦆ👍hen not in use.
Here's what to think about whe🐈n choosing the best bike rack for you.
Is my car compatible?
The fir🎃st, and most important thing to consider when choosing the best bike rack for your needs is to ensure that whateve🍌r you buy will be compatible with your car.
To do this, you need to understand how each of the types of bike rack works. Ahead of each section above, we've explained the details of ho🍒w they function, but a quick run-through is as follows:
Roof-mounted bike racks fit onto the roof bars fitted to your car, 𝄹which you may need to invest in if you don't have them already. Nearly all cars will allow this, but you'll need to ensure you get ones that are compatible with your car.
Hitch-mounted bike racks need your car to have a tow ba✃ll/hitꩲch fitted. If your car doesn't have one, you can get one fitted but this will come at a cost, of course, so first consider whether it's better value than opting for an alternative type of bike rack.
Trunk/boot mounted bike racks use straps and clips and simply fix to the rear of your car using tension applied to the straps - usually using a ratchet mechanism. 🐻These come in different forms that are comp𒁏atible with saloon and hatchback-type cars respectively.
How many bikes do you need to transport?
The next thing to consider is how many bikes you wish to transport. Of course, the more bikes a bike rack can handle, the more expensive it's likely to be, so while a rack that can carry four bikes might be nice to🐼 have just in case, you might be paying for something you never actually use.
This is most pertinent with trunk or hitch-mounted racks, as they're designed to carry a set number of bikes and no more. However when it comes to roof-mounted racks, they're usually designed for a single bike, so you can simply buy more at a later date if the famil♍y grows.
Are your bikes compatible?
The next thing to consider is whether it w💯ill actually fit your bike. The questions here depend on the bike 🐲& rack you have in mind.
With roof-mounted racks, they usually hold one or both wheels in a groove to keep the bike steady, and wrap a strap around the wheel to hold it in place. If you're using a bike with fat tyres or deep rims, check the width and stra💛p length to ensure it'll fit. Some then fit a brace bar to the down tube of the bike, clamping it in place. If you're using a bike with deep or thick tube shapes, this is a🧸n area to check. Others remove a wheel and bolt the bike into place using the axle, so if you're opting for one of these, check the corresponding axle on your bike to ensure the rack comes with the right sort.
As for hit🐠ch racks, the same applies to the groove in which you fit your wheel, so don't forget to check that it'll be compatible.
And with trunk or boot-mounted bike racks, these usually suspend your bike from the top tube, so if you're riding a mountain bike with full suspension, or a hybrid bike with a step-through frame, this could make things difficult, as the bike will be suspended at a potentially insecure angle. It's also worth checking the width 🥂between the two braces. If you're trying to transport both adults' and kids' bikes together, then you'll need to strike a balance between wide enough for stability, and narrow enough to fit through the small frame.
No matter the type of rack, they all have a weight limit, s📖o if you'reꦓ transporting an e-bike, then be sure to double-check the combined weight of your bike and ensure it doesn't exceed the limit.
Is there anything else to consider?
Finally, if you've reached this point and different types of bike racks are still compatible and available to you, then consider the other non-essential characteristics of each. Ahead of each section above, we've listed the pros and cons for each type, which should help you decide, but it's worth weighing up the importance of things like how easy it is to load and unload, access to 💖your trunk/boot, vulnerability to crashing and how they obstruct your visibility whilst driving.
If a hitch or trunk-mounted rack obscures your rear number plate, you'll probably need to buy a separate one to attach to the rear of your rack. In some jurisdictions, you may also need a repeater b൩oard for your indicators and brake lights.
How do we choose these products?
We are a dedicated group of cyclists and we try to ride more than the averaꦆge person. We ride whe⛦n it's cold, when it's hot, when it's raining, and sometimes even when it's snowing. We spend time racing and we spend time exploring.
As part of all that time, we are al✅ways testing new products to share with you. We have the opportunity to drive to more rides and try out more options for carrying bikes on cars. Each time we have a failure, that builds our experience witꦜh what works and what doesn't so that we can share that knowledge with you.
We've brought together a collection of products that covers a wide range of uses so that no matter what kind of bike, what kind of vehicle, and even what country you might be in, there's some👍thing for you.
How do I know what hitch / tow ball racks I can use?
Trucks and larger vehicles will come with a 2in receiver tube. Howeꦬver, even if your vehicle doe🅘sn't have anything from the factory, there's almost always a retrofit kit available. You'll want to look for a quality system that mounts to the frame rails and not the bumper and what's available will depend on the tow ratings for the vehicle in question.
Keep in mind that in the US, a 1 1/4 receiver tube can be one of two different types of receivers. Both class 1 and class 2 hitches use the same size but they are different. You'll want to search carefully to see what the rack manufacturer🅠s rate their racks for. A class 1 hitch limits the insertion depth and, in some cases, even if 𝄹a rack is the right size, it won't mount.
Another consideration for this style of rack is local laws and regulations. In Australia for example, if the rack obscures your licence plate, you’ll need an official accessory plate from the RTA; similar rules apply in Europe. The rack will also need to illuminate the plate to ensure visibility from at least 20m away in poor light conditions. In the eyes of the law, the classic photocopy or piece of cardboard with your plate number scribbled in sharpie will earn you a hefty fine. That’s not all; you may also cop a fine for driving around with an empty hitch rack on the back of your car. The moral of the story is to do your due diligence about wha💃t's required in your country before making a purchase.
Will my bike be safe using a roof rack?
As long as you are comfortable getting yo🌳ur bike up on the roof, there are a few options for how they stay there. Wheel-off systems keep the bike a little lower and make it a little easier to lift up on the roof. The challenge with using the axle to secure the bike is that there are a lot of variations. Different axle standards and hub spacing might mean easy-to-lose adapters.
The other option is a wheel-on system. This style uses a retention system like what you see on hitch racks but it's up above the car. There are a few that instead grabﷺ the downtube but we would tend to steer away from this style. They can scratch your paintwork and, in the worst case, crush the frame. Wheel-on roof-mounted car bike racks are great if you’re transporting bikes with various hub and axle standards. They don't t🥀ouch the frame but they are a bit less stable, more expensive and require you to lift the bike higher.
The biggest advantage of a roof system is that it's not something you have to think about when it's not in use. The crossbars are either part of the car, or easy to live with always installed. The racks themselves are much lighter than a hitch system since they separate the bike retention from the car retention. It's als✃o worth considering that if you've got a flat roof the initial investment of a rail system opens your roof up to all kinds of add-ons for different uses.
As far as bikes go, the roof keeps them safe from backing into something. Bikes on the roof are also safer from other drivers should you get into a fender be🅺nder. Don't forget the bike is up there though. There are a lot of sad stories about driving into a garage or a height limiter bar for a car park with bikes still attached.
How do we test bike racks?
The Cyclingnews tech team is well accustomed to mounting bikes to vehicles, whether 🐽it's transporting reꦍview bikes or travelling to races we have developed a strong understanding of what makes a good bike rack and the pitfalls.
All bike racks are used for an extended period so we can understand how easy it is to mount to a car, how easy it is to fit a bike to the rack and take it back off, how secure the mounting system feels and how easyℱ the bike rack 🀅is to move around and store.
Our reviews and opinions are unbiased and based on extensive use of a bike rack, so you can be sure that Cyclingnews is ofꦚfering you the best advice possible.
Josh hails from the Pacific Northwest of the United States but would prefer riding through the desert than the rain. He will happily talk for hours about the minutiae of cycling tech but also has an understanding that most people just want things to work. He is a road cyclist at heart and doesn't care much if those roads are paved, dirt, or digital. Although he rarely races, if you ask him to ride from sunrise to sunset the answer will be yes.
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 140 lb.
Rides: Salsa Warbird, Cannondale 🔴CAAD9, Enve Melee, Look 795 Blade RS, Priority Continuum Onyx
