Buying guide for Best bike racks

When you need to use your car to transport your bike to the perfect spot, you need a bike rack.

With a rack, you can easily take your bike to a scenic trail that’s too far away to ride to or pack it with you so you can cruise on vacation. Choosing the right bike rack is key.

You want to be sure that your bicycle is secure when you take it on the road. Choosing a rack can be tricky, though. Knowing a few key details will help you decide which type of rack is best for your bike and car.

A bike rack means you don’t have to disassemble your bike for travel, so you’ll be ready to ride as soon as you reach your destination.

Types of bike racks

Roof bike racks

Roof bike racks attach to the top of your car. Your car must have a base roof rack for the bike rack to attach to. There are two types of roof bike racks.

• Fork mount: A fork mount rack requires that you remove your bike’s front wheel, so you can clamp its front-wheel fork to the rack.

• Upright mount: An upright mount rack allows you to leave the bike’s front wheel in place. It holds the bike completely upright in the rack.

Trunk bike racks

Trunk bike racks are the most common type. They attach to the trunk of your car with rubber-tipped metal hooks. Foam or rubber pads sit against the trunk, bumper, and back window for support.

Hitch mount bike racks

A hitch mount bike rack requires that your car have a trailer hitch. You attach the rack behind your car. There are two types of hitch mount racks.

• Hanging hitch: A hanging hitch rack attaches to the bike’s frame and uses Velcro or rubber straps to hold it in place.

• Platform hitch: A platform hitch has a platform to place the bike on, which is then held in place by an arm that hooks over the bike’s frame or front tire.

A chief part of our research is figuring out which bike racks are the most stable and convenient when toting multiple bikes.

The most convenient bike racks we recommend allow use of the trunk or tailgate, so it’s easy to access your gear without removing bulky brackets.

We consider various bike rack styles that accommodate a range of bike types, from high-speed road racers to mountain bikes.

Both bikes and cars vary in shape and size, so we look into which bike racks are best for all types of vehicles, whether yours is a compact sedan or an all-wheel-drive SUV.

We weigh the pros and cons of different types to help you decide whether a platform, hanging hitch, upright, or trunk-mounted model will work best for your vehicle and bicycle.

In case you don’t have a tow hitch or yours is already in use, we’ve dug up a number of popular roof-mounted bike racks.

We consider styles that are compatible with rear-mounted spare tires, which 4X4 and other off-road enthusiasts will appreciate.

The simplest high-quality bike racks we recommend use straps and locking cables for security while you’re driving or parked in a public place.

We pay careful attention to bike racks that can be installed and removed without marring or otherwise harming your car.

We give extra points to bike racks that don’t impede everyday use of your vehicle, so you can leave your rack mounted and get on the cycling path quickly at any time.

Pros and cons of different types of bike racks

In order to choose the best bike rack for you, consider the pros and cons of each different type. Keep in mind that there are no-fit vehicles – meaning the manufacturer doesn’t recommend using a bike rack for vehicles that fall into this category. Never force it.

Trunk bike racks

• Pros: Trunk bike racks are typically the most inexpensive. They usually aren’t designed for specific vehicles, so one rack can fit multiple car models. That makes it easy to move the rack from one vehicle to another. Trunk bike racks are easy to store. In some cases, the rack can even fit in the car’s trunk. It’s easy to lift and attach bikes to the rack, too.
• Cons: A trunk bike rack can obstruct a vehicle’s rear view. The weight of the rack and bikes can sometimes do damage to the car’s sheet metal or paint finish. The rack may not work with a car that has a rear spoiler. A trunk bike rack isn’t always the most secure option, and straps can wear out or snap over time. Bikes can be damaged in the rack if you back your car into something or are struck from behind. You can’t access your trunk when the rack is in place. The rack may block the taillights and license plate, which can mean a ticket in some areas. A trunk rack doesn’t work well for tandem bikes, and other bikes with unique frames may require extra attachments.

Roof bike racks

• Pros: A roof bike rack doesn’t obstruct your view of the road, and it still allows access to your trunk or hatchback. Depending on the size and design of your vehicle, you may be able to fit more bikes in a rack on the roof than in a rear rack. In fact, many roof racks can fit up to four bikes. A roof rack can often fit tandem, recumbent, or other bikes with unusual frames. It’s easy to switch out a bike roof rack for a ski or watersport rack based upon the season.
• Cons: Roof bike racks can be tricky to install. Getting bikes up into a roof rack can be difficult and may cause scratches on the car’s exterior. You can’t drive into a parking garage, through a restaurant or bank drive-thru, or anywhere with low overhead clearance with a roof rack. Trees with low-hanging branches can also be an issue. A roof rack increases a car’s wind resistance, which can lead to poorer gas mileage. Roof racks don’t fit all vehicles, such as convertibles or those with curved roofs. If you own an SUV, you shouldn’t use a roof bike rack because the extra weight on top may cause the vehicle to roll over more easily.

Fork mount roof racks

• Pros: Because the bike’s front wheel is removed, there’s less weight on the car’s roof and the bike has a lower profile. A fork mount rack isn’t as large and heavy as an upright mount rack. The locking forks used to attach the bike are very secure.
• Cons: A fork mount rack doesn’t work with all bike fenders. The rack isn’t compatible with all bike forks either.

Upright mount roof racks

• Pros: An upright mount rack fits a wide range of bike tire sizes. You don’t have to spend time removing the bike’s front wheels to attach the bike to the rack.
• Cons: An upright mount rack is larger and heavier than a fork mount rack. There will be more weight on the car’s roof, and the bike will have a higher profile, too. You have to lift the entire bike, including the front wheel, to attach it to the rack.

Hitch mount bike racks

• Pros: It’s easy to load a bike in a hitch mount rack because you don’t have to lift it up to the roof. You’re less likely to scratch the car’s exterior when you mount the bike than you are with a roof rack. You usually don’t need to remove the bike’s front wheel to place it in the rack. Your roof will be free to carry other items, such as skis or watersport equipment. You don’t have to worry about your vehicle’s overhead clearance.
• Cons: A hitch mount rack requires a vehicle hitch. A hitch mount rack may limit your access to the trunk or hatchback. The rack and bikes may obstruct rear visibility. Your bikes may be damaged if you back into an object or are struck from behind. You usually can’t place tandem bikes and other styles with unusual frames in a hitch mount rack.

Hanging hitch mount racks

• Pros: A hanging hitch mount rack can fit multiple bikes. In many cases, it can carry up to five if the hitch and car are approved for the weight. Most hanging hitch mount racks hit at chest level, so you don’t need to lift the bike high to secure it. It’s easy to take the rack off the hitch, and the rack is compact for convenient storage.
• Cons: Not all bike frames are compatible with hanging hitch mount racks. Bikes can sometimes bang up against one another in the rack. Bikes can get dirty when transported at the back of the vehicle. If your vehicle is low to the ground, bike tires can be damaged if they come in contact with the ground.

Platform hitch mount racks

• Pros: It’s easy to attach and remove bikes from a platform hitch mount rack. Platform hitch mount racks can often fit up to four bikes if the hitch and car are approved for the weight. The racks can usually fit any type of bike. The platform design does a better job of keeping the bikes separated, so there’s less chance of them banging up against one another.
• Cons: Platform hitch mount racks are heavier than hanging hitch mounts. A platform hitch mount limits access to the trunk or hatchback, though it’s easy to remove the bikes and get into the back of the car. If the rack is a lightweight style, it may only be able to hold two bikes.

Tips and tricks for using a bike rack

• If you have a roof mount bike rack, it can be easy to forget your bike is on top of the car before pulling into the garage.

• To avoid damaging your bike, try keeping your garage remote inside a cycling glove in your car to remind yourself to take the bike off the roof.

• When you’re using a trunk or hitch mount rack at the rear of your car, make sure that it’s installed so the bikes are high enough that their tires won’t hit the ground when you go over rough road.

• The tires should also be positioned high enough over the exhaust system to avoid melting or popping the tubes.

• If you’re taking a long trip with a rear mount rack, it’s a good idea to use bungee cords or straps to keep the bike wheels from spinning the entire time. This can save wear and tear on the hubs’ bearings.

• Ensure that your bikes are always secure by checking your rack installation often. A rack may loosen over time, which can cause your bike to go flying off when you hit the road.

• Check that all the attachments and bolts are snug, and make sure the pads are still in place on rear racks.

• When you’re installing a trunk mount bike rack, position it so the lower feet rest against the horizontal surface of the bumper. This ensures that the bumper supports most of the weight of the rack and bikes, instead of the straps and hooks.

A bike rack saves room in your car, so you can fit other supplies, luggage, or even a few more passengers when you hit the road.

How much should you pay for a bike rack?

Bike racks vary in price based on the type, quality, and how many bikes they hold, but you can typically expect to pay between $25 and $300.

For a trunk mount rack, you’ll pay between $29 and $149.

For a roof mount rack, you’ll pay between $39 and $180.

For a hitch mount rack, you’ll pay between $90 and $275.