Bike Rack Buying Guide
Due to the variety of terrain around us, we can’t ride our bikes wherever we want. If you plan on going to the forest camp, you sometimes can’t ride your bike there as the road isn’t suitable for that. In that case, you want to transport your bike to the place where it can be used. Back in the days, this was a long-lasting and time-consuming process. We had to use makeshift methods to tie the bike to a car, van or a truck.
Thanks to the ever-growing technology, those days are way behind us. With the invention of bike racks, our bikes got the treatment they deserved. It’s much easier for us to transport our bikes, even if we talk about a couple of them at the same time.
As the name of the article implies, we’ve come up with an in-depth bike rack buying guide. Here, we will present you the best bike racks of 2019 as well as an in-depth guide on how to buy the right bike rack for you.
Grab your cup of coffee and let’s begin.
Start With Fit, Weight, And Bike Type
Do not choose a bike rack from a top-five list alone. Start with your vehicle, receiver or roof rating, bike weight, tire width, frame shape, garage clearance, and how often you need to remove the rack.
| Rack style | Best for | Check before buying |
|---|---|---|
| Hitch platform rack | Heavier bikes, frequent trips, lower lift height. | Hitch class, receiver size, tongue weight, per-bike limit, wheelbase, tire width, and tilt access. |
| Hitch hanging rack | Budget multi-bike transport with traditional frame shapes. | Top-tube shape, anti-sway straps, bike spacing, and whether adapters are needed. |
| Roof rack | Keeping rear hatch access open and carrying mixed outdoor gear. | Roof load rating, crossbar fit, garage height, bike weight, and overhead clearance. |
| Trunk rack | Occasional use without a hitch or roof system. | Vehicle compatibility, paint contact points, strap routing, spoiler clearance, and total weight limit. |
| Wall storage rack | Garage storage after the ride. | Wall framing, bike weight, tire size, handlebar width, and lifting height. |
Related GarageSanctum guides: organize the garage around bike storage, use space-saving garage tips, compare truck bed bike racks, or review hitch bike racks.
Source Notes Used For This Refresh
- REI’s car-rack guidance says roof systems require checking the vehicle manual for maximum roof load, and hitch racks require checking tongue-weight capacity.
- REI’s e-bike rack guidance emphasizes bike weight, battery removal when appropriate, locking limits, and avoiding leaving expensive bikes unattended on a rack for long periods.
- Thule’s rack guide tells buyers to verify vehicle, roof-rack, or trunk-rack compatibility rather than assuming a universal fit.
- Rack Attack’s guide separates roof, hitch, trunk, and spare-tire rack styles and notes that roof bike carriers require a base roof rack.
Older Bike Rack Examples
Allen Sports 4-Bike Hitch Racks for 2 in. Hitch
Allen Sports is known for its premium-grade sports equipment. This time, their 4-bike hitch rack impressed us with its sleek, premium, and lightweight design. There are 6 editions of this product but we’ve chosen to go with a Premium Locking edition, as it offers the best value for the money. First, there is a quick-install locking hitch, offering a fit for 2-inch receiver hitches, with 2 keys included. When not in use, quick-set carry arms snap into place and fold out of the way.
The bike rack uses individual straps, but bikes still need to be checked for frame contact, wheel movement, and strap security before each drive. If you want easy lift-gate access, there is an internal tilt-away release, along with the padded spine shield that protects bicycles during transport. Treat this as an older example, not a current best-pick ranking.
BV Bike Bicycle Hitch Mount Rack Carrier for Car, Truck, SUV
Next, we have a hitch-style rack example that may fit some trucks, SUVs, and cars when the hitch and load ratings match. This product is available in two versions – one 2-bike carrier and one 4-bike carrier. Since we already mentioned a 4-bike carrier, it’s time to take a look at a modest one. BV Bike Bicycle Hitch Mount Rack Carrier comes with a tilt-back design. This design is important because it enables you to open the rear gates without having to detach the whole hitch rack from your vehicle. Speaking of this smart design, it’s important to mention the well-known fold-up design.
It allows you to safely fold up the rack when you’re not using this, thus allowing you to store it easily and save some space. There’s also a safety reflector which will enhance your visibility during the night, to avoid a potential collision which could damage your bike rack and your bike. The rack comes with an anti-wobble design. Its function is to prevent wobbling between the hitch and the rack, making it firm and tightly secured. Finally, padded arms are here for keeping your bike scratch-free and intact. Verify current reviews, fitment, and replacement parts before treating it as a solid buy.
Swagman XC Cross-Country 2-Bike Hitch Mount Rack
Swagman XC Cross-Country 2-Bike Hitch Mount Rack is a compact bike rack with the ability to carry up to 2 bikes. By default, the product supports bikes with standard tires, with the fat tire wheel tray being sold separately. If you do not have fat tires, this style may work for many standard bikes, but it is not universal for every frame, wheelbase, or tire size. The rack supports a 1-1/4“ and 2“ hitch receiver with the maximum load capacity of 35lbs per bike. That 70 lb total can be enough for many two-bike setups, but it is not enough for every e-bike or heavy fat-tire bike.
The rear of the vehicle can be easily accessed by using the center arm, which folds down without removing the rack. The versatility if improved further by the upright ratcheting arms that easily adjust to fit different bike sizes. The maximum supported bike frame is 59 centimeters.
Steadyrack Classic Bike Rack
A wall-mounted rack such as a Steadyrack-style design is best evaluated by tire diameter, tire width, bike weight, wall framing, handlebar clearance, and lifting height. A classic rack made in modern time – what more to ask for? However, we do need to mention that it supports only one bike – road, hybrid, and mountain bikes with tire diameter from 20 to 29 inches. The recommended weight is 35kg, although it’s tested with 80kg. Check the current model’s published load rating, material, and installation requirements before mounting. Thanks to its 160-degree side-to-side swivel, it helps save some space and is great for use in congested areas.
When not used, the rack stands flat against the wall for easier access to your bike. Due to its affordable price, you can buy two racks and store your two bikes at a price that’s similar to some 2-bike racks, which makes this rack very affordable and worth comparing.
Deluxe Trunk Mounted Bike Rack
Deluxe Trunk Mounted Bike Rack is catered toward budget-oriented buyers and for those who don’t want to spend a fortune on a bike rack. It has space for two bikes and is aimed at budget-oriented buyers. Trunk-rack fit is vehicle-specific, especially around spoilers, hatch shape, paint contact points, and strap routing. The lateral stability is increased with the side straps, accompanied by individual tie-downs for securing and protecting the bicycles.
The padded lower frame allows your bicycles to be at a distance from your vehicle, helping reduce contact when installed correctly. The max capacity is 70 pounds, just a tad less than some of the previous bike racks, which is acceptable for the price. Since the product comes fully assembled, setup speed depends on the vehicle and rack; first-time users should take extra time to route straps and check bike movement.
What to Look for When Buying a Bike Rack?
A vehicle that will be used
This is the first factor you need to think about because not every rack supports every vehicle. No rack should be assumed to support every vehicle. But, these racks are more expensive and will not always be utilized fully. Confirm your vehicle body style, hitch receiver, roof system, spare tire, hatch clearance, and manufacturer fit notes before choosing a rack.
Number and type of bikes
Are you going to transport one bike or four of them? If you need a rack for a single bike, you’ll need to spend a bit less money and vice versa. Think about it before you make a purchase. Now, what type of bike you want to transport? By type, we think about shape and size. Sometimes, you’ll need to transport children’s bikes and sometimes, you’ll need to transport a huge bike with fat tires. Step-through frames, kids’ bikes, full-suspension bikes, and some e-bikes may need an adapter bar or a platform rack; confirm with the bike and rack manuals.
The load capacity of your bike rack
Load capacity is not just the rack total. Check per-bike limit, total rack limit, vehicle tongue weight or roof load rating, and whether the bike is an e-bike, fat-tire bike, or long-wheelbase bike.
Type of the bike rack
There are three different types of bike racks – rear racks, roof racks, and sport trailers. Roof racks keep rear access open, but they require roof load capacity, crossbar compatibility, careful loading, and awareness of garage and low-clearance entrances. Rear racks, as the name says, are attached to the rear of the vehicle and are far more accessible, as they can be mounted on to a trailer hitch. Finally, we have sport trailers, which are completely different from any bike rack. These are towed behind your car and are used for transporting more than 4 bicycles.
Frequency of use
If you use a rack once or twice per year, a simpler rack may be enough if it fits safely. However, if you travel frequently, frequent travel usually justifies a more stable rack with better locks, tilt access, parts support, and easier loading.
Price range
Price range is very important for those who don’t want to spend an entire fortune. When you’ve narrowed down all the characteristics, give yourself the desired price and see if there’s a desired rack for that amount of cash.
Conclusion
Before buying, verify current fitment, total and per-bike weight, frame/tire compatibility, garage clearance, and lock/security needs. Used bike racks can be a good value, but inspect straps, cradles, bolts, locks, rust, recall status, and missing parts. Read more here about storage solutions for your garage.
